This Midwestern city houses the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Jesse James' former residence, local art venues, and a growing craft beer scene.
Springfield appears in over 30 U.S. locations, each with its own story. Springfield, Massachusetts, founded in 1636, invented basketball and holds the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Springfield, Illinois, keeps Abraham Lincoln’s legacy alive through his restored home and a museum displaying his handwritten speeches. Springfield, Missouri, the largest of the three, sits near the Ozark Mountains and the original Route 66 highway. These cities share museums, parks, and annual festivals that reflect their local history and industries.
Springfield, Massachusetts: Basketball Origins and Industrial History
Walk through the Quadrangle district, home to five museums. The Springfield Science Museum includes a full-scale dinosaur skeleton and planetarium shows. Nearby, the Dr. Seuss Museum highlights Theodor Geisel’s early life through sketches and interactive story zones. At the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, see James Naismith’s original 1891 rules and jerseys from NBA legends. Forest Park covers 735 acres with walking trails, a zoo, and a seasonal light display featuring illuminated sculptures. The Springfield Armory National Historic Site preserves machinery used to produce rifles during the Revolutionary War and World War II.
Springfield, Illinois: Lincoln’s Home and Political Legacy
Tour Lincoln’s two-story house on Eighth Street, where he lived before becoming president. Original wallpaper and furniture remain intact, including his writing desk. The Old State Capitol building hosts reenactments of Lincoln’s 1858 Senate debates against Stephen Douglas. At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, view his handwritten Gettysburg Address and step into a replica of his White House office. Each October, the city holds a reenactment of Lincoln’s funeral procession ending at Oak Ridge Cemetery, where a bronze statue guards his tomb.
Springfield, Missouri: Caves, Highways, and Civil War History
Explore Park Central Square, a downtown hub with murals depicting the 1865 shootout involving Wild Bill Hickok. The History Museum on the Square details Route 66’s creation through maps and vintage gas station signs. Drive 15 minutes north to Fantastic Caverns, where trams take visitors through limestone tunnels with underground waterfalls. Hike the 3.5-mile Trail of Tears loop at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, where Union and Confederate forces clashed in 1861. Local bands perform nightly at venues like The Outland, known for rock and indie acts.
Annual Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
From late November to early January, Forest Park in Massachusetts glows with over 650,000 lights arranged in shapes like giant candy canes. Illinois’ Springfield hosts a Route 66 festival each September, where vintage cars line downtown streets and food trucks serve fried pickles. In Missouri, the annual Ozark Empire Fair in July includes rodeos, tractor pulls, and live country music. All three cities organize weekly farmers’ markets from spring to fall, selling items like heirloom tomatoes, honey, and handmade pottery.
Getting There and Local Tips
Massachusetts’ Springfield uses Bradley International Airport, a 25-minute drive from downtown, with rental cars and taxis available. Illinois’ Springfield has an Amtrak station with daily trains to Chicago; the ride takes 3.5 hours. Missouri’ Springfield Regional Airport offers direct flights to Denver and Orlando, with shuttle buses to downtown hotels. Check city tourism sites for event-specific parking details, like shuttle routes during Illinois’ state fair. Most museums cost $8–20 per adult, with free entry days on select weekends.
