Epic Journey to Lincoln’s Birthplace: The Foundation of A Legacy
Discovering the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
On our latest family adventure, Jack and I spent an afternoon visiting the historic Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, a national treasure nestled in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Jack is super into history, which has led us to explore Gettysburg, PA; Charleston, South Carolina; Ft. Sumter; and many more historic locations. Today, we stayed closer to home and traveled to Lincoln’s Birthplace. Since this National Historical Park is only an hour from our house, this was a quick trip for Jack and me.
We timed our arrival at the park perfectly with the Park Ranger’s tour through the park. Ranger Nick was our guide and provided an excellent overview of the park as we received a virtual private tour.
TL;DR: Lincoln’s Birthplace – A Journey Through History
- Quick Visit to Lincoln’s Birthplace: Mike and Jack’s exciting trip to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
- Engaging Activities: Interactive exhibits, guided tours, and hiking trails enhance the experience.
- Historical Insight: Lincoln’s humble beginnings in a frontier cabin shaped his future leadership.
- Junior Ranger Program: Fun and educational activities for kids.
- Nearby Attractions: Recommendations for other historical sites in Central Kentucky.
- Travel Tips: Best times to visit, where to eat, and lodging options near Lincoln’s Birthplace.
- Lasting Memories: The trip offered a deeper understanding of Lincoln’s early influences and made historical connections more meaningful.
- Stay Connected: Follow Our Campfire Unplugged for more adventures and travel tips.
8 Tips to Maximize Your Visit to Abe Lincoln’s Birthplace
1. Interactive exhibits: Engage in interactive exhibits at the Birthplace National Historical Park Visitor Center, where kids can immerse themselves in Lincoln’s history through hands-on activities like playing in a replica one-room cabin and experiencing life from Lincoln’s childhood perspective.
2. Take a guided tour: Park ranger tours offer visitors fantastic opportunities to learn from park experts about the park’s history. Our guide, Ranger Nick, was knowledgeable and enjoyed answering questions about the park and Lincoln’s childhood.
3. Explore the hiking trails: Embark on a family-friendly hike through the beautiful Kentucky countryside at the historical park, a perfect outdoor activity when visiting Lincoln’s birthplace with kids. Jack and I hiked along the Boundary Oak Trail and enjoyed a peaceful walk through the woods. Take a moment to marvel at the stump for the fallen Boundary Oak.
4. Attend a special event or program: Check the park’s calendar for upcoming events like living history demonstrations, storytelling sessions, or ranger talks that will bring Lincoln’s world to life for young visitors. In 2024, the park will offer ranger-led programs in March, May, July, August, September, and November, which are aspects of the park and the NPS.
5. Visit nearby attractions: While visiting Lincoln’s birthplace with kids, extend your historical journey by exploring nearby attractions in Hodgenville, such as the Lincoln Museum (not associated with the NPS and charging a small entrance fee) or go hiking at McDougal Lake at the Knob Creek Conservancy.
6. Pack a picnic lunch: Bring snacks and drinks to enjoy at one of the designated picnic areas within the park, surrounded by nature and history.
7. Capture memories with photos: Take photos of your favorite parts of the visit to remember your experience at Lincoln’s Birthplace for years.
8. Stamp your NPS Passport Book: The NPS Passports are a fun way to commemorate your travels to all the NPS sites. We also enjoy finding a perfect sticker at the NPS gift shop to help us remember our visit.
The Significance of the Birthplace
When visiting Lincoln’s birthplace, you’ll find numerous reminders of how Lincoln’s Kentucky roots shaped the future of America.
At the time of Lincoln’s birth, February 12, 1809, Lincoln’s parents represented a hard-working, middle-class family living as pioneers along the Western edge of the American territory.
His seven years in Kentucky provided the foundation for his views on right and wrong and shaped him into the leader he would become.
Commemorating Lincoln’s Birthplace
The Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park symbolizes the type of one-room cabin frontier families lived in during the early 1800s. The Lincoln cabin was located at Sinking Springs Farm in Hodgenville, Kentucky, about an hour south of Louisville.
We found the symbolic cabin an interesting illustration of how the Lincolns used readily available resources, like wood, straw, mud, etc., to construct the cabin.
Jack and I were fascinated the fireplace chimney was made of wood! This seemed like a fire hazard to us!
Sinking Spring Farm and the Lincoln Birthplace Unit symbolize rising from Humble Beginnings
Our tour with Ranger Nick began at the National Park Visitor Center. Nick explained the Lincoln family’s history and how they acquired the Sinking Spring Farm property.
We learned while the Lincolns were not wealthy, the Lincoln family was not poverty-stricken. Abe Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, was a skilled carpenter and farmer.
As a carpenter in nearby Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Thomas Lincoln accumulated enough savings to purchase Sinking Spring Farm in the early 1800s. The family moved to the farm shortly before Abraham was born in 1809.
The Lincoln family lived on the property for about 3 years before being engaged in a property dispute over the property’s boundaries. Property lines were not formally surveyed then; boundaries were established based on trees, streams, etc. Lincoln’s father contested the dispute but did not prevail.
