Hit the road with your kids this summer for more than 31 unique day trip ideas that are a short drive from Champaign-Urbana
We can’t wait to see where our adventures take our families this summer! Load the kids up for a day trip and make some fun memories as a family (no overnight stay required).
If you’re thinking your family needs a change of scenery, perhaps a day trip — without the hassle or expense of finding a place to stay — is a good place to start. We’ve made a list of our favorite low-commitment day trips that are also fairly easy on your budget. All suggestions are less than two hours away.
Chambanamoms thanks Children’s Discovery Museum for presenting this list.
The Children’s Discovery Museum exists to inspire the love of learning through the power of play! Located in the heart of Uptown Normal, Illinois, the CDM features three floors of award-winning, hands-on exhibits that stimulate imagination, curiosity, and wonder. Splash around the Water Works table, build with gigantic blue blocks, create a masterpiece on our signature Paint Wall, and so much more! Admission provides in-and-out access all day, and the neighborhood offers a variety of dining options. The attached Museum Store is a great resource for STEAM-inspired toys and gifts. Museum memberships are a great value — including reciprocal access to hundreds of children’s museums and science centers across the country! Learn more and plan your next visit at ChildrensDiscoveryMuseum.net.
Something you’ll notice about this list: We’re not sending you to big cities like Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis, although you can certainly day trip to those. We have TONS of ideas for those three cities on our website. (For reference, a few of our favorites are the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis; the St. Louis Gateway Arch experience; and free museums in Chicago.)
Plan ahead. Usually day trips are a pretty low-commitment endeavor. But especially if museums or zoos are involved, you are going to want to at minimum visit the website ahead of time to see if you need reservations to enter.
While this list is focused on summer day trips from Champaign-Urbana, many of these attractions are open year-round, perhaps with different hours and a different type of experience.

Nature is calling
Allerton Park, Monticello
There’s plenty to do to fill a whole day (or half a day) at Allerton Park in Monticello. Its gardens transport you to a place where your imagination can run wild with your kids and feel like you’re living in a storybook. Our kids’ favorite spot at Allerton is the Triangle Parterre Garden, where it feels like a scene straight out of the book, “The Secret Garden.”
Clinton Lake
Fish, boat, hike and more out at Clinton Lake. There’s a beach, too! You can choose if you make a trip to Clinton a short day trip, a full day or a complete experience. We break down the different things you can do at Clinton Lake so you can make the best plan for your family.
Moraine View State Park
This is a popular spot to canoe and kayak, and renting such gear is easy at Moraine View. The first thing we think stands out about Moraine View State Park is the prevalence of more casual, small watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and paddle boards.
Lake Shelbyville
Believe it or not, there’s another lake with a beach in Central Illinois. And on Lake Shelbyville, boat rentals are super popular and doable; our story has lots of tips on how to rent a boat. A hidden gem of Lake Shelbyville: You can take a tour of the dam on summer weekends.
Kickapoo State Park, near Danville
At roughly 40 minutes from Champaign-Urbana, it’s close enough to cut the trip short if gets too hot or rains, and not feel all that bad. Anything you want to do outdoors — in a day or a weekend — can be achieved within the park. This is a popular spot to go tubing.

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Gaze at the stars and marvel. While this article highlights “day trips,” there’s no reason why some of them can’t be in the evening. In 2019 Middle Fork River Forest Preserve was recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, the first such designation in the state of Illinois. (Of course, there’s also hiking, boating and other fun to be had.)

Other nearby places to get your nature on: Starved Rock State Park — where winter fun includes bald eagle watching along the river, and a meal at the Root Beer Stand in Oglesby is required year-round — or neighboring Matthiessen State Park, and Turkey Run State Park in Indiana.
South of Champaign-Urbana
Casey Big Things
The world’s largest crochet hook and knitting needles; the world’s largest mailbox; and the world’s largest wooden shoes … this place is truly unique. Best part? It’s easy on the wallet once you get there. Big things are open year round, although most are outside.
Sunflower Maze, near Paris
Although only open a few weeks a year, the Sunflower Maze is a must-do with the family. There are other fun things to do in Paris to round out the trip, including an accessible playground.
Amish Country
There’s so much to love about Amish Country. See horses and buggies, go shopping, and eat some great food. If you plan ahead, you can also arrange a formal tour or eat dinner in an Amish home. Drive through and see the animals at Aikman Wildlife Adventure.
Effingham
There’s no predominant reason to go to Effingham, but there are a surprising number of things to do (car museum? a mill? and more). And great places to eat, too. Firefly Grill is our fave, especially if you’re looking for something nice.

Lincoln Log Cabin, Charleston
If you don’t get enough Lincoln in Springfield, or would rather skip the Springfield crowds, a lesser known — but no lesser — experience is to take the family to the Lincoln Log Cabin. Visit in the summer to get the full effect of interpreters.
Bloomington-Normal area
Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal
When you are looking for high-quality indoor fun, regardless of the time of year, the Children’s Discovery Museum in Bloomington-Normal is a popular day trip destination for Champaign-Urbana families — and while it’s great for the littles, even the big kids will have a good time here.

Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington
Whether you want to walk among the wallabies or hear a tiger roar up close and personal, you can surprise the kids with a day at the zoo. A great option for younger kids; don’t miss the otter feeding!

Imagination Grove at Sugar Grove Nature Center
Near Bloomington-Normal, this is a creek stomping, mud-pie-making paradise for kids. Enjoy this nature playscape, complete with ladders to climb trees and treehouses and see what critters you can find in the creek. Lots of wildflowers and nice trails to hike.

