If You’re Bored, Then You’re Boring: Campus Highlights
After bashing the "campus is all that exists" viewpoint in my last article, I felt a little bad for making it sound as if there's nothing on campus. As I said, there are definitely gems—particular things that I go to campus to do for fun and entertainment that I can't find other places.
So here you go, things to do on campus that perhaps the townies and non-campus lovers might enjoy, even if it's only during spring break, winter break, and summer sessions (if you know what I mean). What? I like being able to find a parking space too. I understand.
Get a Taste of Spring
Anyway, first things first. It's slowly becoming Spring (yay!) and for those just itchin' for everything to turn green again, there is the University of Illinois Plant Biology Greenhouse with plenty of greenery and live things, particularly when everything is frozen or brown.
It's a block south of Allen Hall, off of Dorner Drive. There's plenty of meter parking, and from 8:30 to 4:30, every weekday, it's open to the public for no charge. Groups and classes can also set up private tours, if there are other days or hours that are convenient, or if you want more information on plants and names from a guide. Contact information is listed on the website.
Full of growing things and flowers all year round, with a beautiful greenhouse and a few separate rooms featuring various types of plants, the Plant Biology Greenhouse will help you remember that Spring is on the way.
Personally, I like to go during my lunch break, as the warmth and beauty can help out a dull day spent at the office.
Get Something to Eat
Once you've glimpsed Spring, and you're ready to get something to eat, check out Manolo's. I love this place, and not only because I was lucky enough to win tickets through them and WPGU to see Girl Talk last year at the Canopy Club.
With an unassuming facade, not much room for eating, and less-than-tasty-looking pizza on display, this is definitely a hidden place for those not in the know. Take my word for it though, get a variety of empanadas and see what you think. I recommend the inferno chicken empanada. It's my personal favorite.
The empanadas are amazing here, and the pizza, whether made fresh or heated up in the oven, is a great combination of flavors. I have to say, I love goat cheese on pizza.
This place delivers, which is great, but most importantly, it delivers next door to the Canopy, for all your favorite drunk-munchie needs. Friendly employees, informal style, and a variety of tastes add up to a great place to check out when you're in the mood for something not involving a waiter and a lengthy wait for a table.
After finishing your tasty treat (while watching passersby head to classes), it's time to go even further towards campus, to the Illini Union.
Play Some Games
Why in the world would you go there? Yes, yes, we all know about the different eating places and the comfy couches to sleep on in-between classes, but there is yet something else to check out, especially if you are in the mood for blinking lights and loud noises.
I love pinball. Seriously, putting aside how bad I am at it, I can't get enough of it. And in the basement of the Union, past the new pool tables and the bowling lanes, are three different pinball machines for enthusiasts such as myself.
The Illini Union Rec Room is open all year round, and available to both non-students and students alike. At the moment, there's Roller Coaster Tycoon, Monopoly, and Dirty Harry. Dirty Harry is my favorite, with the ball-trigger shaped like a gun and the ease of play, but the bizarre mix in Roller Coaster Tycoon (check out the weird troll) and the silly flippers in the Monopoly game offer a mixed set of play experiences that can keep you cheaply occupied for a while, depending on whether your pinball skills are better than mine. My habit is a bit more costly, as I never last too long. A Pinball Wizard, I am not.
Drink Something Sweet
Another enjoyable place to check out on campus is Evo Cafe. I cannot vouch for the Chinese food, sadly, as in all of my years on campus I have only gone there for the bubble tea. For a cheap treat, Evo offers an amazing amount of teas of all different flavors, and I highly recommend them.
Beware, in case you have not yet had the awesomeness that is bubble tea. It isn't the hot tea you'd normally get at a Chinese restaurant. If the tea is a Snow (Honey Snow is my favorite), then it's milky, with no bubbles. If it is a bubble tea, it is more of a slushy, with tapioca pearls at the bottom. Ask your helpful counter person for more information, if need be, and be brave with trying different flavors. They're great.
Weekend Open House and Plant Sale
Finally, here is a specific event for you to check out next month. If weekdays during work hours aren't convenient for you to visit the Greenhouse mentioned earlier in this article, the Conservatory is occasionally open on weekends. On April 17 and 18, the weekend of University Mom's Day weekend, it will be open to the public, and will include a plant sale, which will offer many blooming things to brighten up your abode. If you're like me, stick with getting a cactus.
2 comments
I suppose “LOL” rarely follows an actual outburst of belly laughs.
I just guffawed mightily, for a solid 20 or 30 seconds, at the image of 3 pinball machines—lodged against bright white basement drywall—as evidence that there’s something out there.
Well then, I’m glad to bring something to your day. I’m afraid that my hope was more to point out various items in the Union that get overlooked because hey, it’s the Union. I stopped going shortly after my sophomore year, but once in a while, when I’m in the mood for some arcade games, I will go back to the basement there.
Other pinball shoutouts= Mike and Molly’s, last time I was there, as well as La Bamba, Murphy’s and Illini Grill, though those three are rumored and not recently checked… I will have to do that on my next pinball spree!
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Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.
Why wait ‘til 3 pm?
I’m excited to go tonight- should be very fun!
Next, I want to know about growing up on Ennis Lane. Or the neighboring Surbana Estates. http://pathfindergroupil.com/index.php/surbanaestates
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Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
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@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…