Illinois State Museum — Attraction in Springfield

First off we got very very lucky and showed up on a children's activity day. My kids had fun making shadow pictures, playing with bubbles and making color changing Keychains. For us this visit was free, but I was told that normally it does cost, and was also told that their membership price it pretty reasonable.

Now on to the museum.. I wasn't expecting it to be so big and entertaining for even the littlest members of my family. I love the way that the floors were laid out. Some musuems make it hard to not backtrack because the rooms don't flow continuously, but the Illinois State Museum planner must have the same pet peeve as the musuem just flowed beautifully.

The subjects that they covered where engaging and they even had phones and videos where those who can't read could fully participate in learning.

Upstairs was an art gallery, and while enjoyable my kids just didn't get it (it didn't play at all to a younger level).

Downstairs though they have a play, learning and recreational area. Where my kids played happily for almost an hour.

Overall, great experience! I would say that you do need to plan at least 3 hours to get through it all...

Review Date: July 31st, 2012

A museum dedicated to more than Illinois.

Matt and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to when we decided to check out the Illinois State Museum. We set our sights on this place while trying to do all the big Lincoln-y things in Springfield. We had assumed it was just your normal museum dedicated to the state of Illinois, corn, and Lincoln. It was all that and much more.

It’s hard to put in words how cool this place was. It’s also hard because it’s been over 8 years since we came here and my memory is a bit fuzzy on it. Who is to say the exhibits haven’t also changed or been redone since 2012.

Any who, I will say that if you find yourself in Springfield and love awesome museums, check this one out. There is a lot to see pertaining to Illinois but it’s all so super cool and really well done. One of the best museums I’ve ever experienced.

I know this is a shorter-than-normal post. If it gets even one person interested in seeing this place, then I feel like I’ve done...

We have loved visiting ISM for 18 years - since we moved to Illinois. I've raised my two children as regulars here, and they still learn something new with each new trip.

We miss the Native American exhibits and look forward to their return or reinvention, the art gallery upstairs is always a favorite with my young artist, and my youngest has so much fun in the Play area.

The gift shop has a wide variety of items in semi-affordable price range, but I was particularly pleased to see items by local artists for sale as well, and we each (myself and my two kids) each got a little something.

Keeping the museum as a free attraction is so appreciated, too, since I just don't make a lot of money and it's something fun we can do pretty often and not get tired of it, and don't spend a fortune on return visits.

We spent 2+ hours inside your museum, and for us, that was...