Visit Savoy Champaign Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the charm and history of Savoy, Illinois:* Enjoy local specialities like the Savoy-Hot Dogs* Explore the Historic Village Museum* Use the rural environment for walks or cycling* Visit the Farmers Market at Savoy Park* Don't miss the Champaign County FairA nice trip!
Honestly, if you think Savoy is just a suburb of Champaign, then you donated the story: Founded in 1860, the town grew out of a small railway station, which at that time formed the backbone of agricultural expansion in the middle Illinois. Today Savoy is located in the Champaign Township, Champaign County, and proudly carries the heritage of a once pulsating grain chamber, while the old brick houses still tell of the time when the “Savoy” was not only a word but a promise.
I don't understand the hype around the Uni-Stadt Champaign, but the proximity to the Campus‐Campus-Vibes makes Savoy a surprisingly practical starting point. Bus No. 4 will swing you into the heart of Champaign in five minutes, and the B-line will take you to the airport if you are looking for the comfort of a flight trip – no joke, that is actually faster than the car in the morning professional traffic.
What I like about the Savoy sights is the mix of old-fashioned charm and modern subculture: a small coffee shop that paints more art on the wall than an entire museum, and a local farmer market that offers fresh harvest from the county all year round. I could chat about the historical churches for hours, but that would be too much of the good – just let yourself drive, grab a bike and explore the neighborhood that has more personality than some big city centers.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Savoy is not some hip café, but the venerable one. Village Hall – a small brick building that looks like it saved the city itself from an old film set. When you arrive there, you will be greeted by a sign that tells more about the history of the community than you would find in a museum all day. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there is a real problem because the weekly meeting of local historians takes place and everyone takes a place on the sidewalk. I have a conversation there about the alleged "Ghost Railway" of the 19th century. Guided century – not a joke, the city elders swear that the old town hall at night is a light whisper of forgotten election promises.
A short walk further Savoy Public Library, a place I like to name as the “Herzschlag-Knochenmark” of the city. The shelves are not only full of the usual bestsellers, but also with local archives you wouldn't find anywhere else. I once borrowed a book about the history of the Champaign Township corn fields and convinced almost all the staff about my enthusiasm for agricultural economics – they seemed more to think I was looking for a new hobby that contains less dust and more Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is reliable, and the staff will never leave you with an empty look when you ask for a book that you don't really need.
If you're looking for a place where you can get rid of your energy without entering the gym, then this is Community Center Your goal. The indoor pool is small, but the water is always warm enough to relax after a long day in the city. I remember a Saturday when I took a bath there and suddenly a local swim coach came by to show me “the right stuff” – I never heard the word “right” again, because I spent more time carrying the loud music from the speakers that seemingly came from another era. Nevertheless, the center is a real meeting place, and parking is almost always a children's game because the terrain is large enough to hide a few cars.
A small but fine place I always mention is the Savoy Park. Here is a playground that looks like he designed a designer from the 80s, and a few picnic tables that are perfect for a spontaneous lunch. I once organized a picnic with friends, and we were overtaken by a group of seniors who were faster with their rollers than we were. That was a real eye opener: There is no “too old for fun” rule in Savoy. And the best thing: parking is right at the entrance, so you don't have to run a mile around the block to find your car.
Now a little greenery comes into play – the Savoy Farmers Market. I don't understand the hype about peasant markets, but here are fresh products that you can only find at the supermarket in Champaign and that at prices that don't blow up your wallet. Last year, I bought some bio-tomatoes and almost convinced the landowner to give me a recipe for tomato soup – instead, he offered a piece of cake because he thought it was the true “local specialty”. The market is Fridays and Saturdays, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come at the main time, then you have to fight with a few other market runners around the last free places.
For those who prefer to see some green on the golf course, this is Savoy Golf Club an underestimated jewel. The place is not huge, but the fairways are well maintained and the clubhouse has a small bar area where you get a cool beer after a bad blow. I once played a game with a local business owner who wanted to talk more about his tax return than about the game – that was a real hint that everyone here would have a little business talk into leisure. Parking is right at the clubhouse, so no stress, and the green is always ready to receive you, whether you are a beginner or a “profess” who thinks he could close the ball with his eyes.
