springfield il walking tours

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First Tour Company In Springfield, IL

Springfield Walks & Tours is the first tour company of it's kind in Springfield and remains the premier tour company in town today.

Springfield Walks & Tours is a Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau tourism partner affiliated with the annual History Comes Alive Program.

Established 2005

Bringing you all of the history and mystery that Lincoln's hometown has to offer!

But don't take our word for it, hear what our customers have to say.

Featured tours, lincoln’s ghost walk, legends & lore, walking tour, the lincoln experience.

Trust your group travel plans with Springfield Walks & Tourss, bringing you custom group travel experiences and memories to last a lifetime.

217-502-8687

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All of our fall tours will follow CDC and State of Illinois COVID guidelines for everyone’s health and safety as much as possible. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided.

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• GETTING AROUND

Guided Tours

FREE ARCHITECTURE SCAVENGER HUNT DSI seasonally offers either a free guided tour of downtown Springfield’s amazing architecture, or an architecture scavenger hunt with prizes. Check back when the weather gets warm!

RACE RIOT SELF-GUIDED TOUR Embark on a historic and emotion-filled journey through the events that have become known as “The Springfield Race Riot of 1908.” Walk back in time to explore the occurrences leading up to those two sweltering days in August of 1908 and the birth of the NAACP. Download the map.

SPRINGFIELD WALKS TOURS Since 2005, Springfield Walks has presented award-winning Walking Tours and has recently added driving tours. Call or text 217-502-8687 to schedule a tour.

Book a Lincoln Ghost Walk tour for 6-9 people. The Lincoln Experience Tour takes you past the Lincoln Home neighborhood and backyard, Old Capitol grounds, and the Tomb grounds. This tour travels in a leather seated, air-conditioned van for up to five people. The price of the tour is $100.

The Lincoln Home – Brief Lincoln Experience – walk the Lincoln neighborhood with a guide, ask questions, and learn much.

BIKE THE HISTORIC SITES Download the Tourism Bike Route that shows riders how to bike to the major tourist attractions downtown, to the Lincoln Tomb, and to the trails/Lincoln New Salem Historic Site.

The Smartphone Guided Tour App

U.S. Patent No. 10,959,051 & 11,496,863

Land of Lincoln, Springfield, IL

About the tour.

It’s a well-known fact that Illinois is known as “the Land of Lincoln”. Perhaps more than anywhere in the state, that pride is celebrated at Springfield; the very city that Lincoln left when he went to the Whitehouse. On our historical adventure I’ll take you to the places linked to old Honest Abe and tell you his story. You’ll see his old home, his church, his office, the buildings he frequented, murals of Abe and the places named in his honor. And I’ll share with you his coming-of-age story from a one room log cabin in Kentucky to becoming the 16th President of the United states. It’s a story woven into the fabric of Americana, and today you’ll walk in Honest Abe’s shoes, and learn why they called him Honest Abe. I’ll meet you at the Visitors Center for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Listen to the Intro

On this historic tour you'll see: Abraham Lincoln's House Lincoln's law office His Church The Lincoln Mural Lincoln Home National Historic Site The outside of the Presidential Library The Old State Capital where he worked His Statue And you'll hear about.... His childhood Politica rise Time in the Whitehouse Why they call him honest Abe How he became a member in the wrestling hall of fame And so much more!

Why Choose WalknTours?

Explore at your own pace and schedule.   Our tours are professionally produced with pro narrators, music and story tellers, unlike the competition.  Our technology is patented.  It's better.  Click here to learn our advantages. 

Walk, Hike And Bike History Tours Now Offered In Springfield

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced State Historic Sites in Springfield will host a series of tours continuing through mid-November.

“This new initiative creates fun and educational outdoor experiences that will make meaningful connections between our guests and must-see museums and monuments,” said Von Bandy, director of the IDNR Office of Land Management.

Tours will be guided by history education interpreters from the IDNR Office of Land Management, with each tour ranging in duration from one to two hours. Reservations, which will be required, can be made through the IDNR website. The capacity of all experiences will be limited and follow health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All tours are free, and donations in support of local historic sites will be welcomed.

