It's National Roadtrip Day! 🗺️ Here's an itinerary for you that follows I-57 and makes stops at fun destinations for everyone whether you load up the car for a family trip, gal pal getaway or guys’ weekend! ⬇️
Champaign-Urbana:
📍Middle Fork River Forest Preserve (@CCFPD)
📍Market at the Square (@urbanamarket)
📍Friday Night Live Music (@FNLChampaign)
Southernmost Illinois (@so.illinois):
📍Blue Sky Vineyards (@blueskyvineyardmakanda)
📍Ferne Clyffe State Park
📍Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour (@shawneezip)
Downstate Illinois (@DownstateIL):
📍Salem Family Aquatic Center
📍Chuck’s Place (@chucksplacesalem)
📍Crooked Creek Winery (@crookedcreekwinery)
Effingham (@visteffingham):
📍Firefly Grill (@ffgrill)
📍The Cross at Crossroads (@thecrossineffingham)
📍Tuscan Hills Winery (@tuscanhillswinery)
Kankakee County (@visitkankakeecounty):
📍Kankakee River
📍Locavore Farm (@locavorefarm)
📍Merchant Street MusicFest (@merchantstreetmusicfest)
Chicago Southland (@chicagosouthland):
📍Monee Reservoir (@moneereservoir)
📍Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (@thenate.gsu)
📍George Dunne National Golf Course (@georgedunnegolf)
Triptych Brewing has brewed thousands of batches, released hundreds of unique creations, and packaged more than 3 million cans of beer. 🍻
Their beer is available in hundreds of restaurants, bars, and stores throughout the state of Illinois, and each year they welcome tens of thousands of visitors to our taproom in Savoy. #toasttotourism
Making events special for decades, Michaels' Catering has been serving the Champaign-Urbana community since 1984. Current owners include Stephen Kovachevich, Whitney Ackerman, and Ling Kuhn, who are supported by a large staff that help facilitate special moments in the lives of their clients. #toasttotourism
The music, food, and the vibe of Neil St. Blues were all inspired by family history and experiences. 🎷🍤🎶 Featuring Southern Cooking with a Cajun Flair, their passion is to deliver good food that is good for the soul with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. #toasttotourism
Toast to Tourism winner, B-52 Hangar MX, created a home for dirt bike racing at an abandoned B-52 bomber hanger at the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. This indoor track has quickly become a destination in the Champaign-Urbana area. 🏍️ 📍
Check out that footwork!! 🤯 The Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance gave amazing performances at Harvest Market - Champaign today. 🍀👞
It’s been an incredible year over in the greater Champaign County Area. 🥳🎊
From our talented local makers, robust food scene, breathtaking outdoor spaces, and everything in between—our community is truly #outsideofordinary and it’s all thanks to you!
We wish everyone a happy and safe New Year’s Eve. See you in 2023!
Tourism Impact Winner: Michael McDonald, Wood N' Hog Barbecue
Community is family, no matter when you move here. Feeling support while building a new business goes way beyond what’s on the menu. Meet Michael McDonald & Okema Battle of Wood N' Hog Barbecue.
Tourism Impact Winner: Jon L. Seydl, Krannert Art Museum
Now more than ever, we need spaces to learn, to engage, to have difficult conversations, to celebrate. Core to his inner being, Jon Seydl focuses first and foremost on accessibility and visitor services at Krannert Art Museum. Let’s hear more about this vision.
Tourism Impact Award Winner: Kayla Brown, Fire Doll Studio
Life is a journey. It all started with a creative vision to create a product and space to connect people and engage the community. From online to pop up holiday markets to a true brick and mortar space, Kayla Brown created Fire Doll Studio. Here is her story.
Tourism Impact Award Winner: Kayla Brown, Fire Doll Studio
Life is a journey. It all started with a creative vision to create a product and space to connect people and engage the community. From online to pop up holiday markets to a true brick and mortar space, Kayla Brown created Fire Doll Studio. Here is her story.
Listen to that engine hum! 😱✈️
Riding in the back of a roaring, B-25 WW2 bomber aircraft is an experience you’ll never forget. Luckily - you can take to the skies yourself, courtesy of EAA Chapter 29 - available all weekend!
Ground tours are also available from 2 to 5pm. For more info ➡️ https://bit.ly/3OrP6jn
Aaand they’re off!!! 👨🏼🦽🏃🏽🏃🏾♀️ It feels so good to witness the Illinois Marathon after a 2 year hiatus. 🙌🏽
Come see us at the Health & Fitness Expo right now to get your wooden nickels! 😁 We’re here until 8pm!
Middle Fork River—International Dark Sky Park
It’s International Dark Sky Week, and we’re celebrating by highlighting the ONLY place in Illinois with a certified Dark Sky Park! 🌙🌌
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is celebrating International Dark Sky Week this Friday from 7:30-10pm! If skies are clear, they will have telescopes set up for participants to look through. 🔭
➡️ https://bit.ly/3kbaaNR
It’s Taylor Bauer’s last week as part of the VCC team 😓
Terri asked him a few questions about Champaign County before he leaves for a new role and to be closer to family.
He’ll be missed terribly, and he’s definitely NOT the one saying that since he still has control of the social channels 😉
On Restaurant Week 2022 Eve (that’s a thing, right?) we stopped by Stango Cuisine to preview what they’re serving on their extensive menu of specials.
If you haven’t tried the incredible flavors of Zambian Cuisine yet, let Restaurant Week be your motivator!
Champaign County Area Restaurant Week 2022 begins Friday!
If you’re looking to take advantage of delicious specials as soon as you wake up, could start the day with a trip to Industrial Donut 🍩
Find out what the VCC staff chose as their favorite Thanksgiving sides 🦃
Let us know what yours is in the comments!
