Springfield, Illinois is a city steeped in the rich history of one of America’s most well-known presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Visiting Abraham Lincoln’s house and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is the ultimate fun Illinois family field trip. Here’s what we would recommend for the a visit to Lincoln’s Springfield, as well as other fun and family friendly things to do in this capital city.
Best Time to Visit Springfield IL
While spring and fall are both lovely times to visit Springfield Illinois, if you want the full Abraham Lincoln road trip experience, you will want to come during the summer months. History Comes Alive is a summer program that encompasses special reenactments and programs as well as a free historic site trolley service. Find out more specifics and dates here.
Where To Stay in Springfield Illinois
When visiting the Abraham Lincoln Museum and other educational sites, we recommend booking one of the Springfield hotels in the historic area. The Springfield DoubleTree by Hilton is very well rated and just a short walk from so many of our recommended things to do in Springfield IL. It’s less than half a mile from the Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Historic Home Site, the Springfield Visitor Center, the old State Capitol, and the Kidzeum of Health and Science. If you’re spending more than a day in Springfield, this hotel would be a very convenient choice.
Abraham Lincoln Things To Do in Springfield IL
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library – If you can only visit one thing in Springfield IL, the Lincoln Museum is the stop for you. This incredibly detailed museum walks visitors through Lincoln’s life, starting by walking into a replica of the log cabin of his childhood and ending with a moving replica of his funeral. We also really enjoyed the ‘Ghosts in the Library’ theater production, one of two shows available to visitors. The presidential library is located across the street also has an exhibit of many letters and other important documents from Lincoln’s life.
Lincoln Home National Historic Site – Take a guided tour of Lincoln’s Springfield home where he lived when elected president. In addition to a free tour of Lincoln’s home, you can walk his ‘neighborhood’. The homes around Lincoln’s have been well preserved and a few are available for self-guided tours. At the time of our visit, one home contained exhibits about the renovation process, one displayed models of the stages of the Lincoln home renovation, and one was a colorful and interactive presentation of several of Lincoln’s neighbors, local people with whom he interacted and who played a role in his life.
Lincoln Tomb – A prominent part of Oak Ridge Cemetery, the Lincoln Tomb holds the remains of Lincoln, his wife, and 3 of his 4 sons. Visitors can also see several statues of Lincoln inside the tomb and a large bust outside which many like to rub for good luck.
Lincoln-Herdon Law Offices – This historic building is now home to the Springfield Visitor Center. A historic recreation of Lincoln’s law office and the building’s post office round out the first floor.
Additional Historic Lincoln Sites – Here are a few other locations of historical note that you may enjoy around town: Union Square Park, Old State Capitol, Edwards Place Historic Home, and the Lincoln Depot. You can also spot many Looking for Lincoln signs around town which will provide more information about Lincoln’s Springfield connections.
Abe’s Hat Hunt – If you plan to visit a handful of different Abraham Lincoln related sites in Springfield, be sure to grab this fun booklet from the Springfield Visitor Center or Lincoln Home Visitor Center. Look for the hidden hats and match the correct color to a number of locations to collect an ‘Abe-mazing’ prize.
Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site – Just a short drive from Springfield, you can visit a reconstruction of the village of New Salem, where Lincoln spent many of his young adult years. Historical interpreters bring history to life in the workshops, stores, mill, and school buildings.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site – Located 2 hours outside of Springfield, this replica log cabin and living history farm educates visitors about frontier history on the land Abe’s father used to own.
Other Things To Do in Springfield IL
Route 66 Road Trip – With so many Route 66 attractions in Springfield, you won’t even need to drive all the way across the state to experience the richness and nostalgia of Route 66. The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairground is a great place to start. This free outdoor exhibit features a miniature ‘roadway’ walking path and Route 66 map that takes you from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, IL. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the fun signage and whimsical vehicles along the way. (Quick tip: Go close to sunset, so you can see the neon signs lit up while still having enough light to take pictures.) After enjoying the Route 66 sign experience, you’ll be ready to visit some local Route 66 attractions, like Ace Sign Company Sign Museum, the historic Route 66 brick road, Maid Rite, Dew Chilli Parlor, the Lauterbach Giant, and Shea’s Gas Station and Museum.
Dana-Thomas House – This 120 year old historic home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is open for tours. The home is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie period and was built for Springfield socialite Susan Lawrence Dana in 1904.
Illinois State Museum – Learn about the people, art, and history of Illinois at this free museum. A fun hands-on kids play exhibit area can be enjoyed by kids ages 3-10.
Kidzeum of Health and Science – With exhibits about the earth, machinery, and the body, kids can learn and explore in a fun interactive environment.
Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site – Across the street from the governor’s mansion, this historic home is open for tours and now displays examples of Lindsay’s art and poetry.
Explorer Passports – In addition to the Abe’s Hat Hunt passport, the Visitor Center also offers 3 other fun adventures. Living Legends & Landmarks explores Route 66 attractions in Springfield. Collect stamps at each of Capital City Bourbon Journey’s 17 different bourbon and rye whiskey locations. Or compare and contrast versions of the city’s signature dish with the Horseshoe Trail’s mobile passport.
Springfield Walking and Biking Tours – A variety of free walking and biking tours hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Historic Sites will bring history to life as they dive into topics like the 1908 race riots, architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, women’s history, and military history.
