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About
The Varsity Center is an event venue at 418 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901. It is in Jackson County, about 56 miles from Paducah.
- Address
- 418 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901
- Phone
- (618) 457-5353
- County
- Jackson
- Highways
- Illinois Route 13, U.S. Route 51
- Distance
- about 56 miles from Paducah (straight line)
About Carbondale
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, Illinois, with a population of about 21,800. Founded in 1853, it grew as a railroad crossroads and transportation hub by the Civil War. The city is best known for Southern Illinois University, which started as a teacher training school in 1874 and is now a major research university. Carbondale also hosted one of the earliest Memorial Day observances in 1866. Located on the northern edge of Shawnee National Forest and in the Big Muddy River watershed, the city sits at 415 feet elevation. Visitors can reach Carbondale via Illinois Route 13, U.S. Route 51, or Amtrak, with the nearest major airport in St. Louis, 82 miles away. Nearby attractions include Giant City State Park and Shawnee National Forest.
Getting there
- Highways
- Illinois Route 13, U.S. Route 51
- Rail and air
- Amtrak service available; nearest major airport in St. Louis
- Nearest city
- St. Louis
Around Carbondale
- Woodlawn Cemetery: Site of one of the first Memorial Day observances in 1866.
- Southern Illinois University: Flagship campus of the SIU system and a national research university.
- University Museum: Houses 60,000 artifacts and hosts traveling art exhibits.
- Varsity Center for the Arts: Renovated theater serving as a performing arts venue.
- Giant City State Park: Known for its natural beauty and longest totality during the 2017 solar eclipse.
- Shawnee National Forest: Large forested area near the city offering outdoor recreation.
Event ideas
Illustrative images, not photos of The Varsity Center.
Frequently Asked
- Where is The Varsity Center located?
- The Varsity Center is at 418 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901, in Jackson County.
- How do I get to The Varsity Center?
- Carbondale is served by Illinois Route 13, U.S. Route 51. It is about 56 miles from Paducah.
- What is there to see in Carbondale?
- Places to see in Carbondale include Woodlawn Cemetery, Southern Illinois University, University Museum, Varsity Center for the Arts, Giant City State Park.
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