If You're NearbyCitiesLincolnRoute 66Frank Lloyd Wright

Springfield

Abraham Lincoln's hometown, with his only home, his tomb and a great museum, plus a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece and Route 66 diners.

Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lincoln lived here for 24 years, as a young lawyer and then a rising politician, and he's buried here. The old capitol is where he gave his "House Divided" speech in 1858.

There's more to it than Lincoln. The Dana-Thomas House is among Frank Lloyd Wright's finest early works, Route 66 runs through town with its original corn dog stand, and the state capitol's dome rises higher than the one in Washington.

If You're Nearby in Midwest

Best Time: April–June and September–October
Time Needed: 1–2 days
Cost Level: $$$$
Open: Year-round
Getting There: On Amtrak, about 3.5 hours from Chicago, on the way to St. Louis. Or about 90 minutes by car from St. Louis.

What to See

6 of 10 are free

Paid2–3 hours

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Dramatic, immersive exhibits on his life, among the best presidential museums.

Free1–2 hours

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

The only house he ever owned, on four restored blocks of his old neighborhood.

Free1 hour

Lincoln's Tomb

The grand tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rub the nose of his bronze head for luck.

Paid1.5 hours

Dana-Thomas House

Frank Lloyd Wright's 1902–04 Prairie-style house, with about 450 pieces of his art glass and most of its original furniture. Guided tours; reserve ahead.

Free1 hour

Old State Capitol

Where Lincoln practiced law, gave the "House Divided" speech and lay in state. His law office is across the square.

Free45 minutes

Illinois State Capitol

A huge 1888 Renaissance-style capitol, with a dome taller than the US Capitol's. Free tours on weekdays.

Paid2 hours

Lincoln's New Salem

A rebuilt log village, 20 miles out, where the young Lincoln clerked in a store and fell for politics.

Paid45 minutes

Cozy Dog and Route 66

The Route 66 stand that claims the corn dog on a stick, still run by the family. Have a horseshoe sandwich in town too.

Free1 hour

Illinois State Museum

Mastodons, Native American history and Illinois art, beside the capitol.

Free45 minutes

Washington Park and Rees Carillon

A big, old park with one of the world's largest carillons, and summer bell concerts.

Know Before You Go

State historic sites change their hours and tour rules: check before you go, especially the Dana-Thomas House.
The Illinois State Fair fills town in August.

Where to Stay

Stay downtown, within walking distance of the Lincoln sights.

What to Eat

Horseshoe sandwichSpringfield's own dish since the 1920s: meat on toast, buried in fries and cheese sauce.
Corn dogCozy Dog on Route 66 has served them on a stick since the 1940s.
ChilliSpelled with two Ls here, a local tradition at old-time parlors.