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Amtrak discounts and a great, recommended destination from Chicago area

 by
Sandy Dickson

First, a very important word about Amtrak
    Why? Because Amtrak is offering a special through June: a 20 percent discount on the lowest fares to ANYWHERE they go! But you should know that there are always discounts for seniors, students, veterans, AAA members. Children between ages 2 and 17 ride for half price.
     Amtrak provides a safe, efficient way to get there with no driving, traffic lights, and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Visit Amtrak.com and click on HOT DEALS for promo offers, or call 800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) for info and reservations.

     Now, let me tell you about a wonderful weekend trip you can take that isn’t too far, SPRINGFIELD, IL !!   
     If you are looking for a great, inexpensive short-term trip, there is a wonderful, do-able place not too far away to be insurmountable for most any budget. Springfield, Illinois! It’s so nice and reachable, I want everyone to see it!
     I have lived in cities all over the world, living in some of their cities, traveling extensively in others, but far as I'm concerned, none are better than Springfield, Illinois. It is easy paced, seeming to rise and embrace you somehow. It's casual, most of the main points of historical interest are within comfortable walking distance.and everywhere one might be standing is usually very near something that bears a closer look for some interesting reason. 
     There are so many things to do there, even beyond the historical venue, taking a few more days than a weekend would keep people of all ages and interests pleasantly occupied. This is a general overview of the town itself, but in subsequent articles we will zero in on more specifics. Springfield is a big little town with a great, embracing, casual- atmosphere and lots to do for every age group and preference.
     Not only that, but Springfield, Illinois, state capitol since 1837, is easily reachable by train with five roundtrip Amtrak trains daily from Chicago.
     The biggest draws in Springfield are the Lincoln and historical-related attractions and certainly with limited time or shorter trips, those should not be missed. Topping the list of musts would be the Lincoln Museum and his home, both about a block apart. The Abraham Lincoln Museum, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. has an admission prices: ages 5-15: $4, Students and vets with ID and guests age 62 and up:  $7, ages 16 - 61: $10. Children under age 5: free.        
     Those interested in any Lincoln or family ancestral research are welcome to use the archives free at the Presidential Library, housing the most complete collection of Lincoln documents and artifacts in the world free of charge across the street from the Lincoln Museum.
     Lincoln’s tomb can be visited in Oak Ridge Cemetery of Springfield. There are also separate war memorials for the Illinois, Korean, Vietnam and World War II veterans in this cemetery.  There are all free.
     About 20 miles away is the small town of New Salem, where Lincoln spent some of his boyhood years. The small village is preserved as it was then with actors dressed in costumes of that period, as they perform common tasks of the day.  Free
     For visitors who want to do more than enjoy the historic sites, there is Springfield Lake that offers about as many water activities as can be done on water as possible, with fishing, swimming, skiing, boating, or hiking along the nature trails that surround it. Many of the lake clubs have summer activities that are also open to the public.
     Springfield’s huge water park, Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure open in summer, features water slides, water bumper cars, a wave pool, water play areas and much more. The driving range and miniature golf courses are open year-round. The park also has batting cages.  These have admission charges.
     There are also the free attractions of Illinois State Museum, Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, the Air Combat Museum, Washington Park Botanical Garden and Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center. This features the landscape Abraham Lincoln would have known growing up and living in the Midwest, containing plants native to his three home states: Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. Old State Capitol and some other attractions  accept donations.
     There are bike trails, golf courses, cultural venues at the Center for the Arts. There is Henson Robinson Zoo, (admission) the Illinois Fire Museum as well as the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Museum and the Illinois State Military Museum,  (all free but some with donations accepted) and the Shea’s Gas Station Museum, Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon as museums (admission charge.)
     Most of the historic sites are free, including the tour of Lincoln’s home as Illinois State Senator, and the capitol buildings.  When the time came, Abraham Lincoln's son sold his father's house to the state for $1.00, with the stipulation that no admission would ever be charged, and that condition has always been honored.
     If you like to shop or eat, Springfield has a lot to offer there too. Great little shops in the downtown district present a host of interesting and unique merchandise and there are malls within driving distance. The local bus offers transportation to the mall and both the bus and trolley are challenged-accessible.
     The historic sites bus through the public transportation and the trolley goes to Lincoln's tomb, however, there is no public transport to New Salem.
     There are also a variety of walking tours through the city conducted through Springfield Walk. Garret Moffett has come up with a host of interesting tours, including Ghost Walks, Mr. Lincoln’s Bicentennial Springfield Walk, even a crime history walk and several more. They include fascinating lore, some true, some unproven rumor, but he knows which is which and is willing to share what he knows.  He will even tailor-make tours to fit visitors preferences. These are a must with a man possessing a wealth of information if you have the time.
      Rates for any pay-attractions remain constant throughout the year. Hotels often offer various seasonal packages, but are generally much more reasonable than those in larger cities.
     With this being the bi-centennial year of Lincoln’s birth, there are several special events centered around that theme.
     With Springfield being on the famed old Route 66 (later being replaced by Rte 55,) the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival takes place Friday, September 26th - Sunday, September 28th, 2008.
     Illinois State Fair will take place August 13 to 23 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. We’ll tell you more about that in subsequent articles too. Call Garret at 217 502-8687 or Tinsley’s at 217 525 1825, where tickets can be purchased or visit SpringfiledWalks.com