The initial schedule of 2021 “Walk, Hike and Bike History” experiences in Springfield will include:

• Friends of Lincoln Hike - This 90-minute hike through the beautiful hills of Oak Ridge Cemetery will pass by the graves of a number of Abraham Lincoln’s friends, neighbors, and political associates. At each stop, we will talk about the person’s life and highlight their interactions with the 16th president. Comfortable shoes and water recommended.

• Military History Hike - This 90-minute hike around Oak Ridge Cemetery will visit the final resting places of numerous veterans. This will include a mixture of both notable figures who served in prominent positions as well as soldiers who are little known today. Comfortable shoes and water recommended.

• History Bike Tour - Ride your own bicycle following a guide on a casual and easy-paced bicycle tour of historic sites in the capital city. This neighborhood-style ride will go past historic sites, including the Dana-Thomas House, First Black Fire House, Lincoln Home, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb, and others. Information will be provided at nine stops along the route. The eight-mile round trip ride will take about two hours. Helmets are required and a water bottle is recommended.

• 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour - Forty-three years after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and just six months before his 100th birthday, many of his hometown African American friends and their descendant’s lives were turned upside down by racial hate and economic jealousy during the Springfield 1908 Race Riot. This hour-long tour will discuss a portion of the devastating 1908 Race Riot.

• Black History Walk - This 90-minute walk through Oak Ridge Cemetery focuses on the history of Springfield’s Black community, discussing great tragedies as well as stories of success in the face of severe adversity and prejudice. Water and hiking shoes recommended. Presented with the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum.

• Design Like Frank Lloyd Wright Drawing Tour - one-hour, one-mile tour using hands-on activities and a walk into the Aristocracy Hill neighborhood to explore the development of Wright's iconic architectural style, from his childhood experiences through the design of the Dana-Thomas House (1902-04) and other prairie homes. Guests of all ages will develop an understanding of the basic principles of organic architecture as they learn to design like Frank Lloyd Wright.  Please note, this tour only explores the exterior of sites.

• Designing for Change Women’s History Walk – Walk the path of suffragists and learn how Susan Lawrence Dana collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright to design a home in which she advanced her ideas about democracy. The one-hour, 1.5 mile walking tour will discuss the relationship between Wright's Springfield project and the path to suffrage for Illinois women. Please note, this tour only explores the exterior of sites.

Spring Weekly Schedule

Tuesdays 10:00 a.m., Design Like Frank Lloyd Wright Drawing Tour, Begins/ends Dana House courtyard

Wednesdays 10:00-11:30 a.m., Friends of Lincoln Hike at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Begins/ends at Lincoln Tomb 10:00 a.m.-Noon History Bike Tour—8 miles, Begins/ends State Capitol Visitor Center 1:00- 2:30 p.m. History Bike Tour 5 Houses/5 Miles, Begins/ends State Capitol Visitor Center

Thursdays 10:30-11:30 a.m., 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour, Begins/ends at Old State Capitol 1:00-2:30 p.m., Military History Hike at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Begins/ends at Lincoln Tomb

Fridays 10:00 a.m.-Noon, Eight-mile Bike Tour, Begins/ends State Capitol Visitor Center 10:30-11:30 a.m., Design Like Frank Lloyd Wright Drawing Tour, Begins/ends Dana House courtyard 1:00-2:30 p.m., History Bike Tour 5 Houses/5 Miles, Begins/ends State Capitol Visitor Center 1:30-2:30 p.m., Designing for Change Women’s History Walk, Begins/ends Dana House courtyard 3:00-4:30 p.m., Black History Walk at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Begins/ends at Lincoln Tomb

Saturdays 10:30-11:30 a.m., 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour, Begins/ends at Old State Capitol 3:00-4:30 p.m., Friends of Lincoln Hike at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Begins/ends at Lincoln Tomb

Individuals or groups can visit the IDNR website at http://historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov/ to learn more and make reservations, or call 217-524-3971 or e-mail [email protected] .  The State Historic Sites at Springfield encourage inquiries about additional tours during mutually agreeable days and times. Scheduled tours will continue through mid-November 2021.

