In the past month, how many days can you truly remember? On average, a few days, 4 or 5 if you’re lucky, stand out from the daily routines we all experience. That’s why Visit Champaign County is launching our new “Living Outside of Ordinary” Campaign aimed at residents and visitors as a means to encourage everyone to discover new places throughout the greater Champaign County area.

Each week, we’ll give you one thing to do each day, something Outside of Ordinary, to make sure you have a way to make each day memorable. We’ll be busy brainstorming over the next year to make sure you have ways to break out of the routine and immerse yourself in the amazing things happening right in your backyard. Some will be events, but others may be something as simple as getting outdoors, meeting a friend for a drink, or checking out a new store or restaurant. The goal is simple: when you’re Living Outside of Ordinary, you’re making memories, so we can all cherish each and every day.

To get started, we have 7 things to do over the next week that guarantees a great kick off to a year of “Living Outside of Ordinary”:

Tuesday, September 4^th - Take an evening stroll through Porter Park and search for butterflies

Wednesday, September 5^th – Grab “hump day” drinks at the newly open Pour Bros. Craft Taproom

Thursday, September 6^th – Walk through the Bicentennial-themed Corn Maze at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

Friday, September 7^th – Catch the Marching Illini warming up for game day at the newly open-to-the-public band practices

Saturday, September 8^th – Don’t be afraid of no ghosts, and head over to the Virginia Theater for a screening of Ghostbusters

Sunday, September 9^th – Learn Japanese culture and customs at the 4^th annual Japan House Matsuri festival 

*Bonus for this week* - Skip time spent in the kitchen and grab dinner at Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge

For more tips on what to do, check our events calendar and request a copy of our Visitors Guide today!