Location: Springfield
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The 10 Best Historic Sites in Springfield, Illinois (IL)
The spirit of the "Land of Lincoln" is nowhere else so alive as it is in Springfield, one time home to old Honest Abe himself and present home of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site, the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. The NAACP also holds Springfield at its roots, having formed after a particularly bloody race riot here in 1908.
Restaurants in Springfield
1. Dana-Thomas House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, United States
The introductory video presented the history of the Dana-Thomas House, and the guide gave an informative tour of the beautiful FLW house which has been wonderfully preserved with original furnishings. We appreciated the attention to details that were highlighted during the tour. Photos are not allowed inside, but we were able to take photos from the street and inside the courtyard. We arrived early for the first tour of the day and had no problem parking in the free lot next door accessed from E Cook St. Railroad tracks run between the parking lot and the carriage house where tours begin. A $10 per adult donation was certainly reasonable.
2. Edwards Place Historic Home
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By 659judyl - Berea, United States
A wonderful guided tour of the Edwards home. They were best friends of the Lincoln.s. Beautiful furnishings and memorbilia of the times. An art gallery where lessons are given is next door.
3. Old State Capitol State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 879 reviews
Painstakingly rebuilt after being disassembled in the 1960s, this Greek Revival masterpiece saw Lincoln serve as a lawyer and legislator. In 1858, Lincoln delivered his landmark "House Divided" speech in the Capitol's Representatives Hall.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
For historians and curious tourists like, a trip to Springfield, Illinois, to visit the many sites associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln wouldn't be complete with a tour of the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. Located at 5th and Adams Streets in downtown Springfield, not far from Lincoln's home and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, it was constructed in the Green Revival style in 1937-1840 and served as Illinois' fifth capitol building from 1840 to 1876. It is easily recognizable for its large domed cupola and four massive columns at the front entrance. The building was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, primarily for Lincoln's association with political rival Stephen Douglas, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Walking through the halls, from chamber to chamber, from floor to floor, a visitor is struck by the historic events associated with the building...where Lincoln announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 1858 and for the presidency in 1860, where Barack Obama announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2007 and introduced Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate in 2008, where Lincoln served his final term as a state lawmaker in 1840-1841, where he pleaded cases as a lawyer before the State Supreme Court in 1841-1860, where he made his memorable House Divided speech in 1858 and where his body lay in state in 1865 prior to final burial in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. In fact, our knowledgeable tour guide informed us that Lincoln was one of nine Illinois lawmakers who led the effort to move the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield in 1837. In Springfield, Lincoln's foot prints are everywhere.
4. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,751 reviews
The only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned is the centerpiece of this four-block historic neighborhood. Lincoln and his family lived in the two-story house from 1844 until 1861, when their address changed to the White House.
Reviewed By X7472TVtomk
This site, run by the National Park Service is well maintained and restored, with a visitor's center, a free guided tour of Lincoln's home, and several other restored homes. We spent two hours which included a 20 minute tour of the home. The book store in the visitor's center is very comprehensive.
5. Tinsley Building
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Visitors can tour this historic office building that once housed Abraham Lincoln's legal practice.
6. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Built in 1840, this building is where Abraham Lincoln maintained working law offices.
Reviewed By JeffBreedlove
It is very impressive this still is here for Americans to enjoy. For Presidential history fans this is one of those sites which add insight and appreciation to Lincoln. Be sure and add this to your Springfield Lincoln agenda. Go Enjoy!
7. Illinois Governor's Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 126 reviews
The Illinois Governor's Mansion has been home to Illinois governors and their families since 1855. It is the third oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansion in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Over the years, Illinois governors have hosted U.S. presidents, ambassadors, and most importantly, generations of Illinois residents at the People’s House. The Mansion has just completed a spectacular, privately funded 3-year renovation. More than a renewal of building and landscape, its purpose has been reimagined. It is now a place where visitors can glimpse Illinois history, witness its artistic side, and experience its long-heralded hospitality.The Governor's Mansion is ADA accessible. Please visit our website to schedule your tour.
8. Vachel Lindsay Home
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
9. Great Western Depot
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Great Western Depot in Springfield, Illinois, more commonly known as the Lincoln Depot, is often overlooked amid all of the Lincoln historical sites situated in the Sangamon County area. It shouldn't be. The railway station, which was built by the Great Western Railroad in 1852, is the site of Abraham Lincoln's memorable farewell address to friends and citizens before leaving on his journey to Washington DC to become the 16th president of the United States. Belatedly, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. Located at 930 East Monroe Street, at 10th and Monroe Streets, two blocks from the Lincoln home, the building has been renovated, remodeled and restored, survived a fire and served as a passenger station, warehouse, storage space, law office, classroom and museum. On a dark, gloomy morning in 1861, an estimated crowd of 1,000 people assembled at the station to see Lincoln off. As the train pulled in, Lincoln mounted the rear platform. He said: "I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon (George) Washington." In 1865, his body arrived at the station en route to burial at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. Today, the depot serves as a museum with displays of Lincoln artifacts relating to his 1860 presidential campaign, his 1861 departure and farewell address. A video, narrated by Scott Simon, which describes Lincoln's 12-day journey to Washington DC, is shown on the second floor. As with every Lincoln site in the Springfield area, it is a very poignant and moving experience.
10. Pasfield House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