Another piece of history that I cannot leave is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The building is a real example of neo-Gothic architecture, and the windows are so beautiful that you almost feel you landed in a film by Wes Anderson. I took part in a fair, just to see if the acoustics are really as good as everyone says – and yes, the organ actually sounds like an angel who has visited a jazz improvisation course. Parking is on the back of the building, and you just have to go a few steps to admire the impressive facade.
Last but not least, a little hint for those who are looking for a comprehensive overview: If you ask yourself what you can see here, simply tap “Savoy Attractions“in your search engine – you’ll be surprised to see how many small treasures this city has to offer, which I can’t all list here, because I would otherwise have no place for my anecdotes. And if you drive through Savoy the next time, keep your eyes open, because behind every corner, another piece of local charm could hide, waiting to be discovered by a slightly cynical but passionate guide like me.
The first stop is University of Illinois Arboretum, a green labyrinth that extends over several hectares and is surprisingly close to Savoy. I searched for shelter there on a rainy Saturday afternoon and was greeted with a collection of native trees and flowers that amaze even the most stubborn city dwellers. Admission is free, and parking is usually easy – only on weekends, when the Uni events are moving, it can be tight. Those who like to jog here will find well-marked paths that swell through different thematic gardens; I almost felt like in a botanical escape room because every corner offered a new mystery.
A short jump over the road leads to Krannert Center for the Artsthe cultural heartbeat of the region. I have to admit, I was skeptical about whether a university building can offer really thrilling shows – until I experienced a jazz concert on a Thursday evening that completely ripped me out of my socks. The acoustics are so good that even the quiet crawling of cutlery in the foyer sounds like an applause. In most evenings there are free guided tours, and parking is possible directly in front of the building, as long as you do not come to the main performance, then the field becomes a small battlefield around the last places.
Just a few minutes away Hessel Park with its famous Boneyard Creek Trail. I once tried to arrange a picnic, just to be overrun by a group of students who organized a spontaneous Frisbee tournament – a real spectacle that turned the Parkbank into a battlefield. The trail is ideal for cyclists and walkers; the bridges over the brook repeatedly offer photographic motifs that make Instagram influencers jealous. Parking is free on the outskirts of the park, but on sunny Saturdays you can feel a parking lot attracted by a magnet.
A short trip to the city centre of Urbana leads to Champaign County Historical Museum. I met my grandparents there, who told me that the museum was once an old school building – a detail I only noticed after a tour when I climbed up over the cracking stairs. The exhibitions are a mixture of local history and curious artifacts that can be found only in dusty archives. The museum is free, and parking is almost always free at the back entrance of the building as long as you do not come to school when the class trips flood the terrain.
For a bit of glamour, this is Orpheum Theatre in Urbana the target. I was there with an indie band I had never heard before and was surprised how well the venerable stage harmonized with modern lighting technology. The theatre has a charm that reminds of the golden twenties, but the toilets are still a relic from the past – a small makel that I could balance with a cool beer from the bar. Parking is possible at the back of the building, but you should come early because the places are quickly away as soon as the light is concerned.
Another highlight is the Champaign-Urbana Farmers Marketpulsating every Saturday morning in the heart of the city. I tried the best corn bread of my life, baked by an old baker from a small farm nearby – a taste that reminds me of my childhood in the country. The market is a true collection of fresh vegetables, handmade works of art and occasional live music acts. Parking is available around the marketplace, but on hot summer days, finding a free space can become a true patience test.
A little further north, near Savoy, lies this Champaign County Farm Museum. I took part in a autumn festival where I was allowed to sit in an old tractor – an experience that almost brought me to buy the vehicle, although I have no driving licence. The museum shows the rural heritage of the region with original barns, historical tools and a small exhibition about the early settlers. Parking is possible directly at the museum, and the grounds are so large that you can easily walk while watching the exhibitions.
Last but not least, Art Center of Champaign County not missing. I took part in a workshop for ceramics and had to find out that my artistic abilities are rather in the field of “art of non-success” – yet it was a huge fun, and the result was a disastrous but charming vessel that now has an honorary square in my living room. The Center regularly offers exhibitions of local artists, and parking is free in the small underground garage behind the building, as long as you don't come during a vernissage, then parking becomes a small adventure.
Those looking for something special should not only be limited to the tranquil Savoy – the surroundings provide a colourful mix of nature, culture and history that enthuses every curious traveler. From vast green spaces to impressive art stages to charming museums – there is enough to discover every trip to a small adventure. And that's exactly what makes Savoy Attractions to an indispensable part of any Illinois tour.
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