historic nauvoo

C9316BGkevint

This is a great little town. Love all the period houses and businesses in the old town area at the bottom of the hill. Beautiful state park. The old brick town is very neat. Can't wait to go back in summer and stay at the log home village in town or camp at the state park. Several nice gift shops in town.

ChrisH018

Nauvoo is a very quaint town overlooking the Mississippi River. Over 170 years old, the town has some really impressive historic buildings, as well as if the home to an impressive LDS Temple. The historic downtown is much more inviting than some other small rural communities and the area is well-maintained. The shopkeepers certainly show their pride in the community. As a stop on the Great River Road, Nauvoo is definitely recommended.

AAAA-ZZZZ

While you walk along the quiet streets and visit the reconstructed buildings it is difficult to believe that in 1845 the population exceeded 12,000 and it was a bustling city.To think that the early settlers had to contend with plagues of mosquitoes from swamps that they drained and built houses on is almost beyond comprehension.There is so much to see and you will need to take your time to photograph as much as you can, and take notes to help you to identify the buildings later - but you can get free brochures.Unless you are a member of the LDS church, you will not get inside the magnificent Temple that has been rebuilt to the same specifications as the one that was destroyed about 1848. As well as Mormon churches, Nauvoo has other places of worship, incuding a Methodist Church, Christ Lutheran Church, St Peter & Paul Church, Nauvoo Baptist Church, a Community of Christ congregation - who maintain some of the buildings.

280kayec

I will never again go to Nauvoo in the summer! We had beautiful weather during the second weekend of October and there were no crowds. We were able to see all the historic buildings and really enjoyed our visit.

PC1951

There was the manager of the Woodruff Hotel who would follow my husband and I around town and whistle at us. Joseph Smith House and the brick making place was OK

Stuartdeed

We came for a wedding in the area but really enjoyed our visit. Even though it was the off season every house and site seemed to be manned with tour guides. The tours were better than the ones in the summer much more detailed. Because you are not packed into a big group and there is not people waiting in the next room like in the summer.

tbytheway

Nauvoo is a fascinating place to learn about an obscure group of people that couldn't catch a break. A productive happy group of people that everywhere they went people saw them as a threat and kicked them out. Nauvoo was once the second largest city in Illinois, but now is a quiet town that hardly warrants a dot on the map. The sad story of its former residents leaving in the middle of winter across a frozen Mississippi river is heart wrenching. Some highlights.The Jonathan Browning home - See where he lived and some of the guns he made in a restored workshop.The Brigham Young home - See where the plans to abandon their homes and their beautiful city were made.The Cultural Hall - In the evenings some of the missionaries put on humorous plays about the life in Nauvoo.The Blacksmith shop - See what and how they made wagons and tools of the period. You may get a miniature horseshoe or a prairie diamond.The pioneer memorial at the end of Parley St. - Learn about the fateful day and the conditions as they walked away of all they had built.

289cristyd

This is a place that many need to visit. It is humbling as well as spiritual. You are able to feel the many who lost their lives and were persecution. Sacrifice is key in appreciating what we have.

310cjf

In our opinion this is the best church history site to visit with kids. We have been to most of them from San Diego Mormon Batallion on up to Palmyra. So much to see and do. You could easily spend a couple days seeing and doing and eating!

uttravellady29

We were impressed with the renovation of these different homes. We spent a day doing the various sites. Be sure and do the Rendevous Show each evening but Sunday. It was great.

kitsuanddate

NOT what we expected. The LDS history was interesting, and we learned a lot, but that's really all there is here. No additional history of the overall area as we have seen in other river towns and the town itslef had little to offer. The whole Old Nauvoo got to feel a bit strange after awhile. The grounds are immaculate with pretty buildings and very beautiful gardens but a little too perfect perhaps? (Stepford Wives anyone?) As non-LDS, we began to see things that were just odd. On the official signage "believed to be" and "the site of" came up a lot. The history is factual, just a bit enhanced maybe. That being said, it IS worth seeing and appreciating, but a couple of hours will do it unless you are LDS. Then I'm sure more time should be allowed. The State Park however was very nice and right across the street. The attendant was pleasant, caring for the place like it's his own land. Sites were tidy and the bathroom/showers immaculate. A very small State Park, but good for a night or two if you're on a road trip as we were.

MPA63

Okay, I am LDS (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) so my review may be a little biased, but I LOVED this place! There is such an amazing feeling and spirit here! Knowing a little of the history helps, the Nauvoo Temple being destroyed, the Mormons being run out of their city that they had built, chased out in the middle of the winter, crossing over the frozen Mississippi River. There are a million different stories in this city from thousands of people who lived here. It took 5 years to build the temple that they were able to use for 6 weeks. To see the newly rebuilt (2002) Nauvoo temple, standing exactly where the first one had been is surreal. There are horse drawn wagon rides, oxen drawn wagon rides, log cabins, homes of prophets and apostles. The visitor's center is great with one of the only 2 remaining sunstones in the center of the building. Grateful I was able to see this amazing place! You could easily spend 2 days here, but whatever time you have, do it!

333melindak

The area is very beautiful, and the history is amazing. We took tours of the blacksmith's shop, the Browning home and business, and also learned about the bricks that were made in Nauvoo. We really enjoyed all of the tour guides and knowledge they had about the area. There is much to see, and I would plan 2 full days to visit the area, and plan a trip to Carthage, about a half hour away. There is also a musical/drama put on in the evenings at the Visitor's Center. The Nauvoo Temple is so beautiful, and it is visible from many parts of the area. There is alot of walking, or you can have tours on a horse drawn wagon. There is also bike rental available if that is your kind of thing. There are very few dining or grocery businesses in the direct vicinity, but there are a few stores in the surrounding towns.

stevensS7396YL

Great way to learn and understand Mormon culture. Learn the truths, not myths. LDS church has done a great job restoring and teaching the events of 1840's. The New Nauvoo Temple is beautiful and a blessing to the area and economy.

Visitor880

The of Nauvoo is situated on a bluff that goes for miles. The views of the MS river are incredible. Down below is the reconstructed village of J. Smith's home, etc. All worth a day's visit. All worth a day or two of exploration. The town, itself, has little offer, as it's been hit hard by the downturn in the economy. Having said that, the Mormon's have an excellent genealogy center in town for those interested in getting started or need a push. The town contains beautiful homes & is quiet. The immediate is worth exploration.