Embark on a self-guided walking tour through Springfield to explore the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Discover historic sites and learn about pivotal moments that shaped a nation.
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center - Pause at the intersection with 8th Street. Check out the house across the street, on the corner, to the left of the road. It’s a tan house with green shutters. That’s Abraham Lincoln’s home, the only house he’d ever bought and paid for.
NOTE: This 1.2-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Springfield in 1-1.5 hours.
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Dean House - Pause here and look at the big brown house with green shutters to our left. This is the Dean House. And who were the Deans you might ask? A smart woman with a prospector husband, that’s who! Harriet Dean bought this land just days before her husband Frederick left to look for gold in California. He found no gold, but came back to Springfield to find a cozy home. Sounds pretty good to me. Plus, who wouldn’t want to live next to the Lincolns?
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First Presbyterian Church - Notice the red brick church across the street on our left? That’s the First Presbyterian Church, also known as the Lincoln Family Church. The Lincolns first came here in 1850 after the death of their three-year-old son Edward. It was a devastating loss for both of them. They came to church to find solace and meaning.
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Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site - Pause here and look at the three-story brick building on our left. This is where Lincoln worked in the mid-1800s. Clients would come to the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices. Imagine you’re one of them! You’re here because of a dispute between you and your neighbor over some chickens. They’ve been wandering off, destroying your vegetable and flower gardens. You seek counsel from either Abraham Lincoln or his partner William H. Herndon. These were their law offices.
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Old State Capitol State Historic Site - Take your time admiring the Old Capitol State Building on our right. You can’t miss it! We just saw Lincoln’s law office. Now this is where his political career really ramped up.
Springfield residents may not all have had personal contact with Lincoln the Lawyer, but they probably did with Lincoln the Politician! Shaking hands, telling jokes and attending public events, Lincoln was everywhere. And standing at six-foot-four, he was hard to miss! -
Union Square Park - The papers Lincoln is holding here are his second inaugural address, delivered in March of 1865. The Civil War was nearing its end. Slavery in the United States would soon be abolished. And a month later Lincoln would be shot dead. We’ll hear more about all of these things soon. For now, here is perhaps the most famous excerpt from Lincoln’s speech:
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Lincoln Statue - Here we see a different, more pensive version of Lincoln. He’s clutching his coat against the cold, looking at something far away. What could he be thinking of? His time in Springfield, his hopes and dreams? Or maybe he’s bracing himself for war.
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Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum - Pause here. On our left stands the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. This massive library is 50 percent larger than any other devoted to a US president. Inside are presidential documents, early drafts of speeches, and more, though the most valuable artifacts are available only for research purposes. The museum also features life-size dioramas portraying Lincoln’s life.
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Lincoln Depot - This red brick building near the train tracks on the corner of East Monroe is Lincoln Depot. No, it wasn’t named that in Lincoln’s day. It was just known as The Depot, but it’s from here where Lincoln’s hands became bruised from shaking so many hands. He was saying goodbye to his friends, colleagues and hundreds of complete strangers. Lincoln was on his way to Washington, about to be sworn in as the next president of the United States.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
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!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
