Boring Springfield, Illinois (Chicago, Peoria, Champaign: insurance, crime rate, credit)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by AbqTeacher

I can sympathize, but only a little. You need to try and make an effort to find interesting places. If you're interested in social activity, there's plenty of bars and clubs. There's also a little bit of college life near UIS, but it's not a huge school so don't have your hopes too high.

I get the impression the OP isn't old enough to avail himself of bars, clubs and the college social scene...

[sendmorecops]

I've been staying in Chatham for a month after not living here for five years, the only thing that really bugs me is that the roads are REALLY bad. And driving down McArthur is depressing.

But as far as entertainment, you can find it if you look.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by sendmorecops

I've been staying in Chatham for a month after not living here for five years, the only thing that really bugs me is that the roads are REALLY bad. And driving down McArthur is depressing.

But as far as entertainment, you can find it if you look.

The roads are really bad most places in the state right now.

Ya Macarthur is a bit depressing. Arent they supposed to extend it out to I-72 in the near future? That should help it a bit.

[breer23]

Originally Posted by linicx

I am not a fan of one-way streets, but otherwise I find Springflied an okay town. I never did find the Irish bar, but I didn't spend a lot of time looking, either. .

Was it Marley's? If so, it's right downtown on 5th St., across from the OLD State Capitol.

[ILRef]

Springfield is not a bad place at all. It's actually a pretty good place to raise a family. There are several good schools in the area. It's a moderate-sized city. There is good real estate, some nice restaurants, and there are plenty of entertainment options (downtown bars, college baseball, the Muni, Lake Springfield etc...) for most people. It's not Chicago in terms of entertainment, but Springfield has a lot going for it.

[doll lady]

I live in an area just north of Springfield. There are some good things but occasionally you have to look for things to do. The Hoagland Center for the Arts is a wonderful place. And Sangamon Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield pulls in some great entertainment. As mentioned, the Muni Opera has some good shows in the summer. Lots of classic car shows. Lots of bars where motorcycle enthusiasts hang out. Lots of white collar as well as blue collar bars and a super lot of restuarants. Some of the clubs at the Lake have good fish and chicken fries and are open to the public. Watch for the Fireman's Club at Lake Springfield to have public all you can eat fish dinners for about $7.00 with huge glasses of beer for a dollar.

The town is big on kids sports. Lots of high school basketball, football, soccer, baseball, etc. The Abraham Lincoln tourist areas draw visitors from all over the world, and are some of the most visited tourist sites in the nation. The Lincoln Museum is a must.

It's no different than other middle size cities. If you are from a big city and move here or visit or go to school here, you shouldn't expect it to have offerings like a huge city.

I sometimes feel it could offer more and if I can't find something to do, I go to Peoria to the riverfront, casino, or shopping areas.

[sendmorecops]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

The roads are really bad most places in the state right now.

Ya Macarthur is a bit depressing. Arent they supposed to extend it out to I-72 in the near future? That should help it a bit.

Yeah, they are. I've been riding the Chatham to Springfield bike route and it goes right under I-72, they're doing lots of construction around it and where McArthur turns into Wabash.

[runninfiend]

I lived there for two years back in the 90's and really liked it.

Here's what I loved about the city:

Memorial Gardens
Washington Park
Dana-Thomas House
Bike Path
Barrel Head Pub
Cafe Brio
Old State Capitol
Lincoln Sites
Carpenter Park
Taste of Thai
"The Point" on Lake Springfield
Riding my bike outside of town to the to watch sunsets over the fields
Independent films at the theater on MacArthur
Suncatcher
Reckless Records
Rotation Station
N.E. Lobster House
State Museum, Library, Archives
Shows at UIS
Petersburg (the Sangamon River, Oakland cemetery, New Salem)
Knights Action Park
Vachel Lindsey House
Riding through Leland Grove neighborhoods
Fishing at Lake Springfield and Sangchris
The Rail Golf Tournament

Those are just off the top of my head.

Oh, and there just as many soybean fields as there are corn.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by sendmorecops

Yeah, they are. I've been riding the Chatham to Springfield bike route and it goes right under I-72, they're doing lots of construction around it and where McArthur turns into Wabash.

Where do you pick up this trail in Springfield? How long? Is it a trail or on road bike path? I've done the other 2 paths and am looking for a new one to check out.
Thanks.

[breer23]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Where do you pick up this trail in Springfield? How long? Is it a trail or on road bike path? I've done the other 2 paths and am looking for a new one to check out.
Thanks.

It looks like you pick up the interurban trail where the old "Wabash Curve" used to be - where MacArthur, Wabash, and now Stanford all meet - then head south.

Here is a website and accompanying map - enjoy!

Springfield Area Bicycle Map