Visiting Central Illinois

Springfield Illinois – a rich Civil War heritage and current Illinois State Capital are just the beginning of its endowments. Hometown of US President Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Central Illinois and Springfield is the heart of the Land of Lincoln, the Illinois state moniker. Visit Springfield’s Old State Capitol State Historic Site before April 1st and see the 95th Illinois Infantry Civil War Flag Display. The display features an original Civil War flag carried by Northern Illinois troops. The flag is hung next to the Adjutant General’s office in the Old State Capital.

Illinois is the place for the livestock industry in February for the 2012 Illinois Beef Expo. One of the Midwest’s largest livestock tradeshows and competitions, join the best of Illinois 4-H and FFA young competitors February 23-26th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Watch and see carefully raised cattle be judged and auctioned as Illinois youth compete for top honors. If livestock is part of your life, we’ll see you at the Livestock Exposition Center at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Athletes celebrate the Land of Lincoln at the 2012 Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon. Set your training goal on April 7th in Springfield. One of the Midwest’s premier Half Marathons, the course runs past the only home Lincoln ever owned, his law office, as well as the Old State Capital and Oak Ridge Cemetery where Lincoln is buried. Join racers and fans at The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for the start. At 7:30 am April 7th.

Springfield’s Lincoln Memorial Gardens & Nature Center is a beautiful tract of gardens on the banks of Lake Springfield. Carefully designed and planted with native Illinois plants, see the terrain Abraham Lincoln was familiar with, February and March is Maple Syrup Time. Visit the four weekends, February 18th through March 11th to walk the gardens and see the maples being tapped and the sap collected. Get outside for some fresh air at Lincoln Memorial Gardens & Nature Center and enjoy a sample of fresh maple syrup.

Outside Champaign 20-miles is the Illinois city of Monticello. Northeast of Springfield less than an hour and 15 minutes on Interstate 72, Monticello is another historic and charming Illinois town. Home of Allerton Park and Retreat Center, the Monticello Railway Museum, and two neighborhoods on the national Register of Historic Districts, history and architecture buffs enjoy strolling through Monticello.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Monticello hosts the 2012 Chocolate Fantasy. A fun reason to get outside, Monticello’s Chocolate Fantasy takes visitors to merchants throughout Monticello to collect chocolate treats, and enter a final drawing. Clear the cabin fever and get that special Valentine gift in downtown Monticello while you enjoy some samples yourself.

Central Illinois Hotel Map