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212 North Sixth Street
Springfield, Illinois
217-782-5764 |
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The presidential museum's permanent exhibit is comprised of two Lincoln journeys, a treasures gallery, Mrs. Lincoln's attic - a hands-on play area for children ages 3-12 and their families - and an ask Mr. Lincoln area. Two theater presentations are offered: one is the story of Lincoln as told from an artist's perspective; the other is a holavision production that discusses the relevance of history and artifacts. At the time of its opening, the museum was twice as large as any...
Hours & Admission
Museum (admission): daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Library (free): daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Directions
From Interstate 55 (I-55) south, take exit 98B (Clear Lake Ave./Highway 97) and travel west. Clear Lake becomes Jefferson downtown (one-way west). The facility is at the northeast corner of E. Jefferson St. and N. Sixth St. Photo Courtesy: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The presidential museum's permanent exhibit is comprised of two Lincoln journeys, a treasures gallery, Mrs. Lincoln's attic - a hands-on play area for children ages 3-12 and their families - and an ask Mr. Lincoln area. Two theater presentations are offered: one is the story of Lincoln as told from an artist's perspective; the other is a holavision production that discusses the relevance of history and artifacts. At the time of its opening, the museum was twice as large as any presidential museum. This library is home to the state of Illinois' 46,000-item Lincoln Collection and also contains the Illinois State Historical Library and its 12 million items. Hours & Admission
Museum (admission): daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Library (free): daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Parking
Garage at Sixth St. and Madison St. Directions
From Interstate 55 (I-55) south, take exit 98B (Clear Lake Ave./Highway 97) and travel west. Clear Lake becomes Jefferson downtown (one-way west). The facility is at the northeast corner of E. Jefferson St. and N. Sixth St. Photo Courtesy: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
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401 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois
217-782-2099 |
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Constructed in the 1860s, the capitol is the current home of the Illinois legislature and houses many state government offices. It rises 461 feet above the city, took 21 years to complete, and cost $4.5 million. The building, which has several huge paintings, also contains the hall of governors and a bronze figure representing Illinois welcoming the world to the Colombian Exposition of 1893. The Howlett Building is part of the capitol complex and was erected to commemorate the...
Hours & Admission
Capitol: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Free.
Photo by: Heather Hayes. Photo Courtesy: Office of Illinois Secretary of State
Constructed in the 1860s, the capitol is the current home of the Illinois legislature and houses many state government offices. It rises 461 feet above the city, took 21 years to complete, and cost $4.5 million. The building, which has several huge paintings, also contains the hall of governors and a bronze figure representing Illinois welcoming the world to the Colombian Exposition of 1893. The Howlett Building is part of the capitol complex and was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the state's admission to the union. Legislative sessions run each year from the second Wednesday in January through the end of May; days of the week vary. Visitors can watch these sessions from balcony-level seating. Note: security checkpoint; ID required. Hours & Admission
Capitol: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Free. Tours
Start at the information desk on the first floor of the capitol rotunda (free). Location
S. Second St. and E. Capitol Ave. Enter from the west side. Parking
State capitol complex visitors center lot one block west of the museum; on weekends in nearby state employee parking lots (free). Metered street (fee).
Photo by: Heather Hayes. Photo Courtesy: Office of Illinois Secretary of State
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1740 West Fayette Avenue
Springfield, Illinois
217-753-6228 |
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The botanical garden is one of the region's major horticultural attractions with 20 acres featuring more than 1,800 species of plants in 10 specific garden areas, plus a conservatory. The garden highlights annual beds, a rockery, cactus garden, civic garden, monocot garden, perennial border, peony collection, rose garden, shade garden and a Roman cultural garden. The...
Hours & Admission
Monday to Friday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Free. Directions
From Interstate 72 (I-72), take exit 93 (south end of Springfield) north on Highway 4 (Veterans Parkway). Travel through stoplights at Lindberg and Wabash. At the next stoplight at Iles, turn right. When Iles dead ends at Chatham, turn left. Travel through stoplights at Barberry, Cherry, Laurel and Old Jacksonville. At Fayette Ave. turn right (one-way).
From Interstate 55 (I-55) south, take exit 105 to Highway 4 (Veterans Parkway). Travel through stoplights at Eighth, Browning, David Jones and Camp Lincoln. At Bruns Ln., turn left. Travel through stoplights at N. Grand, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe and Lawrence. Travel one block and turn left on Fayette Ave. (one-way).
From Interstate 72 (I-72) and Interstate 55 (1-55) interchange, exit on Clear Lake, which becomes Jefferson downtown. Travel through stoplights at MacArthur and Amos. At Bruns Ln., turn left. Travel through stoplights at N. Grand, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe and Lawrence. Travel one block and turn left on Fayette Ave. (one-way).
The botanical garden is one of the region's major horticultural attractions with 20 acres featuring more than 1,800 species of plants in 10 specific garden areas, plus a conservatory. The garden highlights annual beds, a rockery, cactus garden, civic garden, monocot garden, perennial border, peony collection, rose garden, shade garden and a Roman cultural garden. The conservatory is a 50-foot diameter dome with exotic and economically important plants that are arranged by their native area. Discover tropical Africa, the jungles of Asia and the rain forests of South America. Seasonal displays include Easter lilies, poinsettias, orchid exhibits and Japanese bonsai displays. The garden provides a floral setting for the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon*. (*see separate listing) Hours & Admission
Monday to Friday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Free. Location
Near W. Fayette Ave. and Chatham Rd. Directions
From Interstate 72 (I-72), take exit 93 (south end of Springfield) north on Highway 4 (Veterans Parkway). Travel through stoplights at Lindberg and Wabash. At the next stoplight at Iles, turn right. When Iles dead ends at Chatham, turn left. Travel through stoplights at Barberry, Cherry, Laurel and Old Jacksonville. At Fayette Ave. turn right (one-way).
