When my children were young I used to bring them to this amazing garden to explore and learn about a woodland environment. The paths are well marked and sprinkled with bridges over shallow creeks. There are surprises around every corner including beautiful views of Lake Springfield, story circles, small animals and butterflies. The nature center has clean bathrooms, nature displays and a gift shop. The garden holds events during the year which are lots of fun. There is no entrance fee except for the events. Parking is easy.
A moving experience within the Memorial, Seeing where Mr. Lincoln and most of family is resting. The guide whom have the short presentation on the history of the tomb seemed to be knowledgeable and entertaining. A must see
After driving several hours we needed to stretch our legs. Lincoln Memorial Gardens is a lovely wooded area with well marked trails, wooden bridges, and the gentle sounds of birds & water lapping along the shore of Lake Springfield. There is a gift shop near the entrance with a map of the trails available ( free ). They have some nice articles for sale especially bird baths, feeders, & wind chimes. Shop is closed on Mondays and at 4pm the rest of the week.
I was expecting this to be a garden with well kept flowers bit it really is a wooded area with many hiking trails. If you have limited time, go for the walk along lake springfield. Beautiful and tranquil. Benches throughout are carved with quotes from Abe. Fall leaves were beautiful.
really nice wooded trails. nature center was closed when we were there but well marked trails. take a photo of the map at the trail head when you start and then the posts mark all the cutoffs really nicely.
This garden was a nice way to start our trip in Springfield. Hence the name, there are benches on the walking trails that have Lincoln quotes. There is a gift shop there, also. It is close to the lake so it has a nice view.
You have to complete the story, that is brilliantly told by the town and the state park department. Not just a monument, for the story did not end with his death. Ask the narrator on location (or others at the other attractions) and you will continue to be amazed as to the impact this GREAT President made upon people at that period of time and why the story continues to amaze us today.
Situated just a few minutes south of Springfield's bustling downtown, this garden offers a peaceful retreat with lovely wooded trails and a nature center. The only visible tie to Lincoln are quotations inscribed on the various benches. The network of pathways through the garden travel through stone circles, intended by the garden's architect to be gathering places in the park. If you are here on a Saturday afternoon in late spring or fall, you may just happen upon a wedding. The majority of the garden has become somewhat overgrown over the years with large areas of non-native species pushing out the "native" plantings intended for the area, but this does not diminish the peacefulness of this retreat. I like to go and wander the paths just to lose myself sometimes. If you are lucky, as I once was, you can encounter deer withing meters. If you are looking for a place to stretch your legs or enjoy the peace of nature for a bit, this will do. I have yet to visit the nature center, but the garden shop is staffed by friendly volunteers and offers a few interpretive exhibits along with the usual gift shop offerings. Certainly not something I would put on any Springfield tourist's to-do list, but a beautiful stop none-the-less.
It's free! This is the best of both worlds for a hiker. Beautiful natural woods, flowers and lush greenery along with the wooden walkways to allow you to walk through the natural setting, but not interact with the less attractive side to nature. No poison ivy, no brambles to walk through. It's not busy all day, every day. It's relatively unpopulated. It's a beautiful walk no matter what season you're experiencing. I highly recommend walking through in all 4 seasons to get the different sights, sounds, and smells.
It is on the east end of Lake Springfield kind of a ways away from the city. Though that makes it a nice quiet place to escape from the tourist areas. The walk along Lake Springfield is pretty especially on a clear cold day in January with the lake frozen. Lots of trails to have a good hike with some hills but it's suitable for all types. It must be pretty in the fall or in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom so I will have to come back for sure!!