It’s been pretty exciting around our town in the last few years. In 2009 we celebrated Abe Lincoln’s 200th birthday, and the year before that we enjoyed worldwide acclaim as Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president from the steps of our Old State Capitol. We’re very proud of our place in history as well as the city we’ve become. Whether you’ve traveled from a faraway land, come in from the Windy City by train or have driven a few hours from another state, we hope you find Illinois’ capital city a warm and welcoming place to visit.
If you’ve come for the Lincoln experience, for most that will begin at the Presidential Library and Museum. The museum’s interactive displays, live performances, and theatrical recreations nearly bring Abe back to life, and the adjacent library is a one-of-a-kind resource for scholars and students. It is only a short walk down Sixth Street to the Old State Capitol building, where Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech; his law office is on the corner of Sixth and Adams. Visitors can also tour the only home Lincoln ever owned, the church where he and his family worshiped, and his tomb. A short drive from Springfield is New Salem, the rustic 1830s village where Lincoln lived before his days in the legislature.
Of course, Abe isn’t the only attraction in town. New to the north side of the Old Capitol Plaza is the National Museum of Surveying, well worth visiting. Just a few blocks to the south is Capitol Avenue, which provides a direct path to the “new” Illinois State Capitol, open daily to tourists. Just around the corner from the Capitol building, on Edwards Street, is the Illinois State Museum, where visitors can explore the cultural and natural history of Illinois, including all the fossils your kids can handle. On nearby Fourth Street is the Executive Mansion, sometimes home to Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn. Downtown Springfield hosts dozens of locally owned shops, antique stores, art galleries, restaurants and bars. We highly recommend you do some shopping, grab a bite to eat or an ice cream cone along the way.
We’re very proud of the Dana-Thomas House, a pristine example of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style which is just a few blocks south of the mansion. The house will be closed for a short time this spring for renovations but visitors who arrive in summer or fall should put a visit to this landmark high on their list. For a peaceful retreat, we recommend a visit to Lincoln Memorial Garden, which showcases the work of landscape architect Jens Jensen. The garden is on Lake Springfield, south on I-55 then two miles east on East Lake Shore Drive.
Route 66 is another proud part of our heritage; don’t miss Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum and the Cozy Dog restaurant – just two of the nearby sites for those intrigued by car lore. If you can’t get enough, please come back for the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in late September. The capital city also hosts the Illinois State Fair in August and the weeklong International Carillon Festival in October.
Look for the calendar of fairs, festivals and other seasonal events inside this edition.
When it is time for food and fun, Springfield does not disappoint. This publication includes a comprehensive listing of restaurants and entertainment nightspots. The center section includes maps provided by the Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to help you find your way.
For a fresh weekly guide to local entertainment, pick up Illinois Times, the capital city’s free weekly newspaper. IT is available on newsstands around downtown and at area hotels, restaurants and government offices. A complete digital copy of the weekly paper is also available at www.illinoistimes.com.
We’re glad you’re here. Have fun and come see us again soon.
Sharon Whalen, publisher
