Springfield area
Around Springfield area
Photo: Éovart Caçeir (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Illinois · 304k people
Springfield area
Locals say Springfield · “Land of Lincoln”, “Capital City”
Where history and horseshoes meet
Crimson redNavy blue
Welcome to Springfield, where Lincoln's legacy meets the heart of Illinois. Whether you're here for the state fair, the history, or just good Midwestern food, you'll find a friendly community that loves its roots. Take a walk around the old capitol, grab a horseshoe, and settle in.
Clubs for Springfield area
No clubs for Springfield area yet.
The room
Springfield area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Springfield's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Springfield. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Springfield area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Extensive exhibits on Lincoln's life and legacy.
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site The only home Lincoln ever owned.
- Old State Capitol Where Lincoln argued cases and delivered his 'House Divided' speech.
- Illinois State Capitol A striking example of 19th-century architecture.
- Lake Springfield A popular spot for boating and fishing.
- Washington Park Features a botanical garden and the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon.
- Outdoors Walk the trails at Lincoln Memorial Garden
- Outdoors Fish or boat on Lake Springfield
- With kids Visit the Illinois State Museum
- With kids Tour the Lincoln Home
- Evenings See a show at the UIS Performing Arts Center
- Evenings Grab a craft beer at a downtown taproom
- Locals love Lincoln historic sites
- Locals love state fair attractions
Through the year
- Illinois State Fair August The state's biggest summer event with concerts, carnival rides, and food.
- Old Capitol Art Fair May Juried art show and craft fair in downtown Springfield.
- Illinois Marathon April Spring marathon that winds through the city and past Lincoln sites.
- Springfield Mile September Flat-track motorcycle racing at the fairgrounds.
- Sangamon County Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and local entertainment.
Springfield has a humid continental climate with hot, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is from late April to early June or September to October. Best: Spring and fall are the most pleasant, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Taylorville Small town charm with a historic square.
- Lincoln Named for Lincoln, with a Route 66 heritage.
- Jacksonville College town with a lively downtown.
- Decatur Lakefront recreation and the Scovill Zoo.
Local flavour
Teams
- Springfield Lucky Horseshoes Prospect League
- Springfield Jr. Blues NAHL
Also rooting for Chicago Cubs (MLB), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Horseshoe sandwich Open-faced sandwich with fries and cheese sauce, a Springfield original
- State fair corn dogs Iconic at the Illinois State Fair
- Cozy Dog A local hot dog on a stick, often credited as the original corn dog.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded and fried pork cutlet on a bun.
Where people go
- State fairgrounds Home of the Illinois State Fair
- Lincoln historic sites Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Tomb, and more
- Classic Midwestern diners Family-owned restaurants serving comfort food
Heritage and traditions
Springfield is proud of its deep connection to Abraham Lincoln, its role as the Illinois state capital, and its place on historic Route 66, along with classic Midwestern hospitality.
Say it like a local: “Supper” — Dinner, the evening meal.
Festivals
- Greek Festival June Celebrates Greek heritage with food, music, and dancing at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
- Springfield International Carillon Festival June Recitals and concerts on the carillon at Washington Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Dana-Thomas House A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house with original furniture, open for tours.
- Vachel Lindsay Home Birthplace of poet Vachel Lindsay, now a museum.
- Lincoln's New Salem Reconstructed village where Lincoln lived as a young man, near Petersburg.
- St. George Greek Orthodox Church A historic Greek Orthodox church that hosts the annual Greek Festival.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Churches and community groups host fish fries on Fridays during Lent, a Midwestern tradition.
- Pancake breakfasts On Shrove Tuesday, many churches and firehouses serve pancake breakfasts to mark the start of Lent.
Music and arts
- Illinois Symphony Orchestra Professional orchestra based in Springfield, performing classical and pops concerts.
- Springfield Muni Opera Outdoor summer theater presenting musicals in Washington Park.
- Springfield Art Association Promotes visual arts with exhibitions and classes.
- Vachel Lindsay's poetry Literary heritage of the poet who celebrated the Midwest.
A little history
- 1837 Springfield becomes the state capital, moving from Vandalia.
- 1858 Lincoln delivers the 'House Divided' speech at the Old State Capitol.
- 1865 Lincoln's funeral is held in Springfield, and he is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
- 1926 Route 66 is established, passing through Springfield.
- 1853 The first Illinois State Fair is held in Springfield.
Rivalries
- Cubs vs. Cardinals The eternal baseball rivalry splits the town.
- Bears vs. Packers NFC North football rivalry.
- Horseshoes vs. Jr. Blues Friendly local rivalry between the baseball and hockey teams for attendance.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Horse racing at the Illinois State Fair
- Outdoors Visit Lincoln's New Salem
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak on the Sangamon River
- With kids Ride the carousel at the State Fair
- With kids See the Lincoln Tomb
Locals speak with a standard Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. The friendly 'ope' is common when bumping into someone.
Only here
- The Cozy Dog Drive In claims to be the birthplace of the corn dog.
- The Illinois State Fair is one of the oldest state fairs in the U.S., starting in 1853.
- Springfield is the only city where Lincoln owned a home and is buried.
- The Old State Capitol is where Lincoln gave the 'House Divided' speech.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the Lincoln heritage—you'll see his name everywhere.
- Try a horseshoe sandwich, a local specialty.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- Say 'pop' for soda.
- Parking downtown can be tricky, but there are garages.
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Areas in Springfield area
Nearby
Every areaDe Witt CountyIllinoisSmall towns, big skies, and friendly faces.BeardstownIllinoisWhere the river meets the heartlandDecaturIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the heartlandShelbyvilleIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the lakeBloomington–NormalIllinoisHeart of the Corn Belt, home of the RedbirdsPittsfieldIllinoisWhere the river meets the prairie, and everyone knows your name.CarthageIllinoisWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallTuscolaIllinoisWhere the harvest is golden and the welcome is warm.
Springfield-Jacksonville-Lincoln, IL CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.