Decatur area
Scovill Zoo
This zoo has a train and is located next to the museum listed below. Looking for a budget-friendly outing? Visit Scovill Zoo on Thursdays all summer, when admission is free.

Children’s Museum of Illinois
Toddlers, in particular, will love this place. There are so many different exhibits on the different floors of this museum. Don’t miss the plane upstairs!

Peoria area
Wildlife Prairie Park, near Peoria
You’ll see things here that you’ll likely not see anywhere else in central Illinois. While not a zoo, there’s a lot of wildlife here. Get info on its site.
Peoria Zoo
A medium-size zoo, there are several highlights and reasons to make a stop here; but we’ll just pick out one highlight — the giraffes.

Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum
This shares a parking lot with the zoo in Glen Oak Park, also near the (free) Luthy Botanical Garden. The sand play area is a favorite.

Peoria Riverfront Museum
It has a five-story screen theater that plays a variety of 2D, 3D and educational movies. Yeah, we thought that might get your attention.

Springfield area
Various Lincoln sites
We’ve curated a list of Springfield sites to see, which are mostly better for school-age kids.
Illinois State Fair
Our fair expert gives you the low-down on the Illinois State Fair, which happens annually in early-to-mid August. Families love to make a day trip but prepared to bring the cash and meet the crowds head-on.

Knights Action Park
Where else can you find go-karts, batting cages, a wave pool, lazy river, several large water play areas for the smaller set, miniature golf and a driving range, a Ferris wheel and some very serious waterslides? And where else can you find this all close enough that you can drive there, spend the day AND drive back all in one day? (Note: Only the driving range is open all winter. Availability of other features varies in spring and fall.)
Scheels
This “store” is up the street from Knights Action Park. Just trust us. There’s more than enough to do here.

Illinois State Museum
Admission for children, seniors, veterans, and members is always free. The Illinois State Museum includes a children’s Play Museum as well as natural history and cultural history exhibits, both permanent and rotating.
Kidzeum of Health and Science
Another museum and it is another favorite of ours.
Western Indiana
Terre Haute Children’s Museum
This manageably-sized museum has a focus on science and technology, with an entertaining Pollination Station. Be sure to buy some Square Donuts (yes really! “where it all began”) for the drive home.

Turkey Run State Park
You might hear a lot of Champaign-Urbana families buzzing about a day trip to Turkey Run. This outdoor escape isn’t all that far away and if you’re going to make one nature getaway this year, Turkey Run might be the leading contender.
If you love sports
Danville Dans baseball
Real college baseball players competing in the Prospect League, with wooden bats in a classic baseball environment that’s easy on the budget. Just 30 minutes away. Games from late May to early August.

Some ideas on trips you can take with your family:
- Best Midwest Summer Road Trips for Champaign-Urbana Families
- 31+ Unique Summer Day Trips from Champaign-Urbana
- Midwest Indoor Waterparks Within a Few Hours of Champaign-Urbana
- Winter Road Trip: Visiting Ice Castles at Lake Geneva, Wis.
- Visiting the Arthur Amish Area with Kids
- Spend a Saturday in Tuscola
- Peaches Aplenty at Okaw Valley Orchard
- Visiting the Indoor Waterpark at Grand Bear Resort Near Starved Rock
- How to Rent a Boat on Lake Shelbyville with your Family
- Road Trip: Visit St. Louis as a Family
- Visiting Imagination Grove Near Bloomington-Normal
- Road Trip: Visiting Wisconsin Dells
- Day Trip from Champaign-Urbana: Living Large in Casey
- Head North for Family Fun: What To Do On Your Chicago Trip
- An Insider’s Guide to a Springfield Getaway
- Effingham, a Trip to the Crossroads
- Winter Break Day Trip: Family Fun in Peoria
- Travel Back in Time at Lincoln Log Cabin
More on all your favorite outdoor activities:
- Hiking Trails For Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Walking Paths in Champaign-Urbana
- Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with your Family
- Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Find the Ultimate Outdoor Adventures with Kids in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Gardens and Flower Farms in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Where to Go Boating with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
- Avoid the Mud and Muck with Mulch-Free Playgrounds in Champaign-Urbana
- Family-Friendly Bike Trails in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Creek Stomping Your Way Around Champaign-Urbana
- Camping with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
- Parks Minus Playgrounds We Love Around Champaign-Urbana
- 6 Places to Experience Nature with Kids Near Champaign-Urbana
Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:
- Champaign-Urbana Area Fourth of July FIREWORKS!
- Splash Pads Around Champaign-Urbana
- Beaches Within a Short Driving Distance of Champaign-Urbana
- Strawberry Picking Near Champaign-Urbana
- Summer Fun in Chicago: Free Days at the Best Museums
- Best Midwest Summer Road Trips for Champaign-Urbana Families
- How to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Champaign-Urbana
- 7 Great Summer Festivals in Central Illinois
- Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs
- Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals
- 50+ Ways to Have Summer Fun on a Budget In and Around Champaign-Urbana
- Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana
- Swim Teams in Champaign-Urbana
- Outdoor Concerts in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Free Kids Movies Return to Savoy in Summer
- Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with your Family
- Farmers Markets in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Summer Fun for Families in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana Area Swimming Pools
- Things to Do for Teens (and Tweens) This Summer in Champaign-Urbana
- Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Where to Take Swim Lessons in Champaign-Urbana
- Season Pool Passes On Sale in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana Summer Camps for Kids