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Springfield is the capital of Illinois, a city of about 115,000 people in the farmland of central Illinois, and it is above all Abraham Lincoln's hometown. Lincoln lived here for 24 years as a young lawyer and politician before leaving for the White House in 1861, and he returned to be buried here after his assassination. No other city has so many places tied to his life.
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only house Lincoln ever owned, surrounded by a restored neighborhood of the 1850s. Nearby stand the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices and the Old State Capitol, where he gave his House Divided speech in 1858, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum brings his story to life with dramatic exhibits. Lincoln's Tomb sits in Oak Ridge Cemetery on the north side.
Springfield has more to see than Lincoln. The towering dome of the Illinois State Capitol rises over downtown, the Illinois Executive Mansion has housed governors since 1855, and the Dana-Thomas House is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's best-preserved Prairie houses. Historic Route 66 runs through town, where diners still serve the city's own horseshoe sandwich and classic corn dogs.
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned, where he lived from 1844 until leaving for Washington in 1861. Free ranger-led tours take you inside the house, and the surrounding blocks are restored to their 1860s look. Get tour tickets at the visitor center.
The Old State Capitol is a reconstructed Greek Revival building where Abraham Lincoln served in the legislature and gave his House Divided speech in 1858. Inside, the chambers and offices are furnished as they were in that era. It sits on a downtown square near the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.
The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are in a brick building across from the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln practiced law with William Herndon in the 1840s. The building also once housed a federal court. Guided tours explain Lincoln's legal career, and the site is a short walk from his home.
The Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary and three of their sons. A tall obelisk with bronze statues rises above the burial chamber. Rub the nose of the bronze Lincoln bust at the entrance for luck, a long-running tradition.
The Illinois State Capitol is a large domed building completed in 1888, with a dome taller than the United States Capitol. Free guided tours show the House and Senate chambers, murals and stained glass dome. When the legislature is in session you can watch from the galleries.
The Dana-Thomas House is a Prairie style home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Susan Lawrence Dana and completed in 1904. It holds a large collection of original Wright furniture, art glass doors and windows and light fixtures. Guided tours are required, so check the times before you arrive.
The Illinois Executive Mansion, built in 1855, is one of the oldest governor's homes in the country still used as a residence. After a major restoration it opened for public tours showing its historic rooms and furnishings. Tours are free, but you should reserve in advance online.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum tells Lincoln's life story with detailed life-size scenes, original documents and two theater shows. It is very popular with families and school groups. Allow at least three hours, and buy tickets online on busy summer weekends.
The Illinois State Museum near the Capitol covers the natural and cultural history of Illinois, with fossils, a mastodon skeleton, Native American artifacts and art galleries. Admission is free, and there is a hands-on discovery room for children. Plan about one to two hours.
The Washington Park Botanical Garden sits inside historic Washington Park and has a domed conservatory with tropical plants, plus outdoor rose, cactus and themed gardens. Admission is free. Combine it with a walk around the park's lagoon and the Rees Memorial Carillon, which offers tours in summer.
Henson Robinson Zoo is a small, friendly zoo near Lake Springfield with animals from several continents, such as lemurs, red pandas, African penguins and native Illinois wildlife. It is easy to see in about two hours. It is a good choice with young children, and it opens seasonally.
The Cozy Dog Drive In is a classic Route 66 diner that claims to be the birthplace of the corn dog on a stick, which it calls the Cozy Dog. It is filled with Route 66 memorabilia and serves simple diner food. It is a fun stop if you are driving the old highway through Springfield.
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