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Springfield Illinois Walking Tour: Self-Guided

Tour Details

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Welcome to the springfield illinois walking tour.

See Abraham Lincoln as you’ve never seen him before with this self-guided walking tour of historic Springfield. Stroll through the 16th president’s old neighborhood, see the home where he lived before heading to the White House, and stop by his old law office! As you explore these historic sites, your audio guide will reveal the man behind the myth. So get your top hat ready and embark on a picturesque stroll worthy of the history books!

About the Tour

You’ll kick off your Springfield journey outside the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center. It’s here where you’ll be introduced to the life and times of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Strolling through this gorgeously preserved neighborhood, you’ll see the homes where Lincoln and his neighbors lived over 150 years ago.

Then you’ll pass the iconic First Presbyterian Church, which offers insights into Lincoln’s spiritual life. Next, as you walk along E Monroe St, immerse yourself in tales of Lincoln’s robust law career. Then stop outside the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices where he actually practiced his trade!

The fabric of Lincoln’s private life unfolds as you learn about his family before arriving at the Old State Capitol, where he began his momentous political journey. Continuing on, you’ll hear the suspenseful saga of the Election of 1860 before pausing at the Young Lincoln Mural for a photo op. Soon after, Union Square Park awaits, with its majestic Lincoln Statue standing tall.

Your journey deepens at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Beyond this, you’ll uncover Lincoln’s critical role during the Civil War and understand the significance of The Emancipation Proclamation.

Finally, you’ll relive the tragic assassination of Lincoln and uncover the true impact of this nation-altering event. Your tour concludes here, a few blocks from where it began.

Where to start?

For the Best Experience, Start From Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center: 426 S 7th St, Springfield, IL 62701

How does it work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

Preview The Tour

Inclusions and exclusions, inclusions:.

• App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
• Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on your next trip within 1 year of your purchase.
• Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
• At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace.
• Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
• Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.

Exclusions:

• Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
• Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
• Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.

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Land of Lincoln Smartphone Audio APP Self Guided Walking Tour

• One Tour in Springfield on our walking tour app
• The tour never expires, take it anytime, at you own pace
• No food, drinks or admission tickets, everything is outside.
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center, 426 S 7th St, Springfield, IL 62701, USA Our historic tour starts outside the visitors center where you can pick up a free ticket (if available) to tour the Lincoln house later on our tour.
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701, USA The tour ends at Abe's Presidential library, where you'll hear about his accomplishments and end.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site
• First Presbyterian Church
• You'll start at Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center 426 S 7th St, Springfield, IL 62701, USA Our historic tour starts outside the visitors center where you can pick up a free ticket (if available) to tour the Lincoln house later on our tour. See address & details
• 1 Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 2 Lincoln Home National Historic Site Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 3 First Presbyterian Church Stop: 5 minutes See details Pass by Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site
• 4 Old State Capitol Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 5 Young Lincoln Mural Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 6 Union Square Park Stop: 10 minutes See details Pass by Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• You'll end at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701, USA The tour ends at Abe's Presidential library, where you'll hear about his accomplishments and end. See address & details

Land of Lincoln Smartphone Audio APP Self Guided Walking Tour provided by WalknTours

1908 Race Riot Walking Tour

Get ready to embark on a historic and emotion-filled journey through the events that have become known as “the Springfield Race Riot of 1908.” This is a self-guided walking tour that remembers one of Springfield's darker moments, the Race Riot of 1908. Racial tensions turned to mob violence in Springfield on August 14, 1908, and within 48 hours seven people were dead, 40 homes were ruined, and 24 businesses were destroyed. To begin your tour, stop by the Springfield Visitors Center (Lincoln-Herndon Law Office) for more information. Download our copy of the marker locations, by clicking here .

Learn more about the history of the 1908 Race Riot by clicking here

For more Springfield Black History, read our blog by  clicking here .