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Planning Your Visit

Tour Overview

The Governor’s Mansion is open to free historical tours on Fridays at 1:45 pm & 3:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:45 pm. 

An art tour featuring several Illinois artists as well as a rotating exhibit from the Illinois State Museum is available on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 pm

Special 20-minute tours such as pre-Levitt concerts in the summer and decoration viewing during the holiday season are also offered.

The Mansion is closed for tours on state holidays and during official functions.

 

Please note: The Governor’s Mansion reserves the right to cancel tours at any time up to the time of the scheduled tour.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources trained staff and volunteers, called "interpreters," will lead your tour.  Self-guided tours are not permitted. 

Reservations are required for all individuals and groups touring the Mansion. Names of all individuals touring are required at the time of your reservation. To gain entry to the Mansion grounds, all visitors over the age of 18 must present a government-issued photo ID or passport matching the name on the ticket issued. Children under the age of 18 are welcome without an ID or passport when accompanied by an adult. Upon entry, all guests must go through magnetometers for security screening.

Group sizes are limited to 15 people per time slot. Groups greater than 15 people must divide into smaller subgroups and book at separate times. Standard tour length is approximately fifty-five minutes. All tours begin at the ADA accessible Jackson Street entrance, located on the north side of the Mansion between 4th and 5th Streets. Guests should arrive 5-10 minutes prior to their scheduled tour time and will be greeted at the Jackson Street gate by one of our interpreters. Standard tours must be booked through Eventbrite.

School groups should inquire about tours by email to igmtours@Illinois.gov.

For any changes or cancellations to your reservation please update through Eventbrite.  If you have any concerns or questions regarding your reservation, please notify the Illinois Governor’s Mansion by calling (217)782-6450 or sending an e-mail to igmtours@illinois.gov 24 hours in advance of your scheduled tour time.

Holiday Schedule

The Mansion is closed for tours on state holidays and during certain official functions. In 2023 the holidays the Mansion will be closed are:

Holiday
2024
New Year's Day Monday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 15
Lincoln's Birthday Monday, February 12
President's Day Monday, February 19
Memorial Day Monday, May 27
Juneteenth Wednesday, June 19
Independence Day Thursday, July 4
Labor Day Monday, September 2
Indigenous People's Day Monday, October 14
General Election Day Tuesday, November 5
Veterans' Day Monday, November 11
Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday,
November 28 and 29
Christmas Wednesday, December 25

Accessibility

The Illinois Governor’s Mansion is proud to be fully compliant with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). 

Please inform the House Manager at (217)782-6450 or send an e-mail to igmtours@illinois.gov one week prior to arriving for your tour if your group needs any special assistance or accommodations surrounding these requirements.

Map of Location of the Governor's Mansion

Parking

Parking is available at metered spaces (currently free) on Fourth and Fifth Street near the Mansion. Also, the Dana-Thomas House parking lot, which is located nearby at the intersection of Fourth Street and Lawrence Street, may be used while visiting the Mansion. This free lot is about a five minute walk to the Mansion.

Photo Policy

Photography and videotaping are not allowed.

Bag Policy

Guests may not bring large personal bags or backpacks onto the grounds. Small bags will be allowed and are subject to search by security members. Unauthorized bags will be required to be stored offsite.

Visitor Center

The city of Springfield has opened a new Visitors Center on the first floor of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office across from the Old State Capitol. Stop by to find all the information you need to help create your legendary experience in Springfield. 

Springfield Visitor Center
1 S. Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5:00 pm
217-789-2360

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