3 Day Itinerary - Lincoln Experience

Have three days to explore the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln? Perfect. See just how much of the Lincoln experience you can discover in just a few short days! 

Day #1:

Begin your day in Lexington with a tour of the Mary Todd Lincoln House, 578 West Main Street. The house was purchased by Robert S. Todd, father of Mrs. Lincoln, in 1831. Mary Todd lived here until 1839 when she left Lexington to live with her sister in Springfield, IL. There she met, fell in love, and in 1842, married attorney and political figure, Abraham Lincoln. After their marriage, the Lincolns visited her family here. (Approximate tour length: 1 hr.)

Head northwest on W Main St to Jefferson St. Turn left onto S Jefferson St. Turn right onto W High St and continue onto Versailles Rd/US-60 W. Follow US 60 to the Bluegrass Pkwy. Take the Blue Grass Pkwy ramp to Lawrenceburg/Elizabethtown. Follow Bluegrass Pkwy to exit 21 US-31E S/New Haven Rd. Turn left onto US-31E S/New Haven Rd (signs for Hodgenville). Continue to follow US-31E S. Arrive at Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek, 7120 Bardstown Road, New Haven, KY. Destination will be on the right. (Travel time approximately 1 hr 15 min)

Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek is now part of the National Park System. At age 2 1/2, Lincoln's family moved from the Sinking Spring Farm to the Knob Creek Farm, which was then on the main route from Louisville to Nashville (now U.S. 31E). Lincoln is quoted as saying, "The place on Knob Creek, I remember very well; but I wasn’t born there. My earliest recollection however is of the Knob Creek place." Lincoln's brother Thomas, who died in infancy, was buried here. (Approximate tour length: 20 minutes)

From Knob Creek, head southwest (right turn) on US-31E S. Enter the traffic circle, and arrive at The Lincoln Museum, 66 Lincoln Square, Hodgenville. Destination will be on the right. (Travel time approximately  8 min.)

The Lincoln Museum is Kentucky's official museum dedicated to Lincoln’s life and times. The museum features 12 historically accurate scenes from Lincoln’s life. Also included in the museum are Lincoln & Civil War memorabilia, the Lincoln Art Collection, and a 21-minute film. Be sure to walk out to the center of Town Square for a photo-op in front of The Lincoln Statue, which was erected in 1909 and is cast bronze on a pink granite pedestal. (Approximate tour length: 1 to 1.5 hrs.)

(Lunch break.)

From the Lincoln Museum, head south toward W Main St. Exit the traffic circle onto US-31E S/S Lincoln Blvd. Continue on US-31E S. Arrive at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site, 2995 Lincoln Farm Road, Hodgenville. Turn right onto Park main entrance. (Travel time approximately 6 min.)

Abraham Lincoln’s parents, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln, settled on the 348-acre Sinking Springs Farm in the fall of 1808. Two months later on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin near the Sinking Spring, the boy who would be our nation’s 16th President was born. Here the Lincolns lived and farmed before moving a few miles away to Knob Creek. The birthplace area was established by Congress on July 17, 1916. An early 19th century Kentucky cabin, symbolic of the one in which Lincoln was born, is preserved in a memorial building at the site of his birth. (Approximate tour length: 1.5 hrs.)

From the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, turn left onto US-31E N/Lincoln Farm Rd. Then turn left onto KY-61 N/Lincoln Pkwy and follow for 10.9 mi to I-65. Follow I-65 N to Louisville. (Approximate travel time 58 min.)

Spend the evening  enjoying Louisville’s great restaurants, shopping and accommodations.

Day #2:

From Louisville, take I-64 W to exit 57A. Follow US-231 S to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, 3027 East South Street, Lincoln City, IN. (Travel time approximately 1hr 15min.)

Abraham Lincoln spent his formative years in Indiana. 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. Included in the park is the Lincoln Living Historical Farm, a working pioneer homestead where park rangers in period clothing perform a variety of homestead activities typical to the era. (Approximate tour length: 1 to 1.5 hrs.)

Located across from Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is Lincoln State Park. Established in 1932 as a memorial to Abraham's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the park is home to Lincoln Amphitheatre. The park includes 10 miles of hiking trails, two scenic lakes, and an interpretive center which provides a look into the early life of southern Indiana settlers. Also located on the property is the burial place of  Lincoln’s sister Sarah. In addition, there are campgrounds, cabins and group cottages. (Approximate tour length: 1 to 1.5 hrs.)

From Lincoln State Park. Head northwest on IN-162 S toward County Rd 300 E. Turn left onto Rockport St. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Boone St. Continue onto E County Rd 1575 N to arrive at the Colonel William Jones Home, 620 East County Road 1575 North, Gentryville. Destination will be on the right. (Travel time approximately 7 minutes)

The Colonel Jones Home is the historic home of William Jones, the merchant and Civil War officer who employed Lincoln as a young man. (Approximate tour length: 30 minutes)

Travel to Springfield to overnight. From Colonel Jones Home, head east on E County Rd 1575 N toward Park Dr. Continue onto Boone St, then turn left onto IN-62 E/Rockport St. Follow IN-62 E to US-231. Turn left onto US-231 N to I-64. Follow I-64 W to exit 23 and turn onto I-55 N. Follow to Springfield. (Approximate travel time 3hrs 55 minutes)

Springfield offers a great variety of dining and overnight accommodation choices.

Day #3:

Begin your day at the state-of-the-art Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The museum provides visitors with an emotional, evocative and immersive journey through Lincoln’s life. It includes two Multi-media theatres, special changing exhibits and the Treasures Gallery. 

Within an very easy walk of the museum is the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. This majestic structure dominated by imposing porticoes allows visitors to believe that they have stepped to Lincoln’s years in Springfield. Lincoln’s Law Offices State Historic Site are a quick walk across the square. All of these sites are surrounded by shops and restaurants. It would be easy to spend the good part of your day at these three sites.

Lincoln’s Home National Historic Site is within approximately 3 blocks of the downtown area. Lincoln, Mary and their children lived here from 1844 until he left for Washington. The house and the neighborhood around it provide glimpse of Lincoln the father, husband and neighbor. 

Lincoln, Mary and 3 of their 4 children are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. This imposing structure stands on a slight rise and provides a dramatic image as visitors enter the cemetery. People from all over the world come to the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site to pay respects to Lincoln. Next to Arlington Cemetery it is the second most visited cemetery in the country.