There's much more to Champaign's sister city of Urbana than you might think. It is a lively college town, home to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it has a long and fascinating history, and it is family-friendly and beautiful. While it is usually tied to its next-door twin, Urbana stands out on its own -- Downtown Urbana is the city hub, home to Market at the Square, a farmers market that began in 1979. The historic downtown features historic architecture, bike lanes (and plenty of bike racks), sidewalk cafes, period lighting, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
In addition to the university, Urbana is home to the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, a research institute located on the university's campus. The neighborhood attracts those with children, thanks to its top-ranking schools, and it features beautiful parks, such as Crystal Lake Park and Meadowbrook Park.
