Planning for a Family Visit to Historic Nauvoo

Bringing your family to Historic Nauvoo? There are many things that visitors of all ages will enjoy! We have gathered suggestions to help make your trip memorable, enjoyable, inspiring, and fun.

Things to See and Do as a Family

While everyone is welcome everywhere in Historic Nauvoo, younger visitors may be especially interested in the following places and activities.

Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center
The exhibit, “Nauvoo: Cornerstone of Zion,” includes interactive elements for children and youth.
Family Living Center
Participate in arts and crafts from nineteenth-century Nauvoo.
Temple Stones Pavilion
Participate in an interactive demonstration of how historic stone was worked from quarry to the walls of the temple.
Pastimes Pavilion
Children of all ages can enjoy outdoor toys, games, and play time from the 1840s
Wagon Ride
Meet a team of horses and take a ride that provides an overview of Nauvoo.
Carriage Ride
Hear stories of the Saints while riding through Nauvoo in a horse-drawn carriage.
Oxen Experience
Meet these hardworking animals and learn how they helped the Saints in building Nauvoo.
Webb Blacksmith Shop
Watch the process of a horseshoe being forged and learn how wagon wheels were made.
Stoddard Tin Shop
See how tinsmiths cut, shaped, and pieced together tin to create a pan.
Riser Boot and Shoe Shop
Learn about shoe and boot making and see how leather transforms into footwear.
Browning Gun Shop
See the process of rifling a gun barrel.
Taylor Print Shop
Watch how 19th-century newspapers were printed, dress up in printer uniforms, and touch printing tools.
Group of four youth smiling while in front of two red brick buildings.
Sample Itineraries
If you would like some additional assistance planning your trip to Historic Nauvoo with your family, we have created a suggested itinerary that provides options for one-day, two-day, three-day, and week-long visits.

Common Questions

There are baby-changing tables in most of the restrooms in Historic Nauvoo. If you’re unable to locate a baby-changing table, please ask a missionary for assistance.
You will find family restrooms in the Hyde Home.
You are welcome to breastfeed anywhere in Historic Nauvoo you feel comfortable. If you’d like more privacy, please speak to a missionary, who will direct you to a secluded place.
Strollers are allowed in historic homes. Please be aware that some of the homes might be difficult to navigate with a stroller. Many of the homes also have steps into the building, so you will need to be able to get the stroller over the threshold.
Stroller parking is available at the north entrance of the visitors’ center, in the Family Living Center, and at the Wagon Depot.
Yes! Visit the Family Living Center, Pastimes Pavilion, Temple Stones Pavilion, and the Visitors’ Center for interactive activities that include rope making, pioneer games, and stone carving.