Just 2-3 hours by train from Chicago and perfect for a weekend visit, the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, Illinois, will surprise you. The former is home to the University of Illinois and consists of Campustown (near the school) and downtown.

Getting there
Amtrak has 3-4 trains a day from Chicago, which can take as little as two hours. The campus area is very walkable, so you won't need a car once here. Hop on the #50 Bus from the Amtrak Station to your hotel.

Where to stay and eat
You can stay at the hotel at the Student Union, but the TownePlace Suites (605 S. Sixth Street) in Campustown cannot be beat. Your extended-stay room includes a ready-to-use kitchen. But you won't use it, as the hotel is surrounded by every international cuisine you might want (as the university has so many international students): sushi, Korean, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, natural foods, Italian, Thai, Zambian, Cambodian, Caribbean, farm-to-table, Creole, vegan, etc. There must be 30 restaurants and fast-casual outlets within two blocks . I've never seen so many bubble tea joints!

Try Paris Super for great crepes. Brewlab Coffee has your morning brew. Jipbap has great Korean food. Oozu is the place for ramen. Pho Noodle Station has great Vietnamese food. Poke Lab has the best poke.

What to do
A walk around the University of Illinois campus is a must. Don't miss the Arboretum. The Illini Union Art Gallery has a new show, "Illini Past and Present," featuring alumni art work. Other ideas:

Krannert Art Museum: Fine art comes to life in this campus museum through engaging events and exhibits putting a spotlight on issues that impact our daily lives. Current and upcoming exhibits include: "Black on Black on Black on Black" (through December 10); "Fake News & Lying Pictures: Political Prints in the Dutch Republic" (through December 17); and "Well-Designed Beauty: Trade, Technology, and Decorative Arts" (November 15—May 13). (https://kam.illinois.edu/)

Krannert Art Museum: Fine art comes to life in this campus museum through engaging events and exhibits putting a spotlight on issues that impact our daily lives. Current and upcoming exhibits include: "Black on Black on Black on Black" (through December 10); "Fake News & Lying Pictures: Political Prints in the Dutch Republic" (through December 17); and "Well-Designed Beauty: Trade, Technology, and Decorative Arts" (November 15—May 13). (https://kam.illinois.edu/)

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts: The Krannert Center is a hub of creative activity for all with over 400 performances throughout the year: symphony, opera, folk music, ballet, modern dance, theatre, and national bands all under one roof. (https://krannertcenter.com/)

Allerton Park & Retreat Center: Get away for a few hours or a few days at this European-inspired estate in nearby Monticello. Fourteen miles of hiking trails and 14 formal gardens await you along the Sangamon River. During the winter months, walk the gardens for "Holiday GLOW," featuring a one-mile lighted walk with new art.

From the university website: "Robert Allerton was born to one of the preeminent families of Gilded Age Chicago. He embarked on a career as an artist, living and studying in Berlin and Paris before settling in downstate Illinois... From the 1920s until... 1986, Robert and John referred to each other as father and son. They even made it legally official, with Robert's adoption of John in 1960, a few years before the elder man's death. But their relationship was not confined to those traditional bounds. It was, in fact, visibly queer at a time when the perception and reception of homosexuality in American society were undergoing a transformation. All of this is explored in the book An Open Secret: The Family Story of Robert and John Gregg Allerton." (https://allerton.illinois.edu/)

LGBTQ+ events
Check out https://www.unitingpride.org/event-calendar for events in the area.

Quality is an LGBTQ+-friendly bar, and there are events throughout the year.

For futher information
VisitChampaignCounty.org has tips about over a hundred experiences in the greater Champaign County area.

Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated LGBTQ+ value travel columnist. His column runs in publications in Seattle, DC, LA, Toronto, Dallas, Florida, Atlanta, and Chicago.