A short drive from Champaign-Urbana, Springfield, Illinois is full of American history – and Americana

 

Lincoln points of interest, museums and of course the home of the State Fair, Springfield has even more to offer than you’d think

 

We give a lot of love to the day trip concept here at Chambanamoms, because we are nestled among so many great adventures throughout Central Illinois that really aren’t a very far drive at all. One of those adventures is Springfield, Illinois, located just under 90 minutes away. A popular spot for school field trips, being our state’s capital and also the home to a great deal of Abraham Lincoln historical sites, Springfield has even more to offer than purely educational content. No matter what you choose to do on your visit, all that history makes Illinois’ capital city a wonderful spot for an economical and family-friendly weekend getaway.

Springfield Attractions

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

This museum has attracted millions of visitors since the dedication of its museum portion in 2005. Billed as the first “experience museum” of its kind, it has technological innovations that should wow even the most jaded of tweens. Make plans to spend at least three hours there, and don’t forget the camera. You’ll want a portrait of your family posing with the life-sized replicas of the Lincolns in front of the White House. Check out the rotating exhibit, which is sure to be educational and incredibly well done. There are also movies to watch (run time just under a half hour each) that will captivate your crew.

This is better for older kids, depending on your child. If you are bringing a stroller, an umbrella version would be best – the museum can get crowded, and some of the spaces are a bit narrow.

Lincoln Home (National Historic Site)

Nothing beats walking in Lincoln’s steps in the only home he ever owned. It’s been meticulously restored to its 1860 appearance, and some of the furniture inside actually was used by the Lincolns. Stop at the Visitor Center at 426 South Seventh Street soon after your arrival in town to collect your (free!) timed tickets to tour the home in the company of a ranger. This is a National Park Service site and you can get a National Park passport stamp here, along with other National Park experiences in the gift shop.

The Park Service advises visitors to arrive as early in the day as possible to receive the tour tickets. Tour tickets are usually not available at the end of the day. Before/after the tour, explore the surrounding four-block historic neighborhood, also restored to how it looked in 1860, the year before the Lincoln family left for Washington D.C.

All the above Lincoln sites are in Springfield’s downtown, which has been revitalized by the opening of the national museum and library.

More history

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, a site that is great for active youngsters is Lincoln’s New Salem (Petersburg), a historical village that seeks to recreate the tiny town about 20 miles northwest of Springfield where Lincoln lived as a young man. During the tourist season (generally May through October), you’ll likely encounter historical interpreters dressed in period clothing. It also features picnic areas, hiking trails and playground equipment. Make sure to check the hours of operation before making the drive to Petersburg.

Even more places to check out:

• Old State Capitol, where Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech. The scenic Greek Revival-style building is also where former President Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president and the choice of Joe Biden as his running mate. Editor’s note: The Old State Capitol is currently closed for restoration.
• Great Western Depot, Lincoln began his inaugural journey to Washington D.C. by telling a small crowd of family and friends: “To this place, and to the kindness of these people, I owe everything.” He returned to Springfield in a coffin, and his final resting place is in Oak Ridge Cemetery
• State Capitol complex, home to the Illinois State Legislature since 1877, the Capitol’s 361-foot high dome – 74 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol – is an impressive site. You can walk in (be prepared to go through security) and look around on your own; or visitors can take a free, 30-minute guided tour of the building, which highlights its numerous paintings and sculptures as well as visits to the galleries of the Senate and House of Representatives. Note that the Illinois State Legislature is in session between January and May, when you can watch government in action from the balconies. There’s not much info online about the tours, oddly enough. Tours are available Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., every half hour except 12-1 p.m.; Sat: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., tours every half hour except 12-1 p.m. This may change seasonally, so call first when in doubt: 217-782-2099.

Illinois State Museum

This FREE museum in the heart of downtown Springfield is open to the public and a nice quick stop if you are looking for somewhere air-conditioned where the kids can roam freely. There’s even a kids play area in the basement where you can dig for dinosaur bones! And, of course, plenty of info about Abraham Lincoln, too.

Scheel’s

Where else can you ride an indoor Ferris wheel, see animatronic historical figures, and get in a NASCAR driving simulator? If you want to go shopping and still get a dose of Lincoln, don’t miss a trip to Scheel’s. We’ve written a whole article about why this is one of the most unique stores we’ve ever been to and while it’s a great place to shop, it’s an even better place to gawk. And bonus: there are animatronic presidents, including Abe Lincoln reciting the Gettysburg address.

Kidzeum of Health & Science

This is the children’s museum of the Springfield area. There are hands-on exhibits, interactive play and all kinds of daily fun.

Henson Robinson Zoo

The zoo is home to penguins, cougars, black bears and many other animals.

Knight’s Action Park

An amusement park and waterpark combo, some families from Champaign-Urbana drive over just for a day of fun at Knight’s Action Park. Tickets can be pricey, but buy online ahead of time and you’ll end up saving some big bucks, depending on available promos.Springfield Dining

Dining in Springfield

It’s pretty easy to find a place to eat in Springfield. A favorite pick of our team is Engrained, a micro-brewery and farm-to-table restaurant in one location. With more casual options all the way up to $50 steaks, you will be in for a culinary treat at Engrained. This makes the list as one of our picks for destination restaurants in Central Illinois.

Want to grab coffee and pastries? Hae’s Bakery and Coffee has two locations in Springfield and claims to be the best coffee in Springfield. While we haven’t tried them all, we can certainly vouch for Hae’s being pretty fantastic.

If all that sounds lovely but what you’re really looking for is greasy, cheap and very kid-friendly, you have plenty of options in Springfield. Route 66 passes through Springfield and you can get your kicks at the Cozy Dog Drive In, where the owners lay claim to inventing the first “hot dog on a stick” in 1946.

And your kids will be sure to get their daily allotment of sugar at one of Mel-o-Cream Donuts’ four locations.

But no discussion of Springfield food would be complete without a mention of the horseshoe – a layered, delectable, calorie-packed Springfield creation that starts with two pieces of open-faced toasted bread laying side by side on a platter. On top of that is some kind of protein and french fries, with a yellow or white cheese sauce smothering the whole thing.

Several restaurants in Springfield serve horseshoes; the ‘shoe at D’Arcy’s Pint  is probably most renowned, although it will likely come with a wait for a table. Other places where you’ll find horseshoes include Charlie Parker’s Diner and the Dublin Pub.

And while it is a chain restaurant and not exactly unique to Springfield, many Champaign-Urbana area families don’t know that we have a downstate option for Cooper’s Hawk right in Springfield. We’re fans of the destination restaurant idea, too, so you may want to make it a date night and drive over to Springfield just for the Cooper’s Hawk experience.

All about the State Fair

State Fair – happens in August

Does your family love carnival rides, barnyard animals, fried food or high-diving shows? Then the Illinois State Fair is for you! Weekdays are a lot less crowded than weekends (and you’ll save money getting in, too). Make sure to take a good look at the schedule of events for the day of your visit and also to surf around the State Fair’s website, especially the entertainment page.

Don’t miss the Butter Cow, Conservation World, the animals or the carnival. If you want to skip the rides, maybe you just take on the giant yellow slide as a family.

How to get to Springfield

Springfield is located west on Interstate 72, straight out of Champaign-Urbana, past Decatur and into our state capital.

Driving directions will vary based on your exact destination, but these are general instructions for driving to Springfield.

More Day Trip Ideas