Things To Do Nearby

Plan your entire Nauvoo Vacation.

Nauvoo, Illinois

“Historic Nauvoo” is not Nauvoo City.  Many of our visitors hardly realize what an interesting town sits on the bluffs.  The Mormon period of Nauvoo only lasted about seven years; the story of the city, after the exodus of the Latter-day Saints, is fascinating to follow.  Two excellent museums provide some Mormon-period history, and ably tell the story of Nauvoo after 1846:

The Weld House Museum (circa 1837)

1380 Mullholland Street
Nauvoo, IL 62354
217-453-6590

Open daily from mid-May through mid-October, the restored Greek Revival-style Weld House is operated by the Nauvoo Historical Society. Its five rooms contain such treasures as the first occupant’s, Dr. John Wells, desk, chair and medical bag, a 900 piece Indian arrowhead collection, Mississippi River mussel display, and an 1895 wedding garment.  Those interested in Mormon history will also find an excellent display.

Rheinberger Museum

Located in the Nauvoo State Park, the museum contains a large collection of furniture and other articles dating back to Native American times. It features a stone-arched wine cellar and original 150-year-old winemaking equipment. The original home of four rooms was built in the 1840′s. Alois Rheinberger added four more rooms after he settled in Nauvoo in 1850, plus the wine cellar and a pressroom.

In the spring of 1851, Rheinberger planted a three-acre vineyard behind his house which has remained in continuous production ever since. Rheinberger was one of the first vintners in Nauvoo, a city that over the years has established a reputation for producing fine wines. His home and two remaining acres of his original vineyard are preserved at the Nauvoo State Historic Site.

Baxter’s Vineyard in Nauvoo

Baxter’s Vineyards is a small family-owned winery in Nauvoo, Illinois. The winery was established in 1857 by Emile Baxter and continues in the family. Kelly Logan is the fifth generation Baxter to grow grapes and apples. He and his wife Brenda are still producing and bottling Baxter’s Old Nauvoo Brand wines along with wonderful non-alcoholic juices.  The winery is located 11 blocks east of Highway 96 going thru the Nauvoo State Park on Parley Street if you are traveling from the west.

Baxter’s Vineyards offers self guided tours daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  January through March, they are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Baxter’s Vineyards is also home to Carol’s Pies.   The pie crusts are rolled by hand and Carol makes her own fruit fillings.  They are the best homemade pies in town!  Also find preserves, syrups and nice variety of souvinirs.

Nauvoo State Park

This 148-acre park, just across Highway 96 from Historic Nauvoo, includes a 13-acre lake with a mile-long shoreline. In addition to fishing, boating, camping and hiking, people return to these serene surroundings for the park’s recreational features, its annual grape festival, and to soak up the area’s history.

A 4-acre plot of land adjacent to the site superintendent’s residence has been converted into a natural area. Four kinds of prairie grasses and approximately 10 kinds of prairie flowers are grown here.

Deer, skunk, opossum and raccoon are among the animals that call Nauvoo State Park home. Cardinals and gold finches find this spot on the Mississippi a perfect place to nest, as do geese and ducks.  In fact, Nauvoo State Park is listed as one of the prime birding sites along the Great River Road.

The Great River Road

 The Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway, runs most of the length of the Mississippi and passes directly through Nauvoo.  The section from Hamilton to Nauvoo is one of the most beautiful on the entire Road, since in follows the shores of the river and offers stunning views in every season.  From the Bald Eagles in winter to the breathtaking colors in fall, these miles are always worth a drive.  Many people who travel the Great River Road make Nauvoo a full-day stop – and then to decide to stay another day or two.

A leisurely scenic drive is the classic American way to relax and connect to the countryside. As one of the oldest. longest and most scenic byways in North America, the Great River Road offers respite to millions of travelers seeking a getaway – from a leisurely day’s drive to an extended vacation. And there’s plenty of Great River Road to see. Nearly 3,000 miles long and running through 10 states along the Mississippi River, the Great River Road offers a gateway to the river valley’s great history, the blending of cultures and a host of recreational options to all who journey it.

Walking Tour of Nauvoo

Not all the history of Nauvoo occurred on the flats near the river.  The story of the city and of the groups that came to Nauvoo after the Mormon period is fascinating. 

