Honestly, if you're asking for Broadland's landmarks, I'll have to give you a bit of history before we can talk about the here and now. Broadlands is embedded in the tranquil Ayers Township, which has been part of Champaign County since the 1850s – a piece of Illinois that has slowly evolved from pure agricultural land to a small but surprisingly lively suburb. The first settlers came here because the country was flat and fertile; today it is rather the flat country that greets you with wide fields and a touch of nostalgia, while by car you crank down the I‐57 or use the US‐150 to land in a few minutes in the heart of Champaign.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but this has its own charm: a few well-preserved half-timbered houses, a local peasant market that has more personality than some hipster café, and a small but fine network of cycling paths that leads you through the fields without having to feel like in a Hollywood-Western. When you arrive by train, the Amtrak arrives in Champaign, and a short bus or Uber trip takes you directly to the village – no joke, this is almost too convenient to be true. And yes, the Broadlands sights are not just a word game; they are what makes the village an underestimated jewel that I recommend to anyone who wants to experience something different from the usual tourist paths.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Broadlands, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The Krannert Art Museum, the proud UIUC flagship, is for me the first destination that I'm driving after a short trip from Broadlands – not because I'm an artist, but because I've seen a completely misunderstood performance-art movie there that made me more confused than enlightened. Nevertheless, the collection of contemporary art and the changing special exhibitions is really worth seeing; the building itself looks like a modern temple, and the café on the ground floor serves the best espresso I ever drank outside Chicago.
A short walk over the campus leads directly to the Krannert Center for the Performing Artswhere I accidentally caught a jazz concert that kept me awake until the early hours of the morning. The acoustics there is not only a rumor – the orchestra sounds as if it were playing in your living room, and the program ranges from classical opera to experimental dance performances. If you are lucky, you can even look behind the scenes; this is a small bonus I rarely find at other venues.
A few kilometers further, this is University of Illinois Arboretum, a huge green piece that is more than just a walk. I once organized a picnic with friends, while a swarm of geese went loudly over the lake – a picture I will never forget. The thematic gardens (like the Japanese garden) are not only pretty, they also offer a little rest if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Champaign.
If you are interested in history, that is Champaign County Historical Museum in Urbana a must. I was there because I thought it was just a small collection of dust and old photos, but the exhibition on the agricultural development of the region really surprised me. Especially the original tools from the 1800s give you the feeling that the area has more to offer than just college students and Cornfields.
A short detour to the south leads you to Hessel Park, one of the few places where you can enjoy a free outdoor concert in the summer without having to buy a ticket for it. I once experienced an open-air film festival where the audience was more popcorn than pop stars – a charming picture that captures the local community atmosphere perfectly.
For those who prefer to be active, Boneyard Creek Trail a real secret tip. The path stretches through city and nature, and I have packed my running shoes several times to escape the daily stress. In some places there are small bridges that lead over the brook, and in spring the wild flowers sprinkled so lush that you almost forget that you are in the middle of Illinois.
Another highlight is the Orpheum Theatre in the heart of Champaign. I was there with an indie film screening that was so bad that the audience applauded loudly – a real proof that the audience has humor here. The historic building from the 1920s has an impressive marquee that shines at night and brings a bit of glamour to the otherwise rather sober city.
And finally, if you want to taste the real flair of the region, you have to Champaign County Farmers Market visit. I tried a local honey there for the first time, which was sweeter than anything I ever knew from the supermarket. The market is not only a place to shop, but a meeting place where you can chat with farmers and get fresh products directly from the field – an experience you don't miss.
Whether you're looking for art, history, nature or just a good piece of honey – the surroundings of Broadlands offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the usual campus life. These Broadlands Attractions show that the surrounding area of Champaign has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
I must confess that my favorite place in Broadlands is not some hipest café, but that Broadlands Community Park. There is a small baseball diamond, a playground, and – this is the best – a huge field that mutates to an improvised concert venue in the summer as soon as someone unpacks his guitar. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the neighboring skiers bring their parents and suddenly stand everywhere cars. I made a picnic with friends there last July, and while we complained about the weather, an older gentleman started playing with a flute – no joke, that was almost romantic.
A short walk further Broadlands United Methodist Church, a brick building from the 1880s that breathes more history than most museums here. I don't quite understand the hype about church visits, but the artistic stained glass windows are really an eye-catcher, and the organ game on Sunday morning sounds like someone planted a small sky in the community. If you happen to go to the fair, you can sit in the back hall in the small memorial for the founding families – a quiet place to think a bit about the roots of Broadlands.
Now comes a place I almost always look over because he doesn’t sound “tourist”: Broadlands Grain Elevator. This silver colossus on the edge of the main road is the landmark of the city, and I have photographed it countless times in the sunset. Most visitors think this is just an old grain silo, but if you look closely, you can see the artistic metal structure that reminds of old industrial romanticism. I once saw an old tractor that seemed to have fallen out of time – a real photo moment when you're looking for a little nostalgia.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Broadlands Community Center, an inconspicuous building that beats the heart of the city. Here the weekly Bingo evenings take place, and I volunteered to help sell cakes – the result was a table full of freshly baked apples that tasted better than any gourmet cake. The center has a small gym, and parking is almost always free there, because most people prefer to walk to enjoy the fresh air.
If you're looking for a little rest, look at the Broadlands Cemetery on. Yes, I know that sounds like a strange tip, but the well-maintained tombstones and the old oak standing in the middle of the terrain give the place an almost meditative atmosphere. I once found an old veteran whose tomb had a handwritten note: “Here lies a man who knew more stories than the radio.” That made me stay a few minutes and think about life in a small town.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Broadlands Public Library. The library is small, but it has a surprisingly extensive range of local history books and a cozy reading corner with an old wooden chair that looks better than some modern sofas. I once borrowed a book about the history of Ayers Township and discovered a photo of an old city festival that immediately reminded me of my childhood. Parking is practically always a Klack, because the road in front of the building is rarely visited.
Last but not least, Broadlands Town Hall not forget the red brick building, which is the official center for all municipal affairs. I once participated in a public meeting where the city planners discussed the construction of a new playground – a real insight into everyday life here. The halls are surprisingly spacious, and the small waiting room has a sign with the inscription “Broadlands Sights”, which reminds me every time that even in such a small city the word “sights” has a certain meaning.
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