Overview
Nauvoo is a small town in Western Illinois.
7 sights · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Nauvoo
Nauvoo State Park
Nauvoo Illinois Temple (LDS)
The current Latter-day Saints Temple was dedicated in 2002, and the Greek Revival exterior closely resembles the original, 19th century temple on this spot. It's the only temple owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat…
Monument to Women Memorial Garden
Red Brick Store
Replica of a historic general store and administrative headquarters used by Joseph Smith from 1842-1844.
Smith Family Cemetery
Joseph Smith Mansion House
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Iowa City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BRL Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, Burlington — 20 mi away. Directions
- UIN Quincy Regional Airport Baldwin Field, Quincy — 43 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 135 mi away (major hub). Directions
Nauvoo is on Illinois state road 96, part of the Great River Road following the Mississippi River. Driving to Nauvoo from St. Louis or Chicago takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic. St. Louis and Chicago are the nearest cities with full air service; Peoria and the Quad Cities are closer and are reached by some commercial airlines. Quincy is closer still, and has been served by commuter airlines at various times, but the service is intermittent.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Nauvoo State Park, Nauvoo Illinois Temple (LDS)
- Lunch The Red Front
- Afternoon Monument to Women Memorial Garden, Tomb of Joseph Museum
- Evening Baxter's Vineyards & Winery
Day 2
- Morning Red Brick Store, Smith Family Cemetery
- Afternoon Joseph Smith Mansion House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Nauvoo is most famous for having been founded in 1840 by Joseph Smith, Jr., as one of the first centers of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, following their exodus from Missouri in the wake of the Mormon War. In 1844, owing to hostility between the Mormons and their neighbors, as well as worries over a perceived theocracy in Nauvoo, the Illinois Legislature stripped the town of its legal status, leaving Nauvoo as a large (~12,000 residents) unincorporated community de facto ruled by the LDS Church. By 1846 hostilities (including vigilante violence and the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr.) had grown severe enough that Brigham Young (accepted by most of Smith's followers as his successor) and his supporters left in what is known as the Mormon Exodus, along the Mormon Trail.
The temple, which was the second the Mormons built after the original (which in turn was destroyed in the Mormon War) in Missouri, was burnt down by arsonists shortly following the Mormon Exodus. But in 1999 the temple was built and completed in 2002. The exterior is a faithful reconstruction, but the interior (which is off-limits to non-Mormons) follows the architectural plan of a modern LDS temple.
Following the Mormon Exodus, the original settlement was purchased by the Icarians, a French utopian society, with the intent of using Nauvoo as a main settlement with satellite communities elsewhere in the Midwest. Ultimately, the settlement folded in 1860 following internal conflicts.
Get in
Nauvoo is on Illinois state road 96, part of the Great River Road following the Mississippi River. Driving to Nauvoo from St. Louis or Chicago takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic. St. Louis and Chicago are the nearest cities with full air service; Peoria and the Quad Cities are closer and are reached by some commercial airlines. Quincy is closer still, and has been served by commuter airlines at various times, but the service is intermittent.
Get around
Drive, bike or walk; the town is too small to pose difficult transportation problems.
See
See Nauvoo Illinois Temple (LDS)
The current Latter-day Saints Temple was dedicated in 2002, and the Greek Revival exterior closely resembles the original, 19th century temple on this spot. It's the only temple owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today to have a bell tower. Like other LDS temples, only Church members with a temple "recommend" can enter.
Eat
Eat The Red Front
Burgers, hot dogs, and hot sandwiches. Additional breakfast items on Sunday mornings.
Drink
Drink Baxter's Vineyards & Winery
Sleep
Nearby
Fort Madison
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Burlington
City / town · 5 listings · 22 mi away
Plymouth
City / town · 1 listings · 30 mi away
Macomb
City / town · 5 listings · 37 mi away
Quincy
City / town · 17 listings · 43 mi away
Fairfield
City / town · 8 listings · 45 mi away
Hannibal
City / town · 14 listings · 58 mi away
Galesburg
City / town · 5 listings · 59 mi away
My experience
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