Stephen Sondheim once wrote a song that referred to Abraham Lincoln as
“the pride and joy of Illinois.” He was right, and none of its cities show this more effectively
than Springfield. It features replicas of his home, tomb, and even the town he grew up in.
Learning about Lincoln isn't the only thing to do in Springfield.
You can also explore museums covering other subjects, relax amidst natural beauty, or sample
unique and delicious food and craft beers. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more
videos on which historic hometowns are worth a visit. Keep watching to learn
about some of the best things to do in Springfield, Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
This museum was opened almost 200 years after Lincoln's death. It features exhibits on his life,
interactive displays, a reproduction of the White House in 1861, and more. The most popular
attraction is the Treasures Gallary, which features a rotating collection of his most
interesting artifacts. Lincoln Home
This is the only home that Abraham Lincoln ever owned, and he lived in it with his wife Mary for
17 years before moving to the White House. It’s been open to tourists since 1887. You can join
an hour-long tour of the parlor, sitting room, dining room, bedrooms, servant’s rooms, kitchen,
backyard, and outbuildings. Lincoln Tomb
Abraham Lincoln is buried 10 feet below the ground in a concrete vault alongside his wife.
Three of his sons, Edward, William, and Thomas, are likewise in crypts
in the chamber's south wall. The tomb has a 72-square-foot base and a 117-foot-tall
obelisk. Near the site are the WWII Illinois Veteran's Memorial, the Korean War Memorial,
and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There's also a bronze statue of Lincoln's head, and rubbing its
nose is said to bring luck. This may be part of what keeps Springfield consistently on the
top 10 list of luckiest places in the world. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices Historical Site
This brick building built in 1841 was once a part of Tinsley Block. That area was destroyed,
but the law offices were restored. It’s been made to resemble Lincoln and Herndo’s law office
as closely as possible. The first floor is a visitors center with an exhibit gallery
and audiovisual theater, the 2nd floor is a federal court, and the 3rd floor recreates
Lincoln’s disorderly office. Join a 20-minute guided tour to see what the site has to offer.
Lincoln’s New Salem This is certainly one of the best things
to do in Springfield, Illinois, if you've come to learn more about Abraham Lincoln. The state
wasn't content with recreating his law office or home; it also felt compelled to make a replica
of the town he grew up in as well. He spent his early years in New Salem working as a boatman,
soldier, general store owner, postmaster, rail-splitter, and more. This spot lets
you experience what daily life was like for him through interactive exhibits, a country store,
and handmade period-appropriate items and fashion. Dana-Thomas House
Frank Lloyd Wright built this house for socialite Susan Lawrence Dana in 1902.
It was the 72nd building he designed and one of the most opulent. It stretches 12,000 square feet
with 35 rooms and 16 levels. It features the largest collection of Wright art glass
and furniture in the world, including a lamp worth approximately $2,702.210.
The Illinois tourist board now owns it but is forbidden from changing anything about it.
Vachel Lindsay Home This is the home of another
famous Illinois resident, poet Nicholas Vachel Lindsay. He was known for his intriguing poetry,
art, and performances, with his most famous works being 1914's The Congo
and 1938's Collected Poems. It's 2 stories high and was built before the 20th century. The home
was purchased by his father in 1878 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Old and New State Capitol
The Old State Capitol was built in 1839. It was here that Abraham Lincoln worked as a lawyer and
delivered his famous House Divided speech in 1858. His body was placed there before
being moved to his final resting place. It still hosts ceremonial events and is open for tours.
The new state capitol was built in 1868 and finished in 1888. It has 4 floors and
a 405-foot glass dome where the Senate and House work. You can take a tour when they’re
not in session as long as you’re willing to go through a strict security process.
Illinois State Museum This museum features 5 main exhibits; At
Home in the Heartland, Changes: Dynamic Illinois Environments, Peoples of the Past, The Mary Ann
MacLean Play Museum, and Anthropology Hall. It also has rotating temporary exhibits that display
the art and history of Illinois. It’s one of the best things to do in Springfield, Illinois if
you want to get a glimpse of the history of the entire state and not just the city.
Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum
This museum was founded in 2012 by Douglas King. It has over 700 exhibits,
presentations, and oral histories that celebrate the African-American history of Central Illinois.
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged, and volunteer opportunities
are available. Air Combat Museum
This museum has over 10 classic air combat planes, including the 1928 Stearman C3B,
the 1929 Stinson SM2AA Detroiter Junior, the Beech AT-11 Kansan, and the Vought F4U-5N
Corsair. It also has military vehicles such as the M3 Half-Truck and the Saladin (FV601),
the latter of which is still in use on the field. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Washington Park Botanical Gardens This spot takes up 20 acres with over
1,800 plant species spread out over 10 gardens and a conservatory. It also features a wide range
of biomes, including South American rainforests, Asian jungles, and Japanese bonsai trees. Check
for fairs or festivals before you come to get an even more memorable experience.
Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon A carillon is a bell tower, and this one
is the 5th largest in the world. It has 67 cast bronze bells that weigh a combined 85,000 pounds.
You can sign up for a tour or go to the top for gorgeous 360 views. If you come in June, you can
enjoy a week-long festival of music and dancing. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more ways
to get the most out of the world’s most famous cities. Keep watching to learn about more of
the best things to do in Illinois, including a stretch of the world’s most famous road.