When you first arrive in this city, you could be forgiven for not 
realizing that this is actually the state capital of Illinois – it 
lacks the hustle and bustle usually associated with most state 
capitals, and certainly lacks the energy of Illinois’s most famous 
city, Chicago.  However, the gentle sereneness of Springfield are in 
keeping with its history, for this is Lincoln’s town.  He was part of 
the group of people responsible for making Springfield the state 
capital, and this is his final resting place.Apart from the limestone built capitol building from where Abraham 
Lincoln gave his “House Divided” speech, there’s also a Lincoln Home 
Visitors Center which shows a short movie on the Springfield that 
Lincoln loved, and where you can obtain free tickets to take a walk 
around the restored Lincoln home on 8th and Jackson Street.  As a 
visual lesson in how people lived “back then” the home is an 
interesting place to visit.For those who don’t think that it’s morbid, a visit to Lincoln’s tomb 
isn’t to be missed.  Situated in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln’s tomb 
contains not only his remains, but also those of Mary Todd, his wife, 
and their three sons.If the Lincoln memorial gets a bit too much, have a change of pace by 
visiting the preserved home of another famous Springfield resident, 
Frank Lloyd Wright.  Named the Dana-Thomas House, this is only a few 
blocks from the Capitol building, and still contains some original 
fixtures from his time there.As a destination, unless you’re a history buff, or enjoy wandering 
around some of America’s more charming towns, Springfield’s probably 
not the best place to choose, but as an overnight stop, or a day trip,