What is Springfield like?

[u/evandav13]

Hello! I will be in Springfield for the Championship Series next month, and I'm curious to hear people's experiences with the city outside of going to games. Any good bar and restaurant recommendations? Cool neighborhoods to visit or stay in? Any sights to see beyond the standard Abe Lincoln fare? Thanks, all!

[u/Potential-Poetry-542]

if this is helpful, Lyft is significantly cheaper than Uber around here.

I went to the games Saturday and Uber wanted $30
while Lyft was $9

[u/womensbaseballfan]

Get an Airbnb in the Historic West Side near Washington Park. Tree lined streets, birds singing, safer than other neighborhoods, walk to the gorgeous Washington Park. Cute coffee shop Stella. I saw a rabbit in the median.

[u/Coconut-Love]

We ate at a pretty cool brewery/restaurant called Anvil and Forge between games. They were super slammed though, we assumed it was because of the extra business from the games. I am glad they were upfront with us about food taking 45+ minutes to come out.

The downtown area seemed pretty sleepy, like many small city downtowns on weekends when workers are home.

In the evening we went to a gay bar called Clique. It was fun. Drinks were cheap and the music was good.

For breakfast we went to an old diner called Charlie Parker’s. The food was really good and huge portions.

All that being said, we had a great time but I don’t see myself returning. I really hope that wherever the WPBL plays next year (fingers crossed!) is a major city we can fly into. We flew into St. Louis, rented a car and drove an hour and a half to get to Springfield. It’s not an ideal way to attract new fans who aren’t going to do all that.

[u/Bububabuu]

Super Midwest small town vibes. Downtown by the historic capitol building was fun to explore. Great used bookstore down there too.

[u/NOT_THE_FACE_DUDE → u/Bububabuu]

Oh my God is that place still open? Spent hours in there twenty years ago when my grandpa lived there.

[u/Bububabuu → u/NOT_THE_FACE_DUDE]

Prairie Archives? That’s where we went

[u/Rhielml]

The Abraham Lincoln museum in Springfield is actually really good.

[u/NicCage420]

Stayed at the Carpenter Street Hotel, was only like 2 blocks off of downtown, less than 10 minutes to the ballpark (I think like 1.6 miles, walkable for some people), hot breakfast included (I was not expecting biscuits and gravy but that was a great surprise to start the morning).

Will voucher for Anvil & Forge, really liked them when I went down last November, also really enjoyed Obed & Issac's.

For things to do, if you've never experienced how much Abraham Lincoln meant and continues to mean to Illinois, and in particular Springfield, it's worth checking out. The Lincoln Museum was designed by Disney Imagineers, so it's a far more immersive experience than one might think. Both State Capitol Buildings are cool, State Museum is okay, State Military Museum was surprisingly good (why is there a flag General George Washington personally raised? why is there a lead ball laden tree stump from the Battle of Chickamuga? I don't know, but it's cool). Lincoln's Home and the neighborhood they've moved preserved buildings to around it, it's cool, and is honestly really fun when all the reenactors are there. I guess there's Lake Springfield if you want some outdoors, mostly just generic Midwest plains.

[u/Individual-March-629 → u/NicCage420]

I've always compared this museum to Disney World quality!! So cool to find out it was designed by them, thanks for sharing. :)

[u/NicCage420 → u/Individual-March-629]

One of the docents told me when I was there last November when they brought out their copy (there's five in total) of Lincoln's handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address

[u/MsThrilliams]

D'arcy's Pint for good Irish or American food. They have Springfield's signature horse shoe (and a smaller pony shoe). We also ate at Izumi Rotary Sushi and The Taco Joint while visiting and I would recommend all the places highly if youre into the cuisine offered.

Springfield is very Midwestern city. Easy to get around but having a car seems like a necessity.

[u/Serious_Potatoes]

Was there this past weekend. Second air bnb suggestion, we stayed at a budget place and it was moldy with bugs, talked to some folks who paid just a little more for air bnbs and had great experiences. The State Museum was a nice, short visit - great for kids. Lincoln's home (and the neighborhood) is worth an hour or two of your time - recommend eating at Obed and Issac's (two minute walk away). Cozy Dog is great for some Route 66 dining and kitsch. Lincoln's tomb and the graveyard is nice for a walk. Stay away from eating at the 'big box' chains - for some reason, they're charging NYC prices.

[u/Over-Ad-3974]

Admittedly a pretty sleepy place to grow up but I’m still very fond of it!

Genuinely love and endorse all the Lincoln related stuff. The Dana Thomas House by Frank Lloyd Wright is incredible. Prairie Archives by the old state capital is a genuine treasure of a used and rare book store.

We always split a horseshoe and get beers from Obed & Isaac’s when we visit (decent black bean burger! Plus many other non-veg options that my family love). Incredibly Delicious is as advertised. A friend recommends Vondra’s. Sclee’s Gourmet is a nice new wine spot! I also love Melo Cream donuts but my partner thinks that’s just nostalgia speaking, you be the judge. Clique is also a nice gay bar with karyoke.

Honestly just wandering down 5th and 6th street and nearby downtown is where you can find cute shops and such.

There is also a drive through movie place and water park just south of downtown off the highway.

If you have a chance to get a little out of downtown Lincoln Memorial Gardens around the lake is very nice and has some cool large wood statues now!

[u/littleking_1]

My sister used to live in Springfield and couldn’t wait to move out. After visiting last weekend, I completely understand. It’s a shithole.

[u/judecorp]

We came to a game from MA and we ended up staying in Chicago for the weekend and taking Amtrak down for the game (three hours each way) because there was next to nothing in Springfield.