The best arts & culture spots in Sangamon County

Air Combat Museum keeps aviation history alive with a lineup that includes a P-51D, P-40 Warhawk, and a Vought Corsair, plus vintage trainers. Treat yourself this week to an hour of pure plane-nerd joy, the kind that makes you grin like a kid again.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 3, 2026

Edwards Place Historic Home is a two-story Italianate mansion from the 1850s, full of period furnishings, a cupola, and the many-chimneys vibe you only get in Springfield.

From the Springfield newsletter, October 18, 2026

Pearson Museum at SIU School of Medicine quietly packs a punch, from a restored doctor’s office to the Lewis Drugstore with its antique soda fountain, plus quirky tools and exhibits that make you extra grateful for antibiotics. Perfect little brain break between errands this week.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 10, 2026

Need a quick mood lift and a reminder that greatness can start in Central Illinois? Young Lincoln Mural splashes early Abe across a wall with big color and energy, turning a walk or coffee run into a two-minute art break and a nod to our roots.

From the Decatur newsletter, October 18, 2026

Old State Capitol State Historic Site brings 19th-century Illinois to life with a lovingly restored capitol building, period details, and educational exhibits. A nearby change of pace when you want a history fix that feels close to home, not like homework.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 28, 2026

Kidzeum of Health and Science packs three stories of hands-on exhibits, from green screen antics and water play to health, earth, and science zones that make learning feel sneaky fun. Great for Springfield families year round with memberships, camps, birthday parties, and new programs popping up downtown.

From the Springfield newsletter, October 28, 2026

Head to Illinois State Museum this week for "Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66," packed with neon signs, fiberglass giants, and firsthand oral histories, plus thoughtful looks at how travelers of color used the Green Book. Bonus, their Land of Stories project invites you to add your family's chapter.

From the Springfield newsletter, October 8, 2026

From powerful oral histories to exhibits including the 1908 Race Riot and features on Negro Leagues Baseball, Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum connects everyday life here with the bigger picture.

From the Springfield newsletter, October 14, 2026

Trutter Museum is hosting “House Rules,” a new show by Danny Houk that turns sculptures, installations, games and mixed media into sly gut-checks on humor, vulnerability and social inequity. It’s interactive, thoughtful, and the perfect brain snack to jumpstart your week in Springfield.

From the Springfield newsletter, October 21, 2026