Capital City Visitor

Boating and fishing Lake Springfield217-757-8660 x1011cwlp.comPublic boat launches are available from a variety of locations. Try your hand at fishing from the shoreline or from your boat in a private cove. Lake Springfield Marina17 Waters Edge Blvd.217-483-3625lakespringfieldmarina.comFull service marina with slip rental by day, week, month or season. Rent a pontoon boat, personal watercraft or […]

The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mic events and karaoke nights are well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road […]

Cozy Dog Drive-InAn icon in Springfield is the Cozy Dog Drive-in, home of the original batter-covered hot dog on a stick. This landmark, located on historic Route 66, features a great collection of Route 66 memorabilia.  Although corn dogs are popular at state fairs, you have to go to the Cozy Dog drive-in for the […]

American 3Sixteen Wine Bar316 N. Main St.,Chatham217-697-85693sixteenwinebar.com Abe’s Hideout2301 S. Dirksen Pkwy.217-679-2044abeshideouts.com Alexander’s Steak House620 Bruns Ln.217-793-0440alexanderssteak.com Anchors Away518 E. Capitol Ave.217-679-0166anchorsawayil.com Applebee’s Grill & Bar2554 Sunrise Dr.217-528-70213335 Veterans Pkwy.217-698-0550applebees.com Arlington’s210 Broadway St.217-679-6235arlingtonsspi.com Bakers Square3434 Freedom Dr.217-787-5555bakerssquare.com Barrel Head1577 W. Wabash Ave.217-787-2102thebarrelheadspringfield.com Bob Evans4221 Conestoga Dr.217-698-38003050 Stevenson Dr.217-529-1909bobevans.comBoyd’s New Generation Restaurant1831 S. Grand Ave. E.217-544-9866 […]

Microbreweries Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling619 E. Washington St. (downtown)217-679-1195anvilandforge.comThe newest edition to a burgeoning number of craft breweries in the capital city, Anvil & Forge opened in late 2018. The place has a no-nonsense vibe, with walls made from metal siding and reclaimed barn wood, a cement floor and a mix of fluorescent […]

Antiques and Flea Markets Abe’s Old Hat Antiques & Country Store111 N. Sixth St. 217-414-3320 Abe’s Tradin’ Post2704 Peoria Rd.217-753-2237 Barrel Antique Mall5850 S. Sixth St. Rd.217-585-1438barrelantiquemall.com Hilda’s Antique Mall14266 Frazee Rd., Divernon217-628-9192 Lisa’s Antique MallI-55 & Rte. 104, Divernon217-628-1111Merchant House625 E. Monroe St.217-744-3735merchanthouse.net Northfield Flea Market3226 E. Sangamon Ave.217-306-1873 Rusty Star Marketplace14335 Frazee Rd., Divernon217-628-1122 […]

MARCH McKinney, Hennessy and O’Hare (Irish Song Fest)March 14, 7pm Thu. Join McKinney, Hennessy and O’Hare as they perform Irish folk songs including songs by the Clancy Brothers, traditional Irish-American songs and story songs. $12. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787. Springfield Winter Farmers MarketMarch 16, 9am-1pm Sat. Seasonal farmers market […]

Springfield and Sangamon County aren’t just ideal places to visit; they’re also great places to live. The capital city of Illinois and the two dozen smaller villages and townships around it offer several intriguing reasons why you should call the Prairie State home. In addition to being the center of state government, the area has […]

Haven’t you seen enough sights? How about some fun? Take it from the locals – here are 17 ways to have a good time in the capital city that don’t involve learning anything at all. Just enjoy. Family-friendly entertainment Wet, wild family fun: Knight’s Action Park and Splash Kingdom – Prepare to get wet and […]

Telephone area code is 217 unless otherwise specified. BEST BURGER Krekel’s Custard and Hamburgers2121 North Grand Avenue, 525-4952 Not sure where to find Krekel’s – just look for the chicken. But it’s the beef burgers that have been Krekel’s claim to fame since 1949 – fresh, never frozen, smashed onto a sizzling hot griddle and […]

All phone numbers are area code 217 Alamo115 N. Fifth St. (523-1455) Alamo II 310 N. Main St., Chatham (483-6699) Always After Five2741 S. Sixth St. (528-0970) American Legion Post 32 1120 Sangamon Ave. (523-3415) American Legion Post 809 1800 E. Capitol (522-3110) AMF Strike N Spare Lanes          2660 W. Lawrence Ave. (787-6111) Apothecary Bar & […]

The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mics and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from […]