The Urbana center point is around the area of Carle Foundation Hospital and the area of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when to visit Urbana, as it varies greatly depending on your interest. If you want to avoid the crowds and students, the summer is the ideal time to head to Urbana. From May to September, the temperature hits a comfortable high in the mid-80s, while the nights only drop to around 60 degrees. During this time, Urbana offers tons of free activities for kids, superb canoeing and kayaking at Crystal Lake Park, or antiquing downtown. Rainfall during this time averages over 4 four inches a month, so you may want to check the weather before planning an outdoor outing. However, demand for hotels is at an annual low, so it's probably the best time to score a phenomenal deal on a hotel.
For the avid college sports or Fighting Illini fan, the fall and winter offer dozens of chances to catch some of the best football and basketball action in the Big Ten. Although attendance may fall during this time if the teams aren't performing to their highest level, there are still several rivalry games that pack the State Farm Center and Memorial Stadium. When the basketball team has an away game, there are also crowds from far and wide to see various concerts at the State Farm Center. If you're planning to attend a specific game or concert, you may want to book your hotel far in advance, as rooms tend to fill quickly and at a higher rate than other times of the year. You should also check the weather, as the average snowfall can reach up to 7 inches.
In the spring, things slow down a bit in Urbana, although college life is still in full swing. However, temperatures reach into the mid-60s during the day, making it a perfect time to hit the links, go for a hike, or do some fishing at Kaufman Lake.
If you want to put a few extra dollars in your pocket, it's in your best interest to seek out discounts on hotels in the Urbana area. Located 3 miles from campus and 3.5 miles from the Parkland Staerkel Planetarium, the Courtyard Champaign offers sizable discounts to AAA members, seniors, and AARP members. On-site facilities include an indoor pool, a hot tub, complimentary Wi-Fi, a hotel gym, and a restaurant. In each room, the Courtyard provides an LCD television with satellite programming, a mini-fridge, a microwave, coffeemaker, iron, and hair dryer. It's just 3 miles from the university and downtown Urbana, as well as a stone's throw from the State Farm Center.
Sometimes, a hotel just doesn't feel like home, but that's not the case at the Residence Inn Champaign. This aparthotel provides basic amenities you'd find at in apartment but within the confines of a hotel. Each room is a spacious suite that comes with a fully equipped kitchen; a full-size refrigerator; free Wi-Fi; a 37-inch, flat-screen television; and extra comfy beds. On-site, guests have access to a full basketball court, free meals, drinks, and snacks on Monday through Wednesday, a complimentary breakfast buffet each day, a picnic area, an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Here, you'll also receive deep discounts for an extended stay with your AAA card, as well as group discounts of up to a whopping 46.7 percent during non-peak times.
Urbana has many value options to fit your budget if you don't want to splurge, yet you have some extra money for the nicer things in life. One of these options is the Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana, which is a beautiful, new hotel right near the university. As the official partner of Fighting Illini athletics, the Hyatt Place is the place to be when it comes to sporting events. Here, you'll find yourself a short distance from campus, as well as steps from one of the 36 bars and restaurants within a two-block radius. Each room has luxurious features you don't often see in a midrange option, including a Cozy Corner sofa bed; a 42-inch, HD television; a 24-hour fitness gym; a Starbucks; and specialty drinks and beverages at the Coffee to Cocktails Bar. Before you head off for the day, make sure you stop by the Kitchen Skillet for a free hot breakfast.
While campus life and sporting events are the obvious choices for entertainment in Urbana, there are still many interesting things to do. Throughout the year, Urbana welcomes various musical and theater acts to the nearby Virginia Theatre and Art Theater. If you love catching a live show, these venues are the best in the region.
For the diehard food and drink enthusiast, Urbana also offers many options that will electrify the palate and excite the taste buds. This includes the Black Dog, which is a famous beer and barbecue joint, as well as the Silver Creek, which serves delicious upscale cuisine.
Regardless of whether you're looking for a luxury hotel, budget accommodation, or you're just passing through, make sure you find the perfect hotel to make your entire experience a pleasant one.
Below are reviews of the city of Urbana, IL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Local restaurants had really good food. If you like burgers, you gotta try Smith Burger Company. Food was amazing!!
Great movie theater!
It was peaceful, quiet, friendly.
Very nice customer service, clean facility.
Easy access to hotels and restaurants. Our party found it easy to access the view that also led us to various locations in your city.... thank u.
Nice sites, clean city and nice and quiet.
Our time was spent at Carle Foundation Hospital. Parking in covered garage near entrance was a plus. Staff were all kind and helpful.
Good restaurants. College kids are terrific.
Close to restaurants, etc.
Only there for the IHSA tournament.
Hotel was close to everything we were never more than 5 mins away from a location - the city had a little bit of everything everywhere.
The weekend we were there, there was an abundance of people everywhere especially around dinner time.