Springfield Become a Disney Travel Agent Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Most people visit the state capital (180 mi/290 km southwest of Chicago) to see sites related to Abraham Lincoln. They include his home, his law office, a museum and, in Oak Ridge Cemetery, his tomb (allow time to explore the rest of the cemetery—there are several interesting tombstones).

At twice the size of any other presidential museum, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum leads all Lincoln attractions, boasting 400,000 sq ft/37,160 sq m of high-tech exhibit space that immerses guests in the president's life, including a question-and-answer session with the president and a Whispering Gallery voicing gossip that slandered Lincoln when he first moved to Washington.

Also make time to tour both the old and the current state capitols. (If you're in the vicinity of the old capitol building around noon, have lunch at the Feed Store or order a horseshoe at Maldaner's.) Consider a stop at the Illinois State Museum to learn about the art and history of the state.

Among the vintage residences in Springfield are the Vachel Lindsay Home (the poet's home is open during the summer), the Governor's Mansion (dating to the 1850s) and the Dana-Thomas House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and considered one of his masterpieces). Though it's not a residence, the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is worth a look—it has a 12-story tower with observation decks in addition to its musical bells. The state fair is held at the fairgrounds (within the Springfield city limits) in August.

In nearby Petersburg, New Salem State Historic Site re-creates the early-1800s village of New Salem, where young Abraham Lincoln lived. It includes reconstructed homes, shops and mills staffed by costumed guides. We suggest one day for the Lincoln shrines in Springfield, two if you're visiting New Salem as well.

Overview

Introduction

In a state known for firsts, Massachusetts' third-largest city located 90 mi/145 km southwest of Boston, Springfield, claims its fair share: the first U.S. automobile, the first motorcycle, the first gas pump (which, presumably, was installed for the car and the motorcycle) and the first game of basketball (invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1892). Fittingly, the Basketball Hall of Fame is there, showcasing the history and stars of the game. You can't miss it: Just look for the 93-ft/29-m sphere at the entrance.

At the center of the historic downtown is a handsome urban square surrounded by the Greek Revival-style City Hall, Victorian-era buildings (including the Armory, where the first Springfield rifles were made) and Symphony Hall. Leave time to visit Springfield's Quadrangle, which has two excellent art museums, a historical museum and a science museum (with the country's oldest planetarium). Tucked amid the Quandrangle's serious museums is the fanciful Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, with playful bronze figures of the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch and other characters that sprang from the imagination of Theodor Geisel—author, illustrator and Springfield native son.

Springfield is the southern gateway to an area called Pioneer Valley, once a major industrial center (thanks to power provided by the Connecticut River).

Overview

Introduction

Springfield, Missouri, a medium-sized city 190 mi/305 km southwest of St. Louis, makes a convenient base for seeing southwestern Missouri and the Ozarks.

While you're in town, you may want to visit the History Museum in Springfield's old city hall. The Springfield National Cemetery contains the graves of Civil War dead from both armies, and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (10 mi/16 km southwest of Springfield) commemorates the site of an important Civil War battle in 1861. Take the self-guided auto tour, then walk to the principal battle site at Bloody Hill.

A driving tour of a different sort can be taken at Wild Animal Safari, where you can have a close-up encounter with wild animals, including buffalo, ostriches and zebras. The Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, next to the Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World, is less exotic: It focuses on the wildlife native to southeast Missouri.

You can do more riding and looking at Fantastic Caverns, where a tram tour takes you through a cave system that once served as a speakeasy and a country-music hall.