President Abraham Lincoln’s Grave: A Visitor’s Guide

President Abraham Lincoln’s grave is in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. A beautiful granite monument is the final resting place of President Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons: Edward, William, and Thomas.

It was designed by famed architect Larkin Goldsmith Mead, whose other well-known works include the dome of the Vermont Capitol and  National Statuary Hall, a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans.

The monument honors Lincoln and is home to his grave, but it also honors the soldiers who fought under Lincoln during the Civil War.

Visiting President Abraham Lincoln’s Grave 

When I visited on a late spring afternoon, I was stunned by the monument’s beauty. The obelisk is 117 feet tall. At its base is a large statue of Lincoln, whose outstretched hands hold a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. The monument also includes four bronze statues honoring soldiers’ service during the Civil War.  The statues of the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Navy adorn each corner. At the base is an unbroken chain listing all the States in the Union, including those of the Confederacy.

As I walked towards the monument from a half-full parking lot a short distance away, I saw a crowd of people gathering at a bronze sculpture at the memorial’s entrance. I headed that way as people took turns posing in front of a giant bust of Lincoln. One by one, families posed for photos in front of the massive rendition of Honest Abe. The bust of Lincoln was a bronze cast of Gutzon Borglum’s original marble sculpture, displayed in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s eldest son, said of the bust, “I think it is the most perfect portrait of my father I have ever seen.” Gutzon Borglum is best known for Mount Rushmore. 

Rub Lincoln’s nose for good luck

I noticed something peculiar as I stood there reading a sign about the sculpture. Each person was taking a quick second to rub Lincoln’s nose. Upon closer inspection, Lincoln’s nose was the only part of the statue that had not long oxidized and was still shiny bronze. A gentleman in a University of Illinois Fighting Illini t-shirt was holding up his young son to rub the nose when I asked, “Why is everyone touching the nose?”  He responded, “It’s supposed to bring good luck.”

President Abraham Lincoln’s Burial Chamber

I could not argue with that! My wife and I waited for our turn to give the nose a quick rub. Afterward, we headed inside the tomb, where we were immediately greeted by a lovely elderly volunteer, who very politely reminded us to keep our hands to ourselves and our voices down. 

The foyer was beautiful. It has a bronze model of the Daniel Chester French Statue, which can be viewed inside the original Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Along the corridors to and from the burial chamber are several bronze statues commemorating different stages of Lincoln’s professional life. 

Lincoln Burial Chamber

The burial chamber holds the remains of President Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  

President Lincoln’s grave is just behind the large Arkansas marble monument near the center of the chamber. The words “Now he belongs to the ages” are inscribed on the wall. They are said to have been uttered by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton at Lincoln’s deathbed.

There are flags surrounding the gravestone. The four to the left are the states where Lincoln’s ancestors once lived: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. To the right, it honors the states where Lincoln lived: Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. The United States of America flag rests behind the monument. Mary Lincoln and their three sons are buried there, resting, facing the President’s monument. 

We spent about an hour at Lincoln’s Tomb and took our time. Many people around us were there for 15 minutes or less.  

Plan Your Visit to Abraham Lincoln’s Grave

Address / Location

Abraham Lincoln’s grave is located inside the Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1500 Monument Ave. in Springfield, Illinois. The tomb is the final resting place of President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons: Edward, William, and Thomas.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall are especially pleasant times to visit Oak Ridge Cemetery and the Lincoln Tomb, with comfortable weather for walking around the memorial grounds. Summer offers longer cemetery hours, while winter visits can be quieter but colder. If you want to go inside the tomb, make sure to visit during posted tomb hours.

Parking

Parking is available near the Lincoln Tomb within Oak Ridge Cemetery. The tomb is one of Springfield’s most visited historic sites, so allow extra time during weekends, holidays, school breaks, or major Lincoln-related events.

Cost / Pass Needed

There is no admission fee to visit the Lincoln Tomb. No pass is required.

Time Needed

Plan on spending about 30 minutes to one hour at Abraham Lincoln’s grave. A quick visit can include the exterior monument, the famous Lincoln bust near the entrance, the interior burial chamber, and the surrounding cemetery grounds. Allow more time if you want to visit the nearby receiving vault or explore Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Accessibility

The Lincoln Tomb is a developed historic site, but visitors should expect cemetery terrain, walkways, and possible steps or uneven surfaces in some areas. Visitors with specific mobility needs should check the official site or contact Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site before visiting for current accessibility details.

Nearby Stops

Nearby Springfield stops to pair with Abraham Lincoln’s grave include Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Old State Capitol, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, and the Dana-Thomas House. You can also visit the Lincoln Receiving Vault in Oak Ridge Cemetery, where Lincoln’s body was temporarily placed after his funeral in 1865.

Official Website

Before visiting, check the official Illinois Historic Preservation page for Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site for current hours, holiday closures, cemetery access, and visitor information.

FAQ

Where is Abraham Lincoln buried?

Abraham Lincoln is buried in the Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their sons are also buried there.

Can you go inside Lincoln’s Tomb?

Yes. Visitors can enter the Lincoln Tomb during posted public hours and walk through the memorial’s interior to the burial chamber.

Is Abraham Lincoln’s grave free to visit?

Yes. There is no admission fee to visit the Lincoln Tomb.

How long does it take to visit Abraham Lincoln’s grave?

Most people should plan about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on whether they visit only the tomb or also explore the surrounding cemetery and the receiving vault.

Who is buried in Lincoln’s Tomb?

The Lincoln Tomb is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons: Edward, William, and Thomas. Their oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

What are the hours for Lincoln’s Tomb?

The tomb is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oak Ridge Cemetery has longer seasonal hours, but holiday closures and access can change, so check the official site before visiting.

What is the Lincoln bust outside the tomb?

Near the entrance to the Lincoln Tomb is a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln. Many visitors rub the statue’s nose for good luck, which has made it noticeably shiny.

Is Lincoln’s Tomb worth visiting?

Yes. Lincoln’s Tomb is one of the most important presidential gravesites in the United States and a meaningful stop for anyone interested in Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, presidential history, or Springfield’s historic sites.

Other President Abraham Lincoln historical places to visit

There are many places to learn more about President Abraham Lincoln. His house in Springfield is preserved at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. You can tour the home! The place where he first lived in Illinois is located at the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park, a short drive east of Springfield. 

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is in southern Indiana.  His birthplace is protected at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Kentucky. 

In Washington, D.C., you can visit Ford’s Theater and see where he was assassinated, as well as the bed he died in across the street. The Ford’s Theater Museum has the gun John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln. Also, in D.C., you can visit the Lincoln Cottage he frequented during his time in the White House. 

Other places have tidbits of Lincoln’s History. For example, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Lewiston, Pennsylvania, has the only piece of Lincoln’s tomb outside of Illinois.  

There are other places to visit, but we have yet to go!