Capital City Visitor is Published by Illinois Times
For additional copies of the print edition or information about advertising in the 2013 edition contact Illinois Times, 1320 South State Street, Springfield IL 62704. 217 / 753-2226..

About the Cover
“Altered Abe,” by Springfield artist Felicia Olin, is composed of actual pages from history (a late 1800s history book), a black and white photographic image of Mr. Lincoln, part of a telephone book, acrylic paint, glue and imagination..

Welcome to Springfield
Whether you’ve traveled from a faraway land, come in from the Windy City by train or driven in from another state, thanks for coming. We hope you find Illinois’ capital city a warm and welcoming place to visit.

Abe’s hometown
Two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s best-known resident remains a revered icon, a leader who bore the weight of destiny to his untimely demise. Born in dire poverty and self-educated, Abraham Lincoln rose to lead our nation during its darkest time.

What the locals do for fun
In addition to various pedal boats and water slides – including the four-story “Devil Ray” and the popular Caribbean Water Adventure – this perennial local favorite also offers mini-golf, a driving range, batting cages, laser tag and gokarts. For more information call 217-546-8881 or visit www.

Illinois State Museum
Not to be missed during a visit to Springfield is the Illinois State Museum, just a few blocks west of downtown in the State Capitol complex. People ages 1 to 101 will enjoy this free museum, which has been called “world-class” and “a gem in its own right.

Besides Abe
AeroKnow Museum Anyone looking for a complete parts manual for a World War II Martin B-26 Marauder should visit AeroKnow Museum.

Performing arts
Hoogland Center for the Arts The city’s premier arts venue, the Hoogland Center, is a magnet for practitioners and supporters of the arts. Named after the family that nurtured Family Video stores to nationwide prominence, the venue houses 14 different arts organizations.

Guide to galleries
The Blue Door – The Blue Door offers an eclectic variety of fine arts and crafts, exhibiting a unique blend of wall art, jewelry, clothing, furniture and home accessories, ceramics, art glass, quilts, photography and more. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The outdoors
without driving out of town. Just off one of Springfield’s busiest streets, Clear Lake Avenue, the sanctuary is a hidden jewel that’s accessible in minutes. Once a mid-19th-century farm, it’s now a wooded haven for birds and birdwatchers and is owned by the Illinois Audubon Society.

2012 Springfield Visitor Map
Visitor Information

Downtown Map
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Sprinfield Visitor Map continued
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Springfield Overview Map
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Mother Road
Countless songs, movies, books and TV shows chronicle this section of pavement, but the reality about this piece of history is that touring Route 66 requires as much or as little time and money as you like. The journey costs only the price of gas, and even that can be omitted through use of a bicycle or a walking stick.

Heart of Illinois
Traveling from New Salem to Springfield, Abraham Lincoln often stopped at Col. Matthew Rogers’ general store and post office. Here Lincoln and eight other Illinois lawmakers celebrated the move of the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield. Because the nine legislators averaged more than six feet in height, the group became known as the “Long Nine.

Finding live entertainment around town
Robbie’s 4 Old State Capitol Plz. (528-1901) Scandals 126 E. Jefferson St. (523-4500).

Restaurant directory
Magic Kitchen Thai 115 N. Lewis St. (525-6975) 4112 Peoria Rd. (525-2230).

Events calendar
Super Saturdays at the Museum Every second Saturday, 10am- 4pm, On-going hands-on activities recommended for children ages 4-8 and their families. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring Street. 217-782-7386. Art Exhibits Every six weeks new exhibit of work by local artists at non-profit Prairie Art Alliance galleries.

Living here
Springfield and Sangamon County aren’t just great places to visit; they’re also great places to live. The capital city and the nearly two dozen smaller communities around it offer many attractive reasons for you to make the Land of Lincoln your home..

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