Illinois - Central around Springfield Attractions
Central Illinois is home to many in the Amish community.
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Arthur, Illinois
Arthur is at the center of the Amish community. It is home to the fourth largest Amish settlement in the United States.
Bement - Bryant Cottage State Historic Site, Illinois
Built in 1856, this four-room cottage was owned by Bement businessman Francis Bryant. The home is furnished in period furniture. Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln met at the Bryant home to plan their 1858 debates.
Hours
March 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 1 to September 6
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 7 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Butler, Illinois
Butler is located along the old Springfield Road, which is now Highway 127, it was a busy crossroad in the early 1800s.
Carlinville - Macoupin County Courthouse, Illinois
Macoupin County erected its first courthouse in 1820 - a log building. As the need grew, so did the building and in 1870 it was officially completed at a cost of over 1 million dollars.
Charleston, Illinois
Charleston is associated with Abraham Lincoln and the fourth Lincoln-Douglas debate. The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site and Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum are a few of the historic sites.
Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
United States
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
United States
Phone 1 (217) 348-0430
Fax 1 (217) 345-7042
Chatham - Chatham Railroad Museum, Illinois
The Chatham Railroad Museum is housed in the depot built in 1902 and closed in 1972. When it first opened the station serviced 12 passenger trains per day as well as Western Union Telegraph and United States Express services. The station has been restored and houses area railroad history.
Clinton, Illinois
A life-size statue of Abraham Lincoln marks the site on Clinton's city square where Lincoln gave his memorable speech while campaigning against Stephen Douglas.
Clinton Chamber of Commerce
100 South Center Street, Suite 101
Clinton, IL 61727
United States
100 South Center Street, Suite 101
Clinton, IL 61727
United States
Phone 1 (217) 935-3364
Fax 1 (217) 935-0064
Clinton - C.H. Moore Homestead
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.
C.H. Moore Homestead
219 East Woodlawn Street
Clinton, IL 61727
United States
219 East Woodlawn Street
Clinton, IL 61727
United States
Phone 1 (217) 935-6066
Fax 1 (217) 935-0553
Hours
April 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Coffeen - Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Illinois
Coffeen Lake boasts 22 species of fish but most anglers seek largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish and striped bass. Boat ramps, bank fishing and picnic areas are available.
Danville, Illinois
Danville was the former site of a Painkeshaw Indian village. The town was named for the first settler Dan Beckwith.
Danville Area Convention & Visitors' Bureau
100 West Main Street, #146
Danville, IL 61832
United States
100 West Main Street, #146
Danville, IL 61832
United States
Phone 1 (217) 442-2096
Fax 1 (217) 442-2137
Danville - Vermilion County Museum
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.
Vermilion County Museum
116 North Gilbert Street
Danville, IL 61832-8506
United States
116 North Gilbert Street
Danville, IL 61832-8506
United States
Phone 1 (217) 442-2922
Fax 1 (217) 442-2001
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Havana, Illinois
Havana is a steamboat and fishing town, located at the meeting point of the Spoon and Illinois rivers.
Havana - Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
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.
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
19031 East County Road 2110 North
Havana, IL 62644
United States
19031 East County Road 2110 North
Havana, IL 62644
United States
Phone 1 (309) 535-2290
Fax 1 (309) 535-3023
Heyworth - Simpkins War Museum, Illinois
Gary Simpkins began a collection of Civil War artifacts when he was 12 years old. Permanent displays include Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. Items on display feature over 300 uniforms, more than 50 rifles, fighting knives, swords, bayonets, body armor and medals.
Hours
October 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Hutsonville - Hutson Memorial Village, Illinois
Each cabin in the village portrays a certain function of life in the 1800's at Hutson Memorial Village. Within each cabin visitors can view a wide variety of Hutsonville memorabilia, tools, clothing, photographs and as well as a collection of workday necessities.
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville was founded in 1825 and became the home of Illinois College. Stephen A Douglas practiced law in this town and Abraham Lincoln visited often during the 1850s to give speeches.
Jacksonville Convention & Visitors Bureau
155 West Morton Avenue
Jacksonville, IL 62650
United States
155 West Morton Avenue
Jacksonville, IL 62650
United States
Phone 1 (217) 245-2174
Fax 1 (217) 245-0661
Le Roy - J.T. and E.J. Crumbaugh Museum, Illinois
The major feature of J.T. and E.J. Crumbaugh Museum is an 1890s child's room, it has an 1895 iron child bed, children's toys, baby bath tub and quilts. Another feature is communications which features an old radio, typewriter, morse code key and newspaper memorabilia.
