Updated 2-12-24   Driving home from the Super Bowl today?  You might consider a stop in Springfield, Illinois – hometown of Abraham Lincoln. Just about anywhere you walk, you could be tracing his footsteps from a century ago.  Many of the places that he made famous are still here and you can visit many of them.

In Search of History

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

212 North Sixth Street; Springfield, IL 62701  –   Phone 217-558-8844

Museum is open 9:00 – 5:00 daily (except New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)

Research / Library is open 9:00 – 4:30 Monday thru Friday (except State holidays)

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More than 40,000 square feet of exhibits and movie theaters present Lincoln’s story in the most memorable ways. Photography is allowed in the central court area only.

The perfect photo op awaits as Lincoln and his family (in wax) pose for untold number of pictures.

Trace Lincoln’s history from childhood through his presidency, starting at this cabin, similar to the one where he grew up.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

This library contains a reported 12 million items, but is primarily used only for reference by scholars and historians, not for casual browsing.  Need something specific, they’ll look it up for you.

In Search of Food

For some fabulous food, try any of these tested and approved establishments.

Obed & Isaacs Microbrewery & Eatery

500 South Sixth Street; Springfield, IL 62701   Phone 217-670-0627

A wide selection of hand-crafted beers and ales compliment the nice selection of food available.  Their specialty is the Horseshoe – and open faced sandwich of thick sliced texas toast with a choice of meat, smothered with their “secret sauce” and then topped with crispy French fries.  I enjoyed the Corned Beef version.

Maldaner’s Restaurant

222 South Sixth Street; Springfield, IL 62701      Phone  217-522-4318

Oldest continuously operating restaurant in town.  I opted for and loved the  Pistachio crusted Wild Salmon with an Asian glaze, served over a medley of Shiitake mushrooms, red onion and asparagus served with mashed potatoes.