Your Nauvoo Trip: What Actually Matters When You're Traveling With Kids
The temple, the Joseph Smith memorial stuff, the hill overlooking the Mississippi River, these are the whole reason to go to Nauvoo. But here's what nobody tells you about Nauvoo with kids: there are some cool experiences if you know where to look.
Your kids don't care about another house tour. They want to make things, break things, and get their hands dirty. Good news—Nauvoo's got that covered, and the activities are free.
The Stuff Your Kids Will Actually Remember
Start with the scavenger hunt at the Visitor Center
Not because it's educational (though it is), but because when your kid finishes it, they get an actual adobe brick made in Nauvoo, (not imported from China.)
The blacksmith shop is where the magic happens
This is consistently the thing kids talk about months later. The blacksmiths aren't just demonstrating—they're making real stuff. And here's the kicker: every kid gets a "prairie diamond," which is basically a ring hammered from a horseshoe nail. It's free, it's handmade by an actual blacksmith, and your teenager might actually think it's cool. (Okay, you're right, they probably won't.)
Family Living Center: Actually hands-on
This isn't just a sister in a bonnet talking about butter churning while your kids zone out. At the rope-making station, your kid makes an actual rope and takes it home. Same with candles. The bread station gives you fresh bread to eat, not just to smell.
Your kids will learn to make barrels, card wool, and churn butter, but the best part? They're doing it, not watching it.
The brickyard
Kids get to make a Nauvoo brick with the official stamp. It sounds simple, but there's something satisfying about making building materials the same way the pioneers did. Plus, every parent I know has ended up using these as doorstops or garden decorations.
Transportation That Doesn't Suck
The wagon rides add to the authentic feel of the place, and they're free. No reservations needed in the off-season, which is when you should probably visit anyway.
And if you're crazy enough to visit in winter, they do sleigh rides. Also free. Because apparently they understand that getting around town in a horse-drawn vehicle is half the experience.
Nauvoo Isn't Known For Great Food — But We Found Some Good Options
Lock 19 – Best meal in Nauvoo, easy decision
A family-owned burger joint that opened in 2024. Their shakes are made with real ice cream. Soft drinks on tap. Good A/C. The "dam burger" (no, you're not cussing when you order this off-menu, it's named after the actual dam nearby) Hand-cut fries. Nom.
Fireside BBQ – Pricey, but large portions are worth it
This place needs better AC, and we were somewhat put off when we heard they don't have their own kitchen — they make everything at the Nauvoo Inn next door. But, with so few food options in town we ordered at the counter anyway (no table service).
It was surprisingly good. Texas-style barbecue in Illinois, sounds wrong but it works. The burnt ends were legit. The 1-meat plate with 2-sides is a good portion, but the 2-meat and 2-sides option will feed a family of 4. Seriously half a bird and a full rack of ribs didn't disappoint. The craft root beer was served cold, but the lack of cups and ice is a miss in a town this hot — especially with their weak AC situation.
Nauvoo Fudge Factory
Tourist trap? Absolutely. Sometimes tourist traps exist for good reasons.
Shopping (If You Must)
Eborn Books at the Nauvoo Trading Post
This is the only place in town that had toys, which might make it worth a stop. Used books, new books, fun souvenirs you won't find in the more traditional shops. The decor and the cobwebs make you wonder when it was cleaned last, but if you're a book person, plan to spend some time here.
Local crafts and Quilting
Modern quilting shop are doing interesting work that's not your grandmother's doilies. Kind of a kitsch-modern crossover thing going on, but we didn't stay long.
Seasonal Stuff Worth Planning Around
July-August: The Pageants
The Nauvoo Pageant and British Pageant alternate nights. Before each show, there's a country fair with 20+ activities from the 1840s—stick ball, stilts, puppet shows, log sawing. It starts at 7 PM, pageant at 8:30 PM. No tickets, no reservations.
Labor Day: Grape Festival
Nauvoo's got wineries (yeah, in Illinois), and the grape festival celebrates that. Family-friendly wine tastings, local food, and you get to see what passes for nightlife in a town of 1,100 people.
October: Pumpkin Walk
Hundreds of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns lining Mulholland Street. It's exactly as Instagram-worthy as it sounds.
The Reality Check
You can't see everything in one day, even though you'll try. If you've got young kids, prioritize the hands-on stuff over the house tours. The houses are beautiful and historically significant, but a 6-year-old's attention span for "this is where Brigham Young ate dinner" is about 30 seconds.
Two days is better than one. Three days means you can actually relax and not feel like you're checking boxes off a list.
What Nobody Tells You
The Stone Arch Bridge on Highway 96 is the best photo spot in town, and it's literally just on the side of the road. Every family ends up taking pictures there, and kids love exploring the old bridge structure.
David's Chamber is a random picnic spot south of town that's perfect if you need to decompress between activities. It's got a stream, huge trees, and enough space for kids to run around without bothering anyone.
Pioneer Saints Cemetery is a short drive from town center but worth it if you want to pay respects to the people who actually lived through this history. It's sobering in a good way.
The Bottom Line
Nauvoo works because it's not trying to be Disneyland. The activities are authentic, the history matters, and most importantly, your kids get to participate instead of just observe.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does a great job making everything that's meaningful free at their historic sites, which is a nice change if you're used to vacation spots demanding parking fees and admission tickets.
