Springfield, Illinois

See

• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, 112 North 6th St., +1 217-558-88441-800-610-2094, Daily 9AM-5PM. $7.50/5.50/3.50/Free (Adults/Seniors 62+ & Military (with ID) & Students (with ID)/Children 5-15/Children under 5).

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 426 South Seventh Street, +1 217 492-4241 ext. 266 - Daily 8:30AM-5:00PM except January 1st, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The site features Abraham Lincoln's residence of 17 years, beautifully restored to its 1860 appearance. Entry to the home itself is only by ranger guided tour, but tickets can be obtained at the Visitor Center desk, and admission is free. The Visitor Center also offers an orientation film, along with other exhibits that change periodically. In addition to the home itself, a four block area has been preserved to look as it would in Lincoln's time period. Several of the other homes feature exhibits as well.

• Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, Sixth and Adams Streets, +1 217 785-7960 - Daily, April 16-Labor Day, 9AM-5PM. Tue-Sat, Sept. 5-April 15, 9AM-5PM. Closed on New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, General Election Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Featured here is the only surviving structure where Lincoln maintained working law offices. It has been restored and features an historical exhibit on the first floor. Guided tours are available, with a suggested donation. The building is located just a stones throw away from the old state capitol, a great convenience for both Lincoln and the modern traveler.

• Old State Capitol, 1 Old Capitol Plaza, +1 217 785-7960 - Daily, April 16-Labor Day, 9AM-5PM. Tue-Sat, Sept. 5-Apr. 15, 9AM-5PM. Closed on New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, General Election Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. This building served as the seat of the Illinois state government from 1839-1876. It was here that Mr. Lincoln served his final term in the Illinois House of Representatives, and where he gave his famous "House Divided" speech. He used some rooms in the capitol as his presidential campaign headquarters. On May 3 & 4, 1865, an estimated 75,000 mourners filed past Lincoln's body as it lay in state in Representatives Hall, located in the capitol building. Guided tours are available, the last one will begin 45 minutes before closing. The tour takes about 30 minutes, and a 15-minute orientation video is also available. The entire building is handicap accessible.

• Lincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery, +1 217 782-2717 - Daily, Mar.-Oct., 9AM-5PM. Tues., Jun.-Aug., 7PM-8PM. Daily, Nov.-Feb., 9AM-4PM. Closed on New Years Day and the day after, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, General Election Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and day after. Lincoln's Tomb is located within Oak Ridge Cemetery, the second most visited cemetery in the United States, after Arlington National Cemetery. Within the large monument is the final resting place of Lincoln and most of his immediate family. The small receiving vault where Lincoln's casket was originally placed is also located nearby. The tomb's interior is handicap accessible, but the exterior upper deck is not.

• Lincoln Depot, 10th & Monroe, +1 217-544-8695 or +1 217-788-1356. April-Aug: 10AM-4PM.

Do

• Abraham Lincoln's New Salem State Park, in nearby Petersburg (20 miles)

Open 7 days a week, this reconstruction of over two dozen 1830's log cabin houses at their original sites where Lincoln lived as a young man for over six years. Period costumes, oral historians and an attached evening theatre (see Performances link at this site) make this village of interest for all ages.

Learn

• The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is the smallest of the University of Illinois's three campuses.

Eat

One of the legendary food items that is part of the heritage of Springfield is the horseshoe sandwich. The horseshoe sandwich originated in Springfield, Illinois sometime in the early 20th century. It was invented at the Leland Hotel. You can get horseshoe sandwiches at most Springfield restaurants, at some restaurants in central Illinois, and at a few restaurants in other parts of the state. Horseshoes are not generally served outside of Illinois.

A traditional horseshoe is two hamburgers each on a piece of toast with fries and cheese sauce over the top. Variations now include broiled(or deep fried) tenderloins, shaved ham, shaved chicken and even vegetarian variations. A pony shoe is half a horseshoe - a sufficient quantity for most people.

• Cozy Dog Drive In, 2935 South 6th St., +1 217-525-1992 (sue@cozydogdrivein.com, fax: +1 217-525-8539), M-Sa 8AM-8PM. Sandwiches $2-4.

Drink

• Forty-Niner Bye-Bye, 518 N Bruns LN, +1 (217) 787-4937.

Sleep

• Comfort Inn, 3442 Freedom Drive, +1 217 787-2250. Conveniently located off Interstate 72/US 36 West, 'just minutes' away from the State Capitol, White Oaks Mall and a variety of restaurants within walking distance.

• Comfort Suites, 2620 S. Dirksen Pkwy, +1 217 753-4000. Featuring 91 double and king suites each with distinct sleeping and work/leisure areas.

• Microtel Inn & Suites, 2636 Sunrise Drive, +1 217 753-2636.

• Quality Inn & Suites - State House, 101 East Adams, +1 217 528-5100. A hotel rich in history as well as a signature style and modern technology.

• Sleep Inn, 3470 Freedom Drive, +1 217 787-6200. Conveniently located off I-72.

• Hilton Springfield located in downtown Springfield. It is thirty stories and is cylinder shaped and is a black and white building.

• Maple Crest Bed & Breakfast, in nearby Petersburg by Abraham Lincoln's New Salem Village, +1 217 632-0128.

• Abraham Lincoln International Hostel, 421 East Jackson, +1 217 522-8828.

Get out

• Vandalia has the original state capitol.