I Asked Our AI-Travel Planner for a Weekend Adventure in Springfield, Illinois—Here’s What It Created

In Illinois' capital city of Springfield, you see President Abraham Lincoln practically everywhere you look. You can't escape Lincoln's gaze, whether it's a statue, a sign, or a mural. So, when I thought about making a travel itinerary using the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner, I assumed it would be full of Lincoln-adjacent activities. To my surprise, the travel planner created a well-rounded weekend adventure plan with only a hint of Honest Abe.

Using the travel planner, I just told it I wanted a weekend itinerary for my spouse and me. I asked for recommendations for unique stays, restaurants, museums, tours, and attractions for May. However, I doubt a Midwestern winter would hinder any of these activities.

Things to Do in Springfield

Before we dive into the travel planner's recommendations, if you haven't been to Springfield before, you should make at least one stop on the trail of Abraham Lincoln attractions. If nothing else, stop by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to get a sense of the city's most beloved icon. Even an hour or two inside the museum provides a deep understanding of Lincoln's presidency and his life as a man away from the Oval Office. Even if you know his legacy well, it's worth visiting. I adore this museum.

The Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum is a museum I haven't visited before, and one recommended by the AI travel planner. This history museum also tells an essential story about Illinois, highlighting African-American Illinoisians from the state's storied past and present. Both familiar names and unfamiliar names adorn the halls of this museum, keeping alive the innumerable legacies of Illinois. Together with its volunteers, the museum has also curated hundreds of oral histories from citizens of Central Illinois to further its mission.

Places to Eat in Springfield

In Springfield, even the food has a historic bent. The delectable Maldaner's Restaurant and Catering has fed the city since 1884. As the oldest restaurant in the capital city, this eatery is loaded with local history! Being so close to the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, Maldaner's has undoubtedly been visited by plenty of politicos in its over 125-year history. Even former Senator Barack Obama is said to have dined here.

While it is probably less historically political, the Chili Parlor is an icon in its own right. Thanks to its several television appearances on shows like Man Vs. Food, you might recognize the comfort food staple. The Chili Parlor opened on New Year's Eve in 1945. Ever since, it's been serving up the beloved chili that locals and visitors have come to know. Despite ownership changes, that chili recipe remains a quintessential Springfield experience.

Where to Stay in Springfield

When I asked the AI travel planner to find a unique stay in Springfield, I wasn't sure what to expect. Yet the riverside lodge it suggested complements this trip itinerary's historic angle without missing that unique attraction element. Located about 30 minutes from downtown Springfield in nearby Petersburg, Illinois, the RiverBank Lodge is too charming to ignore.

At first glance, you know this hotel is on a riverbank, but you might not realize it's housed inside a former First National Bank building. So it is, almost literally, a riverbank. The hotel is rustic and homey, with hints at its past as the town bank. Yet it offers a perfect thematic connection to the rest of the trip.

The AI Travel Planner Verdict

As my spouse and I are history buffs, the AI travel planner itinerary for Springfield was perfect for us. Since we've been to Springfield and done several Lincoln activities, I was looking for other ways to get to know the city better. Without missing a beat, the travel planner made the planning easy. Plus I love the availability of a more rustic accommodation, even with a big city visit.

This article was made using our award-winning dashboard planner. Feel free to check it out.