Experience SIU

Life lessons come from living life. SIU is in the center of a universe of opportunity for adventure, community-building, artistic expression, and joyful living.

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Last Updated: Mar 17, 2025, 11:45 AM

rock climbing at giant cityGet Outside

Not to brag too much, but Southern Illinois has beautiful scenery! We encourage you to get out in it. There’s something for everyone, from adrenaline seekers to sunset admirers.

State Parks, State Forest, National Forest

Nowhere in Illinois is like this region. Waterfalls, bluffs, forests, wetlands, river bottoms — it’s all here. Visit the famous Snake Road in spring or fall — you can almost see it from Inspiration Point. Find out why they call it Giant City (State Park). Take a day trip to our Garden of the Gods. Trails range from fully accessible to vigorous. Picnic areas make it easy for more passive enjoyment.

Hiking and Rock Climbing

Join the SIU Climbing Club or the SIU Backpacking Club and learn where you can rock climb and rappel or backcountry camp. There are so many hiking trails in the area, that you’d have to be truly dedicated to hiking them all during your time as an SIU student.

Mountain Biking

The best mountain biking in the area is at our Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. (We aren’t biased at all. Nope.) Also, we’re officially a Bicycle Friendly University. If you are ambitious, check out the 45-mile Tunnel Hill State Trail.

woman mountain biking

Staying In

Ah, the great indoors! You can expand your horizons, visit a distant or imaginary land, find image-sharing-worthy food, and dance the night away.

  • Music and Nightlife

    local live music event

    Carbondale has one of the best live music scenes you’ll find anywhere. (We aren’t biased at all.) The Strip is home to quintessential collegiate bars and nightspots. Most of the wineries offer live music on the weekends. The Off the Rails outdoor concerts take off in July through September.

  • Performing Arts

    performing arts student in costume

    Support your dramatic Salukis at McLeod Theater for staged plays, and the Kleinau Theater for experimental and one-person shows. The downtown Varsity Theater is a multi-use venue for theater, music and more.

  • Dining

    pile of noodles and veggies

    Carbondale offers a small, collegiate-town mix of international cuisine, small-town diner, food trucks, and major chain restaurants. Pick a new place every weekend. And don’t forget other towns in the area! Several local Facebook groups discuss the best of Southern Illinois foodie options. Even if you don’t live on campus, you can still take advantage of University Housing Dining.

  • History & Culture

    interior of sharp museum

    Our Art and Design students regularly host shows at The Glove Factory art space. Sharp Museum on campus rotates exhibits throughout the year. Carbondale supports local and university artists at Artspace 304. The African American Museum has a long tradition of supporting African diaspora and African American culture. If you are feeling adventurous, visit Fort Kaskaskia, where our Archaeology Field School has been unearthing history for the past few years, or the re-enactments at Fort du Chartres or Fort Massac.

Road Trippin & Other Adventures

siu mascot under st louis arch

  • Hit the Road

    You can get “there” from here.

    • Memphis: 3 hours.
    • Nashville: 3 hours.
    • St. Louis: 2 hours.
    • Cape Girardeau, MO: 1 hour.
    • And a gazillion little towns in between.

    Times are approximate.

    student with suitcase

  • Take the Train

    Amtrak likes us so much they call one of their lines to Chicago “The Saluki.” If you take the train south, you can ride the City of New Orleans line to… New Orleans. Claim your student discount!

    amtrack train engine