Things To Know Before You Come

Check our Alerts Page

Please review our Alerts and Current Conditions page for any current changes in operation status, weather and safety information, and other important information you may need to know about site conditions at Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

 

Getting on a Tour of the Lincoln Home

• To go inside the Lincoln Home, visitors must get tickets for the free ranger-led tour. The tour is not self-guided.
• All tour tickets are free and are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
• During periods of high visitation (March - November) after 9:00 am wait times for Lincoln Home tours can exceed one hour. During busy days, tickets have been known to run out by 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
• Groups of 15 or more must reserve a tour date and time. Please see our Fees & Passes page for more details.

Taking a Tour of the Lincoln Home

• Flash photography is allowed inside the Lincoln Home.
• Strollers and motorized wheelchairs are not permitted inside the home. However, the first floor of the Lincoln Home is wheelchair accessible.
• Please leave backpacks, large bags and purses (if possible) in vehicles to reduce damage to walls in Lincoln Home. All bags brought with you into the home must be worn on the front of your person.
• Food and drink are not permitted in the Lincoln Home.
• Pets are not permitted inside the Lincoln Home and Visitor Center with the exception of service animals. Pet owners are recommended to review our Pets page.

Travel and Accomodations

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site has a parking lot located a half block south of the visitor center. Parking in the parking lot is $2 per hour. On street parking is also available. We ask that visitors please use debit and credit card payment for parking and payment of passes. We do not accept cash.
• Weather at Lincoln Home National Historic Site can be very different depending on the day and season, with temperatures at our site ranging from 0°F (-18°C) in the winter to 95°F (35°C) or warmer in the summer. For more information, please visit our Weather page.
• The first floor of the Lincoln Home is wheelchair accessible and assisted listening devices, wheelchairs, foreign-language booklets, and sensory aids are available for checkout. For more accessibility information, please review our Accessibility page.
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site has no overnight accomodations, on-site dining, or campgrounds. However, there are a number of resturants and places to stay in downtown Springfield, with several restaurants within walking distance of the site. More information on restaurants, lodging, and camping in the Springfield area is available on the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau website. To talk with the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau staff, please call 1-800-545-7300 or send them an e-mail at [e-mail].

Permits and Policies

• Please review Lincoln Home National Historic Site's Laws and Policies before your visit.
• Some activities require a Special Park Use Permit, such as professional filming, certain kinds of gatherings, and any other special park uses that may interfere with normal visitor activities. First Amendment demonstrations of less than 25 persons do not require a permit, however organizers of such gatherings may find it helpful to contact park staff to better assist in ensuring a successful event. For more information, please visit our Permits page.
• For further information on the permit process or Special Park Use fees and exceptions, please contact the Ranger Activities office at [phone].

 

The Lincoln Home is the first and only house Abraham Lincoln owned

NPS