Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! In this episode, we chat with Scott Dahl, the Director of Visit Springfield Illinois, to explore everything that makes Springfield a legendary destination for adventurers and history buffs alike. With 37 years in tourism and a deep love for his “heart of Illinois” hometown, Scott shares insights into Springfield’s vibrant tourism scene, the city’s rich Abraham Lincoln heritage, and its central role along historic Route 66.From world-class museums and immersive historical sites to expansive bike trails and beautiful parks, Scott Dahl paints a picture of a community where history comes alive, and the outdoors are waiting to be explored. 2026 promises to be a monumental year for Springfield, with celebrations like the Route 66 Centennial, America’s 250th anniversary, and the grand opening of the new Shield Sports Park. Howard and Scott dive into local culinary treats (including Springfield’s Signature Horseshoe Sandwich, tips for planning your visit, and the best ways to experience everything this legendary destination has to offer—and why Springfield Illinois should be at the top of your travel list this year and beyond!DISCUSSION00:00 "Route 66 and 2026 Highlights"04:29 International Visitors Flock to historic Lincoln sites07:47 "Escape to Nature Through Biking"11:04 "Roving Ambassador of Tourism"15:55 Preparing Springfield for Tourism Influx17:17 "Saving the Sunrise Donut Sign"21:44 "Springfield Tour and Website Insights"25:35 "Discover Springfield: More Than Expected."30:02 Tourism Ambassador Training Initiative36:27 Springfield One-Day Itinerary37:06 "Exploring Abraham Lincoln's Legacy."42:06 Passion for Hospitality and Travel47:22 "Springfield Adventures & America 250."LEARN MORETo learn more about Springfield, Illinois, visit their website at  https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/ or on these social sites:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitSpringfieldInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitspringfieldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VisitSpringfieldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/springfield-illinois-convention-&-visitors-bureau/NEXT STEPSVisit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.KEYWORDSVisit Springfield Illinois, Lincoln Home NPS, Route 66, Illinois Destinations Association, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview#visitspringfield #springfieldil #LincolnHomeNPS #Route66 #IllinoisDestinationsAssociation #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterviewMy Favorite Podcast Tools: Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch