Springfield travel guide

About Springfield

Springfield is the capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County. Its population was 114,394 at the 2020 United States census, making it the state's seventh-most populous city, the second-most populous outside of the Chicago metropolitan area and the most populous in Central Illinois. Approximately 208,000 residents live in the Springfield metropolitan area which consists of all of Sangamon and Menard counties.

Places to visit in Springfield

1. 

   Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

   Museum

   This engaging museum uses detailed recreations, theater shows and original artifacts to tell the story of Lincoln's life from his frontier youth to his presidency and assassination.

2. 

   Lincoln Home National Historic Site

   Historic

   Ranger-led tours visit the only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned, set within a preserved four-block neighborhood of nineteenth-century homes, gravel streets and wooden sidewalks that you can explore freely.

3. 

   Lincoln Tomb

   Historic · 2 mi from centre

   The granite monument at Oak Ridge Cemetery is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln and his family; visitors traditionally rub the nose of the bronze Lincoln bust at the entrance.

4. 

   Illinois State Capitol

   Landmark

   A grand domed capitol building offering free tours that take in the ornate rotunda, the legislative chambers and statues of prominent figures in Illinois history, including Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

5. Old State Capitol

   Historic

   The reconstructed Greek Revival capitol downtown is where Lincoln delivered his House Divided speech, and its restored chambers reflect the era when he served as a legislator.

6. 

   Dana-Thomas House

   Historic

   A Prairie School house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, notable for its extensive original art glass windows, light fixtures and custom furniture, shown on guided tours.

7. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices

   Historic

   The building where Lincoln practiced law with partner William Herndon, across from the Old State Capitol, offering insight into his legal career before the presidency.

Where to stay in Springfield

Popular hotels in Springfield, out of 71 properties you can book.

University Plaza and Convention Center

• Springfield

From $116 per night

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven

• Springfield

From $90 per night

Hampton Inn & Suites Springfield, MO

• Springfield

From $134 per night

Hampton Inn Springfield Southeast

• Springfield

From $133 per night

Best Western Coach House

• Springfield

From $93 per night

Courtyard By Marriott Springfield Airport

• Springfield

From $173 per night

Hampton Inn Springfield-South

• Springfield

From $112 per night

Homewood Suites By Hilton Springfield Medical Dist

• Springfield

From $161 per night

OASIS & CONV. CENTER, An Ascend Collection Member

• Springfield

From $109 per night

Tru By Hilton Springfield Medical Mile, MO

• Springfield

From $117 per night

La Quinta Inn & Suites Springfield Airport Plaza

• Springfield

From $120 per night

Doubletree by Hilton Springfield

• Springfield

From $164 per night

Best time to visit Springfield

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Springfield is September, when average daytime highs are around 79°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Springfield weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 74° 43° 2%
• Thu 22 Oct 77° 55° 0%
• Fri 23 Oct 77° 55° 0%
• Sat 24 Oct 78° 56° 0%
• Sun 25 Oct 79° 59° 1%
• Mon 26 Oct 74° 51° 4%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/ChicagoUTC−5

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Springfield

These are the airports closest to central Springfield. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• SPI Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport4 mi (6 km) from the city centre

Getting around Springfield

.mw-parser-output .listing-directions{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output .listing-phone-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-tollfree-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-metadata{font-size:0.8em}.mw-parser-output .listing-lastedit{color:rgb(150,150,150)}.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external,.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:visited{color:var(--color-base,#252525)}.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:hover,.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:focus{color:var(--color-base--hover,#0…

Springfield travel FAQ