Illinois State Museum, Springfield

This museum was a nice respite from the cold weather! There is a cool gift shop, an area for kids, and two floors of exhibits. When I went here with my spouse the top floor exhibits were under construction, but we still enjoyed visiting the museum. Staff was friendly and there were a lot of neat items at the gift shop.

Small museum; 2 floors of exhibits; great set up with the history of Illinois throughout. Ranges from the early geology and dinosaurs, to life from the first settlers up to the present. Took us about 90 minutes. Has a few interactive things, helps with kids. Easy to follow; generally a one-way path through it.