Nauvoo, Illinois is a small, historic town located on a bend in the mighty Mississippi River, about halfway between the origin of this great river and its end where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a small town with a population of a little more than 1000 people, but it has great historic significance as the early location of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Community of Christ, and an Icarian socialist commune. It was settled from the time of about 1827 – 1840 when it had grown to a sizable town with the influx of the Mormons. However, by 1844, due to religious persecution, many of the town’s settlers had left to follow Brigham Young to Salt Lake City, Utah, and the population dwindled markedly to around a thousand residents, approximately it’s population today.
Most visitors to Nauvoo are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints seeking the roots of their religious movement. As Nauvoo is a rural location far away from larger towns in Illinois such as Peoria 105 miles to the east and Springfield 130 miles to the southeast. However, from Lomax, Indiana south to Hamilton, Indiana, the scenic portion of Route 96 runs north/south along the banks of the Mississippi River, passing through Nauvoo as it winds southward. Nauvoo is situated directly across the river from Montrose, Iowa, also significant in the early history of the Church, and slightly south of Ft. Madison, Iowa. Because of its rural location, many people visiting Nauvoo Illinois may wonder, “What is there to do in Nauvoo?” Below is a list of some of the places to go and things to see in Nauvoo.
Check in with The Nauvoo Tourism Office. It is a wonderful resource for planning your trip to Nauvoo. Please contact them via phone at (217) 453-6648 or email them for your information requests. Offices are located at 1295 Mulholland Street and have a front foyer that is open 24/7 and stocked with brochures and information for you!
1. The Nauvoo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was built to replicate the earlier temple which was damaged by first arson and, later, a tornado in the mid-1800’s and later torn down as unsafe. The new temple was finished in 2002 and it is reported that over 1 million visitors have visited the Temple each year since 2002. Walking around on the temple grounds is a favorite stroll where you can feel the sacred beauty and spirit of the dedicated purposes of the temple. Only members in good standing can enter the temple, however there is small model of the Nauvoo Temple with the internal layout to view at the Nauvoo Historic Sites Visitors’ Center where you can learn more about it and the purpose of temples.
2. Nauvoo House, which was begun by the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, as a boarding house for “weary travelers,” but which was converted into a residential dwelling, the Riverside Mansion, after his death in 1944.
3. The Red Brick Store, originally built in 1841 and used as the town’s major store. It later fell into disrepair, but was rebuilt in 1980 on the original site by the Reorganized Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
4. The Smith Family Cemetery where members of the Joseph Smith family are buried.
5. Free wagon rides through the historic district in an old Conestoga wagon. Rides are available year long and are an absolute must do for families with children. Ox cart rides too!
6. Nauvoo Fudge Factory with a number of varieties of homemade fudge, sweet treats for all.
7. Historic downtown shopping district with both old and new shops art galleries and more!
8. Free tour and demonstration of a historic blacksmith shop. See the old ways of forging a horseshoe or wagon wheel.
9. Free tour of the original Browning Gun Shop established in 1840, with a demonstration of old-time musket and rifle making.
10. The Nauvoo and British Pageants, are original productions about the early history of Nauvoo, held each summer in July on alternating evenings, Tues.-Sat.this summer being offered from July 5 through July 30, 2022.
11. Sunset on the Mississippi, join in for some old fashioned, toe tapping fun in this 60-minute variety show performance on the outdoor stage just east of the Historic Sites Visitors’ Center. Weather conditions may impact showtimes and locations. Showtime 7:00PM Pre-Show 6:30PM Mon-Sat during performance season.
12. The Woodruff Hotel and Mercantile, located across the street from the Nauvoo Temple which now hosts a tour and museum about “The Tomb of Joseph Smith.”
13. Baxter Vineyard – the site of the oldest winery in Illinois.
14. Cross over the Mississippi to Fort Madison Iowa, via Ft. Madison Toll Bridge, the last remaining double swing span bridge on the Mississippi. Visit the rebuilt Historic Old Fort Madison a few blocks from the original early fort which was the first permanent U.S. military fortification on the upper Mississippi.
15. Drive south down the western side of the Mississippi from Fort Madison, Iowa to Montrose, Iowa. This is where early Mormon settlers lived in abandoned barracks of Ft. Des Moines while permanent residences were being built across the river in Nauvoo.
16. There are no full-service grocery stores in Nauvoo, however the Dollar General store is well stocked with basic needs. For fresh produce and more variety there are several local grocery stores to the north to Fort Madison, Iowa or south to Keokuk, Iowa including a Super Walmart in Keokuk.
For local dining in Nauvoo:
17. Hotel Nauvoo Historic Inn & Restaurant. Buffet with its great selections for delicious dining. Open in the summer mostly Friday & Sat. some Tues. & Wed. 4:30-7:30, Call for reservations.
18. The Red Front, breakfast, lunch & dinner. Many quick and tasty food options for your stay in Nauvoo! Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken salad, box lunches, deli sandwiches, salads, chips, drinks, snacks, and homemade treats. Open 8am-8pm, Mon.-Sat.
19. Annie’s Frozen Custard, specialties besides the custard are Belgian waffles all day.
20. Nauvoo Café & Sweet Shoppe, open just spring of 2022 and getting great reviews. Breakfast, lunch & dinner, 7am-7pm, closed Monday