Know Before You Go

Nauvoo is a small town located in a rural part of west central Illinois. Before traveling to Historic Nauvoo, we invite prospective visitors to learn more about how to get here, plan accordingly for the season and weather of their visit, and otherwise prepare themselves so that they can manage expectations and more fully enjoy their visit.

General Information

Summer season (April 1 – September 30)

Visitors’ Center
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Historic Buildings
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Winter season (October 1 – March 31)

Visitors’ Center
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Historic Buildings
Monday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Please confirm by phone

Physical Address

290 N. Main Street
Nauvoo, Illinois 62354
View Map

Phone Number

1-877-399-3046

Follow

@historicnauvoo

Getting Here

Weather

If you are planning to come to Nauvoo, please be prepared for the weather. We recommend checking the weekly forecast before your visit for the most accurate information.

Spring: Moderate. Temperatures begin to increase, with the lows rising above freezing.

Summer: Hot and humid. July is both the hottest and muggiest month. We advise dressing appropriately for the heat, drinking adequate amounts of water, and staying in the shade when possible.

Fall: Moderate. Temperatures begin to drop, bringing some relief from the heat of the summer.

Winter: Cold and humid. Be prepared for snow and wind. January is the coldest month. We advise bringing layers of warm clothing.

Amenities

Amenities Maps

For a map of public restrooms in Historic Nauvoo, please click here.
For a map of drinking fountains in Historic Nauvoo, please click here.
For a map of parking in Historic Nauvoo, please click here.

Cell Phone Access

There is cellular service available across Historic Nauvoo. Depending on your service provider, some locations may have weaker reception.

Wi-Fi Access

The Church’s Liahona network works across the site. If you need the password, please speak to a missionary.

Orientation Services

At the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center, you will find two digital orientation tables, as well as physical brochures, to help you find your way around the site. There is also a welcome desk staffed with missionaries who are more than happy to answer any questions and provide needed assistance. If you are already exploring Historic Nauvoo, there is also a digital orientation table inside the Hyde Home.

Code of Conduct

Respect Others

• Please be kind and respectful of other visitors at the site.
• Do not talk over missionaries giving tours.
• Clean up after yourselves, put away interactive activities, and do not litter at any time.
• Do not obstruct traffic or walk in the street.
• Stay off private residential property both within and outside of Historic Nauvoo.

Respect Buildings

• Please be respectful of the buildings at the site, especially the historic buildings.
• Do not touch the historic furniture or artifacts, and avoid brushing against the walls.

Respect Landscapes

• Stay on designated paths or sidewalks.
• Do not harm the trees, plants, or other parts of the landscape.

Food and Lodging

Food is not available for purchase in Historic Nauvoo, but there are a number of food vendors in town. We cannot provide specific recommendations for food and lodging, but you may visit the Nauvoo city website to learn more.

There are also nearby cities that have additional food and housing options, including:

• Carthage, Illinois
• Keokuk, Iowa
• Fort Madison, Iowa

Pre-visit Learning

How did Nauvoo come to be a Latter-day Saint settlement? Why is Nauvoo significant to Church history? While the visitors’ center exhibit “Nauvoo: Cornerstone of Zion” provides a helpful overview of this city’s history and significance, you might be interested in learning about this site before you visit. Below are some recommended sources to get you started.

Nauvoo Historic Site Learn Articles

Gain insight into what makes the toured areas of Nauvoo and Carthage so significant to Church history through short articles.

Nauvoo (Commerce), Illinois

Read an overview of Nauvoo as a Latter-day Saint community, including important revelations, teachings, ordinances, and events that occurred in the city.

Nauvoo: A Temporary Refuge

Discover the story of settling Nauvoo told through the lens of an illustrated 1842 map.

Nauvoo, Illinois: From Swampland to Zion

Learn how Latter-day Saints overcame swampy conditions to build their Zion in this short video of a conversation between historians Matthew C. Godfrey and Spencer W. McBride.

Saints: Volume 1 (Chapters 34–44)

Follow the story of the Latter-day Saints from the purchase of land in Illinois to the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith in nearby Carthage Jail.

Saints: Volume 1 Podcast (Episodes 25–33)

Dive deeper into the Saints chapters with this podcast that provides insights from Church historians.

The Nauvoo Temple: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast

Explore the history and legacy of the temple constructed by Latter-day Saints in the 1840s in this eight-part miniseries from the Joseph Smith Papers.