10 Things To Do in Springfield, Illinois
Looking to get out and about in Springfield? You're in luck! The fun is never done in this Illinois city.
Truth be told: there is always a lot going on in Springfield, Illinois.
If you’re a history buff, there are dozens of historical sites — many related to our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln — to explore in Illinois’ capital city. If you love the performing arts, you can catch top-notch concerts, performances and plays all year long. And if you crave more time in nature, you’ll find trails, golf courses and fishing holes throughout the greater Sangamon County region, home to some 200,000 residents.
From fried brownies at the Illinois State Fair to serene hiking and biking trails, here are ten things to do in Springfield, Illinois.
In This Article
1. Visit Abraham Lincoln historic sites.
No visit to Springfield would be complete without a stop at the various historic sites linked to President Abraham Lincoln — this is the capital of the “Land of Lincoln,” after all. Start with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, two spots that tell the story of Lincoln’s life and legacy. You can also see where Lincoln lived and worked by visiting the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site. The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is where Lincoln was laid to rest, along with his wife Mary and three of their four sons.
2. Hit the links.
Springfield is the ideal place to perfect your golf swing since the Sangamon County area is home to four beautiful public golf courses and a handful of expertly manicured private courses. And even the golf courses here come with a side of history. For example: Pasfield Golf Course, a 9-hole public course, has been around since 1898 — that’s more than 120 years of golf!
3. Check out the Illinois State Fair.
Love quirky snacks like fried brownies, Dole Whip tacos or a bacon shrimp macaroni and cheese cone? You’ll find these types of creative foods and more at the Illinois State Fair, held every August in Springfield. In addition to yummy fair foods, you can check out carnival rides, concerts, horse racing and tons of other fun activities and events. Be sure to stop by and see the “Butter Cow,” an Illinois State Fair tradition since the 1920s that’s sculpted from 500 pounds of butter. Can’t get enough fair time? Earlier in the summer, you can attend the Sangamon County Fair held in June.
4. Play in the water at Lake Springfield.
Whether you love the thrill of waterskiing or you enjoy taking it easy on the beach, Lake Springfield offers a little something for everyone. You can rent a boat, go fishing (there are 15 sportfishing species here), take a swim or just relax and take in the scenery at the eight public parks. You’ll also find a volleyball court, softball diamonds, horseshoe pits, and more to get your heart racing. Plus, you could really spend an entire day here since the Lake Springfield area is also home to the Henson Robinson Zoo, the Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, the Muni Opera outdoor theater and the Lincoln Greens golf course.
5. View (or make!) art.
Enrich your senses by visiting one of Springfield’s many art galleries, including the M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, the James S. Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College, the SAA Collective and the Visual Arts Gallery at the University of Illinois Springfield. There’s even an art library in Springfield where you can study and practice everything from jewelry-making to ceramics. Plus, the library hosts Art History Happy Hour, where you can sip on a glass of wine while learning more about an art history topic.
6. Act like a kid again.
If you’ve got little ones in tow or you just want to act like a kid again, Springfield’s got you covered. One of our favorite spots? The Kidzeum of Health & Science, where children of all ages and abilities can learn about the human body, the environment and their community through interactive exhibits and play. Knights Action Park is also fun for the whole family with its giant wave pool, eight epic water slides, driving range, batting cages, go-karts and rides.
7. Explore the Mother Road, aka Route 66.
Since the original Route 66 ran through Springfield, you can visit tons of historic Route 66 hotels, restaurants and other landmarks here today. One tasty spot is the Cozy Dog Drive-In, which has been serving up delicious deep-fried corn dogs since 1949. Snap a photo in front of the former Mahan’s Filling Station, then see a movie at the Route 66 Drive-In Theater. The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival is also held here every year, featuring classic cars, a pin-up contest and more.
8. Sip on some Springfield craft beer, spirits and wine.
Take a break and unwind with a glass of wine, a cocktail or a flight of beer at the many breweries, wineries and distilleries that call Springfield and the Sangamon County area home. Danenberger Family Vineyards, located on a farm established in the mid-1800s, is a great place to experience the county’s agricultural roots while drinking wine and listening to live music. If you can’t decide what to drink, pay a visit to Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, where you can try craft coffee, beer and spirits.
9. See a show.
You don’t have to visit New York, Chicago or Los Angeles for world-class arts, culture and entertainment. In Springfield, you can attend everything from ballet performances to plays to symphony orchestra concerts, thanks to a thriving fine arts scene. Catch a show put on by the Springfield Theatre Centre, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Ballet Company, the Springfield International Folk Dancers, the Springfield Municipal Opera and many other community groups.
10. Take in some fresh air.
Outdoor recreation options abound in the Sangamon County area, where you can play disc golf one day and go hunting the next. The Springfield Park District manages an impressive trail system perfect for running, walking, cycling, rollerblading and cross-country skiing, as well as 35 parks spanning 2,300 acres. The nearby Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sangchris Lake State Park offer hiking trails, horseback riding, archery, camping, fishing and more.
This article was sponsored by the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance.