Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned is the centerpiece of this four-block historic neighborhood. Lincoln and his family lived in the two-story house from 1844 until 1861, when their address changed to the White House.
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- MartinChicago, Illinois6 contributionsExcellent!My wife and family and I visited a few weeks back and we were astounded by our guide. Late in the day, cold, and probably having done at least three tours prior, you might have assumed that your docent might be a tad…tired? Not Jasmine! She gave us a really stellar tour and I enjoyed getting to “know” President Lincoln in a much more in depth way. Jasmine answered question after question and really wrapped up with a wonderful and inspiring finish to her tour. We will definitely be back!Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 March 2023
- tribuckblessedColumbus, Ohio161 contributionsAwesome experience!Felt amazing to actually see and experience the exact home and many original furnishings of the Lincoln family! Our tour guide was great - pleasant and very informative. Learned a lot that we didn't know before!Visited May 2023Written 16 May 2023
- Alicia MMonticello, Minnesota92 contributionsA great stopThis has changed so much since the 90’s when I was last there. It is free, which is nice. You sign up for a scheduled group tour and if you need to wait you can go through the area with the houses a couple you can go into but it is a nice area to see the history. Our tour guide seemed to have special needs and he did a great job and was funny and informative. We got to see the singers that are there a few times a week and they were great. If your interested in Lincoln history this is a high recommended stop. Our family has made a point to try to see as much Lincoln history as we can and did not regret going.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 17 June 2023
- ChelHGrand Rapids, Michigan115 contributionsAmazing!This was our second time visiting. We visited six years ago when our kids were much littler. We absolutely love it here. This time around the kids got to play with toys that they would’ve played with back in the day. They also toured the house & met Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln who were roaming around that day and they got to listen to his farewell speech. What an awesome experience!!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 18 June 2023
- Jon HFort Myers, Florida664 contributionsFantastic Presidential HomeWonderfully restored and maintained home of President Lincoln during his tenure in Springfield. This is a guided tour of the home, and it is hosted by very knowledgeable volunteers/historians. We very much enjoyed this 'free' tour, thanks to the President's son Robert.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 June 2023
- lovetoteach964Long Island, New York63 contributionsWorth a VisitThe docent was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Lincoln's life pre-Presidency. Stop at the visitor center first to watch a short film, then take a guided tour. There are a couple of other restored buildings at the site as well. It's a great addition to the Presidential Library visit and about 1/2 mile easy walk. Try Obed & Isaaca Microbrewery if it's meal time. Great food even if you're not a beer drinker.Visited July 2023Written 8 July 2023
- GranniTBeloit, Kansas70 contributionsInteresting but rushedVery interesting. Tour guide was very knowledgeable. As with the other historical tours we have done this year, felt very rushed to just get through the tour. Frustrating to pay good money to tour something, only to be rushed through so we don’t make “ the next tour” late. Most often we won’t be back to these places again so would love to spend some time looking aroundVisited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 18 July 2023
- kates5283Cincinnati, Ohio176 contributionsWonderful historical tour!My whole family thought this was a great place to visit, but our 9 year old, in particular, was very excited to walk through the house! The only thing is that I wish the tours were just like 5 people smaller. It was hard to see and hear and felt a bit rushed. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about Lincoln's time here, as we have been to his boyhood homesite in Kentucky and learned about his early life. This was nice to see how the Lincoln's lived and the restoration and commitment to keeping things as they were back then is impeccable. Seeing things that actually belonged to the Lincoln family was truly amazing! If you don't have time for anything else in Springfield, stop here.Visited April 2023Written 13 August 2023
- Joy RDyersburg, Tennessee34 contributionsGreat disability accommodations.Lovely tour. Very impressive with so many original furnishings. JASMINE was so wonderful to us and gave us a private commentary as we went to a separate entrance for my wheelchair-bound disabled adult son. Then we were able to view the upstairs rooms on an iPad. Jasmine told us sign language-interpreted lectures were also available.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 15 August 2023
- jrperkins3585 contributionsGreat historical tourThis place is free and parking is only $2/hr. Can't beat that. It's not just Lincoln's home, but also basically a whole section of preserved area. Lots of history and interesting details. I was able to do the tour and mill around a little in right at one hour, but you could make a whole lot of a day out of the whole area.Visited August 2023Written 18 August 2023
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4.5
2,887 reviews
Excellent
2,227
Very good
570
Average
72
Poor
10
Terrible
8
Dreamer35431558341
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
I'm a lifetime Springfield resident and visited the home several times. I visited today and the had the best tour of the site that I've ever experienced. Out guide, Newlyn, was entertaining and so informative. He made our visit a tremendous experience. He loves his job and it shows. His enthusiasm was contagious.
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElaineAndGreg
Chesterland, OH3,039 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Lincoln is such an iconic president that it's hard to remember sometimes that he was a real person, in his case, a successful lawyer and family man. This, the only home he actually owned, is a great reminder of that human side.
