From the world's first drive-up diner to the old Capitol building where Abraham Lincoln served the people, the attractions of Springfield and central Illinois will delight families.
Springfield, the capital of Illinois, is commonly referred to as the “Land of Lincoln,” due to its ties to the life of one of our most favorite presidents. However, Abraham Lincoln was not born in Springfield. He arrived in nearby New Salem as a 21-year-old, and moved to Springfield in 1837, where he became a lawyer and politician, eventually departing when he was elected president in 1860. As much as he left his mark on this city, he also had such a profound connection to Springfield that before he boarded the train that brought him to Washington, DC, he said:
“My friends – No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born and one is buried…To His care I am commending you.”
Lincoln’s Time in Illinois
With more than a million annual visitors to Springfield to see the variety of Abraham Lincoln sites, you may start your exploration in Lincoln’s New Salem, located 20 miles northwest of Springfield. This is the town that welcomed the young Abraham Lincoln in 1831 from his boyhood in Indiana, and sent him off to Springfield as an attorney just six years later. It was in New Salem that Lincoln clerked in a store, enlisted in the Black Hawk War, served as postmaster and deputy surveyor, failed in business, and, in 1834, was elected to the Illinois legislature. Today this recreated village has 23 authentically reproduced buildings, including Rutledge Tavern, Miller’s Blacksmith Shop, the village school, and log homes.
In the city of Springfield, the Lincoln Home (217/492-4241) which is the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, is located in the four-block historic neighborhood. In the spring of 1844, Mr. Lincoln and his wife purchased it for $1,200 cash and the 1½ story house was enlarged in 1856 to accommodate their growing family. Three of Lincoln’s four sons were born and one died in this house. The home today contains furnishing appropriate to the period when occupied by the Lincolns, including some pieces original to the Lincoln family.
The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are the only remaining offices where Abraham Lincoln practiced law from 1843 until 1852, and this building also housed the only Federal Court in Illinois between 1840 and 1855. Today visitors can see a restoration of these facilities and can view a multi-media presentation describing some of cases tried by Abraham Lincoln here.
The Old State Capitol, built in 1837, is considered a perfect example of Greek revival architecture, as well as one of the most historic buildings west of the Allegheny Mountains. The rooms are furnished in the period of 1840 to 1860, with many objects relating to famous people who frequented the building, such as Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant. It was here on June 6, 1858, that Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided Speech.” After President Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, his body lay in state in the House of Representatives.
Abraham Lincoln bade farewell to Springfield and boarded a train to Washington, DC from the historic Lincoln Depot on February 11, 1861. His famous parting words, quoted above, are said to match the eloquence of the Gettysburg Address. The depot offers re-created waiting rooms, historic photographs and a lively slide show depicting Mr. Lincoln’s 12-day train journey to his inauguration. Spiced with political cartoons and editorial jabs at the newly elected president, it realistically portrays the turmoil facing the new leader of a country on the brink of civil war.
Abraham Lincoln never returned to Springfield until after his assassination. He was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery on May 4, 1865. The Lincoln Tomb was later built with public contributions at a cost of $18,000 and dedicated in 1874. Mrs. Lincoln and three of their four sons are also buried in the tomb, which, with its dressed granite exterior rising 116 feet, is located in a 320-acre historic cemetery. Every Tuesday evening from June through August, the 114th Reactivated Civil War Infantry Unit performs a flag retreat ceremony, presenting the flag to an audience member.
Lincoln Presidential Library
Allow a day to visit the jewel among Springfield’s fascinating sites, the five-year-old Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum (800/610-2094). Since its dedication on April 19, 2005 it has welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors. The $115 million multimedia facility houses the world’s largest collection of Lincoln documents and artifacts including handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address.
In recent years, it has expanded its educational mission and designs wonderful traveling exhibits about the former president and his work.
The library’s Central Plaza is interspersed with realistically designed “models” of the Lincoln family and others in his life, such as Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass and General Ulysses S. Grant. John Wilkes Booth stands to the side as if intently watching Lincoln’s back. Recreations of many of the significant places and events in Lincoln’s life include his Indiana boyhood cabin, a replica of Lincoln’s theater box at the Ford Theater in Washington DC, and a Lincoln-Douglas debate scene.
There is so much more to see that you’ll have to pace yourselves; take breaks at the cafe and schedule the museum’s films at intervals to get everyone off their feet.
The electronic “Civil War in Four Minutes” map has a casualty counter and battle lines that continuously move to illustrate the changing progress of the war.
Two other theme-park-like theaters help visitors, especially children, relate to historical events. One features the chaotic times and events of the mid-1800s brought to life by cannon reverberations, rumbling seats, surround sound and changing wall screens depicting Civil War battlegrounds. “Ghosts of the Library” demonstrates the pleasure of reading and conducting library research through a blend of live action and holographic 3D images.
Elsewhere in the museum is Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic, a children’s space that includes period toys and activities to encourage young imaginations.
Springfield has the World’s First Drive-Up Diner & More
Located midway between Chicago and St. Louis, Springfield is in the heart of Illinois’ historic U.S. Route 66. Here you can explore several sites and attractions related to the “Mother Road.” Don’t miss Bill Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum where you can meet Bill, who has spent over 50 years working and living along Route 66. Here, you can sit inside an old Chevy and check out restored gas pumps, old cash registers and other memorabilia.
When you get hungry, you’ll find such specialties as the Cozy Dog (hotdog on a stick) and the Horseshoe (a sandwich made with French fries) at spots along Route 66 – plan to stop at the Maid-Rite, the world’s first drive-up window restaurant whose menu is the same as when it opened in 1924.
Architecture buffs will enjoy another famous site in Springfield, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House, one of the best preserved and most complete of Wright’s early “Prairie” houses. It was constructed in 1902-1904 for Springfield socialite and female activist Susan Lawrence Dana and contains more than 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture, as well as 250 examples of art glass doors and windows, and approximately 200 original art-glass light fixtures. The dining room, which can seat 40, and the studio/gallery/ballroom are two of the most-photographed spaces in the history of American architecture.
For family fun, head to Knight’s Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure, a great place with enough land & water activities to fill up an entire day. For other fun family activities around Springfield and throughout Illinois, check out the new Illinois Tourism site for kids.
Details, Details
From mid June to mid August, the historic downtown area of Springfield hosts free events, performances and tours by costumed interpreters to help families and children appreciate just how rich the local history is.
New Salem, Lincoln’s first Illinois home, is just 20 miles away from Springfield and also has many special-for-families activities. Seasonal festivals in the village of New Salem celebrate pioneer life mid-1800’s style, and the town’s Theatre in the Park puts on plays with historical themes all summer.
Throughout central Illinois there are many other sites for those interested in an Abraham Lincoln pilgrimage. Visit Looking for Lincoln Heritage Project for a variety of tours of varying lengths with Springfield as the hub.
Springfield is a 3-hour drive south of Chicago. Whether you’re on a road trip or able to spend a few days, Springfield offers more than three dozen hotels and motels ranging from limited-service economy to full-service luxury, including all of the major chains.
Check out Visit Springfield Illinois for a complete listing of hotel options by clicking on “Visitor Information,” then “Accommodations;” also check out the section of “specials.” The site also hosts a Spanish and German language version for foreign visitors who are interested in learning more about America’s hero. Also see, Top Hotels in Springfield.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.