 Internationally
famous as Mr. Lincoln's hometown, Springfield, Illinois is the location
of the only home the 16th President ever owned. I'm confident you'll be
equally happy to call Springfield, Illinois your home as well.
Additional Lincoln sites include New Salem, the restored log cabin
village where Lincoln lived and worked as a young man; the Lincoln-Herndon
Law Office; the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln gave his famous "House
Divided" speech; the train depot, from which Lincoln departed to
assume the duties of President of the United States; and the Lincoln Tomb,
where the President and family are laid to rest.
The new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opened in early 2005
to worldwide acclaim. This state-of-the-art facility is devoted to telling
the story of the 16th President of the United States, and has attracted over
a million visitors from around the world.
In Springfield, you'll find our history is just the beginning. As the
seat of Illinois government, Springfield is home to the architecturally
significant State Capitol, the State Supreme Court, and the State Library.
Fine art, anthropology, and natural history come to life at the Illinois
State Museum.
 For
outdoor enthusiasts, Springfield, Illinois is home to acres of parks, offering
a variety of activities ranging from swimming to ice skating. Lake Springfield,
with
it's miles of shoreline offers fishing and boating opportunities. Near the
lake you'll find both the Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center and the Henson
Robinson Zoo.
Shopping abounds throughout the city, from the quaint shops lining the
streets of downtown Springfield, to White Oaks Mall, which offers more
than 115 specialty stores and restaurants, including Abercrombie & Fitch,
Bath & Body Works, Eddie Bauer, Gap, GapKids, Gymboree, Hollister
Co. and Ruby Tuesday. Antique hunters are sure to find treasures at the
many shops that dot the area.
 The arts are represented by performances of the renowned Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Ballet Company, both of which perform at Sangamon Auditorium on the University of Illinois at Springfield campus. The 2,000 seat auditorium also hosts a variety of concerts and performances as well as national touring companies of Broadway productions.
Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy performances at the Springfield Theatre Centre, as well as spending summer evenings under the stars at The Muni. One of the largest community theatre organizations in the country, the Muni presents four lavish Broadway musicals each summer.
 The
arts are represented by performances of the renowned Illinois Symphony Orchestra
and the Springfield Ballet Company, both of which perform at Sangamon Auditorium
on the University of Illinois at Springfield campus. The 2,000 seat auditorium
also hosts a variety of concerts and performances, as well as national touring
companies of Broadway productions.
The new Hoogland Center for the Arts in downtown Springfield, Illinois offers
performance and visual arts experiences in three theatres and the gallery
of the Prairie
Art Alliance. The Springfield Theatre Center makes it’s home at the
Center for the Arts, producing a full season of plays and musicals. A variety
of other performing groups ensure that the performing spaces are always alive
with the arts.
Audiences enjoy summer evenings under the stars at The Muni and at New Salem’s
Theatre in the Park. One of the largest community theatre organizations in
the country, the Muni presents four lavish Broadway musicals each summer
in an outdoor amphitheater near the shores of Lake Springfield. Theatre in
the Park presents a variety of offerings, both musical and theatrical, in
the intimate Kelso Hollow Theater at the New Salem Historic Site.
The visual arts are represented by frequent shows at the Springfield Art
Association at Edwards Place, where the Fine Crafts Fair signals the arrival
of autumn each September. With a showcase of pottery, glass, woodworking
and the textile arts. You won't want to miss the Old Capitol Art Fair,
held each year on the third weekend in May. This juried show attracts nearly
300 artists from across the country.
Film enthusiasts will enjoy Springfield’s 33 movie screens and the
classic film-going experience of the Route 66 Drive in.
We think you’ll agree, Springfield, Illinois has something for everyone.
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