Springfield Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Springfield

Springfield is the capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County. Situated in central Illinois along historic Route 66, the city rests on a flat plain near the Sangamon River, positioned directly north of Lake Springfield. It is located approximately 80 miles northeast of St. Louis and 200 miles from Chicago, serving as the largest population center in Central Illinois.

European-American fur traders first reached the area in 1818, and the initial dwelling was erected in 1820 near Town Branch creek. Originally established under the name Calhoun in 1821, the community was renamed Springfield in 1832 after nearby Spring Creek. Following lobbying by local lawmakers—including Abraham Lincoln—the city was designated as the state capital in 1839, succeeding Vandalia. Lincoln lived and practiced law in Springfield from 1837 until 1861, when he departed for the presidency. During the American Civil War, the city operated as a major staging ground for Union military forces, including training operations at nearby Camp Butler, and subsequently grew into a central rail and industrial hub.

Because of its rich presidential heritage, Springfield contains many historical landmarks associated with Lincoln. Visitors can examine the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, and the Lincoln Tomb. The Old State Capitol remains a prominent central site where Lincoln served in the legislature and where Barack Obama later announced his presidential campaign in 2007. In addition to political landmarks, the city features the Dana-Thomas House, an expansive structure designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1900s for art patron Susan Lawrence Dana. Featuring intricate art glass panels and specialized light fixtures, the house is operated as a state museum with guided tours available Wednesday through Sunday.

As the state government center, Springfield hosts major administrative institutions including the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the historic Illinois Governor's Mansion. The area is also an educational center, home to the University of Illinois Springfield campus near Lake Springfield. Set within the flat Till Plain created by historical glacial activity, the city experiences a typical middle-latitude climate featuring four distinct seasons.