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Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Whether you’re a Lincoln researcher or just curious about the life of the Great Emancipator, for maximum enjoyment you should begin your visit at the The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum - Photo courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

version of the Lincoln Home.
Part one of “The Journey” begins with a visit to the circa-1820s replica of Lincoln’s boyhood cabin. Lincoln’s life story is depicted with the use of fullsize replicas of a slave auction; life in New Salem; the future president’s interest in Ann...

Lincoln Home National Historic Site
stacles Lincoln overcame in his effort to serve his country. The theater is also available for rent to organizations that want to use it for activities. A climate-controlled Treasures Gallery displays priceless artifacts from Lincoln’s life.

Old State Capitol
guide. The family sold most of its furniture after Lincoln was elected president. The house was leased and eventually donated to the state by eldest son Robert. The curators have acquired about 50 of the original furnishings, including Lincoln’s desk..

Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site - Photo by Roland Klose
William Herndon, worked together from 1844 to 1852. After Lincoln’s death, Herndon traveled the state, pulling Lincoln’s original writings from the files of county courthouses and leaving copies as he visited. Herndon’s published recollections provide a more intimate look at Lincoln’s life.

You can travel through time in the...
You can travel through time in the “Changes” exhibition at the Illinois State Museum. The whole family can enjoy hands-on interactive displyas, audio and video effects, life-size dioramas, thousands of authentic fossils and more, including a giant dragonfly and giant millipede - Photo courtesy of Illinois State Museum.

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

The Library of the Supreme Court
room, a ballroom, Lincoln’s bedroom, four formal parlors, and the library, are open to the public. Executive Mansion, 410 E. Jackson St., 217-782-6450. Free tours are offered 9:30-11 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. Tue. and Thu. and 9:30-11 a.m. Sat. www.state.il.us/gov/mansion2.

Air Combat Museum
The Air Combat Museum showcases the role of military aviation with an array of aviation memorabilia, including the gun sight from a Messerschmitt 109, and historical aircraft, including a Beechcraft AT-11Kansan, used to train bombardiers in World War II; a P-51 Mustang; a Vought F4U-5 Corsair; and a Soko Galeb, Yugoslavia’s first jet.

Daughter of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum
events, was formed soon after the decision was made to restore it to its former grandeur. Today it is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Restored to its original elegance, the house contains the largest collection of Wright furniture and art-glass windows in the world.

Edwards Place
Edwards Place is the oldest house in Springfield that remains standing on its original foundation. The mansion, built in 1833, was purchased 10 years later by Benjamin S. and Helen Dodge Edwards. For many years, the mansion was at the center of Springfield’s social and political life.

Illinois State Museum
coln, headquarters of the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois State Military Museum is dedicated to the state’s military heritage, from pre-statehood days to today. While you’re there, take a close look at the target board used by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to test-fire the new Spencer rifle.

Hoogland Center for the Arts
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is amoung the most original forces in contemporary dance. Critically acclamed for its exuberant, athletic and innovative repertoire, HSDC’s dancers display unparalleled versatility and virtuosity in performances that inspire, challenge and engage audiences worldwide.

Illinois State Fairgrounds
You did the right thing, for sure. You brought them here to learn about history, Lincoln, the Civil War — yadda, yadda, yadda. But kids are kids. And it’s a fact: All Lincoln and no play make Jack and Jill dull youngsters! How’s about a wild ride down a water slide, a spin on a gokart, or a whirl on a Ferris wheel? Take heart.

Boulder Creek Fun Park
Sangamon, take a right), has miniature golf, batting cages, “Bankshot Basketball” and a driving range. After the fun, cool off with ice cream or frozen yogurt. Boulder Creek is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily April 1 through Nov. 1. Birthday-package discounts are available.

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
You’ve been doing a lot of walking, mostly from one historic site to the next. It’s not really the legwork that wears you out — you’ve simply taken in all the details a mind can absorb. Tourism can be exhausting.

A block south of the fairgrounds on...
The Interstate Highway System may offer easier and faster ways to travel from A to Z, but The Mother Road can still provide an historic, quaint and charming weekend getaway or a breezy and fun day trip. As a main thoroughfare for dust bowl immigrants, Route 66 saw its heyday in the 1930s.

Abraham Lincoln’s Long Nine Museum
Gov. Richard J. Oglesby, who was a friend and political ally of Honest Abe, lived in this Decatur mansion that he built in 1874. Elected governor three times, he was also a United States senator and made a small fortune in the California gold rush. - Photo courtesy of Macon County Conservation District.

C.H. Moore Homestead and Museum
The Moore Homestead and Museum is located at 219 E. Woodlawn St. in Clinton, 217-935-6066. Open from April until December, museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat.; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Go to www.chmoorehomestead.org..

Jazz in all its varied forms is represented at several nightclubs. Robbie’s
The entertainment nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. In other words, if you want it, it’s here and it’s excellent. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, dance music and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city.

Fieldhouse Sports Bar and Grill
For a complete listing of what’s going on around the capital city, check the arts and entertainment listings in Illinois Times, the city’s free weekly newspaper. (Capital City Visitor is published by the same firm.) Look for the numerous IT newsstands throughout downtown, as well as at area hotels, restaurants and government buildings.

Bar & Club Directory
No Name Bar, State House Inn.

Bentoh’s
Tai Pan Fine Chinese Restaurant.

CASUAL FARE
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill

D’Arcy’s Pint
Fat Moe’s Gyros

Ritz’s Lil Fryer
Sebastian’s at Stratton Cafeteria.

Bean Counter
Mario’s Italian Restaurant

Ongoing
A fun time for children including hands-on activities pertaining to the month’s theme. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St. For more info, call 782-7386..

Courtship, Marriage and Mourning in Victorian America
Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Fifth St. For more info, call 558- 8934, www.presidentlincoln.org..

Dessa Rose
The Henson Robinson Zoo hosts a day of play and visiting with animials. Dr. Doolittle Day, May 9, includes games, food and a petting zoo. - Photo by Michael Goulding/MCT.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
featuring various daylilies on display. Exhibit Hall, Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740. W. Fayette Ave. For more info, call 753-6228..

Forever This Land
Donna McCreary will discuss ladies’ mourning customs and fashion typical of the 19th century, more specifically the era of Mary’s death in the early 1880s. Usual Museum admission applies. Museum of Funeral Customs, 1440 Monument Ave. For more info, call 544-3480.

August
Shakespeare at Theatre in the Park.

New Salem Music Festival
Sundance? See some of the world’s best independent films and meet the filmmakers. Program includes short and feature-length comedies, dramas, documentaries and action adventure. A must for film buffs. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. 6th St. For more info, go to www.

Cost of living
The Old Capitol Art Fair, May 16 and 17, reigns as one of the most popular, juried art fairs in the country with jewelry, sculpture, photography, pottery, metalwork, oils, watercolors and many other media. - Photo courtesy of Downtown Springfield, Inc.

Weather
mon County are the state of Illinois, Memorial Health System (5,200), the Illinois National Guard (2,700), St. John’s Hospital (2,566), and the Springfield Public Schools (2,019). Rounding out the top 10, in order, are the City of Springfield, the Horace Mann Co.

Area communities
Downtown restaurants sell sample size portions of their favorite dishes during the Taste of Downtown, scheduled for July 3 and 4. Live music is also available throughout the day, and when evening falls fireworks light up the sky over the capital city. - Photo courtesy of Downtown Springfield, Inc.