Going to Springfield Illinois in August...any tips?

[ktwensel]

I love Abraham Lincoln and have wanted to go to Springfield for YEARS. With the building of the new Presidential Library and Museum, I couldn't wait any longer. Are there any tips you can give us of what is a must see or anything special that we may not want to miss? We are a family of four (kids are 8 and 10).

 

Thanks!!

[Granny_Weatherwax]

I love Springfield. When in August are you going to be there? The State Fair is in August and the IL State Fairgrounds are awesome.

 

If you like books there is a wonderful, ecclectic used bookstore downtown that you could get lost in. We always find wonderful treasures there. The Italian resturants in the downtown area are delightful.

 

You could spend two days touring the Lincoln sites, the museum and what not.

 

New Salem is not too far away, either, and is certainly worth the visit.

 

The Spoon River, from the Spoon River Anthology, is right here, too. Your children are probably too young to appreciate the Anthology but if you like old cemetaries the drive along the river is worth it.

 

ETA: sorry this is so jumpy, I am trying to grade papers, too.

[momof3sofar]

I want to second New Salem, it is a wonderful place to visit. I have pictures of my older chidren standing in front of the same building that my parents have a picture of me and my siblings from the 70's.

 

I'm not sure where you live now but Illinois is horribly hot and humid in August if you are not used to it. Make sure you have plenty of ice water available to drink

 

Have fun, we haven't been down there for a few years but can't wait to take our now 6 year old in the fall.

 

Dawn

[hsbaby]

The Lincoln museum is great! As was the tomb! While we were there we made a trip to Arthur...it's an adorable little town with a large Amish community. We paid to have lunch at the home of an Amish family. They were great!! They gave us a tour of their farm and we learned a lot about their lifestyle. My kids loved it and it was the highlight of our trip:) have a great time, Thereis so much to do in Springfield!

[Mothersweets]

I don't have any tips - just wanted to say have a great time! I'd love to take my family there. Someday...

[ktwensel]

Thank you everyone for the tips! We are so excited.

 

Hope you all enjoy your summers!

[Bambam]

Beautiful house if you like Wright.

 

http://www.dana-thomas.org/

[OnTheBrink]

The bookstore previously referred to is called Prairie Archives, and it's on 4th and Adams, across from the Old State Capitol, and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are on the same block. It's my favorite place to spend money! LOL Not far from there is Lincoln's home and a few blocks of his street as it was when he lived there. It's right by the Visitor's Center, which has a lot of books and souvenirs featuring Lincoln.

 

Cozy Dog is on Rt 66 (aka S. 6th St) and Charlie Parker's Diner is in Springfield, too. Both were feathered on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Knight's Action Park is a cool water park DD really enjoys. If you want to try out a Springfield specialty, go to D'Arcy's Pint for a Horseshoe.

 

If you want any further info on Springfield, maps, etc, holler. I live very close to downtown and could pick up anything from the Visitor's Center you'd like. :001_smile:

[mom2abcd]

The Lincoln Museum is a MUST. Absolute must.

 

In the downtown area are the Lincoln-Herndon Law offices, and in the same block is Prairie Archives, a FABULOUS used book store. They have literally everything, along with a happy old dog who will greet you at the door.

 

There's the State capitol and the Old State Capitol. The OSC is across the mall from the law office and the book store, just a few blocks from the museum. Also, in the next block is the restored train station.

 

There's also Lincoln's home, which still sits where it did originally.

 

There's Oak Ridge Cemetary, with Lincoln's tomb. They give free tours.

 

The Dana-Thomas House is neat. It's a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

 

If you want to drive about half an hour, there's New Salem, which is a replica of Lincoln's village. You'll find people in period clothes doing period things (candle making, weaving, spinning, etc.)

 

For a picnic, you would enjoy Washington Park. It has a wonderful playground for kids. There are some trails from the playground down to the pond, where ducks and geese hang out. There's the Carillon, the rose gardens and bike paths. There are also tennis courts, as well.

--

 

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http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/docs/Springfield_E.pdf

 

http://www.budgettravel.com/illinois.htm

 

Springfield:

Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau - http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/

http://www.online-springfield.com/

- Lincoln's New Salem Online -

http://www.springfield-illinois.com/

http://www.springfield-il.com/

http://www.springfield.il.us/

Springfield/New Salem:

http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/

 

Cozy Dog Drive Inn is still in existence. This is where the Corn Dog was invented. You can watch them make corn dogs and the kids enjoy that. 6th St.

 

Other places of interest:

 

1. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (FREE)

2. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (admission)

3. Capitol Complex Visitor's Center (FREE)

4. Dana-Thomas House (donations)

5. Elijah Iles House/ Springfield History Museum (donations)

6. Executive Mansion (FREE)

7. Grand Army of the Republic Museum (donations)

8. Illinois State Capitol (FREE)

9. Illinois State Museum (FREE)

10. Lincoln/ Great Western Depot (FREE)

11. Lincoln Family Pew (donations)

12. Lincoln Home National Historic Site (FREE)

13. Arnold House (FREE)

14. Dean House (FREE)

15. Lincoln Home Visitor Center (FREE)

16. Lincoln Ledger (FREE)

17. Lincoln-Herndon Law Office (donations)

18. Old State Capitol (donations)

19. Springfield Convention and Visitor's Bureau (FREE)

20. Vachel Lindsey Home (donations)

21. "Here I Have Lived" Interpretive Exhibits (FREE)

22. Springfield Mass Transit ("admission")

23. Springfield Trolley ("admission")

24. State Archives- history/ genealogy research (FREE)

25. Hoagland Center for the Arts (admission)

26. Old Capitol Farmers' Market (FREE)

27. State Armory (??)

28. Amtrak Depot ("admission")

29. Illinois State Supreme Court (FREE)

30. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary (FREE)

31. Air Combat Museum (donations)

32. Boulder Creek Fun Park (admission)

33. Camp Butler National Cemetery (FREE)

34. Cozy Dog Drive-In ("admission")

35. Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum (FREE)

36. Edwards Place (donations)

37. Henson-Robinson Zoo (admission)

38. Illinois Fire Museum (FREE)

39. Illinois Korean War Memorial (FREE)

40. Illinois State Military Museum (FREE)

41. Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Museum (donations)

42. Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial (FREE)

43. Knight's Action Park (admission)

44. Route 66 Drive-In (admission)

45. Lake Springfield Marina (FREE)

46. Lawrence Memorial Library/ Mata Simpson Resource Center (FREE)

47. Lincoln Memorial Garden (donations)

48. Lincoln Tomb (FREE)

49. Lincoln's New Salem (donations)

50. Museum of Funeral Customs (admission)

51. Shea's Gas Station Museum (admission)

52. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon (admission)

53. Washington Park Botanical Garden (FREE)

54. World War II Illinois Veterans Memorial (FREE)

55. Interurban Trail (FREE)

56. Lost Bridge Trail (FREE)

57. Wabash Trail (FREE)

58. Five colleges (admission :D )

59. Nine golf courses (admission)

60. Nine major shopping centers

61. Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport

62. 2 hospitals

 

["donations" can mean either a donation is suggested OR donations are accepted]

 

 

The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour (free)

Jubilee Farm (free some/admission others)

Springfield's public libraries, main plus two branches (free, except if you don't return your books on time!)

Sangamon Auditorium (including the performances of the Springfield Ballet Company) (admission)

The Muni (admission)

[ktwensel]

Thank you so much for all this wonderful information! I really appreciate all of you!!!!:)