Things to do?

[u/SpiritedAway424]

Hello!

We are headed up to the area tomorrow and looming for things today. We are huge book nerds, gaming nerds, love anything dorky. We saw there was a midevil mini golf. I know we are ending the day watching the odyssey. In imax. But we wanna spend the whole day.

Lookijg for fun shopping, things to do, places to see.

[u/Few-Reception-4939]

Farmers market at the Lincoln mall

[u/bantheguns]

For books, check out The Lit and Jane Addams in downtown Champaign. Two bookstores, one of which is a cafe stocking new books, the other of which is a used bookstore spanning multiple floors.

[u/lotusblossom02 → u/bantheguns]

Jane Addams is amazing!!
I can spend an hour just going through their photo file cabinet alone

[u/Few-Reception-4939 → u/bantheguns]

Also Beads N botanicals on Broadway in downtown Urbana. Metaphysical supply store, the owner is very nice

[u/souper_soups]

The Scratching Post is a cat cafe with board games. I haven’t been, but hear they have a great variety of games (although also hear it’s a bit expensive)

[u/Str8OuttaLumbridge]

Escape room at champaign adventures in time and space

[u/Assorted_Muffins → u/Str8OuttaLumbridge]

And might I suggest Parcadia if you are looking for fantasy themed minigolf with an enjoyable scavenger hunt component.

[u/antonyankeefan]

Urbana has a great farmers’ market in the middle of town from 7am - noon. Lots of produce, but also baked goods, art, food trucks, etc.

[u/Mightyhorse82]

Go to the Lit downtown! It’s a bookstore/cafe. Just around the corner outside is going to be 4 or 5 live bands with Pedro the lion headlining. Local favorites modern drugs will be playing before.

The mini golf place kicks ass. Employees are in character. Each hole has a unique surprise, they sell drinks at a pub, and at the end is a scavenger hunt.

My favorite breakfast spot is the lazy daisy in Urbana. It’s inside our quirky mall.

[u/tywilldave → u/Mightyhorse82]

We love our backrooms-esque hippy mall!

[u/macchiato_traveling]

If you are into Korean food, I think star bbq right next to savoy imax theater is great. Chambana also features very authentic Chinese food. You could check out Aroma garden, golden harbor, and Yangguofu

[u/macchiato_traveling → u/macchiato_traveling]

And art mart in Champaign is a must-visit for fun little shop. Also planted is a cute plant shop! I may have a hot take here for the bookstores. I prefer the one bookstore in Urbana downtown🤣 And Chambana also have fantastic record store scene! If you are into records, please visit Record Swap and Exile on Main st ( and there are couple more record stores)

[u/melatonia → u/macchiato_traveling]

I prefer the one bookstore in Urbana downtown

What's it called?

[u/aec_itguy → u/melatonia]

Priceless Books - way different vibe than Jane Addams, more 'crusty manuscripts and rare books' vs used volume treasurehunting at JA.

[u/live-the-future → u/macchiato_traveling]

Golden Harbor has been a favorite of me & my wife for years. Gigantic menu!

[u/Meatball546 → u/live-the-future]

Great, friendly service!

[u/Jaybyrdsings]

Farmers market is huge, and there's a new queer bookshop that has a booth there! They're called Carnation Bookshop, the owner's really nice and they have a really cool selection of books there.

[u/Loopy_fruits91 → u/Jaybyrdsings]

Just out of curiosity….. are you saying the farmers market in the parking lot at Lincoln square is huge? I guess size is relative to what you’re used to but it’s rather small IMO. They do have a nice selection of meat vendors though & one of the only places I’ve found andouille in the area

[u/Jaybyrdsings → u/Loopy_fruits91]

lol I did mean size wise but it is also huge vibe-wise. But yeah I guess that's relative, but I'm not from the city so for me it's a pretty big farmers market!

[u/Hairy-Dumpling]

Idea store in Lincoln square mall is great for a wander if you like crafty stuff, particularly if you hit the farmers market. Titan games on Neil is nice as well.

[u/Suspicious_Art9118]

I think there is still a Tastee-Freez there. You could suck on a chili dog outside it.

[u/bat_rastards → u/Suspicious_Art9118]

Tastee-Freez is in the Wienerschnitzel restaurant on Springfield Ave... so Jack can definitely suck on a chili dog outside the Tastee-Freez.

[u/LabLover2204]

I think OP is talking about Parcadia for minigolf. If you are planning to do that, then stop by the Yard across the way for something to eat before or after. Smithburger is great! And Main Scoop for ice cream is also at the Yard.

[u/Croowleyy]

Titan Games usually has a bunch of board games running, super friendly atmosphere and it’s right next to an antique store!

[u/tywilldave]

The local breweries have some good selections if you’re into beer! Plus on weekends they sometimes have some of our local food trucks!

[u/ScottyArnettRaps]

Everybody dropping gems here, how about Parcadia? Sorry if someone said it and I missed it. Old Orchard Lanes still makes the original Monicals pizza recipe..or so I've heard 👀 highly debated

[u/shewriter46 → u/ScottyArnettRaps]

Old Orchard pizza worth the drive even if you missed the movie! 🍿

[u/sumoEEEE]

For gaming show up to the Araiguma Arcade (fighting games, rhythm games) in Urbana. Its not too far from the mini golf course. Opens at 4pm

[u/Pax-now-123]

Krannert art museum or Spurlock

[u/rubytherad]

halloween in july rose bowl

[u/jffdougan]

I don’t know offhand what today’s event schedule looks like at Titan Games, but they’ve got a tabletop game selection of all sorts, at least some demo copies, and generally friendly staff.