Frequently Asked

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Q: Where can I attend church?

A: Sunday services are held in Nauvoo in the following churches:

Baptist: (2125 Mulholland) 11:00 am

Catholic (190 N. Wells Street) 8:00 am

Christ Lutheran: (1110 Ripley Street) 10:30 am

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (385 N. Wells St) Sacrament Meetings at 8:00, 10:00, and 2:00

Community of Christ (925 S. Durphy Street) 10:45am

First Presbyterian (corner Young and Page) 10:30am

United Methodist (1610 Ripley Street) 9:15am.

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Q: What are the  prices for various shows, films, and historic sites?

A: Everything in Historic Nauvoo is free.  (The Joseph Smith Historic Site does ask for a three-dollar donation for its tour.)

Q: How far is to Carthage, Illinois, from Nauvoo?

A. Twenty-two miles (34 kilometers). It takes about 30 minutes to make the trip.

Q: Where can I get a map of Nauvoo and the surrounding area?

A: Click here  to download a pdf format map of Historic Nauvoo.

Or when you arrive in Nauvoo, make your first visit to the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center.  You will receive a free map of all the sites, and someone will be available to answer specific questions.  This map includes directions to Carthage and to the old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.

Q: Where are there good places to eat and lodge in Nauvoo? In Carthage?

A: To see a list of local restaurants, hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast establishment and camping opportunities, click on http://www.beautifulnauvoo.com/ or http://seenauvoo.com  For food and lodging options in Carthage, go to the Carthage Chamber of Commerce website: http://carthage-il.com

Q: Are the sites in Nauvoo wheel chair accessible.

A: Many, but not all, of the historic sites are accessible to wheel chairs.  Most of the historic buildings that are accessible on the first floor, are not accessible for upper floors, because of narrow, steep stairways.  Many of the buildings require passage up one or two steps to get inside.  There are, of course,  many walkways, gardens and resting areas, easily accessible.

Wheel chairs can be rented at Nauvoo Pharmacy.

Q: Can Nauvoo accommodate hearing impaired visitors?

A: During the busy summer months at least two ASL-trained tour guides are available.  For pre-arranged tours by these guides, call 217-453-2237, ext. 122.

Q: Which airport is most convenient to Nauvoo?

A. St. Louis and Chicago offer large, international airports.  Of the the two, St. Louis is considerably closer.  There are regional airports in Burlington, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; Peoria, Illinois, or Quincy, Illinois, all closer to Nauvoo.  Prices vary with the seasons, and it would be wise to check flight prices and car-rental prices to come up with the best value for your travel.

Q: Can one travel to Nauvoo by rail?

A. Yes. There is an Amtrak Station in Fort Madison, IA about 7 miles away from Nauvoo. Transportation from the railway station to Nauvoo can be arranged through the local taxi service or a car rental agency.

Q: Are there places for families or groups to enjoy picnics?

A: Pioneer Pastimes provides picnic tables.

Q: Can visitors purchase statue replicas, prints, copies of historical documents, and other souvenirs or mementos of Nauvoo at the Visitors’ Center or historic sites?

A: Neither the Visitors’ Center nor any of the historic sites sell souvenirs of any kind. At some sites, e.g., Brickyard, Blacksmith, Bakery, Family Living Center, and Post Office, visitors can receive complimentary mementos–a Nauvoo brick, a prairie diamond ring (bent horseshoe nail), a cookie, length of rope, Nauvoo post marked letter, etc,–given at the culmination of a demonstration. For other items, visitors can go to the Red Brick Store or to several merchants on Mulholland Street that offer a large variety of quality items for sale.

Q: Are the missionaries at Land and Records in a position to provide assistance with family history searches for individuals who may not be able to come to Nauvoo?

A: Yes, within reasonable limits. Although the best way to take advantage of the resources—human, technological, documentary—of the Land and Records Office is to personally visit the facility, the staff and materials are there to help you any way they can.  The unique data sets at Nauvoo, not otherwise available on New Family Search or similar online family history services,  include land records, Seventies ordination records, and Temple Endowment Records in the Nauvoo Temple. The collection also includes a few personal histories from the period. If you have the name of a person you believe lived in Nauvoo between 1839 and 1846, you can search the records yourself or send a request for information to Lands and Records, by email to nauvoolr@ldschurch.org , fax at 217-453-2757, or call 217-453-2733 to ask for assistance. The missionaries will search the Nauvoo records and provide you with a copy of all the information they can extract. Apart from the unique collections mentioned, all other family history information accessible in Land and Records, is also accessible at a local Family History Library or online at  www.familysearch.org

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