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City in Illinois, United States
Photo: by Mark Jaroski. (WT-en) Mark at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Carbondale is a small city of about 25,000 (2020) in Southern (Illinois) about 14 miles (22 km) east of the Mississippi River at roughly the southern edge of the plains, and the northern limit of the Shawnee hills. The surrounding area boasts some pleasant countryside, particularly in the Shawnee National Forest preserve.
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Natural history and contemporary art museum. Public metered parking from the Student Center and beside Woody Hall.
SIU's sports teams are a popular diversion in town and throughout the region. SIU is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference for most sports; its football team is in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (which is a separate organization, despite the similar name). The main venues, most notably SIU Arena for basketball and Saluki Stadium for football, are on campus. SIU is an NCAA Division I member, but the football team is in Division I FCS, a step below the much bigger programs in Division I FBS. However, an advantage of this is that tickets can be easier to get (and cheaper) than at higher-profile schools.
Boo Castle Park
A whimsical playground full of dragon and wizard statues. The centerpiece is the castle playground where kids can let out their imagination. The park is most appropriate for kids under 12. Port-a-potty, a drinking fountain, and vending machine. Free street parking.
A city park.
Lenus Turley Park
A city park with a playground.
China Wok offers better food than China Express, for those willing to travel a mile off campus.
Cheap Mexican food -- real cheap, eat dinner for 3 bucks!
Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4PM. Eclectic dining for the frugal gourmet. A popular hangout for SIU faculty and locals. Lamb chops on the menu most of the time. A short walk to Shryock Auditorium.
The quality you would expect in one of the best restaurants of a major city. New menus daily, and creative desserts as well.
Solid, not too-greasy greasy spoon. Very popular with locals.
Very homey breakfast joint. If you like biscuits and gravy, this is your place.
Carbondale is a college town, and as you would imagine it has its share of pizzerias. Quatro's is a standout in part because of the unique quality of their pizza dough, which is made with brewers yeast -- legend has it that the yeast is obtained through some special deal with a St. Louis brewery. $4-12.
The only Thai restaurant in Carbondale.
119 N. Washington. 11AM-10PM (lounge open until 2AM every night). Good Tex-Mex standards, including a vegetarian burrito. Great value in food and drink. The lounge offers a bit more swank than the average collegiate joint. On weekends they feature live music, usually a local blues band. $12–18
Open most evenings 6PM-2AM during University sessions. The Hangar has been presenting live music for many years. Once known as a jam-band haven, the music calendar has become more eclectic since the early to mid-1990s, booking punk rock, ska, and other live acts. $1.50-3.50 draft beer.
Open most evenings 6PM-2AM during University sessions. This is a real tavern for people (over 21) who like real taverns. The crowd is a mix of locals and students who are quickly on their way to becoming locals. Live music (usually blues, but sometimes something quite a bit stranger) is programmed most evening weekends. $1.25 draft beer (Tuesday nights are $0.75 draft nights and Thursday is $1 day draft and rail.).
A great place to sit down with a big cup of coffee and a good book. They also offer a range of snacks and desserts, juices and smoothies. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as organic stuff.
21 and over. This bar is the kind of place you don't find unless you're looking for it. popular among grad students, The Cellar features many TVs. Their signature drink is the bloody mary.
Sidetracks
It is across the street from the railroad tracks serving Amtrak and various freight trains, open daily 'til 2AM. A former line dancing bar, Sidetracks offers a unique atmosphere. From the picture frames dominating the inside walls filled with pictures of former employees, to the railroad artifacts scattered around. Hosts live DJs and live bands, and is considered a significant hang out for the SIU Rugby men's and women's teams. Keep a look out for Rugby Tournament weekends, which will draw dozens of teams from all over the nation, but also SIU alumni.
Surrounded by SIU property, within a one-minute walk of the Rec center, and four minutes walking to downtown or Pinch Penny. The food is great and the historic house is a City of Carbondale landmark.
Three cabins by two ponds. A mile south of campus (SIUC). Affordable rates and wooded setting.
11 850 sq ft suites, with private baths with jacuzzis, king beds, kitchenettes, suites along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Shawnee National Forest, and south of Carbondale.
By bus
Greyhound has a station across the street from the train station. Amtrak also runs a regular express bus to St. Louis, Missouri, which leaves from the train station at (ugh) 4AM.
By car
S. route 51. Most visitors who drive in will arrive via IL 13 from Marion, where it intersects with Interstate Highway 57. Another much more scenic option for those driving from St.
By plane
Lambert Field in St.S. and a few international destinations.
By bus
By taxi
By car
Driving in Carbondale is pretty straightforward, with only a couple of instances of one-way streets (Main St. West-bound, Walnut St. East-bound, Illinois Ave. North-bound, and University Ave.
By bike
There are bicycle lanes on many of the bigger streets throughout town, and the smaller streets are generally quiet enough that even the least experienced urban cyclist should feel completely safe.
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Marion · Regional · MWA
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