Anyone going to @Illinois?

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

If so, is chicago O'Hare really the closest airport to fly into? Where are people staying hotel wise? And is there anything cool to do in champlain or however the hell its spelt.

 

[tru2ru1]

If so, is chicago O'Hare really the closest airport to fly into? Where are people staying hotel wise? And is there anything cool to do in champlain or however the hell its spelt.

Last time we went to an RU vs Illinois game the parking lots were literally in cow pastures, at least they take the cows out on game day!

 

[jersey07080]

They have an airport in Champaign. Flights leaving Friday and and returning Sunday am through Chicago in both ways. Very small airport but a 5 minute Uber to campus from the airport

 

[RU#1fan]

We are flying into Indy.
Actually closer to Champaign and good fares ( Southwest out of Newark).

 

[leonh71]

I think we are going to fly to Chicago out of Trenton-Mercer, then rent a car and drive to Champaign. Not sure of which hotel we're staying in yet.

As far as things to do, Trip Advisor lists the Champaign Public Library as #1, so there's that.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g35790-Activities-Champaign_Champaign_Urbana_Illinois.html

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Champaign-Urbana

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I think we are going to fly to Chicago out of Trenton-Mercer, then rent a car and drive to Champaign. Not sure of which hotel we're staying in yet.

As far as things to do, Trip Advisor lists the Champaign Public Library as #1, so there's that.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g35790-Activities-Champaign_Champaign_Urbana_Illinois.html

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Champaign-Urbana

Yeah, i was thinking of flying in thursday and doing thursday and friday in chicago then friday evening drive to champaign

 

[Scarlet83]

We are flying into Indy.
Actually closer to Champaign and good fares ( Southwest out of Newark).

My group of 7 is flying to Indy on Friday AM. Lunch at steakhouse there. Drive to Champaign to find a college bar or two as well as the RU Alumni bar.

I will go on the Illinois rivals website to get more info as to the fun stuff to do on Friday and Saturday night near campus and I will post it here.

 

[jersey07080]

From their scout site.
http://scout.com/college/illinois/Board/103854/Contents/Visiting-Champaign

 

[Scarlet Engineer]

I've been to the University of Illinois many times. If you can, fly into Indy, not Chicago. The airport is far less crowded, rental car counters are much closer and faster, and the drive to the university is shorter and with less traffic.

Near campus there are some great college bars and restaurants, mostly on Green Street. Downtown Champaign is also nice but more family and grown-up focused than Green Street. My favorite is called Black Dog - possibly the best barbecue I've ever had (the original is in downtown Urbana). Number two on my list is Destihl.

Also, parking is not that bad. There are a lot of lots surrounding the stadium. Parking was $30 last year and I was only about a 10 minute walk to the stadium. Lots of tailgating throughout. The tailgating atmosphere is very nice, and I never encountered any hostility to opposing fans.

 

[geurdsy]

We're doing Thursday & Saturday in Chicago, Friday night in Champaign. Rental car tailgate - makeshift grill, makeshift cooler, makeshift games.

 

[leonh71]

We might end up going to the Alumni-sponsored tailgate beforehand. Anyone ever do this? Any good?

 

[jersey07080]

Usually pretty lame to be honest. I think I am flying solo to this game so I may join it this time around. I enjoy usually hitting up campus spots before games though.

 

[wheezer]

we are flying into Ohare on Oct 13th then renting a car and
driving into Champlain...... going to be out that way till the 18th, don't have the exact details, being planned by another RU grad

 

[newwavedave1]

Have to say, taking in an away game at Illinois has never crossed my mind.:zzz:

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

Seems Champaign is about equal distance between St. Louis and Indy so I'd think flying into STL is also an option.

 

[jersey07080]

Anyone on the fence again there is an airport right near campus with service from United and American

 

[jersey07080]

Bored in the yellow lot and daydreaming of our next possible win. Two weeks from today.

 

[BeantownKnight]

Yes but has anyone factored in ticket availability? I mean, who knows, they could be all sold out! Scalpers might be selling them for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

May have to check StubHub.