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Lerna - Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, Illinois
A reconstructed log cabin and living history farm are part of the 86 acre Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site that provide a glimpse of life for Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln. Both rooms of the Lincoln Log Cabin are furnished with items and artifacts of the 1840s.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
402 South Lincoln Highway, Box 172A
Lerna, IL 62440-9757
United States
402 South Lincoln Highway, Box 172A
Lerna, IL 62440-9757
United States
Phone 1 (217) 345-1845
Fax 1 (217) 345-6472
Hours
April 1 to May 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
May 30 to September 6
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 7 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Mahomet - Early American Museum and Botanical Gardens, Illinois
The Early American Museum in Mahomet houses thousands of artifacts that offer a view of early 20th century farm and home life. The Discovery Room allows children to experience hands-on activities such as using a blacksmith's tool, camping in a Civil War tent or operating a telegraph.
Hours
March 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Mount Pulaski - Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site
From 1848 to 1855 the Mount Pulaski Courthouse served as the second Logan County courthouse. Abraham Lincoln argued cases in this courthouse. The courthouse served as a city hall, school, and post office until it was restored and furnished to its original 1850's appearance.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Moweaqua - Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum, Illinois
The Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum is a memorial to the 54 coal miners killed in a mining disaster in 1932. Photos, mining tools, newspaper accounts of the accident and memorabilia are on display.
Hours
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
September 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Normal - Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois
The Children's Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits that include shopping in the market, exploring a compost pile, and climbing a two-story climber.
Hours
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Oakland, Illinois
Oakland, formerly known as Independence, is home to many historical sites. Dr. Hiram Rutherford's home and office have been maintained and are open for tours. Dr Rutherford was best known for his involvement in the 1847 Matson slave trial.
Oakland - Museum of Christian Heritage
This former church features historical, Christian art and memorabilia from local churches.
Petersburg, Illinois
Petersburg was made the seat of Menard County in 1839. Many of the Victorian-era homes are still standing today on the bluffs of Petersburg.
Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
125 South 7th Street, Box 452
Petersburg, IL 62675
United States
125 South 7th Street, Box 452
Petersburg, IL 62675
United States
Phone 1 (217) 632-7363
Fax 1 (217) 632-7363
Petersburg - Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site
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.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
15588 History Lane
Petersburg, IL 62675-0244
United States
15588 History Lane
Petersburg, IL 62675-0244
United States
Phone 1 (217) 632-4000
Fax 1 (217) 632-4010
Hours
March 1 to April 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
April 16 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 16 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Pontiac - Yost House Museum, Illinois
Z.F. Yost, an attorney, built this Queen Anne style home in 1898. Yost House Museum contains nearly all of the Yost family possessions dating back to the 1850's. Catherine Yost studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and traveled and painted in both Europe and the U.S.; most of her original artwork is on display in the Yost House.
Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul is a village that was named after Robert Rantoul, director of the Illinois Central Railroad. Rantoul was the site of Chanute Field and saw thousands of Airmen stationed there until 1993.
Rantoul - Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
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.
Hours
August 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
November 1 to December 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Rantoul - Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
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.
All values are in United States Dollars
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
Box 949
Rantoul, IL 61866-0949
United States
Box 949
Rantoul, IL 61866-0949
United States
Phone 1 (217) 893-1613
Fax 1 (217) 892-5774
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 8.00 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 5.00 |
| Child 3 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Robinson, Illinois
Robinson is home to the Heath Candy Company. It has many historic homes, and many historical markers throughout the county.
Tuscola, Illinois
Tuscola has a historical downtown featuring 19th century buildings. Some of the interesting sites in Tuscola include several Sears Roebuck catalog homes, the Douglas County Courthouse,Tuscola Library and Ervin Park.
Urbana, Illinois
Urbana and Champaign are separated by a single street. The campus of the University of Illinois is shared with the majority in Urbana's limits.
Spurlock Museum
(University of Illinois)
The Spurlock Museum's collections encompass six continents and one million years of history. The museum's five feature galleries contain displays such as European suits of armor, a Balinese barong ket, a human mummy from ancient Egypt, and one of the world's most complete casts of the Parthenon frieze. The museum's Campbell Gallery holds changing exhibits that highlight additional objects from the museum's permanent collections or displays brought in from other cultural institutions. Performances and lectures are held regularly in the Knight Auditorium, and family and children's programs are featured in the Zahn Learning Center.
Spurlock Museum
600 South Gregory Street
Urbana, IL 61801
United States
600 South Gregory Street
Urbana, IL 61801
United States
Phone 1 (217) 333-2360
Fax 1 (217) 244-9419
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 12:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
University of Illinois
(Central around Springfield)
Chartered in 1867 as the Illinois Industrial University, the campus features Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium.
Watseka - Old Courthouse Museum, Illinois
The Old Courthouse Museum in Watseka is housed in the Iroquois County Courthouse, constructed in 1866. Local historical items are on display in recreated period settings such as a Victorian parlor, back porch, general store, one-room schoolhouse and county jail.