Washington Park Botanical Garden – Enjoy a peaceful walk through greenhouses, manicured gardens, and the domed conservatory. Also be sure to enjoy the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, which is a bell tower of multiple bells played manually via keyboard. You can find the free concert schedule here.
Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center – This woodland and prairie garden is cultivated in a natural way that Lincoln would have recognized.
What To Eat in Springfield IL
One of our favorite things to do in a new place is try out local signature dishes and local recommended restaurants. In Springfield, you have your pick of a couple of local options.
Horseshoe Sandwich – A piece of toast topped with some type of meat, French fries, and a cheese sauce. You’ll find this signature dish on menus all around town. You can even find a dessert Horseshoe served at Scoup de Jour and a breakfast Horseshoe at Charlie Parker’s Diner. Visit Springfield Illinois has even created a Horseshoe Trail.
Mel-O-Cream Donuts – Classic old school donuts are served at the locations of this local company started in 1932 and part of Route 66 diner history.
Cozy Dog Drive In – Another local staple and part of Route 66 diner history, the Cozy Dog Drive In claims to be the original creator of battered hot dogs on sticks.
Chilli – Known elsewhere as chili, you’ll find this meat and bean dish on lots of menus around town.
Springfield Illinois with Kids
When planning your family’s Springfield IL Abraham Lincoln Travel Itinerary, here are some things kids of all ages will enjoy.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum – Both my 4 and 7 year olds were very engaged as they stepped into life-size historical sets that wound us through Lincoln’s pre-presidential years and then his presidency, the Civil War, and his assassination. The Lincoln museum uses multiple kinds of media to educate visitors, so the kids could engage directly with the material instead of waiting for me to read a bunch of plaques to them.
Abe’s Hat Hunt or Living Legends & Landmarks – Even if you can’t make it to enough locations to earn the prize during your visit, having a booklet full of pictures will help keep kids engaged.
Route 66 Experience – If you don’t have time to do a whole Illinois Route 66 road trip as a family, this fun area will give your kids an idea of what this iconic roadway is all about. Our kids really loved the drive-in movie theater area, the gas station pumps, and pretending to drive all the different vehicles.
RV Tips & Tricks for Springfield Illinois Travel Itinerary
While there are several campgrounds located on the outskirts of Springfield, we chose to stay at the Illinois State Fairground Campground, which kept us very close to all the things we planned to do in the city. If you plan to visit Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site, they offer campsites as well.
Bus and oversized vehicle parking is available next to the Abraham Lincoln Museum parking garage. You will pay a higher rate, so if you have the option to park in the garage, that would be your best option.
4 Day Springfield Illinois Abraham Lincoln Travel Itinerary
We’re kicking off our Abraham Lincoln road trip with a visit to the presidential library. After parking, walk a couple blocks past the Lincoln museum to the Visitor Center to pick up a few brochures and take a look at the exhibits there. If you’d like, pick up Abe’s Hat Hunt or another passport that appeals to you. On your way back, enjoy the statues outside, the architecture of the Old State Capitol, and Union Square Park. Take your time exploring the museum, stopping for a picnic lunch (or eat at the museum’s cafeteria if you’d like). When you’re finished, stop by a few more locations of Abe’s Hat Hunt if you’re working on that or visit the Lincoln tomb.
On day 2 of your Springfield Abraham Lincoln travel itinerary, tour the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might have to wait a bit for your tour time. Ask for direction to the other historic homes that are open for self-guided tours with exhibits inside while you wait. If time allows, visit the Washington Park Botanical Garden or the Lincoln Memorial Garden.
For your 3rd day in Springfield, focus on all things Route 66. Flip through a brochure you picked up at the Springfield Visitor Center and choose a couple of the local Route 66 attractions that interest you most. Maybe you’d like to drive the original brick road. Maybe you want a photo with the Lauterbach Giant. Have a casual lunch at Maid Rite or Cozy Dog Drive In or enjoy fine dining at Maldaner’s. End the night at dusk at the Route 66 Experience to explore the rest of Illinois’ Route 66 attractions, at least in exhibit form.
On the final day of your Illinois road trip, take a short drive to the reconstructed village of New Salem, where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked as a store clerk for several years.
What Else To Do in Illinois?
Are you looking for more stops to make on a Midwest road trip? Here are some other ideas of things to do in Illinois, from natural beauty to family-friendly activities.
Children’s Discovery Museum – Located about an hour from Springfield, this children’s museum has exhibits featuring water play, agriculture, a puppet theatre, and an outdoor digging garden.
Shawnee National Forest – Garden of the Gods is well known for its scenic rock formations and panoramic views. Jackson Falls is another popular spot in the national forest.
Casey, Illinois – Stop in Casey to see some world record holding giant objects!
Starved Rock State Park – Known for its striking sandstone canyon and waterfalls, this is a great nature area for families to explore. While here, pop over and visit Matthiessen State Park as well.
Chicago – If you’re interested in taking your kids to the Windy City, you’ll find amazing family activities like the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, and Shedd Aquarium.
Illinois Beach State Park – Spend a day playing in the sand and splashing in the water of Lake Michigan.
Discovery Center Museum – This children’s museum in Rockford, IL has spacious indoor exhibits as well as a fantastic outdoor science park.
Illinois Railway Museum – Train lovers old and young will enjoy a visit to this extensive museum.
Six Flags Great America – Spend a day at this thrilling amusement park. Tickets can also be combined with the Hurricane Harbor waterpark next door.
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4 Day Springfield IL Abraham Lincoln Travel Itinerary with Kids
