Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Champaign North, IL

CHAMPAIGN. Downtown Champaign most assuredly benefits from close proximity to the University of Illinois, and students...

CHAMPAIGN. Downtown Champaign most assuredly benefits from close proximity to the University of Illinois, and students and campus-generated foot traffic keep stores and restaurants bustling. In recent years, city leaders have given increased attention to the aesthetic qualities of their central business district. Now, alongside the coffee shops, book stores and bars you'd find in most college towns, you'll also see high-end restaurants and shops specializing in everything from men's suits to gourmet foodstuffs, wines to home decor.

URBANA. Lincoln Mall was constructed in 1964, making it the second oldest enclosed urban mall in America. Today, on that...

URBANA. Lincoln Mall was constructed in 1964, making it the second oldest enclosed urban mall in America. Today, on that very spot stands Lincoln Square Village ­ an intrepid effort by the city of Urbana to take something old and turn it into something new and innovative. Lincoln Square Village is a mixed-use urban development that includes residences, restaurants, retailers and offices. If none of that is enough to keep you busy, the Village also features state-of-the-art Cardinal Fitness Center.