Plan Your Visit

Welcome to Lincoln Home!

NPS Photo

 

“Let the story of Abraham Lincoln awe and inspire!

At Lincoln Home National Historic Site you can follow in the footsteps of the father, husband, lawyer, and statesman who led the nation through the turbulent Civil War and fought for the ideals of freedom and democracy. Get a glimpse into the life and stories of the man who aspired to turn the war into a ‘new birth of freedom.’”

Things to Keep in Mind when Planning Your Visit

1. You Need a Ticket to Enter the Lincoln Home

The only way to go inside the Lincoln Home is on a guided tour. Tickets are free! Tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be received in-person, on the day of one’s visit at the Visitor Center. Groups of 15 or more must schedule their tour in advance. Please see our Fees & Passes page for more information. The guided tour lasts about 30 minutes.

2. Get Your Ticket Early

During our busy season (March through November), tour tickets can run out fast! Please arrive early if you want to get on a tour. Tickets are given out first come, first served.

3. Please Be Patient and Flexible

The home is over 180 years old and to keep it in good condition, we are only able to accommodate roughly 15 individuals per tour. Hundreds of thousands of people visit this site every year. Please be aware that during the busy season, wait times to go on a tour of the Lincoln Home can exceed one hour.

4. We Offer More than Tours!

In addition to tours of the Lincoln Home, visitors can browse several self-guided exhibits, watch the park films at the visitor center, and walk around the historic 4-block neighborhood. There is a Junior Ranger program for kids and in the summer, host special events and historic reenactors. Please see the Things to Do page and Events Calendar for more information on what you can do at the site.

5. There's Plenty to Do Around Springfield

Have some extra time before or after visiting the site? There’s plenty to do nearby to keep you busy! See the Nearby Attractions page to learn about what other sites and attractions you can explore around Springfield.

More Information

For the hours of operation, please see the Operating Hours & Season page.

For parking and driving directions, click here to go to the Directions & Transportation Page.

For accessibility information, please see the Accessibility page.

Find other helpful information on the Things to Know Before You Come page.