Our weekend get-a-way to Springfield, Illinois

This past weekend Ott, E and I had a little getaway to Springfield, Illinois.  I had been wanting to go there for quite some time to see all the historical sites for Lincoln.  I enjoy learning about history and Lincoln actually lived in southern Indiana for a short time.  He was born in Kentucky, and around the age of 8 his family moved to Indiana about the same time it became a state.  His family then moved to Illinois when he was 21.

Our first stop was New Salem, Illinois which is where Lincoln first lived by himself as an adult.  He helped run a general store in this small town about 20 miles north of Springfield.  Below is a picture of some of the cabins that have been rebuilt in this little town to resemble what it was like back then. 

Next we went to the Cemetery to see Lincoln's tomb.  It is a very impressive limestone structure and visitors can enter to see statues of Lincoln and the final resting place of him and his wife and children.

I found it fascinating how many times they moved his body within this cemetery.  Below is a picture of the original tomb which is actually on the backside of the monument. 

Next we went to downtown Springfield to see the house he lived in while being a lawyer and married with kids.  They added on to this house several times and the National Park Service has maintained all the furniture from the original home.  The angle I took the picture of his house below is the most photographed angle of the house whenever you see old photos or newspapers.  (There was a sign there telling me that.)

These are pictures of the parlor and sitting rooms.

Then for dinner that night we ate at D'Arcy's Pint.  While watching an episode of Man vs. Food on the travel channel we saw him eat a Horseshoe at this establishment and knew this was the place for us to try out.  (In case you've been keeping track, this is the 5th Man vs. Food Restaurant we've been to.)  Ott, E ordered the Deluxe Horseshoe and I was happy to help him eat it.  It's consists of a piece of Texas Toast, ground hamburger, bacon bits, onions and topped off with fries and then they pour a homemade cheese sauce over the top of it.  (Ummm.... just thinking about the cheese sauce makes me want another one.) 

The next day we drove past the Old State Capitol in downtown Springfield.

Ott, E stopped to pose with a statue of Lincoln on a park bench.

Then we went to Lincoln's Presidential Museum.  I had been wanting to come here for a long time and it was well worth the wait.  The museum is divided into two sections; the first focuses on Lincoln growing up and moving to Illinois, practing law and entering into politics.  The other sections focuses on his time as President.  There were great interactive exhibits that told his story and laid out all the political ramifications of the decisions he made during the Civil War. 

The museum also had two theatres which used holograms and audio visual effects to tell other aspects of Lincolns life which were very entertaining.  We ended up spending 2.5 hours there before heading home for the weekend. 

Overall we thought there was lots to see in Springfield and felt like it was all very educational.  All the locations were easy to find and park and reasonable priced.  With great fall weather and the leaves just starting to change it was a great weekend! 

This post was linked to:Wordless Wednesday on Project Alicia and Wordless Wednesday on Pinke Post