visit springfield il

EXPLORE SPRINGFIELD ITINERARIES

So we know planning a visit can be a little overwhelming at times. You're excited to see all of the "can't miss Lincoln sites" but you also want to experience some of the "off the beaten path" attractions too. Tough, right? We understand and we're here to help! We've crafted several itineraries to make planning easy. Whether you are here to discover Abraham Lincoln, on your Legendary Route 66 Road Trip or you're in Springfield to enjoy the best of the awesome experiences we have to offer, let our tools help you create a customized itinerary that best suits your needs. Check out the itineraries below. We've got you covered! And remember, we're here anytime to answer your questions.

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We can help plan your perfect day! Just stop by the Springfield Visitors Center, & our staff will happily assist you!

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Thinkin' Lincoln

Check out the '5 Must See Lincoln Sites' blog. "All that can be said is justice and fariness to all." A. Lincoln

Let Us Be Your Guide

Whether it's on two wheels or two feet, check out these Guided Tours in Springfield

Heck Yeah, We’re Local!

Check out Springfield’s makers.

John Proctor Is The Villain

Chris Cagle

Firewind (with openers Edge of Paradise, Immortal Guardian, Dysfunctional Family)

POETS, ARTISTS, & STORYTELLERS: Sorry I’m Late

Spring Star Party

Record Store Day 2024 at Dumb Records

Art in the Park - A National Park Week Celebration

Dinosaur Adventure

Run for the Rosé 5k

Time Line/Medical Event

City of Springfield’s 32nd Annual Earth Awareness Fair

Around the Town: Art in th Park Concert

The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show

Frank Foster

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Full Moon Fever 35th Anniversary Solo Acoustic Show

Celtic Woman 20th Anniversary Tour

Big Love: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Springfield Flea Market

Music with Curt Smith

LITTLE LINCOLN'S FIRESIDE TALES: “DINOSAURS, DRAGONS, AND MONSTERS...OH MY!”

Art History Happy Hour

Country Dance Night - Line Dancing Lessons at DFV

DIY Derby Fascinator

Disney's Winnie the Pooh Kids

Lady Frederick Play

Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps

HeartByrne (Talking Heads Tribute) w/ Birds of A Feather (Phish Tribute)

2024 Lincoln Pilgrimage

Junior Ranger Day

A THOUSAND HORSES – THE HIGHWAY SOUND TOUR

Cherry & Jerry, Ragtime & Blues at Buzz Bomb Brewing

PANTHER WOMEN: An Army For The Liberation

Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton Tribute), and Ultimate Eric Church Tribute

Bluey’s Big Play

Partner Paint Night with Dabble

SPIRITUALITY

Nickipalooza

Opposites Attract

Hammer-in 2024

Jane Austen Tea

Totally Taylor Swift Skate Party

Space Derby

Capital City Improv presents Jedi and Padawns

Scarlet’s Darling

The Artimus Pyle Band

First Sunday Midwest Bazaar

Revenge of the 5th Death Star Paint

The Young Dubliners

Kameron Marlowe

Bored Teachers: We Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Comedy Tour

Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity

King Size Bluegrass

The Bridges of Madison County

The Iron Maidens and Paradise Kitty

PBS KIDS DOWN UNDER AT THE HENSON ROBINSON ZOO

Mother's Day Tea at the Brinkerhoff

Scraptastic Masterpiece

Randall King

Silver Lake

Mothers Day at the Zoo

Faster Pussycat

Jon Langston

Parental Advisory Tour: Josey Scott of Saliva, Trapt, Tantric, Adema, and One Day Alive

Delicious IPAs, Ales, Stouts, Ciders and so much more can all be found at Springfield's breweries. Check out the full list of Springfield Breweries

Don't worry...we've got you covered with our extended culinary dishes! You can even try one, or all, of our '5 Must Eat Dishes.'

Delicious IPAs, Ales, Stouts, Ciders and so much more can all be found at Springfield's breweries. Check out the full list of Springfield breweries

Don’t miss the most important meal of the weekend! Check out these great places to brunch.

Explore Springfield

Plan Your Trip to Springfield: Best of Springfield Tourism

Essential springfield.

Springfield Is Great For

Eat & drink.

• President Abraham Lincoln Springfield - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Springfield, IL
• Inn At 835 Boutique Hotel
• Hampton Inn & Suites Springfield-Southwest
• Drury Inn & Suites Springfield
• Charlie Parker's Diner
• Mariah's Steakhouse & Pasta
• Engrained Brewery & Restaurant
• Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• Lincoln Tomb
• Dana-Thomas House
• Illinois State Museum
• Land of Lincoln Smartphone Audio APP Self Guided Walking Tour
• Springfield Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
• Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Springfield by Operation City Quest
• Springfield City Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers
• Clue-Gathering Adventure Game - Springfield, IL

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• Springfield, Illinois

Top Things to Do in Springfield, Illinois

Visitors come for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and other historic sites, as well as the city's Route 66 legacy.

Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling.

Springfield's rich history is one of the main draws for visitors here. Abraham Lincoln moved here in 1837; the Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the home where he lived from 1844 to 1861—the only home Lincoln ever owned. But you'll find other historic places to explore as well, plus plenty of great restaurants and places to stay.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Explore a re-creation of the one-room cabin where Lincoln lived and catch a Lincoln-theme film in the Union Theater for a good intro to the 16th president. Immersive galleries portray key moments in his life. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov

Dana-Thomas House

The 35-room house, designed in 1902 by Frank Lloyd Wright, contains the nation's largest collection of Wright's site-specific original art glass and furniture. dana-thomas.org

Governor's Mansion

Docent-led tours of the 165-year-old mansion go through elaborately decorated areas, such as the state dining room. illinois.gov/sites/GovernorsMansion

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

More than a thousand hot rods and vintage motorcycle roar into Springfield for the festival featuring live music and food vendors. route66fest.com

Illinois State Museum

Learn about the state's natural and cultural history through exhibits such as At Home in the Heartland, which looks at 300 years of change in household life, and Peoples of the Past. illinoisstatemuseum.org

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

See the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned . Lincoln and his wife, Mary, lived in the 12-room Greek Revival-style house from 1844 to 1861. Living-history interpreters enliven special events. nps.gov/liho

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site

Visit a reconstruction of the town Lincoln lived in for six years (near Petersburg, 20 miles northwest of Springfield). Interpreters chronicle frontier life, and self-guided tours lead to a tavern, school, houses and stores. lincolnsnewsalem.com

Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site

During free self-guided tours, docents answer questions about Lincoln and his family (all but son Robert were laid to rest here). In front of the tomb is a bronze reproduction of Gutzon Borglum's marble head of Lincoln; it's tradition to rub the nose for good luck. lincolntomb.org

Old State Capitol

Take a free tour of the building where Lincoln served in the Illinois Legislature and gave his famous "House Divided" speech in 1858. illinois.gov/dnrhistoric

Springfield Walks

Seasonal tours explore Lincoln's life, death and family. The most popular is the 90-minute Lincoln's Ghost Walk: Legends and Lore. springfieldwalks.com

Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon

One of the world's largest carillons features 67 cast-bronze bells in a single tower. Concerts take place year-round. carillon-rees.org

Eat and Drink

Grab a sandwich-and-side lunch to go or eat in for inexpensive comfort-food like chicken potpie, mac 'n' cheese and an assortment of bakery treats. cafemoxo.com

Cozy Dog Drive In

Ed Waldmire Jr. created his "crusty cur" while serving during World War II, then renamed it when he came home. The Cozy Dog (you'll know it as a corn dog) is still made with Waldmire's batter recipe. Check out the Route 66 memorabilia. cozydogdrivein.com

Custom Cup Coffee

The microroastery serves pour-over coffee, great espresso and cold brew with baked goods, some gluten- or dairy-free. customcupcoffee.com

Engrained Brewery and Restaurant

The comfort-food menu covers the bases from cheese curds to flatbreads to double cheeseburgers. Enjoy with a seasonal beer or seltzer. engrainedbrewery.com

Incredibly Delicious

Flourless chocolate cake tops a menu of desserts; lunch fare includes quiches, soups and sandwiches served in an 1840s Italianate mansion. incrediblydelicious.com

Maldaner's

It's the place to go for a horseshoe sandwich : meat or veggies on toast, smothered with french fries and cheese sauce. maldaners.com

Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery

Play cornhole or bocce in the outdoor beer garden while sipping craft brews or nibbling on flatbread pizzas. connshospitalitygroup.com

Saputo's

Southern Italian specialties like pasta, pizza and seafood star at this modest family-owned restaurant started in 1948. saputos.com

The Inn at 835

A 1909 apartment building in the Old Aristocracy Hill neighborhood is now an elegant bed-and-breakfast. connshg.com

The State House

We loved finding a remodeled downtown boutique-style hotel with a piano lounge and 1960s vibe. statehouseinnspringfield.com

Wyndham Springfield City Centre

The 369-room downtown hotel has a steakhouse and lounge 30 stories above the city. wyndham.com

More information visit visitspringfieldillinois.com