Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois is a small city of about 27,000 in southern Illinois about 14 miles 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.
The town itself serves as the site of the main campus of Southern Illinois University.
Get in
By train
Carbondale is served daily by Amtrak's [1] The Saluki, Ilini, and City of New Orleans trains to and from Chicago (with intermediate stops e.g. at Champaign-Urbana), and New Orleans (stops in Memphis and others).
The Saluki train departs Chicago at 9:15AM and greets Carbondale at 2:45PM (on the reverse it leaves Carbondale at 7:30AM and arrives to Chicago at 1PM). Illini train usually departs in the afternoon around 4PM and arrives at 9:30 (same on reverse), but the New Orleans southbound to Memphis and New Orleans (leaves Chicago at 8PM) doesn't arrive until 1:20AM, and the northbound to Chicago doesn't arrive until 3:10AM (arrives Chicago 9AM)
By bus
Greyhound has a station across the street from the train station. Amtrak also runs a regular express bus to St. Louis Mo. which leaves from the train station itself at (ugh) 4AM.
By car
Carbondale sits at the crossroads of Illinois highway 13, and U.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. Louis, Missouri is to take IL 3 South to IL 149 East, which intersects with IL 13 in Murphysboro (look for an exit just on the Illinois side of the Poplar Street bridge.) Highlights include the picturesque Mississippi river town of Chester, Illinois and the many bluffs which offer fantastic views of the river.
By plane
Lambert Field in St. Louis (airport code: STL) is the closest major airport, with flights to and from most destinations in the U.S. and a few international destinations. From there BART Airport Shuttle, +1-800-284-2278, provides door-to-door service to Carbondale, and other destinations in Southern and Central Illinois for around $50. Call for a quote.
Flights to and from St. Louis arrive/depart at Williamson County Airport (airport code: MWA) (four flights daily, each way), which is also served by BART.
Get around
On foot
Most of what's interesting in Carbondale itself is within walking distance of the center of town (Main and Illinois), at least for most fit travelers. Generally however, sidewalks are most reliably available and intact within the center city between Oakland Avenue on the west and Wall Street on the East, including the SIU campus of course, which with its many well-tended and winding paths, grassy knolls, several woods, and a lake is an urban hiker's bonanza.
By bus
- Saluki Express. +1 618 453-5749. The SIU Student Center operates a bus system with 9 regular routes operating whenever classes are in session. There is also late night service and a special intersession service. Tickets cost one dollar for the general public, and passes are available starting at $13 per month. SIU students ride free.
By taxi
- Ace Taxi, 800 E. Walnut St. - +1 618 549-8294 Ace Taxi runs bright green cabs with fast service and a wait time usually around 10 minutes. They accept credit cards which is really convenient. The drivers are really nice and wear uniforms. The cabs are hands down the nicest in the area as they are clean inside and even smell good. Also they do not make you ride with strangers which is nice as well.
- Yellow Cab, 215 S. Illinois Avenue at Walnut Street. The cab stand is only a block or two from the bars and restaurants of Illinois Avenue and downtown, but you could wind up waiting there for a while if all of the cabs are out. Cabs tend to be dirty and poorly kept. Don't be surprised if you end up sharing the cab with strangers - unlike most urban taxi companies, Yellow Cab will take multiple passengers on a single trip.
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. South-bound).
The biggest hassle for drivers is the difficulty of parking anywhere near the SIU campus when classes are in session. Most spaces on campus require a special sticker which are available to older students or to staff or faculty. A few spaces are reserved strictly for visitors, however the best advice is probably not to bother, since there are ample parking spaces a few blocks away in town, and the walk is generally quite pleasant.
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. The latter is especially true in the western (mostly faculty inhabited) parts of town.
If you feel like taking a longer ride there are ample opportunities around Carbondale, especially to the east and west. Try riding Grand Avenue toward Crab-Orchard lake (take a little jog to the right at Giant City Road). Illinois Highway 13 leading west from Carbondale to the neighboring city of Murphysboro is surprisingly bicycle friendly: the shoulder is paved and the width of a full traffic lane. The whole trip center-to-center is about 7 miles, but with the growth of the incorporated parts of the two towns it's only about 1½ miles between the two city limits.
See
- University Museum.
