Table of contents
Take in the sights and sounds of the seat of Illinois government.

About the cover artist
Kevin Atterberry was born and raised in Petersburg near Honest Abe’s old stomping grounds. Kevin graduated from PORTA high school in 1982. He is a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art with a degree in Graphic Arts Communications..

Abe’s hometown
Two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s bestknown 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
Haven’t you seen enough sights? How about some fun? Take it from the locals – here are 17 ways to have a good time in the capital city that don’t involve learning anything at all. Just enjoy..

Historic Edwards Place
Stepping through the front door of Edwards Place is like stepping back in time. Recently restored to the grandeur of its 1850s appearance, this gracious Italianate mansion evokes an era when hoop skirts were heard rustling in the parlor and Abraham Lincoln’s laugh rang out from the dining room.

The capital city
Construction began on the sixth and current Illinois Capitol in 1868 after officials determined that more space was needed for government business. The building took 20 years to complete and cost more than $4.5 million. The first legislative session in the new Capitol was held in 1877, but the structure wasn’t finished for another decade.

Besides Abe
“Prairie troubadour” Vachel Lindsay captured the attention of audiences around the world during the early 1900s. He was born on Nov. 10, 1879, and died on Dec. 5, 1931, and both events took place in the Lindsay family home, located at 603 S. Fifth St., across the street from the Illinois Executive Mansion.

Performing arts
The city’s premier arts venue, the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 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 18 different arts organizations.

Guide to galleries
The center hosts weekly youth-oriented after-school activities for kids on Mondays through Fridays in various locations. 1440 Monument St., Springfield. 678-851-8888. http://www.outofafricaheritage.org.

Downtown city map
Welcome to Springfield, Ill., home of Abraham Lincoln. The map on the opposite page features some of the city’s historic sites and places of interest. Besides visiting individual venue websites, you can access some venue information (plus bar and restaurant directories) via the Illinois Times.

The outdoors
This is the perfect place for a quick nature walk 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.

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
Want to hit the road? Look no further for a great one-tank trip! These destinations are just a hop, skip and jump away – within three to four hours of Springfield. Head out to find the amazing sites in the corners and edges of Illinois on the roads less traveled.

The nightlife
The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mics and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from St.

Bars and clubs directory
Where to find live music and entertainment.

Restaurant directory
Where to go in Springfield when it’s time to eat.

This year’s big events
Noteworthy happenings in and around the capital city Event listings are updated daily at illinoistimes.com..

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..