Pleasant Plains IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Pleasant Plains, Illinois.
1. Clayville Historic Site
HISTORIC STAGECOACH STOP
The Clayville Historic Site features the Broadwell Inn, the oldest brick building in Sangamon County, built in 1824 as a stagecoach stop between Springfield and Beardstown. Visitors can explore the historic buildings and displays that showcase early Illinois pioneer life. The site hosts special events throughout the year, including a popular Fall Festival in mid-September.
2. Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
LINCOLN'S EARLY HOME
Lincoln's New Salem is a reconstructed 1830s village where Abraham Lincoln spent six formative years of his life. The site features 23 historically reconstructed buildings including homes, stores, and workshops that depict life in the 19th century. Visitors can interact with costumed interpreters who demonstrate period crafts and activities throughout the village.
3. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
IMMERSIVE LINCOLN EXPERIENCE
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers an immersive and interactive experience about the life and legacy of the 16th president. The museum features high-tech exhibits, holographic presentations, and life-size dioramas that bring Lincoln's story to life. Visitors can explore galleries dedicated to Lincoln's early years, his presidency, and the Civil War period.
4. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
PRESIDENT'S FAMILY RESIDENCE
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, where he lived with his family from 1844 to 1861. The restored Greek Revival house has been meticulously maintained to appear as it did during Lincoln's residency before he became president. Visitors can take guided tours through the 12-room home and explore the four-block historic neighborhood surrounding it.
5. Illinois State Capitol
MAGNIFICENT GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Illinois State Capitol is an impressive Renaissance Revival-style building with a striking 361-foot dome that has served as the seat of government since 1888. Inside, visitors can admire the ornate rotunda, marvel at the grand staircases, and view the chambers where the Illinois legislature meets. Free guided tours highlight the building's architectural details, historical significance, and impressive art collection.
6. Dana-Thomas House
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE
The Dana-Thomas House is a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie style mansion featuring 35 rooms spread across 12,000 square feet of living space. The home contains the largest collection of original Wright-designed art glass and furniture, with over 100 pieces preserved in their original locations. Tours of this architectural gem showcase Wright's innovative design principles and his vision of creating harmony between structure and environment.
7. Old State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT CENTER
The Old State Capitol is a Greek Revival building that served as Illinois' statehouse from 1839 to 1876, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous 'House Divided' speech and served as a legislator. The meticulously restored building features a central rotunda, legislative chambers, and the Supreme Court room where Lincoln argued cases as an attorney. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the building's significance in Illinois history and Lincoln's political career.
8. Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials
PRESIDENTIAL FINAL RESTING PLACE
The Lincoln Tomb is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons, housed within an impressive 117-foot tall granite monument. Visitors can view the burial chamber and walk through corridors featuring bronze sculptures depicting different periods of Lincoln's life. The surrounding Oak Ridge Cemetery also contains several war memorials honoring Illinois veterans.
9. Illinois State Museum
NATURAL HISTORY EXPLORATION
The Illinois State Museum showcases the natural, cultural, and artistic heritage of Illinois through engaging exhibits spanning billions of years. The museum's impressive collections include fossils, dioramas of prehistoric landscapes, artifacts from Native American cultures, and extensive art galleries. Hands-on areas and interactive displays make this an educational destination for visitors of all ages.
10. Washington Park Botanical Garden
URBAN FLORAL OASIS
The Washington Park Botanical Garden offers a serene escape with over 1,800 species of plants displayed across themed gardens and a tropical conservatory. Visitors can wander through the rose garden, formal garden, shade garden, and Japanese garden while enjoying seasonal floral displays. The garden's conservatory houses exotic tropical plants and provides a warm retreat during the colder months.
11. Henson Robinson Zoo
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Henson Robinson Zoo is home to over 90 species of animals native to Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with a focus on conservation and education. Visitors can observe cougars, wolves, bald eagles, and numerous other animals in naturalistic habitats designed for their comfort. The zoo offers regular educational programs, feeding demonstrations, and special events throughout the year.
12. Knights Action Park
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
Knights Action Park is a popular entertainment destination featuring water slides, a wave pool, mini-golf, go-karts, and batting cages. Families can enjoy the Caribbean-themed water park with its lazy river, adventure slides, and children's splash areas during hot summer days. The adjacent entertainment center offers dry attractions and activities suitable for all ages throughout the season.
13. Edwards Place Historic Home
ANTEBELLUM ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Edwards Place is the oldest house in Springfield, a beautifully restored Italianate mansion built in 1833 and later remodeled in the 1850s. The home contains original furnishings, Lincoln artifacts, and the famous Lincoln Courting Couch where Abraham and Mary Todd sat during their courtship. Guided tours take visitors through this time capsule of upper-class life in antebellum Springfield and explain the social history of the era.
14. Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill
NOSTALGIC HIGHWAY MUSEUM
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill combines a restaurant with an impressive museum dedicated to the Mother Road and its automotive culture. Visitors can enjoy casual dining surrounded by vintage gas station memorabilia, historic Route 66 signs, and classic car displays. The attached Route 66 Museum features an extensive collection of artifacts that tell the story of America's most famous highway.
15. Sangamon Valley Trail
SCENIC RECREATIONAL PATHWAY
The Sangamon Valley Trail is a paved multi-use path stretching over 11 miles through the scenic countryside and woodlands of Sangamon County. Trail users can walk, run, bike, or skate while enjoying native prairie restoration areas, wildlife viewing opportunities, and peaceful rural landscapes. The well-maintained trail connects several communities and parks, making it a popular recreation destination for locals and visitors alike.