When the property dispute began, the Lincolns moved to the Knob Creek Farm, which is now the Lincoln Boyhood Home Unit of the park. The Lincolns stayed on this property for about four more years before moving to Indiana.
Sinking Springs
After a short story about the history of Sinking Springs Farm and how the Lincoln family acquired the property, Nick led our tour of Sinking Springs. Down a winding set of stairs is the spring the family used as a water source while living on the farm.
The spring is well-maintained and beautiful. Interestingly, the spring disappears underground and empties into the nearby Nolin River.
56 Steps to the Memorial Building
Nick asked our group about the significance of the 56 steps from Sinking Spring to the original Lincoln Memorial. Jack was the first to answer the number 56, which represents Lincoln’s age when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865.
The 16th President is Remembered Throughout the Lincoln Memorial
Throughout the original Lincoln Memorial at the Birthplace Unit of the park, there are reminders that Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States.
- 16 windows in the memorial building
- 16 rosettes in the ceiling
The original memorial building began construction in 1909, commemorating 100 years after Lincoln’s birth, with the monument dedicated in 1911.
The Lincoln Farm Association collected funds by selling Lincoln Farm Membership certificates. Beginning in 1906, citizens around the US generously gave funds to support the purchase of the property, the symbolic log cabin, and the construction of the memorial building.
Engaging Activities for Kids at the Birthplace Unit
The National Park Service offers a Junior Ranger program at the park. The program includes a booklet for kids to complete as they tour the property and museum. Jack completed this, but our kids are not into the Junior Ranger program.
At the Big Sink Trail, picnic areas with large green spaces would be fun for tossing a frisbee or flying a kite on a windy day!
Planning Your Visit: Best Times and Tips
The National Park Service operates the Lincoln Birthplace Historical Park. Along with the memorial, the NPS operates a visitor center at the Lincoln Birthplace Unit.
The exhibits in the museum showcase the challenges of life in the early 1800s for the Lincoln family. The museum includes a cut-out of the Boundary Oak, which was over 5 feet around! Jack and I found the NPS movie highlighted Lincoln’s time in Kentucky. Watching this short film helped contextualize our tour with Ranger Nick!
We recommend – When planning your visit to Lincoln’s birthplace with kids, include the Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek Grounds, which is open daily from dawn to dusk for a full historical experience.
The Birthplace Unit
Getting There: 2995 Lincoln Farm Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748
Lincoln Birthplace Visitor Center Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EASTERN TIME
Lincoln Birthplace Memorial Building: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM EASTERN TIME
Kentucky Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Unit
Getting There: 7120 Bardstown Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748
The Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek Grounds: Open daily from dawn to dusk
Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center: Open seasonally.
Note: The time zone line is very close to the Lincoln Birthplace. If you are staying in the Central time zone, plan accordingly.
Journey Beyond the Birthplace: Exploring Abraham Lincoln’s Boyhood Home
What to Look for at Lincoln’s Boyhood Home
Lincoln’s boyhood home in Knob Creek, Kentucky, offers a glimpse into young Abraham’s life on the Kentucky frontier.
This site offers another historic replica of a cabin similar to what Lincoln grew up in. The property has been largely untouched by the hands of time since the early 1810s when Lincoln grew up on the property.
While living in Knob Creek, Lincoln experienced his only formal schooling at the A, B, C school, which as we learned in the visitor center film, was a school that relied on dictation for teaching and learning. In school and at home, Lincoln developed a deep appreciation for learning and took every opportunity available to learn about the world around him through books.
We learned that while living in Knob Creek, Lincoln witnessed firsthand the forced slave marches, which shaped his anti-slavery views.
The NPS film indicated that when the Knob Creek property became involved in a property boundary dispute, the Lincoln family took the opportunity to move to Indiana because of its anti-slavery stance. Lincoln’s parents were firmly against slavery, which further shaped his views.
Relive History at Other Nearby Historical Sites in Central Kentucky
Kentucky is home to many well-preserved historic sites that showcase the history of the United States from the 1800s through the present day.
We recommend visiting Central Kentucky for a day to explore some historic places in nearby towns.
My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, Kentucky
In 1853, Stephen Foster wrote My Old Kentucky Home as a depiction of the pain of slavery. The song was adopted as Kentucky’s state song in 1928. Plan to visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, Kentucky, and tour the Fosters’ mansion located on the property.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in Perryville, Kentucky
The Battle of Perryville in October 1862 was the site of Kentucky’s largest Civil War battle. The Union’s victory led to the Union’s control over Kentucky throughout the war.
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is famous for storing the United States’ gold reserves. This Army base also serves as a training ground for many soldiers who join the Army to protect our valuable freedom.
Visitors can tour the General George Patton Museum to learn more about General Patton and Fort Knox. Fort Knox otherwise has limited access to the public.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Kentucky is home to the longest-known cave in the United States, Mammoth Cave. New sections of the cave are discovered every year. Plan your trip to include a stop in cave country and tour Mammoth Cave.
