Springfield, IL Tourist Attractions

Oak Ridge Cemetery is the the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife and three of their children. The The interior of the memorial was constructed of marble and features a rotunda, and a burial room.

The Dana-Thomas House was built in 1902 and was one of Frank Lloyd Wright's first major Prairie-style houses. It has over 250 examples of art glass doors and windows.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the site of the two-story home, the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned. Abraham and Mary Lincoln lived here from 1844 until Mr. Lincoln's election to the Presidency in 1861.

Edwards Place is the oldest home in Springfield on its original foundation; it has been wonderfully preserved and was once a center for social activity in Springfield. Benjamin and Helen Edwards entertained, from 1843 to 1909, at lavish dinner parties and the grounds played host to many summer picnics and political rallies with prominent citizens and politicians such as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in attendance.A guided tour through Edwards Place features the formal receiving parlor, music room, family dining room and the second-floor bedrooms. The home is furnished with examples of Victorian furniture, including many pieces that belonged to the Edwards Family. Also on display is the authentic "Lincoln Courting Couch" from the parlor of the Ninian Edwards home where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married.

Knight's Action Park is a Family Park that goes back to the 1930's and moved to it's present location in 1976. Knight's Action Park - a family entertainment center including 2 -18 hole miniature golf courses, batting cages, golf driving range, go kart track, kiddie rides and new for 2003; a 1930's vintage cable drive ferris wheel standing nearly 60 feet tall.; Caribbean Water Adventure is a full fledged water park including water slides, childrens play and slide areas, action river, activity pools, bumper boats, pedal boats and wave pool; Route 66 Drive In Theatre is a reopened drive in showing double features nightly during the season.

Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices is housed in a building completed in 1841. It is said to be the only surviving structure that Abraham Lincoln worked in. He practiced law on the third floor from 1843-52. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office has been restored and is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.Visitors will enjoy an educational video and then a guided tour of the historic rooms.

The Illinois State Museum in Springfield was founded in 1877 as a natural history museum. Three floors of exhibits about art, anthropology and natural history are featured. A Place for Discovery is a hands-on children's gallery. Other displays include fine and decorative arts that cover 3 centuries of Illinois life.

The Lincoln Depot, originally known as the Great Western Railroad Depot is the location where Lincoln made is farewell speech before leaving to begin his presidency. The Depot has exhibits and a video highlighting Lincoln's ride to his inauguration.

Lincoln's Tomb State Historic Site is a 117-foot tall granite tomb containing the bodies of President Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of his four sons -- Edward, William and Thomas (Tad). The tomb was built to allow for other members of the Lincoln family to be buried there, but they chose not to use them.

Antique telephones and other memorabilia are on display at the Oliver P. Parks Telephone Museum. Exhibits include wooden wall phones, candlestick models, early coin phones and a switchboard. The museum began with the collection of Oliver Parks, a longtime employee of Bell Telephone Company.

The first legislative session was held in this "new" state capitol in 1877. The growth of the state had increased the need for more file, storage, and office space than the "old" one allowed. The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield is one of the tallest buildings in central Illinois.

The First Presbyterian Church, originally called The Sangamo Presbyterian Church, began in 1828 in the home of one of the early settlers. It contains the pew used by the Lincoln family from 1852-61.

Henson Robinson Zoo houses over 300 animals from 6 continents including rare and endangered species, penguins, reptiles, monkeys and otters are featured. Ninety species of native and exotic animals live in natural habitats.

The Museum of Funeral Customs has a collection of historical items such as a 1920s embalming room, caskets and coffins, mourning clothing, and rare books on embalming that date back to the 16th century.

The Old State Capitol was the center of Illinois government from 1839 to 1876. Abraham Lincoln served here as a state legislator, pleaded cases before the Supreme Court, and delivered his famous "House Divided" speech.

The Executive Mansion in Springfield is the home of the Illinois Governor. Visitors can tour the ballroom, several formal parlors, and the Lincoln bedroom.

Lake Springfield is a man-made lake with 57 miles of shoreline. Boating, fishing, swimming and a children's zoo are available at the recreation area.

The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Springfield is a 12 story tower that allows visitors to visit three observation decks to observe the 67 imported bells.