Central around Springfield, Illinois Attractions

The popcorn wagon, built in 1919, has become the logo of the Champaign County Historical Museum. The museum features historical items that relate to Champaign County.

The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College is the second largest planetarium in Illinois. Night sky shows are presented with many visual effects.

This 1,500 acre conservation area known as Robert Allerton Park features over formal gardens, hiking and cross-country skiing trails as well as many plant and animal species. The property was given to the University of Illinois by Robert Allerton in 1946 to be used as a public park.

Housed in the restored Illinois Central train depot, the Monticello Railway Museum has several rail cars on display and train rides are offered on weekends.

The Heritage In Flight Museum is housed in a World War II German POW barracks. Aviation displays include parachutes, planes, helmets, uniforms and other aviation memorabilia from WWI to present including helicopters and carrier jets. Visitors can also charter flights in some of the older war planes.

The Lincoln College Museum is two rooms of items and documents related to Abraham Lincoln. Other American presidential memorabilia is also displayed.

Dr Rutherford was a popular physician and abolitionist. His home offers a look into 19th century life.

This former church features historical, Christian art and memorabilia from local churches.

The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum has over 40 aircraft and missiles on display, these include replicas of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Chanute Field's first aircraft, the Curtiss Jenny biplane. Visitors can go inside the cockpit of a Boeing B-52D Stratofortress, enter the cargo bay of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and go underground into a Minuteman ICBM training silo.

Hardy's Reindeer Ranch is home to a herd of Alaskan deer, a 10-acre Cornfusion Corn Maze, an Indian tepee and a new Grand Prix-style pedal racetrack. The 100 year-old barns have been rebuilt and there are five thousand Christmas trees on site as well.

The main attractions at Rockome Gardens are the unique stonework and sprawling gardens. Over 200 acres of native flora and fauna are nestled within rolling hills and rivers. The pond in Rockome Gardens is ideal for fishing or enjoying a picnic.Rockome is home to many different outdoor activities. Take a hike on our nature trial, kayka down the river, go horseback riding, fish in the Rockome Pond, or try your skills in one of our two archery ranges.

ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.Raggedy Ann was created in 1918 by Johnny Gruelle after losing his 13 year old Marcelle. After this tragic loss, he created children's stories and character dolls. Some of the Gruelle artwork has never been seen in public before.

The Illinois Amish Interpretive Center is dedicated to the Old Order Amish. An introductory video educates visitors about the Amish culture and there are many items on display that offer a further glimpse into the Amish religion and lifestyle.

Beardstown River Museum is also the home of the Visitors Center. The museum is housed in the restored opera house and features artifacts regarding the Illinois River such as antique equipment used by those who earned a living on the river.

At the rear of the courthouse in Beardstown, Rudie Black has compiled a collection of guns that represents every period of American history. There is also an extensive assortment of Native American artifacts.

This courtroom is where Lincoln defended 24-year-old William ("Duff") Armstrong. It was a personal and professional triumph for Lincoln.

C.H. Moore Homestead is a restored Victorian Mansion including a farm museum and covered bridge. Exhibits include a doll collection, WWI weapons, American Indian artifacts and early Victorian furnishings.

Built in 1855, Vermilion County Museum exhibits natural history, photography, and industry displays. The balcony of the home is where Abraham Lincoln spoke when running for U.S. Senate. A herb garden is located on the grounds.

The Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge provides a resting, feeding and wintering area for waterfowl and other migratory birds. An observation overlook and interpretive nature trail are available.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site has been reconstructed to look as it would have when Abraham Lincoln was a young man in the 1830's. The reconstructed village has camping facilities, offers craft demonstrations and tours of the area where Lincoln spent six years engaged in a variety of activities.

Built in 1905 by the inventor of the mechanical pickup hay baler, Horace M. Tallman. The restored home features original furnishings and brass hardware and serves as the office and registration building for The Shelby Inn.

The Shelby County Courthouse is a Victorian-Gothic building built in 1879. Paintings of the Lincoln-Thornton debate and historically significant people are on display.

The Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center houses aquariums, reptiles, wildlife displays and some hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn more about Lake Shelbyville.

The Bicentennial Art Center & Museum is housed in the first brick structure ever built in Paris. The five galleries feature changing exhibits that highlight the work of local, regional and international artists.

The Edgar County Courthouse was built in 1893 of brick and stone. Inside features four paneled oil paintings as well as restored marble and woodwork.

The Edgar County Historical Museumis housed in a Victorian home, furnished with turn-of-the-century style displays that offer insight into local history.