New York and Pennsylvania Sample Itineraries
These sample itineraries offer suggestions for how your group can plan your visit to historic sites in New York and Pennsylvania. While you could follow the schedule as outlined, the hope is that these suggestions provide you with enough information about the experiences, time required, and distance between venues to help you create the best experience for your group.
Individuals and Small Groups
This sample itinerary ensures you don’t miss any of the key sites on your trip to New York and Pennsylvania.
Sacred Grove
(1.5– 2.5 hrs.)
Take a tour of a reconstructed log home and the frame home where the Smith’s lived for a time. Then enjoy a contemplative walk through the Sacred Grove.
7-minute drive to Hill Cumorah.
Hill Cumorah
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Discover more about Joseph’s experience with Angel Moroni through self-guided exhibits in the Visitors’ Center and on interpretive markers found along the network of trails across the Hill Cumorah.
7-minute drive to Grandin Printshop.
Grandin Printshop
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Immerse yourself in E.B. Grandin’s historic printshop, bindery, and bookstore through an interactive tour. It was here that the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed, bound, and made available to the public.
Whitmer Farm
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Watch a 23-minute film depicting the Whitmers’ role in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explore interactive exhibits and take a short tour of a representative log home.
2-hour and 15-minute drive to Priesthood Restoration Site.
Priesthood Restoration Site
(2–3 hrs.)
Explore two reconstructed homes with missionaries as guides. In the Visitors’ Center, you can watch a 25-minute film or explore interactive exhibits about the sacred events connected with this site. Outside, reflect on John the Baptist’s visit while walking through the sugar bush, ponder the first baptisms in this dispensation along the banks of the Susquehanna River, or visit the historic cemetery.
Day 1
(1.5– 2.5 hrs.)
Take a tour of a reconstructed log home and the frame home where the Smith’s lived for a time. Then enjoy a contemplative walk through the Sacred Grove.
7-minute drive to Hill Cumorah.
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Discover more about Joseph’s experience with Angel Moroni through self-guided exhibits in the Visitors’ Center and on interpretive markers found along the network of trails across the Hill Cumorah.
7-minute drive to Grandin Printshop.
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Immerse yourself in E.B. Grandin’s historic printshop, bindery, and bookstore through an interactive tour. It was here that the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed, bound, and made available to the public.
Day 2
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Watch a 23-minute film depicting the Whitmers’ role in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explore interactive exhibits and take a short tour of a representative log home.
2-hour and 15-minute drive to Priesthood Restoration Site.
(2–3 hrs.)
Explore two reconstructed homes with missionaries as guides. In the Visitors’ Center, you can watch a 25-minute film or explore interactive exhibits about the sacred events connected with this site. Outside, reflect on John the Baptist’s visit while walking through the sugar bush, ponder the first baptisms in this dispensation along the banks of the Susquehanna River, or visit the historic cemetery.
Youth Groups
This sample itinerary helps to ensure your youth get the most out of their experiences at the historic sites. Please contact the missionaries at the New York sites and the Priesthood Restoration Site to coordinate your visit to the historic sites.
Palmyra New York Temple
(1–2 hrs.)
The Palmyra New York Temple baptistry can accommodate 20 youth at a time. If you have a large number of youth, it is best to divide into smaller traveling groups and rotate them between the temple and the sites in Palmyra on day 1. Appointments for the temple are not made by or coordinated through the historic site missionaries; you will need to contact the temple directly.
2-minute drive to Sacred Grove.
Sacred Grove
(1.5–2.5 hrs.)
Take a tour of a reconstructed log home and the frame home where the Smith’s lived for a time. Then enjoy a contemplative walk through the Sacred Grove. Contact missionaries about using the amphitheater on the south end of the Sacred Grove for a group devotional or testimony meeting.
7-minute drive to Hill Cumorah.
Hill Cumorah
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Discover more about Joseph’s experience with Angel Moroni through self-guided exhibits in the Visitors’ Center and on interpretive markers found along the network of trails across the Hill Cumorah.
12-minute drive to Martin and Lucy Harris Farm.
Martin and Lucy Harris Farm
(30 min.)
In 1829, Martin Harris mortgaged his farm to guarantee the $3,000 printing cost for the first edition of the Book of Mormon. While the property is owned by the Church, the home is a private residence which is not available for tours. Visitors may use a pavilion with picnic tables.
Grandin Printshop
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Immerse yourself in E.B. Grandin’s historic printshop, bindery, and bookstore through an interactive tour. It was here that the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed, bound, and made available to the public.
40-minute drive to Whitmer Farm.
Whitmer Farm
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Watch a 23-minute film depicting the Whitmers’ role in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explore interactive exhibits and take a short tour of a representative log home. Contact missionaries about using the pavilion and picnic tables.
Priesthood Restoration Site
(2–3 hrs.)
Explore two reconstructed homes with missionaries as guides. In the Visitors’ Center, you can watch a 25-minute film or explore interactive exhibits about the sacred events connected with this site. Outside, reflect on John the Baptist’s visit while walking through the sugar bush, ponder the first baptisms in this dispensation along the banks of the Susquehanna River, or visit the historic cemetery.
The Priesthood Restoration Site is 3 hours from Palmyra, New York.
Day 1
(1–2 hrs.)
The Palmyra New York Temple baptistry can accommodate 20 youth at a time. If you have a large number of youth, it is best to divide into smaller traveling groups and rotate them between the temple and the sites in Palmyra on day 1. Appointments for the temple are not made by or coordinated through the historic site missionaries; you will need to contact the temple directly.
2-minute drive to Sacred Grove.
(1.5–2.5 hrs.)
Take a tour of a reconstructed log home and the frame home where the Smith’s lived for a time. Then enjoy a contemplative walk through the Sacred Grove. Contact missionaries about using the amphitheater on the south end of the Sacred Grove for a group devotional or testimony meeting.
7-minute drive to Hill Cumorah.
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Discover more about Joseph’s experience with Angel Moroni through self-guided exhibits in the Visitors’ Center and on interpretive markers found along the network of trails across the Hill Cumorah.
12-minute drive to Martin and Lucy Harris Farm.
(30 min.)
In 1829, Martin Harris mortgaged his farm to guarantee the $3,000 printing cost for the first edition of the Book of Mormon. While the property is owned by the Church, the home is a private residence which is not available for tours. Visitors may use a pavilion with picnic tables.
Day 2
(45 min.–1 hr.)
Immerse yourself in E.B. Grandin’s historic printshop, bindery, and bookstore through an interactive tour. It was here that the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed, bound, and made available to the public.
40-minute drive to Whitmer Farm.
(45 min.–1.5 hrs.)
Watch a 23-minute film depicting the Whitmers’ role in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explore interactive exhibits and take a short tour of a representative log home. Contact missionaries about using the pavilion and picnic tables.
Day 3
(2–3 hrs.)
Explore two reconstructed homes with missionaries as guides. In the Visitors’ Center, you can watch a 25-minute film or explore interactive exhibits about the sacred events connected with this site. Outside, reflect on John the Baptist’s visit while walking through the sugar bush, ponder the first baptisms in this dispensation along the banks of the Susquehanna River, or visit the historic cemetery.
The Priesthood Restoration Site is 3 hours from Palmyra, New York.
Looking for More to Do?
Staying longer in New York and Pennsylvania Area
For information on more historic sites in New York and Pennsylvania,
For information on other points of interest in the surrounding area, see
Ohio Historic Sites
If you want to get more out of your Church History trip, the
Joseph Smith Birthplace
The