Itinerary 1: Indiana, Lincoln’s Boyhood Home

Follow the footsteps of Lincoln in Spencer County. Discover Indiana’s Lincoln and the place he called home from age 7 to 21 years old.

DAY ONE

Start your discovery at Lincoln’s family homestead near Lincoln City. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial illustrates what life was like for the Lincoln family between 1816 and 1830. The Memorial Visitors Center pays tribute to Lincoln and his time in Indiana featuring a museum and two memorial halls. Visit the working pioneer homestead where park rangers in period clothing perform a variety of homestead activities typical to the era.

Dine at Buffalo Run Farm, Grill & Gifts, a unique and Lincoln-related lunch stop. Buffalo Run commemorates the Buffalo Trace—a route Buffalo herds once used to migrate from the plains of Illinois to Kentucky and south. In addition to lunch, farm tours are also available.

Visit Lincoln State Park, located across from the National Memorial. Established in 1932 as a memorial to Abraham's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the park is home to the Lincoln Amphitheatre. During the summer, the outdoor theatre showcases an array of offerings by Rising Star Concerts. Throughout the bicentennial celebration, Lincoln-related products such as Young Abe Lincoln will also entertain audiences. This 1747-acre recreational haven offers an array of outdoor activities amidst the forested hills of Southern Indiana.

DAY TWO

Head to the Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum in Rockport. The museum houses hundreds of fascinating local area artifacts including a hutch made by Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas.

Visit the Colonel William Jones Home located in Gentryville. This 1834 Federal-design home has been carefully restored to the period, offering a unique look at the early development of Indiana and the life of Colonel William Jones, Lincoln’s first employer and a local politician.

For additional attraction, restaurant, and lodging information -
Spencer County Visitors Bureau

Itinerary 2: Learning about Lincoln in Indiana

Indiana, Lincoln’s Boyhood Home, features outstanding collections on the 16th president. Rare and impressive artifacts can be discovered throughout the state.

DAY ONE

Begin your day exploring The Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis. Located in the White River State Park and Canal Walk Cultural District, the Indiana Historical Society features a permanent changing exhibit devoted to the images of Abraham Lincoln, his significance as the 16th president, and his status as an American icon. The Faces of Lincoln exhibit explores the public perception of Lincoln throughout his life and after his assassination.

Lunch is available at the convenient Stardust Terrace located inside the Historical Society.

Head to Indiana’s second largest city, Fort Wayne, located just two hours northeast of Indianapolis. The Lincoln Museum, found downtown, is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history and legacy of Abraham Lincoln through permanent and temporary exhibits, lectures, and special events. These interactive exhibits offer an in-depth look at Lincoln’s life and legacy, allowing visitors to read Lincoln’s mail, decorate the White House, fight a Civil War battle, and more. The museum also houses a research library with thousands of published volumes and manuscripts regarding Lincoln including several Lincoln originals.

DAY TWO

From Fort Wayne travel historic Lincoln Highway (US 30) toward South Bend. Visit the Studebaker National Museum. Probably more famous for their cars, the Studebakers family business started out manufacturing carriages. Their most famous carriage is the carriage Lincoln rode to Ford’s Theatre in the night of his assassination which is on display at the museum.

For additional attraction, restaurant, and lodging information -
Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau
South Bend/Mishawaka Convention & Visitors Bureau