- Buckminster Fuller House
- Old Carbondale Station
- SIU Campus
It should be noted that the City of Carbondale prohibits cyclists on city sidewalks.
Do
- SIU Salukis, 170 Boydston Center, ☏ +1 618 453-2000, toll-free: +1 877-SALUKIS (7258547). 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.
- Evergreen Park
- Turley Park
- Copper Dragon.
Buy
- My Favorite Toys (University Mall), 1237 East Main Street (east of downtown on Route 13), ☏ +1 618 529-TOYS (8697). My Favorite Toys is a unique specialty toy store with toys, puppets, puzzles and games for all ages. Many items not available in the mass market can be found here. The store features play tables and hands-on demos for shoppers.
- Walk The Line Women's Shoes And Accessories, 703 S. Illinois, ☏ +1 618 351-1077. Since 1994, which is a lifetime for a C'dale retail store. Tiny, funky and fun. Best jewelry selection in Carbondale. Comfortable, unconventional women's shoe brands like Berne Mev, Azaleia. Great postcards and oddities, sock monkeys and gifts. Hours vary, as the eccentric but sweet owner freely admits she has no work ethic, so call first. Moderate to low prices.
Eat
- New Kahala Easily the best Chinese food in town besides Hunan's... Located at 606 S. Illinois Ave. it's right in the middle of town. Easy access, great food, great prices. For the quality and price, no other Chinese place in town comes close.
- El Bajio, 1010 E. Main Street.
- China Express, 901 S. Illinois Avenue, ☏ +1 618 549-3991. Good, cheap Chinese fast food, directly across from campus. They don't put MSG on the food, but do keep a jar on the counter if you happen to want it. $4-6.
- China Wok, 883 E. Grand Ave, ☏ +1 618 351-5900. The best cheap Chinese restaurant in Carbondale, China Wok offers better food than China Express, for those willing to travel a mile off campus.
- Cristaudo's(***now closed soon to be replaced by Larry's House of Cakes***) Murdale Shopping Center, 1807 W. Main Street. +1 618 457-4313. This little bakery offers a range of sandwiches, soups, and salads. The service is super-friendly, the ingredients are fresh, and the baking is top notch. It's a little off the beaten path if you are on foot, but do take the extra time if you have it. $3–7
- Don Taco, 600 E. Grand St. And 606 S. Illinois Ave. Best cheap Mexican food in the region -- real cheap, eat dinner for 3 bucks!
- Underground Grille & Pub, 717 South University Avenue (on the "Island"), ☏ +1 618 351-0717. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4PM. Eclectic dining for the frugal gourmet. A popular hangout for SIU faculty and locals. Best bang for the buck in Carbondale. Lamb chops on the menu most of the time. A short walk to Shryock Auditorium.
- Great Wall Chinese Super Buffet, 1285 E. Main St. All you can eat Chinese food.
- El Greco Best gyros and fried mushrooms in town!!
- Global Gourmet, 102 E. Jackson Street. Best restaurant in Carbondale. The quality you would expect in a one of the best restaurants of a major city. New menus daily, and creative deserts as well.
- Happy Reunion, 1901 W. Main Street.
- Harbaugh's Cafe, 901 S. Illinois Ave. Solid, not too-greasy greasy spoon. Very popular with locals.
- Hunan The best Chinese restaurant in town by far. However, they do not deliver.
- Italian Village Meatball sandwich is the best in town!!
- Jewel of India A few years ago, the best Indian restaurant in town, but has gone downhill in quality. Does not accept credit cards
- Kaya Korean and Japanese Restaurant, 817 S. Illinois Ave.
- La Bamba's
- Longbranch Coffee House Offers an all-vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is hit and miss and the service is slow, but very popular with locals and older students.
- Mary Lou's Grill, 114 S. Illinois Ave. Very homey breakfast joint. If you like biscuits and gravy, this is your place.
- Mississippi Flyway Great if you enjoy dining under the dusty, but watchful eyes of deceased animals.
- Pagliai's
- Quatro's, 218 W. Freeman (at University), ☏ +1 618 549 5326. 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.
- Sachi Japanese and Asian Cuisine, 227 W. Main St.
- Thai Taste, 100 S. Illinois Ave. The only Thai restaurant in Carbondale.
