There are so many places to “get your fall on” in Illinois, and when it comes to fall I am all in. Give me a cool, crisp day, a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a scarf and some boots, point me to the gorgeous autumn leaves and I’m a very happy girl.
Since even before my husband Greg and I were married, one of our favorite places on earth was Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center in Springfield, Illinois. Any time of year is a good time to visit and walk the trails for some fresh air, exercise, and deer spotting. But fall at Lincoln Memorial Gardens? Well, it just can’t be beat.
I’m going to share my top three photo spots at Lincoln Memorial Gardens with some of my own family photos taken over the years, and I hope it might inspire you to start your own traditions at this gorgeous garden honoring the memory Abraham Lincoln.
#3 Look for bridges.
There are 6-miles of interconnected trails throughout Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center with a dozen footbridges of various sizes. They are a great place to take that perfect fall photo.
Check out the trail map – it indicates where all the bridges are located.
#2 Look for benches.
Another endearing feature of Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center is the wooden benches scattered throughout the 100-acre site. Each bench is engraved with a quote (most of them from Abraham Lincoln) and a dedication as benches can be purchased in memory of a loved one.
They are a great place to take a break from your walk, and many of them give you the perfect vantage point for a view of Lake Springfield and some great photos.
#1 Look for yellow leaves.
You always want to avoid yellow snow, but you should seek out yellow leaves. There is one spot at the main entrance of Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center where you can get the most beautifully lit photo you’ll ever see. No filters necessary.
When you first walk in there is a paved path, and you’ll see a large, round, flat rock. That rock sits under a large tree whose leaves turn a beautiful golden-yellow in the fall. If you make it to the garden when the leaves are still on the tree, any photo you take under that tree will be absolutely gorgeous.
Bonus Tip.
It’s also a great place to have your kids make a big pile of leaves and jump in them or throw them in the air.
Now this isn’t the only tree with yellow leaves, it’s just my favorite. Look for yellow leaves throughout the garden for great lighting for your photos.
The Fall Harvest Festival at Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center is October 9 – 10, 2021. From 10am – 4pm each day you can do crafts, get your face painted, see a puppet show, do some pumpkin decorating, and see the return of the fairy house and the troll trail
Admission is $8 for those 11+. Kids 10 and under get in free.
Share your fall photos with us!
I hope you and your family get a chance to enjoy fall in this beautiful location this year. If you do, I’d love to see your photos!
If you head out to see some fall color and take some pics, make sure you use #justaroamaway and tag @justaroamaway on Facebook and Instagram. One of your photos may be featured on our social media.
Written By: Michele Mitchell
Michele is a former co-host of John & Michele in the Morning on 104.5 WFMB in Springfield, Illinois. She now spends her time behind the scenes working on websites, apps, and all things digital for Neuhoff Media.
