Riverton IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Riverton, Illinois.
1. Center Park
COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE
Center Park serves as a central gathering place for Riverton residents, offering a peaceful green space in the heart of the village. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained grounds perfect for picnics, casual strolls, or simply relaxing in a natural setting. The park embodies the small-town charm that makes Riverton a welcoming community.
2. Veterans Memorial Park
HONORING MILITARY SERVICE
Veterans Memorial Park in Riverton stands as a solemn tribute to those who served in the armed forces. The memorial provides a place for reflection and remembrance, with dedicated monuments honoring local veterans. Visitors often describe the park as a moving experience that connects them to the sacrifices made for freedom.
3. The Field of Dreams
SPORTS AND RECREATION
The Field of Dreams in Riverton offers excellent sports facilities for local athletes and recreational players alike. The well-maintained fields host various sporting events throughout the year, drawing participants and spectators from across the community. Families particularly appreciate the space for its ability to foster physical activity and community engagement through sports.
4. Wheeland Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR SPACE
Wheeland Park provides Riverton families with a delightful outdoor recreation area perfect for all ages. The park features playground equipment, open spaces, and shaded areas ideal for family outings and community gatherings. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while children explore and play in a safe, welcoming environment.
5. Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum & Fulgenzi's Pizza
ROUTE 66 HISTORICAL STOP
Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum preserves a piece of Americana as a converted Texaco and Marathon station that now showcases Route 66 history. Visitors can explore vintage gas station memorabilia while experiencing the nostalgia of the Mother Road's golden era. The adjacent Fulgenzi's Pizza offers travelers a chance to refuel with delicious Italian cuisine after stepping back in time.
6. Old State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Old State Capitol in Springfield served as Illinois' fifth statehouse and now stands as an impressive museum of political history. Built between 1837-1840, this Greek Revival building was where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" speech and served as a legislator. Visitors can tour the meticulously restored chambers and halls where pivotal moments in Illinois and American history unfolded.
7. Illinois State Capitol
MAJESTIC GOVERNMENT CENTER
The current Illinois State Capitol impresses visitors with its magnificent 361-foot dome and elaborate architecture, constructed between 1868 and 1888 at a cost of $4.5 million. The building's cruciform layout and stunning interior details reflect the grandeur of Illinois government during the late 19th century. Guided tours allow visitors to explore the chambers where state business continues to be conducted beneath ornate ceilings and surrounded by historic artwork.
8. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE PRESERVED
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, purchased in 1844 and meticulously restored to its 1860s appearance. Visitors can walk through the rooms where Lincoln lived with his family before becoming president, gaining intimate insights into his life as a husband, father, and rising political figure. The surrounding historic neighborhood creates an immersive 19th-century experience that transports guests back to Lincoln's time in Springfield.
9. Lost Bridge Trail Bridge
SCENIC RIVER CROSSING
The Lost Bridge Trail Bridge spans the South Fork of the Sangamon River, offering pedestrians and cyclists a picturesque crossing point along the popular trail. This bridge serves as a crucial link in the recreational pathway, connecting communities while providing stunning views of the waterway below. Nature enthusiasts particularly appreciate this spot for bird watching and photographing the seasonal changes along the river banks.
10. Let's Roam Scavenger Hunt Adventures
INTERACTIVE CITY EXPLORATION
Let's Roam Scavenger Hunt Adventures offers an exciting way to discover Springfield's "Land of Lincoln" through an interactive, technology-guided experience. Participants solve clues and complete challenges while learning about the city's rich history and visiting its most significant landmarks. The adventure creates lasting memories as groups work together to navigate the carefully crafted route through Springfield's historic downtown.
11. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
IMMERSIVE PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum stands as the premier institution dedicated to the 16th president, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and immersive exhibits to bring his legacy to life. Visitors experience Lincoln's journey from humble beginnings to the presidency through meticulously recreated scenes, original artifacts, and interactive displays. The museum's holographic theater and special effects presentations create emotional connections to Lincoln's struggles during the Civil War era.
12. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL MONUMENT
The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site houses the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons in a grand monument topped with a 117-foot obelisk. Visitors can tour the interior burial chamber adorned with bronze sculptures representing Lincoln's achievements and symbolic marble features. The tomb, located in Oak Ridge Cemetery, has become a pilgrimage site where people from around the world come to pay their respects to the beloved president.
13. Dana-Thomas House
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE
The Dana-Thomas House represents one of the most complete and best-preserved examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style architecture, commissioned in 1902 by wealthy Springfield socialite Susan Lawrence Dana. The 12,000-square-foot home features 35 rooms with over 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture, 250 art glass doors and windows, and 200 light fixtures that demonstrate Wright's integrated design philosophy. Guided tours reveal the innovative open floor plan, dramatic spaces, and exquisite craftsmanship that make this house a national architectural treasure.
14. Washington Park Botanical Garden
URBAN HORTICULTURAL OASIS
Washington Park Botanical Garden enchants visitors with over 1,800 species of plants displayed across specialized gardens, including a rose garden with 5,000 bushes in 150 varieties. The garden's iconic conservatory houses tropical specimens and provides a lush retreat during winter months. Throughout the seasons, visitors can enjoy themed areas like the iris garden, perennial border, and shade garden while learning about plant conservation and horticultural design.
15. Henson Robinson Zoo
FAMILY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Henson Robinson Zoo delights visitors with approximately 90 species of animals native to Australia, Africa, Asia, and North and South America in naturalistic habitats. The zoo focuses on education and conservation while providing up-close encounters with fascinating creatures ranging from snow leopards to prairie dogs. Families particularly enjoy the accessible layout, interactive programs, and seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo that enhance the wildlife experience.