Skip to main content

Search the middle of everything...

Shedd Aquarium

Illinois State Museum

502 S. Spring St., Springfield, IL 62706

Galleries

Discover Illinois’ natural and cultural heritage, experience exhibits showcasing Illinois art, or visit the Play Museum–a hands-on area where kids learn through play.

The Illinois State Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of the natural history, anthropology, history, and art of Illinois. Explore three floors of exhibits that display a vast array of items drawn from the Museum's collections of over 13.5 million artifacts including skeletal specimens of the Mastodon, and the giant Jefferson's Ground Sloth. Interactive elements, thrilling audio and video effects, life-sized dioramas and thousands of authentic fossils and specimens illustrate the processes that shaped and continue to transform Illinois' diverse environments. Learn about how native peoples and frontier Americans lived on the prairie of Illinois, and examine the works of great Illinois artists. Illinois 250

What's happening nearby...

History Comes Alive

Springfield, IL •  Jun 04 – Aug 08 @ 9AM

This summer, History Comes Alive returns for its 17th season as Abraham and Mary Lincoln lead a cast of characters on a trip back in time.

Read more about History Comes Alive

The 2026 Season at the Springfield Muni

The Springfield Muni •  May 29 – Aug 22 @ 8:30PM

Calling all theatre fans! The Springfield Muni returns with another exciting summer season!

Read more about The 2026 Season at the Springfield Muni

Women's Pro Baseball League Inagural Season at Robin Roberts Stadium

Robin Roberts Stadium •  Aug 01 – Sep 22 @ 5PM

The WPBL plays their inaugural season at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield IL

Read more about Women's Pro Baseball League Inagural Season at Robin Roberts Stadium

You might also be interested...

SAA Collective

Springfield

Featuring the fine art of over 80 of our talented local artist members, the SAA Collective holds regular rotating exhibitions at the H. D. Smith Gallery…

Read more about SAA Collective

The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

Springfield

The mission of the Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space is to cultivate and celebrate expressions of multidimensional artists. We strive to be a catalyst and forum…

Read more about The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

Ace Sign Company Sign Museum

Springfield

Ace Sign Company Sign Museum has some of the most amazing signage throughout Illinois and beyond. Inside you can find the famous "Sonrise Doughnut" sign…

Read more about Ace Sign Company Sign Museum

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.