Overview
Vandalia is a city in Central Illinois. The town where Abraham Lincoln began his political career, Vandalia was the state capital of Illinois from 1820 to 1839. As a member of the state legislature, in 1837 Lincoln made his first comments against slavery in Vandalia.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Vandalia
The Illinois State Capitol at Vandalia
From May through September, interpreters dressed in 1830s costumes provide guided tours several days a week.
Vandalia Lake
National Road Interpretive Center
Corn Days Festival
Complete with a CORN-y Joke Telling Contest, magic shows, and music, the town celebrates farmers as the crop year ends.
Cemetery Walk
Costumed residents portray figures from the early history of Vandalia and Illinois during this festival.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby St. Louis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BLV Scott AFB/Midamerica Airport, Belleville — 49 mi away. Directions
- DEC Decatur Airport, Decatur — 62 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 70 mi away (major hub). Directions
Vandalia is on Interstate 70, between St. Louis and Indianapolis. US Highway 40 goes through the center of town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Illinois State Capitol at Vandalia, National Road Interpretive Center, Vandalia Lake
- Afternoon Corn Days Festival, Cemetery Walk
- Evening The Copper Penny Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
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Understand
The state capital moved to Vandalia only two years after Illinois became a state. Three separate buildings in Vandalia served as the Capitol: the first burned, the second was torn down, and the third remains as a historic site, maintained both as a part of Illinois history, and more importantly as a part of the life of Abraham Lincoln. In 1839, the legislature moved to Springfield, leaving the quiet town of Vandalia behind.
Long before the Interstate Highway system, the US federal government began building the National Road in 1811, planned to connect Maryland with Missouri. This was the first federally-funded road in the new country. While funding shortfalls stopped the road in Vandalia in 1839, the National Road served as the gateway to the west for thousands of settlers, bringing them as far as central Illinois. When the "modern" US highway system was developed in 1925, the National Road became a part of US 40.
Today, you may tour the last Vandalia State Capitol, sit in the chamber where Lincoln sat, visit the National Road Interpretive Center, and see Lincoln-era artifacts and antiques at the county museum.
Get in
Vandalia is on Interstate 70, between St. Louis and Indianapolis. US Highway 40 goes through the center of town.
See
Do
Do Corn Days Festival
Complete with a CORN-y Joke Telling Contest, magic shows, and music, the town celebrates farmers as the crop year ends.
Do Cemetery Walk
Costumed residents portray figures from the early history of Vandalia and Illinois during this festival.
Drink
Sleep
Nearby
St. Elmo
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Sandoval
City / town · 24 mi away
Salem
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Centralia
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Effingham
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Litchfield
City / town · 9 listings · 34 mi away
Shelbyville
City / town · 5 listings · 35 mi away
Mount Olive
City / town · 10 listings · 35 mi away
My experience
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