Tours and Activities in Historic Nauvoo
Not sure what to do in Historic Nauvoo? View a list of the tours and activities available at the historic site.
Guided Tours
Temple City
Location: William and Caroline Weeks Home
Learn how the Saints worked together to design, build, and dedicate the temple of the Lord—their crowning achievement.
Read more about the Temple City tour.
Learn how the Saints worked together to design, build, and dedicate the temple of the Lord—their crowning achievement.
Homes of the Apostles
Location: Orson and Marinda Hyde Home
Learn about the members of the Quorum of the Twelve who spread the gospel abroad while their neighbors and family members faithfully lived it at home.
Read more about the Home of the Apostles tour.
Learn about the members of the Quorum of the Twelve who spread the gospel abroad while their neighbors and family members faithfully lived it at home.
Relief Society Foundations
Location: Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball Home or Lucy Mack Smith Home
Learn about how the worldwide sisterhood of the Church began in Nauvoo to follow Christ’s example.
Read more about the Relief Society Foundations tour.
Learn about how the worldwide sisterhood of the Church began in Nauvoo to follow Christ’s example.
Pioneer Life
Location: Cultural Hall
Learn how, amid the hard work of transforming swampy Commerce into Nauvoo, the Saints still made time for social gatherings, civic meetings, and even play.
Read more about the Pioneer Life tour.
Learn how, amid the hard work of transforming swampy Commerce into Nauvoo, the Saints still made time for social gatherings, civic meetings, and even play.
Main Street Trades
Location: Stoddard Tin Shop , Browning Gun Shop , Taylor Home Print Shop and Post Office , Riser Boot and Shoe Shop , Calvin and Sally Pendleton Home
Learn how working with tin, leather, and paper sustained the economy. Demonstrations of these trades will be available in the buildings you visit on this tour.
Read more about the Main Street Trades tour.
Learn how working with tin, leather, and paper sustained the economy. Demonstrations of these trades will be available in the buildings you visit on this tour.
Pioneer Trail
Location: Seventies Hall
Learn how, after preparation, thousands of Latter-day Saints chose to follow prophetic leaders west in search of peace. You will also see a demonstration of blacksmithing on this tour.
Read more about the Pioneer Trail tour.
Learn how, after preparation, thousands of Latter-day Saints chose to follow prophetic leaders west in search of peace. You will also see a demonstration of blacksmithing on this tour.
Joseph and Emma Smith Homes
Location: Smith Family Homestead
Learn about how Joseph and Emma Smith worked together to raise a family, lead the Savior’s restored Church, and support the growing community of Saints.
Read more about the Joseph and Emma Smith Homes tour.
Learn about how Joseph and Emma Smith worked together to raise a family, lead the Savior’s restored Church, and support the growing community of Saints.
Red Brick Store
Location: Red Brick Store
Learn how Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store provided a place for him to support his family, lead the Church, restore the endowment, and establish the first Relief Society.
Read more about the Red Brick Store tour.
Learn how Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store provided a place for him to support his family, lead the Church, restore the endowment, and establish the first Relief Society.
Carthage Jail
Location: Carthage Jail Visitors’ Center
Learn how on June 27, 1844, a mob killed the Smith brothers. Despite this tragic end, the legacy of Joseph Smith’s ministry endures.
Read more about the Carthage Jail tour.
Learn how on June 27, 1844, a mob killed the Smith brothers. Despite this tragic end, the legacy of Joseph Smith’s ministry endures.
Animal Experiences
Wagon Ride
Location: Wagon Depot
Take a wagon ride while in Nauvoo. There are rides available Monday–Saturday year-round. Tickets are required from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tickets can be reserved the day of, starting at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Take a wagon ride while in Nauvoo. There are rides available Monday–Saturday year-round. Tickets are required from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tickets can be reserved the day of, starting at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Carriage Ride
Location: Carriage Depot
Take a carriage ride while in Nauvoo. There are rides available Monday–Saturday year-round. Tickets are required from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tickets can be reserved the day of, starting at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Take a carriage ride while in Nauvoo. There are rides available Monday–Saturday year-round. Tickets are required from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tickets can be reserved the day of, starting at 7:00 a.m. CT.
Oxen Experience
Location: Oxen Experience
Meet some hardworking oxen and see them in action. You will see how oxen helped the Saints in both building and leaving Nauvoo.
Meet some hardworking oxen and see them in action. You will see how oxen helped the Saints in both building and leaving Nauvoo.
Sleigh Ride
Location: Carriage Depot
If there’s enough snow, visitors during the winter months can ask at the visitors’ center to take a sleigh ride. Missionaries will share inspirational stories of faith appropriate for the season.
If there’s enough snow, visitors during the winter months can ask at the visitors’ center to take a sleigh ride. Missionaries will share inspirational stories of faith appropriate for the season.
Hands on Activities
Pioneer Crafts and Trade Demonstrations
Location: Family Living Center
See eight different arts and crafts from the early days of Nauvoo. From making bread to dipping candles, throwing pottery to winding rope, shaping barrels to weaving cloth, there is plenty to see and do for both children and adults.
See eight different arts and crafts from the early days of Nauvoo. From making bread to dipping candles, throwing pottery to winding rope, shaping barrels to weaving cloth, there is plenty to see and do for both children and adults.
Temple Stone Cutting
Location: Temple Stone Pavilion
Activities such as sawing, chiseling, polishing, and lifting limestone are available in this interactive space. Missionaries will provide protective glasses and gloves, and activities must be done with their supervision.
Activities such as sawing, chiseling, polishing, and lifting limestone are available in this interactive space. Missionaries will provide protective glasses and gloves, and activities must be done with their supervision.
Pioneer Toys and Games
Location: Pastimes Pavilion
Children of all ages can enjoy outdoor toys and games from the 1840s. Two child-sized cabins offer options for pretend play.
Children of all ages can enjoy outdoor toys and games from the 1840s. Two child-sized cabins offer options for pretend play.
Visitors’ Center Exhibit
Location: Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center
The new exhibit includes a variety of interactive elements such as activity booklets, designing a temple, “I-Spy”, and other interactive screens and models.
The new exhibit includes a variety of interactive elements such as activity booklets, designing a temple, “I-Spy”, and other interactive screens and models.