Only one day in Springfield: what to see? (Peoria, Lincoln: 2009, house)

[Franceclaire]

Hello,
With my family (2 children: 5 and 3) we will be in springfield IL for only 1 day: what to see or do?
Thanks

[doll lady]

Springfield is definitely the city to visit if you want to see a lot of Abe Lincoln things.

First of all I would recommend breakfast at Charlie Parker's. It's a really neat 50's type diner on the southwest side....700 North Street. It's in an old quonset hut. You can get pancakes which are as big as a pizza....and the food is really good although I have seen some visitor reviews which say otherwise. If you're hungry for soup and sandwich later on and are downtown, I would say the Feed Store (south of the Old State Capitol) Their soup is wonderful.

Photos For Charlie Parkers Inc | Yelp


These are the things I would recommend:

1. Abe Lincoln's Presidential Library and Museum - downtown at 6th and Jefferson (this is fabulous but does cost)
2. Old State Capitol - in the square between 5th and 6th on the east/west and Adams and Washington on the north/south. (Lincoln delivered his house divided speech and Barack Obama announced his candidacy and his VP's choice here)
3. Lincoln's home and the surrounding area.....8th street off Capitol but go to the visitors center on
7th street south of Capitol. Free.
4. Oak Ridge Cemetary. This is where Lincoln is buried. You can view his orginal burial spot in the side of a hill as well as the shrine where he and is family rests. A statute out front offers you a rub of his nose which supposedly is good luck. This is north of North Grand on Monument (between 1st and 2nd street).
5. Dana Thomas House.....this is a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright rennovated house. It is quite beautiful and especially at Christmas.
6. Trolley Tour of Springfield - Uptown on East Monroe

Here are some other things to do in Springfield, which are here but not a must.
Bill Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum - 2075 Peoria Road
Original Cozy Dog Cafe.....South Sixth (On the old Route 66 Mother Road)
Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices .... across from the Old State Capitol.
Knight's Action Park.....waterslide, minature golf, and more South of I-72.
Executive Mansion....the governor's residence. It didn't get much use until recently the new governor supposedly stays there a few nights.
Washington Park Botanical Gardens and Thomas Rees Carillon (take bread to feed the ducks)
Illinois Korean War Monument
Henson Robinson Zoo
Lincoln Memorial Garden
White Oaks Mall
Riverside Stables for Horse Riding
August 14 - 23 the State Fair is at the Fairgrounds - Sangamon Ave at 8th (Main Gate)
Putt Putt Golf - On Wabash Ave.
Sangamon Antique Mall (Sangamon Ave just west of Dirksen Parkway)
Several Antique Malls and Craft Malls at Divernon Exit #82 on South I-55

If you are here at nighttime, check the schedules for Sangamon Auditorium and Hoogland Center for The Arts to see if a show of any type is available.

And if you plan to be here September 25-27, 2009, the National Route 66 Mother Road Festival is in Downtown Springfield. Thousands of classic cars to view with bands, vendors, etc.

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

And a favorite of my g-kids....go to Lake Springfield and play on the swings and feed the ducks bread, or swim at the Beach at the Lake.

And if you want more Lincoln stuff, drive to New Salem near Petersburg. This is a quaint log cabin village where Lincoln once lived. It is really a nice soothing place to walk and view old cabins and vintage life.

Happy touring. If you have questions, let me know.

[Manigault]

The Museum of Funeral Customs in Springfield?

[Franceclaire]

Thanks for your help.

[doll lady]

Yes the Funeral Customs Museum is near the cemetary but I personally think it's not worth going....but it is there and someone else might enjoy it....plus being from this area, I might be taking it for granted??!!??!! I just feel there are many more worthwhile things if you only have one day. The walk-through tour of the Lincoln Home is most impressive and so is the A. Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum.

[kmwheel]

Last time I went by the Museum of Funeral Customs, it said that it was open by appointment only. That might change during the heavy tourist season, but I can't imagine a family with a 5 and 3 year old would put that high on the list when there is so much else to see and do. I personally loved the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library, but my 6 year old was NOT thrilled (she basically ran through), and also got a bit scared in the movie/multimedia exhibits. The older kids did get something from it, but it really seems geared toward older kids and adults. There is a little room in there with Lincoln-era toys and dress up clothes that was fun for the kids.

I have only lived here a year, so I've not seen and done everything yet. Doll Lady's list is awesome...so I will be using it, too!

[Manigault]

Little kids at a museum on funeral customs? I was joking.

Lighten up, folks.

[Maintainschaos]

I would add the Illinois State Museum. It just had a recent renovation, and the place is pretty fun for kids with lots of large, hands-on exhibits, small films and theatres, and interesting, flashy exhibits. It's also free, but a donation is encouraged.

[DixieChick1972]

I would say the Abraham Lincoln Museum is a don't miss! I had the opportunity to visit that a few years back and found it to be absolutely wonderful.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by Manigault

The Museum of Funeral Customs in Springfield?

Actually, it is really cool, but now open by appointment only due to financial trouble.