Abraham Lincoln and Springfield, Illinois

Serving as the Illinois statehouse from 1839 to 1876, Springfield's Old State Capitol building played an important role in Abraham Lincoln's rise to political prominence. A daily visitor to the building, Lincoln delivered his memorable "House Divided" speech in its Representatives Hall during his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Although he lost that election, he was nominated to run for president two years later, and we all know how that turned out.

Photo credit: Illinois Old Capitol building (Photodisc/Getty)

Top 5 Cheap City Getaways

Take advantage of freebies and think like a local to experience these five big cities on a small budget.

New York
If you stay in a family-friendly hostel or funky bed and breakfast, use public transportation, and scout for deals on food, a trip to NYC can be surprisingly cheap.

Chicago
Don't overlook city passes, use the El when you can, and keep in mind that some of Chicago's most beloved attractions, like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park are free.

The Best of Chicago

Chicago has it all: first-rate museums, a world-famous aquarium, miles of lakefront walkways and bicycle paths, plus great art and architecture. From the observation deck of the 110-story-high Willis Tower (renamed from the Sears Tower in 2009), the tallest building in North America, you'll get a thrilling eyeful of Chicago's forest of skyscrapers; these days, the thrill's even more acute with the opening of the glass-bottomed SkyDeck, offering a sheer 103-story drop to the sidewalks below. Down on the Loop's streets, find sculptures by Picasso, Miro, Chagall, and other masters, as well as cafes serving some of the country's best deep-dish pizza.

Photo credit: Chicago, Illinois (Edward Rothberger)