Centennial Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Sholem Aquatic Center is a family-friendly water park featuring two large slides, four lazy rivers, and an interactive children's area, the Sholem Aquatic Center offers guests of all ages the opportunity to make a splash! From open swim sessions to summer camp programs and birthday parties, this popular attraction offers fun for everyone. Offering group discounts and season passes that feature unlimited visits, the Sholem Aquatic Center is an excellent value in entertainment.

Dodds Park is a picturesque park with and endless amount of outdoor activities. Located near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Land of Lincoln bike trails, it's an ideal spot for university students to take a rest and enjoy the outdoors. Dodds Park features a beach volleyball court, a boat ramp, fishing areas with rental boats, picnic sites featuring shaded trees, a family fitness park with exercise equipment, and multi-use sports fields perfect for football or soccer games.

This vibrant public library provides an array of services to its patrons including borrowing of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, computers and printing access, as well as activities like storytimes, book discussion groups, events and lectures. The library prides itself on fostering life-long learning within the community by providing educational materials like resources for job seekers and places of worship. Additionally, library staff are highly knowledgeable and eager to help.

The William M. Staerkel Planetarium is a remarkable place to discover the beauty of the night sky. Its 39-foot domed ceiling houses a state-of-the-art digital projection system that displays breathtaking visuals from above and beyond. Visitors have the opportunity to attend live shows and lectures hosted by knowledgeable staff who can guide them through the universe's most fascinating facts, stories, and phenomena.

The Virginia Theatre has been a monument to entertainment in the area for nearly one hundred years. Originally opening in 1921, the movie palace offered crystal-clear sound and images that were far ahead of its time. It is the only classic movie theater left standing with its original design still intact and it continues to host events ranging from rock concerts to live stage productions. Its grand auditorium and velvet curtains create an atmosphere that takes people back in time.

The Champaign City Building has long been a source of pride and inspiration for the people of the community. At the center of the city is a beautiful building that covers over one million square feet and stands an impressive ten stories tall. Inside, local residents can find governmental offices from mayor to police and fire departments as well as cultural institutions like the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum. The building also houses some of Champaign's finest restaurants.