Springfield’s biggest claim to fame is that it was home to our nations 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln and his family are buried in Springfield and there are numerous Lincoln tourist attractions in the city and surrounding area. Here’s a rundown of some interesting Lincoln sites:
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: The museum/library was opened in 2005 and is the finest of its kind in the country. At a build cost of over $35,000,000 the museum features Hollywood special effects wizardry and interactive exhibits that are sure to keep the attention of your most ADD challenged kids and adults. I would say that this is the premiere must see attraction in Springfield; your folks will be debating the reality of the “Ghost of the Library” show for days.
Lincoln’s Home: The only home Lincoln ever owned is in Springfield and is open to tours. In fact, the entire street Lincon lived on is preserved just south of downtown Springfield. Interior tours are free, but do require some forethought so be sure check out the website for information. If you do the museum tour, you might want to drop by the home as well as it’s only a few blocks away.
Lincoln’s Tomb: Lincoln and his family are buried in Springfield at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The tomb was dedicated in 1874 and is an impressive granite and marble structure capped by a 117’ obelisk sitting on a 12-acre plot.