Reserve your tour early because tours sell out quickly!
Take a Bourbon Tour
Nearby, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, bills itself as “Bourbon’s Backyard.” With countless distilleries within a short drive, visitors have plenty of choices for a bourbon tour. Even if you’re short on time, we recommend visiting Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. The grounds and the production facilities are stunning.
Pro Tip: Look at the barns as you drive through the beautiful countryside for some fantastic “Barn Quilts” attached to the sides of the barns. Barn Quilts offer a unique pop of color and showcase the unique personality of the farm!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Lincoln’s Birthplace with Kids
How long does it take to see the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace?
Jack and I enjoyed a ranger-led tour, walked around the grounds, and viewed the museum and the movie in about 2 to 2.5 hours. We found this a comfortable time to visit the Lincoln Birthplace Unit.
Visitors wanting to explore the Big Sink Trail should allocate at least another 1 hour to their time in the Historical Park.
If you are traveling to the Knob Creek Farm, Lincoln’s Boyhood Home, we recommend planning on another 2 to 3 hours, including drive time. The Boyhood Home Unit operates seasonally and was not open during February when we visited.
Can you visit where Abraham Lincoln was born?
Yes! Abraham Lincoln Birthplace is a National Historical Park located in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Hodgenville is located about 55 miles South of Louisville, KY, making for a perfect day trip from Louisville!
Why is Illinois called the “Land of Lincoln” even though he was not born there?
As a proud Kentucky native, Illinois is jealous of all of Kentucky’s greatness! Just kidding. Lincoln moved to Illinois in his early 20s. In Illinois, he practiced law and served as a state senator for several terms before being elected President.
Is the cabin at Lincoln’s birthplace the original cabin?
No, the cabin on site is a “symbolic” cabin of the cabin Lincoln was born in.
What is a little-known fact about Lincoln?
Lincoln was a champion wrestler before becoming President. Over his 12-year career, he won more than 300 matches!
What is a National Historical Park?
The National Park Service designates specific sites within the United States with historical significance. National Historic Sites expands the NPS mission to protect sites, buildings, and objects with historical significance. This expanded the Antiquities Act, which allowed the president to safeguard objects of historical and scientific significance.
Other National Historical Parks include places like:
- Freedom Trail in Boston
- Brown vs Board of Education in Kansas
- Cumberland Gap in Kentucky
Where to Eat Near the Lincoln Birthplace Unit?
We encourage visitors to enjoy a picnic lunch at the Lincoln Birthplace; we realize that’s not always easy to plan. Hodgenville has several excellent choices.
Jack loves fried chicken, so we stopped at Lee’s Famous Recipe for chicken fingers!
Visitors will also find locally owned and operated restaurants like Laha’s Red Castle Hamburgers, Arrowhead BBQ, and Little Mexico.
Where to Stay Near the Lincoln Birthplace?
Visitors can choose from several nearby towns thanks to the central location in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Lodging in Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is about 15 minutes from Hodgenville and the Lincoln Birthplace Unit.
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, offers well-known hotels like Springhill Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and many more.
Lodging in Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown is about 30 minutes from Hodgenville and the Lincoln Birthplace.
Bardstown offers locally owned hotels that showcase the smaller-town feel of Kentucky. Lodging options include the Talbott Inn, Bardstown Motor Lodge, and the Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast.
Lodging in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is about 60 minutes from Hodgenville and is an excellent choice as a “home base” for a long weekend or more to explore Kentucky!
Louisville offers well-known hotels like the Marriott, Omni, Hyatt, Hilton, and more.
Where to Camp Near Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace?
If your family enjoys RV camping, you are in luck! There are 2 highly rated campgrounds within 20 miles of the Lincoln Birthplace.
Lincoln Lodge & Campground – Located 2 miles from the park, this campground offers 20 full hook-up sites and gets excellent reviews on RV Trip Wizard.
White Acres Campground – Located about 17 miles from the park, this campground offers 88 campsites and gets good reviews on RV Trip Wizard. White Acres is located in Bardstown and is convenient to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Kentucky Vacations for Every Season
As local Kentucky residents we are experts on enjoying the Bluegrass state in every season!
Spring in Kentucky
- Create the perfect Spring Break Staycation in Louisville with our ultimate guide.
- Take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival. This is when Louisville blooms back to life!
Wrapping up Your Historical Journey with Lasting Memories
Our adventure at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace brought the history of Lincoln’s early years to life for Jack and me. Visiting the Birthplace National Historic Park provided Jack and I with a deeper understanding of how events early in Lincoln’s life shaped his actions and positions. This makes our trips to Gettysburg and the National Mall even more meaningful.
About Us
Mike & Sara began RV camping in 2020 and instantly loved the lifestyle. We found the thrill of exploring new places, breaking our vacation routine, and crossing off all those “one-day” trips a blast! At Our Campfire Unplugged, we enjoy sharing our experiences to help fellow travelers live their best lives.
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