what's there to do around Decatur

[charlie and algernon]

I live in PA, but I just took a job that'll have me in Decatur, Illinois from mid-june to the end july. Are any of you from around that area? if so, what are the places to go eat, to see, to do and whatnot?
Thanks!

[madrchsod]

1. i feel sorry for you.....

there`s pretty much nothing in decatur but champaign/ urbana is just up the road. nice university city with plenty to do...chicago is 3 hours away and is worth a week end trip..about three hours away.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Got waders?

Any one know if you still can walk through the muck at the A E Straley plant? From what I hear, it is an amazing thing. Better take your gas mask to handle fumes.

Seriously though, Springfield is not too bad a drive and there are some interesting historical sites and museums to see - Lincoln Museum, Lincoln's home, Dana Thomas House (Frank L Wright)and possibly the state fair may be happening about then.

[mopinko]

3. state fair is august

10-19.
come on up to chicago. lots to do here.

[Radical Activist]

4. What they said.

Going to Springfield for historic sites and Champaign for nightlife might be your best bet. There are a couple tolerable bars near the Milikin University campus. I'd suggest seeing if Milikin is sponsoring anything during the summer.
Springfield has the Washington Street Jazz and Blues festival downtown on June 23. They also have a farmers market every Saturday morning if you're interested in buying from local farmers.

If you get the chance to go north, the taste of chicago is during the first week in July. Besides lots of food, they have free musical entertainment, including the Black Crowes, John Mayer and Cheap Trick.

Springfield has its own smaller Taste of Springfield with food and music on July 7.

I hate to tell you this but Decatur is the town that makes the rest of central Illinois feel better about itself.

[dogfacedboy]

5. Hop in your ride and head for Chicago. n/t

[Radical Activist]

6. See a movie at the Avon

I almost forgot about Decatur's historic movie theater.
http://www.theavon.com/

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. Took the advice right out of my mouth

The Avon is a great theater.

There's no need to go all the way to Chicago to find good entertainment in Illinois, but I admit Decatur doesn't offer much besides the generic (mall, chain restaurants, etc). It's a run-down old factory town and unfortunately it shows.

Champaign-Urbana, however, has a lot of great bars, parks, and shops, and it's only 40 minutes away on I-72. If you head to Champaign I recommend the Blind Pig in downtown Champaign for a beer.