The Lincoln home is under the care of the National Park Service. Visiting is free, although parking costs something like $2. It sits in a 4-block historic area that is easy to walk around.
The home itself is focused on his life in Springfield. As you visit you can almost see a less care-worn Lincoln rough-housing with his kids in the living room. This is a nice mid-1800s home that feels like it really was a home, being neither opulent nor rustic.
The guide warned repeatedly that the steps to the second floor were steep and might present mobility issues. We are in our early 60s and had no trouble, but others did seem to have trouble. One simply waited downstairs while we toured the upper floors.
The nearby visitor center has clean restrooms and a gift shop with all kinds of Lincoln-themed items, as well as puzzles.
We have visited several presidential homes, ranging from the famous (e.g. Mt. Vernon and Monticello) to the obscure (Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore) and this was among our favorites for letting us see another facet of this great president.
The Lincoln home is under the care of the National Park Service. Visiting is free, although parking costs something like $2. It sits in a 4-block historic area that is easy to walk around.
The home itself is focused on his life in Springfield. As you visit you can almost see a less care-worn Lincoln rough-housing with his kids in the living room. This is a nice mid-1800s home that feels like it really was a home, being neither opulent nor rustic.
The guide warned repeatedly that the steps to the second floor were steep and might present mobility issues. We are in our early 60s and had no trouble, but others did seem to have trouble. One simply waited downstairs while we toured the upper floors.
The nearby visitor center has clean restrooms and a gift shop with all kinds of Lincoln-themed items, as well as puzzles.
We have visited several presidential homes, ranging from the famous (e.g. Mt. Vernon and Monticello) to the obscure (Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore) and this was among our favorites for letting us see another facet of this great president.
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina P
Columbus, OH2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
If you only have time to do one Lincoln-related thing in Springfield, go to the Presidential Library and Museum. If you have time for two things, go to this too. While the home tour isn't earth shattering, it is interesting, and they make a point of highlighting Lincoln as a a man, husband, and father, rather than Lincoln the politician, since you are seeing his home, not his work.
Most of the neighborhood houses are not open to the public, and the few that are open just have a few displays in them, and the interiors of the homes are not interesting in and of themselves. But it's cool that they have been able to preserve so much of the block, so you can get an idea of what it was like when the Lincolns lived there. Do take a few minutes to stroll the full length of the street.
I recommend trying to go at a non-peak time, as the tour allows up to 15 people, but it must be crowded if it's full. There were four people on my tour, and I can't really imagine how more than six would be able to hear the speaker well.
Most of the neighborhood houses are not open to the public, and the few that are open just have a few displays in them, and the interiors of the homes are not interesting in and of themselves. But it's cool that they have been able to preserve so much of the block, so you can get an idea of what it was like when the Lincolns lived there. Do take a few minutes to stroll the full length of the street.
I recommend trying to go at a non-peak time, as the tour allows up to 15 people, but it must be crowded if it's full. There were four people on my tour, and I can't really imagine how more than six would be able to hear the speaker well.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
Syracuse, NY19 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great example of 19th century life. Interesting and very inspiring. Only 4 stars as it is not for young visitors or though it was easy for anyone who can walk and climb stairs. In order to keep the authenticity, it cannot accommodate those who cannot walk up stairs.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica D
Salt Lake City, UT348 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Where else can you see the spot where Lincoln accepted the presidential nomination and touch the banister he used to climb the stairs to his bedroom? As for all NPS sites, this one is manned by rangers who love sharing information and have a passion for preserving history. This is a must-see. Easy to access parking lot with affordable rates.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roving44170103115
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The Lincoln home is a must-stop when in Springfield, second only to the wonderful Lincoln Presidential Museum. Tour guides take you through the house and are informative. I gave four stars mainly because the house is surprisingly small so if time is short or the tours are closed, one could still enjoy walking the couple of streets in that neighborhood and reading the history signage.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiddyUpNGoTravel
194 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Well worth the entrance fee (it’s free). Tour takes about 15-20 minutes. Rangers took us on both main and upper house levels. Toured seven rooms in the house. Your is basic; not a lot of in depth details. Artifacts are indicative of the correct era. NPS is very strict and respectful in keeping the contents and intercity of this site well preserved.
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
Oklahoma City, OK559 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This was a good little break. Interesting to see and learn of Lincoln history. There is a good gift shop with clean restrooms.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmsmas
Illinois329 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This historical spot was absolutely fantastic and a high recommendation if you are in Springfield. We enjoyed looking around the block, additional home museum areas, and visitors center on our own. We took our time and were there for 2 hours and 20 minutes. Parking was $2 an hour in the lot across from the Visitors Center.
Our tour guide was awesome! While the tour and area itself are free to visit, the tour guides are not allowed to accept tips due to federal law...something we learned when we tried to tip ours as he was deserving of one.
