Introduction to Urbana, Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, in Champaign county, is 2 miles E of Champaign, Illinois (center to center) and 111 miles W of Indianapolis, Indiana. The city benefits from easy access to the nearby cities and towns with which it shares the Champaign - Urbana metropolitan area.
Urbana History
The area now known as Urbana was once inhabited by the Pottawatomie Native Americans. William Tompkins was the first white settler of the area. He built a cabin near Boneyard Creek in 1822. Urbana became the county seat of the newly formed Champaign County in 1833. The Illinois Central Railroad entered Urbana in 1854 and the University of Illinois was opened in 1868.
Urbana and nearby Attractions
- University of Illinois Krannert Art Museum
- Museum of Natural History
- Orpheum Children's Science Museum
- Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area
- Staerkel Planetarium
Things To Do In Urbana
Urbana offers an indoor Aquatic Center that is open to both residents and visitors. You can enjoy golfing at the Stone Creek Golf Course. Leisure hours can also be spent at the Station Theater, Middle Room Gallery, and Cinema Gallery. The city also has a Farmer's Market every Saturday from mid-May through mid-November. In addition, Urbana is home to the Street Theater Festival, Historic Main Street Walking Tour, and Boneyard Arts Festival.
Urbana Transportation
University of Illinois - Willard Airport is close to the city.
Urbana Higher Education
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign and Parkland College are nearby.
