Getting to see Springfield, IL on the free isn’t hard to do because there are so many free options for tourists and families to take advantage of year round. There are so many interesting places to stop in Springfield and while Lincoln is the main draw, there is a lot of additional history and town to see. Because a lot of the sites that are in Springfield are part of the state park system, a lot of it is free to guests to enjoy.
Learn about some of the free sites to see in Springfield so that you can quickly plan your next trip on the best type of budget.
See Springfield, IL for Free
Illinois Governor Executive Mansion
The Executive Mansion of Illinois is where each governor is allowed to live and call home for their term. This historic building has received seven U.S. Presidents, including Lincoln, and even has a Lincoln Bedroom, just like the White House. You can take a public tour of the home during visiting hours, but only those rooms that are used for official state business and receiving are included in the tour.
For Days and Hours Visit: http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/Things-To-Do/Attractions/Details.aspx?id=48
Washington Park Botanical Gardens
If you enjoy public garden spaces, the Washington Park Botanical Garden offers a conservatory and surrounding garden space over 20 acres, and showcasing 1800 species of plants. You can travel the world through the gardens as there are several exotic plants in place specific garden beds.
http://www.springfieldparks.org/facilities/botanicalGardens/
Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center
The relatively new Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center melds nature and Lincoln on a quote marked wooded trail for guests to enjoy. The Garden follows the shore of Lake Springfield so its a great place to get outdoors with the family, enjoy a seasonal festival or just explore nature.
http://www.lincolnmemorialgarden.org/
Lincoln’s Tomb and Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Oak Ridge Cemetery is home to Lincoln’s Tomb and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, two very impressive sites. The Tomb holds the remains of the President, and his wife and three sons. The Veteran’s Memorial pays tribute to the thousands of Illinois residents that died or went missing during the war.
Lincoln’s New Salem
If you like to explore living history destinations, New Salem is a village where characters and daily life are frozen in time. New Salem is meant to resemble the place where Abraham Lincoln grew up, every house, business and site is engaging for families, children and history enthusiasts.
http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/
Illinois State Capitol and Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol is a historic site that takes donations for the tours that are given, it is actually a reconstruction of the actual building that stood there and was the first capitol building in Springfield. To see where the current state government action happens, head to the Illinois State Capitol, where legislative work has been done since 1877. You can watch politics taking place live from the seating area when legislature is in session, check the website for session days and times.
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/
Lincoln’s Home National Historic Site
Lincoln’s home in Springfield is protected and has been declared a National Historic Site. The house holds many of the things Lincoln and his family used and lived with because the house passed straight into the hands of history keepers soon after Lincoln’s death. Tours are given, and it is worth exploring the entire historic district that surrounds the home.
http://www.nps.gov/liho/index.htm
Do you have some other great ideas for Springfield, IL for Free?? Please leave a message in the comments and I will get it added to the list!
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