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Ballard Nature Center

5.0 (3 reviews)

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Recommended Reviews - Ballard Nature Center

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2 years ago

It's lovely. Great trails. It's exactly what I'm looking for in a nature preserve in central IL.

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3 years ago

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8 years ago

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Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site - Pigs

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

4.2(6 reviews)
34.4 mi

This is not "Abe Lincoln", but his father "Thomas Lincoln". They were owned by Abraham Lincoln and…read moredeeded to his father Thomas. There's a museum which talks about the time/place when Thomas Lincoln lived here - takes about 45 minutes. There are groups where it is set up with buildings and farm animals of the Thomas' Lincoln's time. His grave is just down the road. A key part compares two farmers of the time period. One is a farmer from the area that was interested in farming for profit with the latest technology and Thomas Lincoln, who farmed for the purpose of being a self-sufficient farm owner. There is an example of the homes of each type of farmer. We went in March; apparently there are tours during the summer. Ours was self-guided.

I love Lincoln Log Cabin and have since I was a very young child…read more In the past, there were many animals there and actors who would talk to you in the part of people living during the time period. This was always super fun. I see that much less often now. There are less animals (last time I visited they had sheep, pigs, and chickens only) and I haven't seen any actors there in a while. With that being said, I enjoyed the sheep, chickens, and pigs and I also enjoyed looking at the buildings. They were all locked during my last visit, but sometimes you can go inside of them and look at the insides of the cabins, which is much more fun. During my last visit they were offering free produce they grew in their garden and I liked that a lot. We grabbed some tomatoes. The reduction of one star is simply because I remember the past when this place was super amazing. Now there haven't been actors the last few visits. I have seen sheep, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and cats there before, but my last visit only had three of those animals. In addition, it's more fun when you can enter the buildings. Even without all the animals and actors and access to the buildings, it's super fun and I'd recommend it!

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Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site - 1845 covered wagon. Very SUV-like...

1845 covered wagon. Very SUV-like...

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site - Chickens

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Chickens

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park

4.0(6 reviews)
72.9 mi

Great park in Springfield and you can get some exercise walking while your their. As a local…read more watercolor painter I love painting around the scenic stone bridge area plus it has a storied history with many tales to tell.

Lincoln Park in Springfield is a fantastic destination that offers a wide range of activities and…read moreamenities for visitors of all ages. The park is beautifully maintained, with lush green spaces, well-paved walking paths, and plenty of shade provided by mature trees. It's an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll, a family picnic, or just relaxing in nature. One of the highlights of Lincoln Park is its excellent disc golf course. The course is well-designed and offers a fun and challenging experience for players of all skill levels. The layout makes good use of the park's natural terrain, with a mix of open fields and wooded areas that require a variety of shots. The course is well-marked and maintained, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable game. There is a north and a south course! Which gives diversity and more fun and options! In addition to the disc golf course, Lincoln Park features playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas with tables and grills. There's also a beautiful lagoon that adds to the park's charm and provides a peaceful setting for fishing or simply enjoying the view. Overall, Lincoln Park is a wonderful place to spend a day outdoors. Whether you're there to play disc golf, have a picnic, or just enjoy the scenery, you're sure to have a great time. Highly recommended!

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Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park

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Ballard Nature Center - parks - Updated May 2026

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