A visit to Parcadia is like having a little slice of Las Vegas in Urbana. Wait — hear me out.
There’s no gambling at Parcadia; none that’s sanctioned, anyway. But if you’re looking for a fun destination no matter the time of day or year, few places can carry out a theme like Parcadia.
If you’ve been to Las Vegas, you’re acutely aware that’s one of the city’s specialties. Every mega-resort has a theme. And if you’re familiar with the Excalibur Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll completely get the theme of Parcadia.
It is a trip into the medieval era, and perhaps not even Las Vegas pulls it off this well. At Parcadia, for example, not only are the staff dressed the part, but they’ll speak to you in character, as well. At Parcadia, they’re all-in.
So what can you do at Parcadia?
- Play mini golf: Into the Mysterious Mine, the main mini golf course, is interactive with special effects, animated creatures, and will actually make you think. The five-hole pop-up course for the summer, The Bounty of the Bone Lord, is also a hoot but as intricate. Here’s the main thing to remember: Parcadia’s mini golf courses are constantly changing. Holes are added; holes are changed. And each hole offers something unique; we promise you’ve never played mini-golf like this. Another important note: Some of these holes might be a little too intense for youngsters age 4 or younger. Tee times can be booked online but aren’t necessary. Our group recently walked in on a Sunday afternoon and experienced only a 10-minute wait. And, if waiting for a tee time, skip around and check out the escape-room type games to play in the lobby.
- Play board games: There’s a separate game room, with plenty of table-top board games ranging from quick two-player games to longer-form strategy games.
- Wander through the facility searching for clues that will help you decode a secret message: Parcadia’s interactive quests and mini-games all fit into Parcadia’s theme. One could spend hours just looking around; the attention to detail is incredible. Every nook and cranny has intrigue and whimsy, from finding gnomes to checking out the “squeakeasy” for mice.
- Get a drink: Parcadia bills itself as a “magical mini golf tavern,” and indeed there are plenty of unique drinks on offer inside a vast seating area that includes a bar. The names are sensational, from the Horn of the Unicorn to the Elixir of Wakefulness (a.k.a. espresso martini). The list is vast and will take you more than a minute to wade through. Non-drinkers can get a dirty soda; kids can grab a lemonade, among other options. Hungry? Food trucks are often in the parking lot, and Parcadia is the rare attraction that allows outside food inside.
As of June, Parcadia is open seven days a week. Hours vary, but be aware admission is adults-only after 9 p.m.
Parcadia is the type of experience that makes Champaign-Urbana so vibrant and unique. It’s the type of attraction that you’d expect to see in a larger city, which makes it more special.
Parcadia has been developed by the same people who own the adjacent C-U Adventures in Time and Space, one of C-U’s top escape rooms.
