Abraham Lincoln & The City He Loved

This three-day tour is designed to illustrate the many historic sites, exciting attractions, and memorable adventures Springfield has to offer. If you would prefer, we can customize a tour from this full and varied three-day schedule to fit any time frame from 1/2 day to 2-1/2 full days..

Day One
Begin you tour by visiting the new, world-class Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, where scholarship and showmanship combine, using 21st century technology to immerse visitors in the world of gas lamps and hoop skirts - the world of Abraham Lincoln.

Then, it's on to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, a restored four-block neighborhood with a quaint, Quaker-brown residence - the only home Lincoln ever owned - and the home of the Lincoln family for 17 years (1844-1861) - as its centerpiece.  Your group will enjoy a guided tour of this national treasure, conducted by National Park Service Rangers.  Stop by the Lincoln Home Visitors Center first for your free tickets to tour the Lincoln Home, as well as free audio-visual programs and exhibits.

Lunch Suggestion:  In the mood for homemade soups, sandwiches and pie?  Check out any of our wonderful downtown eateries.

After lunch, it's on to a guided tour of the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, a magnificently restored building with period furnishings.  It was here, in the Hall of Representatives, where Mr. Lincoln uttered some of his most famous words - "A House divided against itself cannot stand". Lincoln served nearly 20 years here as an Illinois legislator, and as a lawyer, tried hundreds of cases before the Illinois Supreme Court.  Just across the Old State Capitol Plaza, your group can tour the only remaining original Lincoln law office.  Lincoln practiced here in the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office from 1843-1853.

Last stop for today, Lincoln's Depot, where President-elect, Abraham Lincoln, departed his beloved Springfield for an uncertain future in Washington D.C.  The Depot features restored waiting rooms (one for the ladies and one for the luggage and tobacco-spitting men), exhibits of the people and places dear to Lincoln, an exciting audio-visual show recreating the 12-day journey to Washington D.C. for his inauguration as the 16th President of the United States.

After a full day of sightseeing, check in at your hotel for a chance to relax and refresh.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel or at any one of our wonderful Springfield restaurants.

You might want to end your evening with "Lincoln's Ghost Walk - Legends & Lore." Each Thursday through Saturday evening, from May through October, your group can join a costumed guide on the Old State Capitol Plaza for a 1 ½ hour, moderately paced walking tour exploring the ghostly history and stories surrounding Lincoln's life and death.

Day Two
Begin your day with a moving tour of the second, most visited cemetery in the United State, Oak Ridge Cemetery.  This beautiful, 300-acre cemetery is the final resting place of Abraham, Mary Todd, Tad, Eddie and Willie Lincoln.  (Oldest Lincoln son, Robert, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.)  Other notable historic figures are also buried here, including:  famed labor leader, John L. Lewis; American poet, Vachel Lindsay; four Illinois governors; and Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon.

The grand Lincoln Tomb monument was designed by sculptor, Larkin Mead, completed in 1874, and paid for with public donations.  The original receiving vault in which Lincoln was buried can also be seen on the tour of the cemetery.  On any summer Tuesday evening, your group may want to return for the authentic Civil War-era flag retreat ceremony honoring the fallen president.

No tour highlighting Lincoln's life would be complete without a trip to the New Salem Historic Village.  It was here that a young, wanderlust Lincoln grew "to a man of purpose and destiny". This 100-acre, living history, pioneer village will take your group back to Lincoln's life in the 1830s.  Winding paths, timber houses and shops, and costumed interpreters playing the role of local villagers, allow you to enter the world of Lincoln the store clerk, the village postmaster, and a student of law.

Lunch Suggestion:  Picnic near New Salem or dine in historic and charming Petersburg-just up the road.

After lunch, it's a scenic ride back to Springfield and Washington Park.  Take a stroll through the lovely rose gardens, as well as perennial, scent and texture gardens.  You'll also discover a domed conservatory filled with lush tropical foliage and seasonal floral displays.  Washington Park is home to Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, the third largest carillon in the world-and one of the few open to the public.  Enjoy the spectacular view of the city from the top of the carillon bell tower.

End your day with a visit to the exquisite Dana-Thomas House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's finest prairie-style homes - complete with original furniture, art glass doors, windows and light fixtures. Built in 1904 for local socialite, Susan Lawrence Dana, the home is rich in history and architectural significance.

You might want to end your evening with a show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, Muni Opera, Sangamon Auditorium or New Salem's Theatre in the Park.  Just ask for a calendar of events or current performance schedule.

Day Three
Today begins with a tour of the Illinois State Capitol Complex.  A brief stop in the Capitol Complex Visitors Center will provide information about complex sites and attractions.

The Illinois State Capitol is the center of state government and houses the offices of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer, as well as the House of Representatives and the Senate Chambers.  If the legislature is in session during your group's visit, you're welcome to watch Illinois politics in action from balcony-level seating.

Just across the complex from the Capitol, the Illinois State Museum offers an amazing collection of Illinois' natural and cultural treasures.  Permanent and changing exhibits tell the story of Illinois' land, its people and its art.

Lunch Suggestion:  Grab a bite to eat at Incredibly Delicious, located in the historic Weber House.

After lunch, head to the Lake Springfield area for a variety of leisure activities including fishing, boating, swimming, golf and more.  The eight public parks around the Lake offer picnic areas, playgrounds, softball diamonds, restrooms and Lake access.  The public beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Henson Robinson Zoo, near the Lake, is home to more than 33 species of exotic and native animals.  And, located on the shores of Lake Springfield, Lincoln Memorial Garden offers you an enjoyable hike along five miles of wooded trails.  Depending on the season, you'll encounter colorful summer wildflowers, burnished autumn leaves, snow-covered maple trees bursting with sap, or springtime dogwoods in full bloom.

At the end of the day, head back to your hotel for a special meal and some terrific local entertainment.