- Tres Hombres 119 N. Washington. +1 618 457-3308. 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
Drink
- Hangar 9, 511 S. Illinois Avenue (Just south of the train station), ☏ +1 618 549-0511. Open most evenings 6PM-2AM during University sessions. The Hangar has been presenting live music for the last ~9400 days (according to their website). 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.
- PK's, 308 S. Illinois Avenue, ☏ +1 618 529-1124. 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 [2]) is programmed most evening weekends. $1.25 draft beer (Tuesday nights are $0.75 draft nights and Thursday is $1 day draft and rail.).
- Mélange, 607 S. Illinois Avenue, ☏ +1 618 549-9161. Mélange is a quiet little spot for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, especially in the afternoon. Actually they seem to have about the best wine selection in town (read "any"). Meanwhile there is also a selection of 10 Micro-brewed and imported beers. $2 coffee $4-5 wine and beer.
- Longbranch Coffee House, 100 E. Jackson. +1 618 529-4488. 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.
- The Cellar, 101 W. Monroe Street, ☏ +1 618 529-3838. 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.
- Pinch Penny Pub, 700 E. Grand Avenue, ☏ +1 618 529-3348. Featuring an extra-large beer garden complete with fire-breathing dragon, this bar is a favorite of local college students.
- Sidetracks 101 W.College Street +1 618 457-5950. Located, literally, next to the railroad tracks servicing Amtrak and various freight trains, open Monday-Sunday, open '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, the bar's main feature is its beer garden. 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.
- Gatsby's II, 610 S. Illinois Avenue, ☏ +1 618 549-9234. This basement bar features a large room with many pool tables as well as a popular dance bar in an adjacent room. Popular among college students, especially those in SIU's fraternity/sorority crowd.
- Crown Jewel Lounge, 2400 West Main St (Across from the Kroger on the west side of town.). A treasure that requires no digging, just a drive to the west side of town. Virtual World Promotions books local bands for shows every Saturday night. They have insanely cheap drinks and a great atmosphere. Their website is: www.myspace.com/royalplaza
Sleep
Most Carbondale hotels are on Main Street (Illinois Highway 13) at either the extreme East or West edges of town. This doesn't make for the easiest stumble home from say, South Illinois Avenue, but there's always the cab company.
- Train Inn Carbondale, 406 E. Stoker St, ☏ +1 618 549-1717. We are 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.
- Days Inn Carbondale, 801 E. Main St, ☏ +1 618 457-3347. Comfortable and friendly, within a ten minutes of downtown walking, and twenty minutes of campus. The prices have lowered a bit recently thanks to competition from the Horizon across the street.
- Horizon Inn, 800 E. Main St, ☏ +1 618 529-1100. Comfortable and friendly, within a ten minutes of downtown walking, and twenty minutes of campus.
- Comfort Inn Carbondale Hotel, 1415 E. Main St, ☏ +1 618 549-4244. Just 3 miles from Southern Illinois University and walking distance from the city's best restaurants. If you are looking for an exciting nightlife, that is also just minutes by taxi from the hotel.
- Sassafras Ridge Bed and Breakfast, 382 Fawn Trail., +1 618 529-5261. A bit further out (5 Miles South of town/campus), but probably worth it for car-equipped travelers who are mainly visiting for the scenery.
- Hampton Inn
- Cabin By The Pond, 4760 Springer Ridge Road, ☏ +1 618 924-3100. Three cabins by two different ponds, actually. Located conveniently just a mile south of campus (SIUC). Affordable rates and wooded setting.
- The Davie School Inn, 300 Freeman (South of Carbondale 16 miles), ☏ +1 618 833-2377. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 11AM. 11 Huge 850 Sq foot Suites, with private baths with Jacuzzis, King Beds, Kitchenetts, Suites for Groups, Family, and Romance Located along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Shawnee National Forest, and South of Carbondale $100-300.
Go next
- Shawnee National Forest
- Makanda
- Cobden
- Giant City State Park
- Crab Orchard Lake
- Cedar Lake
- Little Grand Canyon
| Routes through Carbondale |
| Champaign ← Centralia ← | N  S
|
→ Memphis → Jackson |
| Champaign ← Centralia ← | N  S
|
→ END |
Decatur ← Centralia Template:Lfarrow Jct W  E ←
|
N  S
|
→ Makanda → Memphis |