The air is finally starting to get that crisp feeling to it which means, as the title states, it’s fall ya’ll. From yummy fall foods to crafty cocktails to wicked ways to pumpkin spice up your home, this is a master list of how to embrace autumn in style. So dust off your flannels, don your scarves and get ready to scroll your way through the top ways to celebrate the season this fall in Champaign.
PUMPKIN OOLONG MILK TEA AT KUNG FU TEA
You’ll have a new fall favorite after trying Kung Fu Tea’s Pumpkin Oolong Milk Tea. Their medium bodied oolong tea is the perfect base to accompany the rich pumpkin spice flavors that will have you denouncing any future mention of PSLs.
Kung Fu Tea is located at 707 S. 6th St Suite 107. in Champaign’s campustown and is a proud member of the Champaign Center Partnership.
FALL FAVORITES AT THE LITERARY
When you are ready to immerse yourself in the spirit of fall head over to The Literary where you will be able to check off all of your boxes. Dive into a plate of their Pumpkin French Toast (pictured) while you browse their new fall drink menu, each coined with a clever literary inspired moniker as you decide if you want your first fall read to be Stephen Kings new nightmare inducer, “Fairy Tale” or opt for insightful with Ian McEwan’s “Lesson’s”. Feel free to add “skilled multi tasker” to your skill set.
The Literary and Hopscotch are located at 122 N Neil St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership.
PUMPKIN CURRY AT STICKY RICE
Don’t settle for being basic to fill your pumpkin needs this fall, head over to Sticky Rice and try their Pumpkin Curry. This delectable dish mixes pumpkin, bean sprouts, coconut broth and a sweet yellow curry for a taste that will be like having a pumpkin party in your mouth.
Sticky Rice is located at 415 N Neil St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership
FALL EDIT AT GOLDEN WEATHER GOODS
You’ll want to give your home a complete fall overhaul after visiting Golden Weather Goods. Your fall décor shopping will be one and done with everything from the deluxe Kaya or Celestial throws, intoxicatingly fragrant TERRA candles, a variety of different dishware from OHMK Design and so much more featured in Golden Weather Good’s new fall edit. All you will need is a hearty soup recipe, a playlist of mellow mood music and the Carla Llano’s “Hanging Out” puzzle to cinch that perfect autumn aesthetic.
Golden Weather Goods is located at 41 E University Ave Suite 1B in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership
PUMPKIN COOKIE AT CAFE KOPI
v If the arrival of autumn means you need a quiet spot to study, then look no further than Café Kopi. With tons of cozy tables for you to spread out your books, an endless menu of drinks to power you through your first round of exams, to a delicious array of baked goods, like the Pumpkin Cookie (pictured), there is no better place to spend your study hours than Café Kopi.
Cafe Kopi is located at 109 N Walnut St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership
SEASONAL DRINKS AT WATSON'S SHACK AND RAIL
The dwindling sun doesn’t mean your days have to be dark when you have the southern themed Watson’s Shack and Rail to bring a little boozy brightness to your day. With their new seasonal drink menu, Watson’s offers a variety of delicious autumn inspired cocktails including the Cedar Scheme, Devil’s Dream or the infamous Forbidden Apple Slush that features Curtis Orchard Apple Cider and topped with one of their donuts. Make like a snowbird and head south (on Neil) this fall to Watson’s.
Watson’s Shack and Rail is located at 211 N Neil St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership
FALL CROUGHNUTS AT CENTRAL ILLINOIS BAKEHOUSE
You might as well thank us now for introducing you to your new autumn obsession after tasting Central Illinois Bakehouses’s croughnuts. Seriously with flavors like the fan favorite “Curtis Orchard’s Apple Cider Croughnut” or what sounds almost too good to be true ” Salted Caramel Pretzel Croughnut” we seriously can’t blame you.
Central Illinois Bakehouse is located at 208 N 1st St. in Champaign’s midtown and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership.
FALL MENU AT PUNCH! BAR AND LOUNGE
If the chillier weather has you wanting to snuggle up to someone while you grab a bite, head over to Punch! Bar and Lounge. With their fall craft cocktail menu, featuring the dangerously good Fire on the Mountain, available now to pair with their shareable bites it won’t be hard to find someone to warm up with while you eat.
Punch! Bar and Lounge is located at 217 N Neil St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership.
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY AT BLIND PIG BREWING
If the arrival of fall has you feeling like royalty, then you are in for a treat when you head over to the Blind Pig Brewery ands try their new beer Constitutional Monarchy. This double dry hopped, hazy IPA will have you searching for your crown after a few sips. And while you are there don’t forget to give the pig a pat on the gorgeous all seasons patio!
Blind Pig Brewery is located at 120 N Neil St. in downtown Champaign and are proud members of the Champaign Center Partnership.
FALL CANDLES AT FIRE DOLL STUDIO
You can’t say that you have truly switched over to full on fall vibes until your home is drenched in a scent more akin to crunchy leaves than beach waves. At Fire Doll Studio’s you’ll get your pick of a variety of fall inspired handmade candles each emanating with such a rich autumn aroma that you will be reaching for a sweater even if these summer temps decide to stick around a bit past their eviction notice date.
Fire Doll Studio is located at 110 S Neil St. in downtown Champaign and is a proud member of the Champaign Center Partnership.
