Things to do in Springfield, Illinois
- Springfield was the site of the 1908 Race Riot, an event that directly catalyzed the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
- The city is home to the world's largest collection of Abraham Lincoln artifacts and documents housed within its local museum infrastructure.
- Springfield is renowned for the 'horseshoe sandwich,' an open-faced meal consisting of meat, cheese sauce, and French fries created at the Leland Hotel in the 1920s.
- The city's street layout remains heavily influenced by the 1823 platting, which was designed to center around the original public square.
About Springfield, Illinois
Springfield serves as the capital of Illinois and stands as the central hub of Abraham Lincoln's early political and legal career. The city preserves its history through sites like the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. Beyond its political legacy, the city features architectural masterworks such as the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site and diverse community spaces like Washington Park. It functions as a midwestern administrative and educational center with a distinct focus on 19th-century American history.
Highlights of Springfield, Illinois
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
This is the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, preserved to reflect his life in the mid-19th century.
Museums
The facility utilizes immersive dioramas and high-tech displays to chronicle the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Historical places
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this structure represents one of the most perfectly preserved examples of his Prairie Style architecture.
Museums
Visitors can stand in the rooms where Lincoln argued cases before the Illinois Supreme Court and delivered his 'House Divided' speech.
Parks
The garden features a conservatory and seasonal floral displays within the broader acreage of the historic park.
Museums
This museum offers extensive collections focused on the natural and cultural history of the Illinois region.
Zoos
The facility serves as a regional zoological park featuring a variety of species native to North America and beyond.
Venues
Housed in a historic building, this center acts as the primary venue for local theatrical, musical, and artistic performances.
Top things to do in Springfield, Illinois
The 57 highest-rated places in Springfield, Illinois, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned, where he lived from 1844 to...
2
Parks
Washington Park is a 150-acre historic park in Springfield, Illinois, designed by landscape architect Ossian Cole Simond...
3
Historical places
Lincoln's New Salem is a reconstructed 1830s pioneer village where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked from 1831 to 1837. T...
4
Museums
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum serves as the primary repository for the state of Illinois' collecti...
5
Parks
Southwind Park is an 80-acre accessible public park in Springfield, Illinois, designed with universal design principles...
6
Museums
The Old State Capitol served as the Illinois seat of government from 1840 to 1876, representing the fifth capitol buildi...
7
Historical places
The Dana-Thomas House is the best-preserved and most complete example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 'Prairie Style' architectu...
8
Amusement parks
Knight's Action Park is a multi-generational family recreation facility in Springfield, Illinois, featuring a combined w...
9
Parks
The Washington Park Botanical Garden features 20 acres of display gardens and a climate-controlled conservatory. The sit...
10
Historical places
Lincoln Memorial Garden is a 100-acre woodland and prairie site designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen to honor Abr...
11
Parks
Sangchris Lake State Park is a 2,750-acre reservoir created in 1964 to provide cooling water for a power plant, now serv...
12
Museums
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield specializes in the natural history, cultural heritage, and artistic development...
13
Parks
Lincoln Park Pavilion is a historic, open-air structure located within the expansive 150-acre Lincoln Park in Springfiel...
14
Zoos
Henson Robinson Zoo is located on the shores of Lake Springfield, housing over 80 species of animals from five continent...
15
Venues
The UIS Performing Arts Center is the premier professional arts venue located on the University of Illinois Springfield...
16
Historical places
The World's Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon is a Guinness World Record-holding roadside attraction located in Lincoln...
17
Venues
The Hoogland Center for the Arts is a premier multi-stage performing arts venue housed in the historic former YWCA build...
18
Historical places
The Sugar Creek Covered Bridge is a rare surviving example of a Burr Arch truss bridge, originally constructed in 1880 t...
19
Parks
Centennial Park is a 130-acre community park located on the western edge of Springfield, Illinois, managed by the Spring...
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Venues
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Temples
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Parks
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Springfield, Illinois on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Springfield, Illinois
Late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures ideal for exploring historic walking districts and botanical gardens.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to tour the major Lincoln-related historical sites and local cultural venues.
A personal vehicle is the most practical way to navigate the city, though the downtown historic district remains compact enough for walking.
Stay in the downtown area to remain within walking distance of the major state historic sites and primary museums.
Springfield is generally considered a mid-range destination with affordable dining and accessible historical tours.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 57 curated attractions in and around Springfield, Illinois, ranked by traveller ratings.
Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the highest-rated place to visit in Springfield, Illinois right now.
The largest category is parks, with 22 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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