Visitors will catch a glimpse of Mulholland Street’s past by taking a free self-guided walking tour of Mulholland’s business district, where they will envision “The Way We Were.”  Visitors will discover how the French Icarians, Sisters of St. Benedict, and local businesses defined Nauvoo from the 1850s to the1960s. 

The tour begins at “The Way We Were” Interpretive Park on Mulholland across the street from the State Bank of Nauvoo. Visitors can relax on a memorial bench, read informational panels, and pick up a brochure describing the walking tour route.  At various locations, they will find information sheets with pictures and chronological histories of businesses along the route. 

Carthage, Illinois

Carthage is about 20 miles from Nauvoo and is the site of the Old Jail, where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob.  Tours of the jail are available every day of the year.

Carthage is also home of a renovated historic Town Hall in the town square, and the Kibbe Museum, directly west of the Old Jail.  The museum contains Mormon artifacts along with many other interesting displays. 

Read more about the jail under “Historic Sites,” or  “Carthage Jail and Visitors’ Center” on this web site, or check out  http://www.carthage-il.com/main/

Hannibal, Missouri

Downriver from Nauvoo, about 75 miles, is Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain.  For those driving from St. Louis, it’s a convenient stop, and a town full of history and atmosphere.  Visit Mark Twain’s boyhood home and other historic sites.  For further information, go to  http://www.visithannibal.com/

Quincy, Illinois

Less than fifty miles from Nauvoo is Quincy, Illinois, a charming city known for its impressive architecture and vibrant spirit.  For those who are interested in Mormon history, a visit to Washington Park is a must.  Here, the first Latter-day Saints to flee Missouri in 1838 camped in great numbers before they were taken in, fed and protected by the good people of  Quincy.  A marker in Washington Park, as well as a monument at the Mississippi water front in Clat Adams Park, tell the story of the Mormon refugees.  For further information, visit http://www.seequincy.com/

Springfield, Illinois

Springfield is the capital of Illinois and known as the center of the “Land of Lincoln.”  Visit one of the great museums in the world, The Lincoln Presidential Museum, along with many historic sites associated with Abraham Lincoln.  His home is available for tours, and his impressive tomb is well worth visiting.  Close to Springfield is New Salem, a restored log cabin village where Lincoln once lived.   For further information, click on  http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/

Keokuk, Iowa

About twelve miles downriver from Nauvoo, and across the Mississippi, is another town rich with history and impressive architecture.  Attend Bald Eagle Appreciation Days every year in January, and watch an impressive Civil War reenactment in Rand Park each April.  For further information, go to  http://www.keokukiowatourism.org/

Montrose, Iowa

Across the Mississippi from Nauvoo is the site of another early Mormon settlement.  The town can be reached by crossing the Mississippi at Keokuk or Fort Madison.  Here many of the early Mormon leaders, including Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff, lived for a time before moving their families to Nauvoo.  The site of the old Fort DesMoines  is designated on the waterfront.  This is where many of the Latter-Day Saints made their homes when they first migrated north from Quincy.  The view of the Nauvoo Temple is spectacular from that side of the river.  Just north of Montrose is the site where the “poor company” camped and experienced the “miracle of the quails.”  For information, see http://www.montroseia.us/, or check http://www.mormonhistoricsitesregistry.org/USA/iowa/montrose/history.htm                                  for information specific to Mormon history.

Bentonsport, Iowa

This town, along with nearby Bonaparte, were early stops on the Mormon Trail.  Since it was an area that welcomed these early pioneers, Mormon craftsmen stayed for months or even years to help build some of the homes and shops.  Now designated as National Historic Landmark District, Bentonsport is a charmingly restored artistic village nestled along the DesMoines River and county park.  For information on the shops, art classes, museums and events, go to http://www.bentonsport.com/ or http://www.greefstore.com/

Fort Madison, Iowa

Fort Madison has a rich history that goes back to the era when Nauvoo was first established.  With its beautiful waterfront, its double-decker swing-span bridge, its historic Santa Fe Train Depot and the reconstructed Old Fort, it’s a colorful town to visit, and a great place to shop, eat or lodge.  The annual Tri-State Rodeo, fishing competitions, “Balloons Over the Mississippi,” Mexican Fiesta, and Parade of Lights at Christmastime, all make Fort Madison an interesting stop any time of the year.  Learn more at http://www.visitfortmadison.com/