1 Day in Springfield, Illinois

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The Capitol of Illinois is an Abraham Lincoln Historic Site, a Route 66 Destination, and a rising metropolitan area. It’s a perfect stop for a day trip for Mid-Westerners, or a great destination for Route 66 Travelers. Whether you’re a history buff or a craft beer enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in Springfield! You can absolutely see a good portion of Springfield in a day. To save you time, I’ve created the perfect itinerary for spending 1 day in Springfield.

Wm. Van’s Coffee House

The perfect place to grab a coffee in the morning or a quick bite of breakfast, and it’s right across the street from your first “official” destination. Wm. Van’s brews up a delicious cup of coffee inside an adorable old home now converted into their storefront.

Wm. Van's Coffee - 1 day in Springfield Illinois — Wm. Van’s Coffee – a must before starting your Springfield explorations!

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

As I’m sure you already know, Springfield, Illinois is best known for it’s connection to our 16th President. So, it’s only natural, after obtaining proper coffee-fuel of course, to begin your 1 day in Springfield at the Lincoln Residence. While this home has been restored to look like it did when Lincoln lived there, there are still pieces of it that are completely unaltered. The handrails, for instance, are the same ones used by the Lincoln family. You can only visit this home with a free tour from a Park Ranger, but it is definitely worth the visit.

There are a few blocks surrounding the home that are also restored to their historic glory. The house neighboring the Lincoln’s home has been converted into a museum to show the restoration process in action, even pieces of the walls pulled back so you can see exactly what it looks like underneath, as well as photos of the homes before and after restorations.

Dana Thomas House

By now, you’ve probably realized I love touring Historic Homes. There is no better way to learn about a place than to learn more about the people who lived there. The next stop on our one-day tour of Springfield will be to the Dana Thomas House. While Dana Thomas isn’t a name that will be familiar to most, the home’s architect is. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this home and construction was completed in 1904.

If you have interest in architecture, you will immediately recognize this signature style of Frank Lloyd Wright. If you do not care at all about architecture, you’ll be able to appreciate the majesty and beautiful decor in this home. And there are a few hidden secrets throughout the home that are fun to see, like a full length bowling alley lane in the basement!

Cozy Dog Drive-In

A bit of a drive from all the other destinations, but completely worth the stop if you’re a Route 66 fanatic. This Route 66 Destination stakes claim in being the inventor of the Corn Dog, and has two adorable corn dog mascots to solidify this claim. This is a perfect spot to grab lunch before heading back into the heart of Springfield for more exploring!

Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

I’ll be honest, the first time we visited Springfield I was a bit thrown by the price of admission to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. I have only ever visited Springfield 1 day at a time, and this stop threatened to consume a large chunk of our day. Or so I thought. At the cost of $15 per ticket (at the time this was published in May of 2019), I was worried I wouldn’t get to see enough of it to be worth it.

Now that I’m on the other side, I will admit full-heartedly that I was wrong! This Museum is a must-see spot in Springfield! The building is divided into two halves, the Early Years, and the White House Years. You walk through scene after scene of Abe Lincoln’s life, all portrayed by life-size statues of him and his family. History truly comes alive here. You have to stop! If you’re worried about being short on time, don’t be! We read everything inside, and still managed to make it through the museum in about two hours.

Obed & Isaac’s

Obed & Isaac’s is the name everyone who has visited Springfield will recognize. It is a Brewery with delicious brews, and a restaurant serving up your typical bar food in a slightly more upscale setting. In addition, they have an outdoor patio area that serves up beers and a smaller food menu. They have yard games and fire pits in their yard, making this the perfect spot to spend the evening or afternoon.

If you’re looking to continue the beer crawl, check out Buzz Bomb Brewing Company or Anvil & Forge Brewing next!

Spending the Night?

If you’re staying the night in Springfield, consider checking out one of these hotels:

President Abraham Lincoln Springfield – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

Wyndham Springfield City Center

Comfort Inn & Suites – Springfield I-55

Best Western Clearlake Plaza

Papo’s Cafe

If you’re still in Springfield the next morning, grab a bite to eat at this adorable breakfast spot, most known for their ginormous cinnamon rolls! They run the gambit from quick, grab-and-go bites to a large sit down brunch. A full espresso bar or pour-your-own black coffee are just what you need to refuel before hitting the road back home.

You’ve only just scratched the surface on all there is to do in Springfield, but with this limited visit, you’ll quickly discover more places to add to your list for your next visit.