With some terrific road trip options in the surrounding area, renting a car makes sense. Without one, it’d be much harder to explore all that Springfield, 20 miles away, has to offer. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Illinois State Capitol and Lincoln Home National Historic Site alone justify the drive. Locals will also probably point you in the direction of Lincoln, 20 miles away. If you can only see one attraction here, let it be Lincoln Heritage Museum. (But we’re also big fans of Lincoln Speedway and Railsplitter Covered Wagon.)