10 Fun Things to Do in Springfield, Illinois

If there’s one thing you should know about me it’s that I LOVE my hometown of Springfield! Spending the majority of my life here, working my first jobs here, starting my small business here, and growing in the community has all deepened my love for this city that I’m lucky enough to call home.  Most people know Springfield due to it being the capital of Illinois, and while visiting the historic sites of the Land of Lincoln is definitely a wonderful experience, there is SO much more to do in Springfield! With that in mind, here are some of my favorite places and spaces to spend my time in Springfield, Illinois!

1. Grab a Slice and Drink from Anvil & Forge 

First on our list is one of my favorite spots to grab a drink in Springfield, Illinois: Anvil & Forge! They’re a craft brewery and distillery combo, which means that no matter your preference on beverage they have you covered! From delicious craft beers, to creative cocktails, and they even have some N/A options too! In case that wasn’t enough though they also have a full kitchen, and their pizza is DIVINE. Their industrial styled taproom is found on the north side of downtown Springfield, and is the perfect spot to meet new people, join events, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and catch some live music!

2. Have Some Fun at The Wakery

If you’ve been following along with my blog for a minute here then you may recognize The Wakery as a space for intimate weddings or engagement photos. While I do adore The Wakery for photography purposes, it also is one of my go to spots for getting out and doing things in Springfield, Illinois! Just blocks away from Anvil & Forge, The Wakery is a non-alcoholic bar that LOVES to put on and host incredible events! Between seasonal events, open mic nights, comedy shows, and more, there’s almost always something happening at The Wakery. Even if you do happen to find yourself there on a night where nothing is scheduled, the craft coffee, N/A beverages, and wonderful community and environment all make a stop here SO worth it for a night out in Springfield!

3. Grab Some Gifts at Daisy Jane 

Whether you have a birthday coming up, an anniversary, or you just want to spoil someone you love (or yourself) with something nice, you have to stop in and check out Daisy Jane! From knickknacks to clothing, home décor to children’s gifts, and so much more, Daisy Jane has something for everyone! The unique and vibrant store also offers a wide range of seasonal items, so keep them on your list when the next holiday season rolls around here! As an added bonus, they are literal neighbors with The Wakery, so you can easily fit both of these amazing spaces into your adventure through downtown Springfield, Illinois!

4. Grab Lunch at Incredibly Delicious

Having a name like Incredibly Delicious comes with some pretty high expectations, thankfully this bakery in downtown Springfield, Illinois easily lives up to their namesake! Their baked goods are phenomenal, and their breakfast and lunch options also make this an easy choice when deciding where to stop for a quick bite in downtown. What makes Incredibly Delicious even cooler though is that it’s in one of the historic mansions of downtown Springfield, giving the bakery a wholly unique style and charm to it!

5. Check Something Out from the Lincoln Library

Libraries have always been spaces for community and personal growth, and the Lincoln Library of Springfield really takes this concept to the next level! Like all libraries you can check out any of their thousands of books, but you can also check out items from their Library of Things! Musical instruments, yard games, home improvement tools, and more can all be rented from the Library of Things, and I just LOVE this for our community! The library also hosts many events throughout the year such as yoga classes, board game nights, classes, guest speakers, and SO much more!

6. Say Hi to Linda at Springfield Vintage

For my lovers of antiquing and vintage thrifting, Springfield Vintage is something you have to experience when visiting the Illinois capitol! Linda and her team are masters of curation, and they’re just plain awesome people too. Every time I visit it’s an adventure as their stock is constantly rotating and being updated with their most recent finds, and believe me when I say they have some excellent taste! If you love vintage clothing, furniture, and décor there’s no better place to get your fix than Springfield Vintage!

7. See a Show!

If you’re a fan of live performances and classic movie showings, Springfield practically spoils you with options! The Hoogland, Legacy Theater, and Muni all offer an array of incredible shows to see throughout the year, the only exception being Muni which only has showings in the summers. From cover acts of legendary artists, to showings of seasonal classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life”, a night out to a show is always a fabulous time in Springfield!

8. Grab Freshly Baked Bread at Food Fantasies

One of THE cutest small grocery stores of Springfield, Illinois, Food Fantasies also happens to be my go to place for freshly baked bread! Any Springfield resident who’s experienced the bread of Food Fantasies can back me up when I say that this is THE spot to go to for some baked goods. Grab some for your next family get together, a picnic meal, or even just for a snack at home, and I promise you’ll be craving more the moment it’s gone. Don’t blame if you start stopping by there weekly though!

9. Snag Some Sustainable Products from The Keep Store

Sustainability is something that’s become increasingly important to me over the years, and The Keep Store has played a big role in making that happen. The way they make sustainability feel approachable and feasible for everyone is SO refreshing. Whether you’re a sustainability expert, or you’re just starting out on your journey, The Keep Store has something for you! They also host an array of events throughout the year like clothing swaps and mending classes, which are great for learning and meeting like minded people in the community!

10. Thrift Craft Supplies at Creative Reuse Marketplace

Speaking of sustainability, another favorite spot of mine in Springfield, Illinois is the incredible Creative Reuse Marketplace! Creative Reuse, or CRM for short, is a community driven non profit with a focus on finding creative ways to reuse items that may otherwise go to waste. They host monthly workshops which are SO much fun, and they also operate as a small storefront for reused and upcycled items!

Bonus! Attend Trivia at Boones on Sunday Nights

If you’ve read some of my past articles then you probably know that I love to sneak a bonus spot or two on my lists, and today’s no different! My final shoutout for things to do in Springfield, Illinois is head to Boone’s for some delicious food and their trivia Sundays! The fun and casual space, and their incredible food and drink menu have made Boon’s one of my go to spots in Springfield, and if you happen to head there for some trivia you’re probably going to run into me!

In truth, Springfield is home to SO many incredible businesses that I could just keep going on and on listing them out here. It’s part of what makes this city such a special place to live, so I hope this article has inspired you to check out some of the businesses listed, or even some of the small businesses where you live! Our small businesses are what make where we live special. They provide community spaces and events, quality products made and curated with love, and services that are born from passion rather than a desire to maximize shareholder profits, so support your local businesses! Speaking of which, if you happen to need a local photographer for your wedding or elopement you can send me an inquiry through my contact page!