As lovely as the prairie and woodland scenery of Central Illinois certainly is, the great outdoors simply isn’t an option for all events. These spectacular four-season off-site venues delight the eye and prevent inclement weather from casting a pall over the proceedings.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Springfield
The award-winning Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield is one of the country’s most-visited presidential libraries. The museum’s stunning plaza, which contains a re-creation of the south portico of the White House, can host 500 for receptions. The museum also offers a 250-seat theater with an adjoining 100-person reception area. In the library, the glass rotunda of the Lincoln Reception Room can welcome 100, while the three-story atrium can host 250.
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts began its existence in 1921 as a Scottish Rite Temple. In its first iteration, the center served as home to the Passion Play and nationally touring performers such as Duke Ellington and the Boston Pops Symphony. Reborn in the 2000s, the center now anchors Bloomington’s cultural district. The 14,500-square-foot facility offers a 1,320-seat theater and a ballroom capable of hosting banquets as large as 1,000.
The Waterhouse, Peoria
The Waterhouse takes full advantage of Peoria’s downtown riverfront. Its three distinctive venues offer huge windows with views of the cityscape and Illinois River, as well as hardwood floors, tin ceilings and exposed brick walls. The ballroom can seat 300 for a plated banquet, the Warehouse Room can seat 200 and the Broadway Lounge can accommodate 120.
Virginia Theatre, Champaign
Champaign’s Virginia Theatre is a glorious 1921 movie palace. The 1,463-seat venue presents live performing arts as well as cinema events. Managed by the city’s Park District, the theater boasts a Wurlitzer pipe organ.
