Lincoln Ghost Walk
Lincoln’s footprints are all over Springfield, the Illinois capital where he worked as an attorney and later as a public servant before being elected president. There are plenty of Lincoln attractions around town, including his home, his law office and a museum in his honor. But groups can also get a perspective on his life during a Lincoln-themed walking tour of Springfield.
On Friday and Saturday nights in October and early November, groups can peek into the mystical side of the Lincoln family on a walking tour called Lincoln’s Ghost Walk: Legends and Lore. This 90-minute walking tour takes participants through a 10-block area of Springfield’s historic district and uses the various Lincoln sites around town to tell some of the stranger stories of the president’s life and death.
During the tour, visitors learn about Lincoln’s recurring prophetic visions and dreams, as well as the séances that his wife, Mary Todd, famously held at the White House.
Mount Vernon Fall Festival
In southern Illinois, the locals celebrate the harvest season with the Mount Vernon Fall Festival, which has become one of the largest annual events in the area. The three-day celebration always happens over the third weekend in October, when fall foliage is at its most colorful.
Many of the activities that take place during the festival are based around the harvest season. Visitors can marvel at the large pumpkins entered into the pumpkin contest or pick out their favorite local chili during the chili cook-off. Food and craft vendors line the streets to showcase their creations as well.
The festival also has a number of entertainment highlights. Things get started with a balloon glow on Friday night, followed by a carnival and a parade on Saturday. Nationally known musical acts perform throughout the day on Saturday, and Sunday features concerts by contemporary Christian music artists.
