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Capital city of Illinois, United States
Photo: (WT-en) Mark at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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This stunning museum features extremely rare artifacts to Lincoln & others around him. Completely 21st-century (in a good way), this has to be a must see. The museum features an orientational Fourth-dimensional theater which is stunning.
The site features Abraham Lincoln's residence of 17 years, beautifully restored to its 1860 appearance. Entry to the home itself is only by ranger guided tour, but tickets can be obtained at the Visitor Center desk, and admission is free. The Visitor Center also offers an orientation film, along with other exhibits that change periodically. In addition to the home, a four-block area has been preserved to look as it would in Lincoln's time period. Several of the other homes feature exhibits as well.
Featured here is the only surviving structure where Lincoln maintained working law offices. It has been restored and features an historical exhibit on the first floor. Guided tours are available, with a suggested donation. The building is located just a stones throw away from the old state capitol, a great convenience for both Lincoln and the modern traveler.
This building served as the seat of the Illinois state government from 1839-1876. It was here that Mr. Lincoln served his final term in the Illinois House of Representatives, and where he gave his famous "House Divided" speech. He used some rooms in the capitol as his presidential campaign headquarters. On 3–4 May 1865, an estimated 75,000 mourners filed past Lincoln's body as it lay in state in Representatives Hall, located in the capitol building. Guided tours are available, the last one will begin 45 minutes before closing. The tour takes about 30 minutes, and a 15-minute orientation video is also available. The entire building is handicap accessible.
Lincoln's Tomb is located within Oak Ridge Cemetery, the second most visited cemetery in the United States, after Arlington National Cemetery. Within the large monument is the final resting place of Lincoln and most of his immediate family. The small receiving vault where Lincoln's casket was originally placed is also located nearby. The tomb's interior is handicap accessible, but the exterior upper deck is not.
This restored railroad depot, located a few blocks from Abraham Lincoln's home, was where he started his inaugural journey to Washington, D.C. On 11 February 1861, a large crowd gathered outside to watch him board a special presidential train.
Susan Lawrence Dana House
Prairie style house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that has been fully restored and preserved as a museum. Decorated with hundreds of pieces of original art glass and furniture designed by Wright for this location. The house was designed as a showplace for a Springfield socialite and it continues to impress visitors today.
Informal woodland garden designed by Jens Jensen. Consists of one hundred acres (40 hectares) along Lake Springfield with more than five miles (8 km) of nature trails populated by native Illinois wildflowers and trees. Also includes the Ostermeier Prairie, which is a restored century old farmstead.
This reconstruction of over two dozen 1830s log cabin houses at their original sites where Lincoln lived as a young man for over six years. Period costumes, oral historians and an attached evening theatre (see Performances link at this site) make this village of interest for all ages.
The birthplace and longtime home of the early 20th-century poet. The home was built prior to the Civil War, with a rear addition built by Lindsay's father in 1893.
Water park, miniature golf, go-carts, golf driving range, baseball batting cages, arcade and more.
Summer wooden-bat college league baseball team. Promotions, silly contests and giveaways at nearly every opportunity during the game keeps everyone involved.
formerly Prairie Capital Convention Center
A reservoir that also serves as a popular fishing spot.
A drive-in theatre.
Springfield Municipal Opera
This non-profit community theater stages four musicals each summer at their outdoor amphitheater. The organization has been active at this location for more than 50 years, which testifies to the fine productions. Park-like setting has areas for pre-show picnics. Reserved seats and lawn are both available.
A wide variety of music, dance and drama performances are staged at this downtown arts center. There is also art gallery space and a local artisans shop. Free evening and weekend parking in the ramp next door. Within walking distance of several restaurants downtown
A large venue that hosts big-name national touring acts of music, dance, broadway theater, etc.
Extra tasty American diner food served in a quonset hut decorated with rock-n-roll memorabilia.
One of the original restaurants on historic Route 66. Their specialty is the Cozy Dog, a cornbread-encased wiener known elsewhere as a corn dog.
One of the classic Springfield chili parlors. It used to be known as Joe Roger's Chili and still uses the same chili recipe. Their chili is mixed to order with or without beans, with or without meat and available with six different levels of spiciness. Eat a bowl of the hottest style, the JR Special, and get your name on the wall. Yes, in Springfield it is proper to spell it with only one "l".
Classic fast food restaurant serving distinctive loose meat sandwiches of spiced ground beef. Claims to have the first drive-thru window in the country.
Typical Irish-style pub with better than typical fare. They make a little extra effort with the food and it shows. Well known for their horseshoe and have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives for this. Very busy at typical meal times.
French inspired bakery and cafe with artisanal bread and tempting desserts located in an old Italianate house. Sandwiches, salads and quiches also served for lunch. All-butter croissants are a specialty.
Serving the same well-made basic southern Italian food that has remained a local favorite for decades.
Indian cuisine. The lunch buffet is tasty and economical.
Landmark fine dining (since 1884) convenient to many of the historic sites. Menu emphasizes local and organically grown foods. Seasonal al fresco dining available. Lunch is a particularly good value with a special menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. Reservations recommended for dinner.
Family-owned steak house popular with locals and visiting politicians. In the more than 60 years this restaurant has been open, the surrounding neighborhood has had ups and downs, but the Old Lux has remained consistently good.
Two-level bar in the heart of downtown that tends to attract a younger crowd. Great drink selection. Upstairs has a few pool tables, air hockey, and skee-ball.
Good place to stop for a drink and some grub while in the Lincoln Home area. It has a spacious, dog-friendly beer garden with picnic tables and bocce ball courts.
One of the few bars in town open until 3 AM sees most of its business after 1 when the other bars close. Lots of out-of-town folks tend to go here since it's in walking distance of several hotels.
Featuring 91 double and king suites each with distinct sleeping and work/leisure areas.
Part of the Clarion Collection Hotels chain, rich in history.
Part of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel chain, connected to Springfield Convention Center via skybridge, offers a free airport shuttle. Also has WiFi included and an indoor pool. Non-smoking, no pets.
Run by the Springfield Park District, with campground hosts on-site. 87 campsites, dump station, accessible restroom and shower house. Reservations accepted May 1- Oct 31.
Friendly used bookseller with an extensive, widely-varied inventory. Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War are specialties of the shop. You can get lost for hours here.
A local candymaker still run by the original family now in its fifth generation. Chocolates, caramel, fudge, nuts, hard candy, etc.
Rock T-shirts, posters, mirrors, candles, incense, smoking supplies, crystals, adult toys, figurines.
Educational toy store and teacher's supply. Lots of clever games and imaginative toys. Also children's art supplies.
By plane
By train
Amtrak has five daily trains from Chicago via Bloomington-Normal and Joliet with its Lincoln Service.
By bus
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Springfield · Regional · SPI
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