Who can ever tire of the Main Quad at the University of Ilinois Urbana-Champaign?
One of the most prominent public spaces on campus, it’s a central location of activity — a gathering space for students, staff and faculty. It’s also a hub for visitors beyond the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign community, from both near and far.
And deservedly so. There’s plenty of unique things to see and do there, making it a must-visit locale for anyone in the area. We tell you the must-visit sites on the Quad as well as our favorite buildings to visit, and why.
So what’s the big deal? Let’s start with the basics.
There are 15 buildings on or very close to the Main Quad. For the purposes of this article, we consider the University of Illinois Quad to include the manicured lawns and paths as well as the buildings themselves.
At the head of the Quad is the Illini Union, a hub for entertainment, fast-casual food options, and a great place to hang out. On the opposite side is Foellinger Auditorium, a concert space and lecture hall.
People will often complain that there’s no place to park to get to the Quad, and that’s by design. Drivers are not prioritized; this is a pedestrian friendly zone, a great place to take a walk and explore. Take the bus, ride your bike, or park/walk to get here.
Exploring the University of Illinois Main Quad – Indoors
The Illini Union
The top location for visitors looking to spend time on the Quad is the Illini Union. Nothing says “college” quite like the union. For those who might not be familiar, the Union is one of the main gathering spaces on campus which is also open to the general public.
It contains retail, food and drink, lounges, performance spaces, and an art gallery. It also has one of our favorite hidden gems on campus — the Illini Union Rec Room, which has a bowling alley, pool tables, and arcade games.
What to do at the Union:
- On the first floor, check out the big fish tanks in the lobby; visit the Art Gallery, which has rotating exhibits; tech junkies can shop at the Illini Union Tech Zone; grab coffee at Starbucks; and eat at a local favorite, Just Bee Acai.
- Check out free entertainment at the Courtyard Cafe — lunchtime concerts, as well as evening fun (trivia, karoke, comedy). Note: these events fill up!
- Go bowling, play arcade games, or play pool at the Illini Union Rec Room. It’s open to the public. University affiliates (staff, students, faculty) get cheaper rates.
- The basement food court, once home to mostly chains, is now focused on satellites of popular local restaurants.
Lincoln Hall
After the Illini Union, perhaps the second most explored building by visitors to the Quad is Lincoln Hall. Most visitors go there to see the famous bust of Lincoln, whose nose gets rubbed daily by University of Illinois students seeking good luck on exams.
It’s also a favorite indoor photo destination thanks to its beautiful, intricate architecture (in addition to decent lighting). Just ask any high schooler in town.
Exploring the University of Illinois Main Quad – Outdoors
One of the great things about the Quad is its beauty no matter the season. That’s well documented on the University of Illinois Instagram, where you can see photos of the Quad from summer, fall, spring and winter.
The Quad is a lively spot to visit no matter the season. When classes are in session, the Quad hosts many public events, including celebrations of various cultural and ethnic holidays. It is a great place to have an impromptu picnic and people-watch — or squirrel watch as the case may be. It’s a popular place to walk, run, skate and otherwise move.
In the summer, the Quad hosts outdoor movie nights as well as two community classical concerts, a tradition for more than 100 years.
Sculptures, Fountains, and Class Gifts
There is no shortage of public art that surrounds the Quad. The most iconic sculpture on campus — the Alma Mater — is just outside of the Quad. Does that count? Arguable. For sure, there’s nothing like the Alma Mater.
One of the newest reasons to visit the Quad is an incredible new sculpture, the Mammoth.
The Mammoth was installed in March 2023, right after spring break. Many people have tried to name it, but nothing has stuck just yet. The mammoth has a great local connection — it was sculpted by Taylor Studios in Rantoul, just 20 minutes from campus.
The Mammoth is just outside the Natural History Building, one of the oldest buildings on campus. Here’s some of that history, courtesy of this article from University of Illinois Facilities and Services: “Since 1892, the Natural History Building has been a landmark at the University of Illinois. Designed by the renowned Nathan Ricker — Illinois Alumnus and first architectural graduate in the U.S. — the building underwent a $70 million renovation in 2014.”
A longtime University of Illinois tradition is where members of a graduating class collect money to go toward a Class Gift. Class Gifts dot the Quad, although the best known landmark is the Eternal Flame, given by the Class of 1912.
The Eternal Flame consists of a circular bench and a pillar with a light on top if it. The Eternal Flame carries a long-standing campus myth, that two lovers who kiss under the flame’s eternal light will see their relationship last forever.
One of our other favorite icons on the Quad is the Diana Fountain. Located on the west side of the Illini Union, this classical sculpture delights the eyes. When warmer weather hits, we appreciate how zen the fountains make us feel. The one below is right in front of Harker Hall, not far from the Mammoth.
Can’t visit the Quad in person? No worries, you can see what’s happening on the Quad at the University of Illinois anytime via the Quad cam. The camera sits on the roof of Foellinger Auditorium.