From Interstate 55 (I-55) south, take exit 105 to Highway 4 (Veterans Parkway). Travel through stoplights at Eighth, Browning, David Jones and Camp Lincoln. At Bruns Ln., turn left. Travel through stoplights at N. Grand, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe and Lawrence. Travel one block and turn left on Fayette Ave. (one-way).
From Interstate 72 (I-72) and Interstate 55 (1-55) interchange, exit on Clear Lake, which becomes Jefferson downtown. Travel through stoplights at MacArthur and Amos. At Bruns Ln., turn left. Travel through stoplights at N. Grand, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe and Lawrence. Travel one block and turn left on Fayette Ave. (one-way). |
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2315 East Clear Lake Avenue
Springfield, Illinois
217-544-5781 |
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A 30-acre green oasis, located in the center of town, is a sanctuary for nature watching. Hike the one-mile nature trail to learn more about native species. The park is also the home of the state Audubon chapter. Hours & Admission
Dawn to dusk. Free.
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801 Sangamon Avenue
Springfield, Illinois
217-782-6661 |
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While the Illinois State Fair is only open the third week of August, the rides at Adventure Village, located inside the main gate at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, are open all summer long. Find everything from Ferris wheels to carousels and many thrill rides. Hours & Admission
May to mid-September, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Admission. Directions
From Interstate 55 (I-55), take exit 100B (Sangamon Ave.). |
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835 South Airport Road
Springfield, Illinois
217-522-2181 |
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This museum showcases the role of military aviation and features a Mustang P-51 and a Vought F4U-5N Corsair. Hours & Admission
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Free; donations welcome.
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503 South Walnut Street
Springfield, Illinois
217-544-0616 |
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Organized by direct descendants of Civil War veterans of the Union Army or Navy, the museum seeks to preserve the history and artifacts of the war and that era, especially military memorabilia. Hours & Admission
May to September, Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., October to April, Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Free; donations welcome.
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740 East 56th Place
Chicago, Illinois
773947066 |
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The DuSable Museum of African American History was the first museum of its type in the country (founded in 1961 as the Ebony Museum of Negro History) and is the only major independent institution in Illinois established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African Americans. In 1968, the museum was renamed after Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable, a Haitian fur trader who was the first non-native American permanent settler in Chicago. Hours & Admission
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission.
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700 North Fourth Street
Springfield, Illinois
217-523-2631 |
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Built in 1833, the former home of Benjamin and Helen Edwards is the oldest house on its original site in Springfield and is currently a historical museum, art gallery, art school and library. The Italianate-style house contains many furnishings and decorative pieces typical of a fine Victorian house of the 1800s. Abraham Lincoln gave several political speeches from the porch balcony, while the spacious grounds provided the perfect setting for political rallies at which both Lincoln and Stephen...
Hours & Admission
House: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Gallery: Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed holidays. Free; donations welcome.
Built in 1833, the former home of Benjamin and Helen Edwards is the oldest house on its original site in Springfield and is currently a historical museum, art gallery, art school and library. The Italianate-style house contains many furnishings and decorative pieces typical of a fine Victorian house of the 1800s. Abraham Lincoln gave several political speeches from the porch balcony, while the spacious grounds provided the perfect setting for political rallies at which both Lincoln and Stephen Douglas spoke. Hours & Admission
House: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Gallery: Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed holidays. Free; donations welcome. Tours
House (free; donations welcome): guided, Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location
Between E. Madison St. and N. Grand Ave. at E. Union St. and Fourth St. N. (one-way northbound).
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410 East Jackson Street
Springfield, Illinois
217-782-6450 |
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The Illinois executive mansion has the distinction of being the third oldest continuously occupied governor's mansion in the country. The mansion's exterior, designed by architect John Mills VanOsdel, is in the Georgian style with a Victorian facade. Thomas Dennis designed the Greek revival-style interior. Seven U.S. presidents have been received here and...
Hours & Admission
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Closed major holidays. Free.
The Illinois executive mansion has the distinction of being the third oldest continuously occupied governor's mansion in the country. The mansion's exterior, designed by architect John Mills VanOsdel, is in the Georgian style with a Victorian facade. Thomas Dennis designed the Greek revival-style interior. Seven U.S. presidents have been received here and several men who either had been or would become president have been guests, including Abraham Lincoln. The home is a museum, containing many priceless works of art, such as the Lincoln Table, created in 1864 from more than 20,000 pieces of inlaid wood, and a smiling bust of Abraham Lincoln for which he posed for artist Thomas D. Jones. The mansion is also a home filled with the memories of the lives and families of many Illinois governors and those who came to visit. Hours & Admission
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Closed major holidays. Free. Location
Between S. Fourth St. (one-way northbound) and S. Fifth St. (one-way southbound) on E. Jackson St.
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