Wanted to see if there was interest in a 2-3 day Springfield/New Salem tour for the second week in October 2013 (peak fall foliage).

Joe Di Cola and I have discussed this and Joe would be our guide. He has been here several times. Planned stops would be New Salem and local cemeteries, Lincoln's Home and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, the Old State Capitol, the Abraham Lincoln Museum and the Lincoln Tomb. More places if time permits.

This would be very informal, you can join us for as much or as little of this as you want.

We were thinking about a downtown motel (Abraham Lincoln Motel ?) since it would be within walking distance of many of the sites, and there are several good restaurants in the area. Their rates are around $135/night, but maybe we can get a group discount.

We'll work out more of the details as we find out how many might be interested, so please respond if your interested. It will be a lot of fun.

http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/
http://visit-springfieldillinois.com/
http://www.presidentabrahamlincolnhotel....ooms3.html

And if you have any ideas regarding the tour, we would like to hear from you.

Have fun gentlemen. When Lindsey and I went to Springfield in November of 2011, we stayed at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, too. It was very nice. Plan on giving the Presidential Museum a great deal of time. There's a lot to look at there.

Hello Gene & Joe,
That sounds like a great idea and I appreciate that you two would host this informal tour. Thank you very much! My wife and I are planning on returning for the festivities in 2015 (Funeral train, etc.) so propbably cannot go with you guys. It sounds like a fun time with knowledgeable people. Thanks again.

Surratt House sponsored such a bus trip a few years back. If you think our tour coordinator can assist in any way, give a holler.

I would love to do this!
Let me know when and count me in.

JR Eagon

(06-03-2013 12:19 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Surratt House sponsored such a bus trip a few years back. If you think our tour coordinator can assist in any way, give a holler.

Lauri are you going to hop on the bus and come join us?

My wife and I are sitting having an early dinner at Olive Garden discussing the idea of the "Springfield Tour." What is the latest on it? Have there been dates set? Any further details?

Target date - Arrive at Springfield on Oct 10. I will probably arrive early in the afternoon. Visit sites listed in post #1 on Friday & Saturday the 11th & 12th. I've will probably head home on Sunday, but you can stay longer if you want to.
Joe knows Springfield area better than I do, so he might be able to tell you more. The motel is downtown within walking distance of Lincoln's home and the museum, as well as several other sites. We were planning on a nice restaurant downtown for at least one evening meal. Joe indicated we might even do a downtown walking tour in the evening, and that there is a nice bookstore downtown also. This event will be very informal, a group of friends who have never met each other seeing the sights. You can come for part or all of the sites. I have not yet called the motel to see if we can get a group discount till I have a better idea on how many may come. Hope you and your wife can come Bill, it should be great! My wife is planning on coming too.

For those of you who may live in the Springfield area, come join us, if only for lunch or dinner. (Or we could arrange to come over to your house for breakfast on Saturday around 5:30 AM - I'll bring the eggs)

Gene, thanks for the update. My wife and I are now planning on coming. We will arrive on Thursday the 10th and stay the 11th, 12th, and leave on Sunday the 13th. We need to know about the group rate ASAP- as we are ready to book this trip!

I will call the motel tomorrow.

If anyone out there in cyber space is even thinking about coming, post it or please send me a PM.
We want to arrange the best motel price we can for the group.

I like the Abraham Lincoln Hotel- it's centrally located and historic.

Bill,

I am with you; the Abraham Lincoln Hotel is great and within walking distance of the in-town sites. I plan to stay there. I am so glad I am finally going to meet you in person.

Joe

My wife and I stayed there a few years ago opting not to rent a car. I agree, we were able to walk all over town and twice to the cemetery which was a hike. But, it was a nice way to see the area and get some excercise. When we went the Embalming Museum was just outside the main gate. I think it is closed now.

(06-19-2013 09:12 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote:  Bill,

I am with you; the Abraham Lincoln Hotel is great and within walking distance of the in-town sites. I plan to stay there. I am so glad I am finally going to meet you in person.

Joe

Same here Joe! I'm just waiting to hear about a group rate?

Well...your wait is over (sort of)

I called the motel direct and got a room rate of $119.98 per night (plus tax) for Oct 10-12, indicating we needed at least 4 rooms.
(Roger, I need your credit card #, )
If we need 10 or more rooms, the rate will go down.

You can PM me for more info. Stay tuned in for more updates.