Our tour guide was awesome! While the tour and area itself are free to visit, the tour guides are not allowed to accept tips due to federal law...something we learned when we tried to tip ours as he was deserving of one.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrperkins3
Seymour585 contributions
Aug 2023
This place is free and parking is only $2/hr. Can't beat that. It's not just Lincoln's home, but also basically a whole section of preserved area. Lots of history and interesting details. I was able to do the tour and mill around a little in right at one hour, but you could make a whole lot of a day out of the whole area.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agot76
Illinois176 contributions
Does anybody know if the building itself is open to public yet?
Gary W
35 contributions
As of October 1st, NONE of the buildings are open. Yet, you can still walk through the entire site, and get a good feeling of what life was like in 1860 Springfield. You can walk onto the grounds of the Lincoln house, but the Visitor's Center, and all of the buildings are closed. I'd still highly recommend visiting the site.
Teri S
Forest City, NC
Are the grounds only open at Lincoln Home National Historic Site due to Covid 19?
Passenger07112771838
9 contributions
Tours of the home are not available due to Covid-19 restrictions, but you can walk around and see the outside. The Visitors Center at the site is closed as well.
carolmT3219PX
Marshall, MN1 contribution
Is it open on Sundays
Gary W
Springfield, IL28 contributions
Closed to public now.Usually open 7 days.
Connie05342
Addison, IL81 contributions
How long is the tour of the home?
Mark D
Lansdale, PA41 contributions
The tour is about thirty minutes. If you're a Lincoln scholar, it's superficial. That's a shame because the house is amazing. You almost expect the family to walk in the door. I understand much more about Lincoln after having toured the house.
Bonita R
Springfield, MO22 contributions
Where is the visitor's center located? Is it in the Lincoln home?
J Michael Smith
Tyler, TX150 contributions
It is one block from the Home
arthur r
Canary Islands, Spain59 contributions
Hi, We are coming over from England, and staying at Springfeild two nights the 6th & 7th of August., I have read we need to book tickets for the Lincoln House at the visitors centre. Do you have there Web site Please ? Cheers arthur
Mtgirl63
Mc Kenzie, TN274 contributions
I loved Springfield!! We basically just walked up to visitors center and got tickets FREE for the next tour. They do have you pay for parking which I think is about $2.
TripAdvisor will not let you post links or web address but you can search Springfield Lincoln home and find it.
Things not to miss
Be sure to visit the Lincoln library and museum. If you are a fan of the movie, right across the street from museum is union station and they have sets and costumes from the movie. You can buy the full experience ticket for $15. The museum is awesome. Don’t forget to see both of the movies. We got to take our pic with 2 different Lincoln impersonators at the house and the museum. Just a couple of miles from museum is the resting place of Lincoln at Oak Ridge Cemetery. It is beautiful. Go down behind the monument and there is the tomb of the first place he was laid to rest. Read up on what all happened after he died. Amazing tale of the journey his body took and how many times it has been moved. The cemetery grounds are beautiful too. Great War Memorial section as well. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright house right downtown too if you are a fan of architecture. $10. There is a big parking garage across from Union Station that we used and you can walk to a lot of the things to do around there. The house is in town, actually a whole block sectioned off to explore, but you will need to drive there. His law practice building you can go to. At the visitor center at the home you can find useful guides and maps. A GPS or Mapquest makes it easy to get around. Springfield has a high crime rate but we generally felt safe the whole time we were there. Group of girls too. I sure hope this helps and you enjoy your trip across the pond!!!
Chetna G
5 contributions
If we reach by noon, do you think we will get the passes. I hear that it's free but you need to get passes in person. Do they run out of passes during summer? Wanna make sure we get to see it.
mcconnellboys
Lexington, KY148 contributions
Sorry, but I have no idea how busy they might be in summer. We were there in fall, on a weekend, and they were not busy at all. You might call ahead and ask the rangers how busy they expect to be on the day you are coming. If they have large bus groups scheduled that day then they can apprise you....
middie6
Grand Rapids, MI23 contributions
How much time should be alotted for this attraction?
Aaron W
22 contributions
2-4 hours depending on how much ready you do. It can be done really fast if you just want to see it but like most Springfield attractions the workers are very knowledgeable and the more you show interest the more they share.
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Claim your listingLincoln Home National Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Hotels near Lincoln Home National Historic Site:
- (0.29 km) President Abraham Lincoln Springfield - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- (0.25 km) Henry Mischler House
- (0.25 km) Wyndham Springfield City Centre
- (0.95 km) Inn At 835 Boutique Hotel
- (0.86 km) State House Inn, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- Restaurants near Lincoln Home National Historic Site:
- (0.18 km) Saputo's
- (0.23 km) Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery
- (0.19 km) Wm. Van's Coffee House
- (0.19 km) 7th Street Cidery
- (0.30 km) Maldaner's Restaurant