10 Honestly Amazing Abraham Lincoln Attractions Only In Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published May 05, 2017
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
As we are the true Land of Lincoln (LOL for short), it should come as no surprise that our state is sprinkled with statues and museums celebrating the life of one of the greatest presidents to ever serve our nation. In addition to learning about Honest Abe, you’ll learn rich history about our own great state.
Start scrolling to find out which attractions are near you and which ones you’ll have to take a tiny road trip to see.
Here is a reconstruction of the village in which Abe lived during his early adulthood (1831-1837). You can walk in and around several log cabins and see how simple life was 150 years ago. Depending on the season, the grounds are open most days between 9am and 5pm.
2. Young Lincoln Statue - 5887 N. Ridge Ave. Chicago
Sculpted by Charles Keck, this piece of art was donated to Chicago in 1997. It depicts an adolescent Lincoln staring off pensively while holding an open book.
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3. Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial - Decatur
This 162-acre park sits along the Sangamon River near Harristown. The rock and plaque mark the plot where Lincoln lived with his family as a young boy when they first moved to Illinois.
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4. Statue of Abraham Lincoln - 301 E Main St. #12 Shelbyville
Check out this eye-catching statue which sits outside the Shelbyville County Courthouse in the city's historic downtown. It depicts the historic debate between Lincoln and attorney Anthony Thorton.
5. Lincoln Memorial Garden - 2301 E Lake Shore Dr. Springfield
This honestly amazing garden spans about 100 acres and represents the Midwest landscape Lincoln would have grown up in during the 1800s. The grounds are open daily from dusk until dawn, and the Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday.
See where Lincoln lived while he was working as a lawyer and politician with his family. Tours of this popular attraction are free and available daily between 8:30am and 5pm.
7. Railsplitter Covered Wagon - 1750 5th St. Lincoln
The Guinness Book of World Records recognized this statue as the biggest covered wagon in the world. It sits in the lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn, just off historic Route 66, and depicts Lincoln sitting in the front seat reading yet another book.
8. Abraham Lincoln Statue - Capitol Ave. and Second St. Springfield
Depicting Lincoln's famous Farewell Address, this statue is situated on the east side of the Illinois State Capital building. It was created by Andrew O'Conner in 1918.
The Lincoln Tomb is located at Oak Ridge Cemetery, which spans about 12 acres. It is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd, and their four sons.
10. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum - 212 N. 6th St. Springfield
This museum allows you to learn Lincoln's story starting with his boyhood home in Indiana and extending through his presidency. Children under four are admitted for free while older kids are $6 and adults are $15. It is open 9am to 5pm daily.
