We went twice and once on Saturday Night we were fortunate to see live music by the Tangents. Most of the beer was great and the brewery made a lot of high gravity beer. Slaughterhouse Brewing made a Belgium beer aged in a Four Roses bourbon barrel with an alcohol content of 10.4. Our favorite brewery was located in Auburn (yes – named the same as my favorite city of all time) which is located about 8 miles south of Springfield. We went to Obed and Isaac’s, Anvil and Forge, and Engrained. No trip would be complete without a taste of the local brews. Largest Route 66 sign D’Arcy’s Pint Horseshoe that we shared I was a little underwhelmed, but believe that everyone should try a shoe at least once in your life. We went to D’Arcy’s where supposedly you can eat the best shoe in town. The famed horseshoe ( and its smaller version – the pony shoe – no – I am not kidding) starts with texas toast and then is covered with meat of your choice, french fries and melted cheese. We could not leave Springfield without tasting the local delicacy – the horseshoe. The food was OK, the museum aspect was pretty small, but we did view the largest Route 66 sign (according the Motorhead advertisement).
We had lunch at Route 66 Motorhead Bar, Grill and Museum. Entrance to garden garden path garden path garden bench We walked the park several times during our stay. Along the paths are benches inscribed with famous lines by Abraham Lincoln. The park contained walking paths and a Visitors Center. This is a 100 acre Prairie Garden managed by the city of Springfield. We walked Lincoln’s memorial garden most days we were in Springfield. The Oak Hill Cemetery was a beautiful place for one of the most exalted presidents to be buried. He is buried here with his wife Marry Todd Lincoln. Each corner contained a bronze sculpture of Lincoln at various times in his life. The obelisk was surrounded by sculptures that paid homage to the four different military services. Our Lincoln visit culminated in a trip to Lincoln’s Tomb.
New Salem Lincoln’s first store in New Salem The village featured twenty three historically furnished buildings with interpreters dressed in authentic clothing who provided information about Lincoln and the village. Lincoln lived here, was elected as a state representative, and worked various jobs (shop worker, barge driver, shop owner) before he moved to Springfield. New Salem was on the Sangamen River that was only viable for about 6 years. We drove to New Salem (approximately 15 miles from Springfield). His home is normally open for tours, but closed at this time for COVID. We walked through the four block section of Springfield that contained the remaining houses in the neighborhood where Lincoln lived.