It’s a starry, autumn night. You’re strolling along the Quad with your best friend or significant other. While deep in conversation about the meaning of life, you stumble upon one of campus’s best-kept secrets. It’s hidden behind a cluster of cherry blossom trees: the Chem Annex fire escape. You have passed by it every day for the last few years and never thought twice about it, but the top of this staircase offers one of the most beautiful views of campus and one of the best places to sit and talk.

Champaign-Urbana is full of hidden gems. It took me three years to find most of them, and now that I’m graduating, I feel compelled to share.

One night during my freshman year, a few of us decided to pay a visit to Allerton Park. It was about 11 p.m., the leaves had just started to fall, and Halloween was approaching. We knew the park closed at dusk, but we thought it was worth a shot.

After a short drive to Monticello, we were pleased to find that the road leading to the Allerton Mansion was not closed off. We parked in the gravel lot and took a stroll through the pitch black trails where, even with a flashlight, we couldn’t see more than 10 feet in front of us.

Before long, I noticed two bright headlights following us in the distance. It was scarier than any horror movie I’ve ever seen, and completely worth the stern warning we received from the park security. If you aren’t into the pee-in-your-pants-scary thing, Allerton is just as pretty during the day as it is creepy at night. There are acres and acres of forest, gardens and ponds awaiting visitors.

While we’re on the subject of nighttime destinations, the rooftop at Krannert is a hidden treasure. If you climb the steps of the outdoor amphitheater, you can access the Krannert rooftop and get a beautiful view of campus.

And while you’re there, check out some of the unbelievable discounts that we receive as UI students. The Russian National Ballet, the Symphony Orchestra, jazz shows and wine tasting are just a few examples of the amazing programming offered by Krannert.

But Krannert isn’t the only place to see great performances. Champaign-Urbana offers an incredible local music scene. When my roommate, Lauren Noone, was the host of WPGU’s “Inner Limits,” I was exposed to the amazing bands that call this community home. From Cowboy Monkey to Canopy to the Highdive, there are local performers scattered around C-U nearly every night. Though my favorite DJ no longer hosts “Inner Limits,” Joe Smyth does a great job of showcasing local talent on 107.1 on Sundays at 9 p.m.

I discovered my favorite local music performance inadvertently while studying at Café Kopi.

It was a Saturday night, and I was sitting at a table outside when I noticed two middle-aged men setting up shop across the street. They spent the next four hours playing classic rock and alternative music from the ’80s and ’90s, accepting coins and dollar bills from passers-by. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear street performers and meet Jen in the same night. A philosopher and poet who frequents Café Kopi, Jen offers some interesting insight and great conversation.

As winter approaches, and places like the rooftop of Krannert and the sidewalk outside Kopi become less viable, we’ll be seeking out hot beverages and indoor hangouts. As a non-coffee drinker, and self-proclaimed hot chocolate connoisseur, I would call Za’s hot chocolate the best on campus.

If you’re looking for a nice meal to break up your winter routine, try Milo’s in Urbana. It recently moved to the intersection of Philo and Windsor roads, but the food is still great.

On my first visit, I was intrigued by the upside-down pizza, a unique approach to a college staple. It is cooked upside down in a bowl, with the dough forming an air bubble over the ingredients. When the server brings it to the table, he cuts it out of the bowl and flips it onto your plate. Gastronomically brilliant.

And finally, the best-kept secret of campus: life north of Green Street. Leasing a house up north is ideal – it’s two blocks from Green Street bars, three blocks from the Quad, it’s relatively quiet on weekends, and it does not smell like a frat house. What more could you ask for?

After three and a half years in Champaign-Urbana, these simple pleasures have defined my UI experience. I challenge you to take advantage of your time in the C-U, and discover some secrets of your own.

Katie is a senior in Spanish and political science and she encourages you to share your secrets at DailyIllini.com.