U Illinois Urbana Champaign (Chicago, Worth: to rent, movies, school)

[canty2]

I was recently accepted to the CEE department at UIUC and will be there the second week of March visiting their open house. My days will be filled with meetings and presentations, but I have the evenings to myself. What are some of the better things to do at night in the area? What are the most sees? Also what is UIUC like year round?

Thanks

[linicx]

Its cold and wet in the winter and hot and wet in the summer. It's Illinois.. Google the Champagin newspaper and read the ads. That might tell you whose doing what. Otherwise someone at that school can tell you where to rent and where to eat, etc.. I canot be more help as I have not been in C-U for many years. I do know Champaign has a new library. You'll do just fine. I'ts a nice college town that's grown considerably in the last few years.

[asearchforreason]

If you are looking for the best bar scene it is in downtown Champaign. In the area bounded by University, Neil, Main and Chestnut there are a dozen or so bars and restaurants. You might try the Blind Pig, Guido's or Boltini. Urbana has a few bars as well, but they are more laid back. If you want to play pool and have some drinks try Crane Alley on Main St in Urbana.

There are additional bars immediately west of campus (along Green St) but they are primarily filled with undergraduates.

My wife is in CEE so I can pass a specific question on to her.

[ngrome]

If you drive about 2-1/2 hours north, you can see Chicago!

[linicx]

Originally Posted by ngrome

If you drive about 2-1/2 hours north, you can see Chicago!

Note the word "see".

[Stitches]

I live right across the street from the campus. My job relocated me here.

I have lived in alot of places over the past five years, and Champaign Urbana has been by far the most boring of all of them. If you aren't attending school here, don't bother moving here.

If you ask someone on the street what there is to do, they will tell you to go to "(insert random name) bar". Most people just get their lols drinking and hitting the bars. The football and basketball teams are the only other form of entertainment. The music scene is horrible. No good bands ever come here. It's always extremely crappy local music.

[concretebox]

canty2-

I think Stitches might be a little depressed, but he's (or she's) party right, partly over-exagerating. If you're of age, I suggest downtown Champaign. It's got many bars and restaurants. My favorite is called Esquire, it's big, never has cover, has good food, decent prices, pool tables and good lighting. More beer choices can be had at The Blind Pig, but it's louder, darker and smaller. Boltini, Bacarro, and Radio-Maria are the foo-foo bars with overprice cocktails and snooty attitudes. Mike'n'Molly's, Cowboy Monkey, and the Highdive are small size concert venues. (M'n'M's has the best, biggest beer garden in town). Mary Ann's is a cheep but good diner open 24hours. Jim Gould's is the high-priced fine dining steakhouse.

Beware that parking meters are enforced until 9pm, and they're 75 cents an hour. Here's a link to a downtown parking map: Champaign, IL » Downtown and East Side Parking

Our local music scene is awesome! Visit the217.com/calendar for a listing of events including music.

Campus bars are just for drinking, puking and sexual assult. Urbana has a few bars, but is mostly empty. Worth checking out Crane Alley if you want to sample lots of differnt kinds of beers. Iron Post has a very limited menu, but good music and cheep.

The weather should warm up in March but be prepared for unpreticable weather. Dress in layers, keep a coat and umprella in your car just in case.

If you're not into drinking or local live music, there's bowling, movies, the occaional lecture, sports, and live theare. Check the217.com/calendar for events, but call to double-check, that site is run by the university students and can be a inaccurate at times.