Plan Your Visit to see the Nauvoo Pageant and the Historic City
Nauvoo holds a lot of history for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Early members of the church built a city in the swamps of Illinois on the banks of the Mississippi River in the 1800s after fleeing Missouri. Today, people flock from around the world to experience Nauvoo and witness two amazing historical performances, known as the Nauvoo Pageant and British Pageant.
Last summer, my wife and I ended up in Nauvoo during pageant season. Despite the hot, muggy weather, we had a wonderful time exploring the historic city, learning about the life and times of the saints (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and immersing ourselves in the fun.
I highly recommend watching the Nauvoo Pageant and engaging in the opportunities to learn and experience life in the 1840s.
Here’s a rundown on how to prepare for and plan your visit to Historic Nauvoo and catch a performance of the Nauvoo Pageant.
When to Visit Historic Nauvoo and See the Nauvoo Pageants
Nauvoo can be visited any time of year. The summer months are the most popular because that’s when most families take their vacations. But if you want to have a truly memorable experience and catch both the Nauvoo Pageant and the British Pageant (which I recommend), plan your vacation between July 11 and August 5, 2023.
With both pageants in session, you’ll want to plan on being in Nauvoo for at LEAST two nights. We had plans to camp at the Nauvoo State Park for two nights and after arriving and setting up our tent, we walked towards the music and lights we observed, unaware of what was going on. We ended up snagging seats for what we later discovered was the British Pageant. The following night, the Nauvoo Pageant was performed. But I’ll share more on both pageants later on.
One of the biggest downsides to visiting Nauvoo in July is the hot and very humid weather. That heat, combined with the humidity, is brutal. I don’t know how the early residents of Nauvoo managed it, noting the lack of air conditioning. That made camping in a tent at the Nauvoo State Park impossible, so let’s talk about when and how to find accommodations.
Hours of Operations in Nauvoo
Even though Nauvoo is open year round, the hours of operations and tours vary by season. Here’s a rundown on what’s planned for 2023:
Summer Season (April 1 – September 30)
- Visitors’ Center: Monday – Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
- Historic Buildings: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Winter Season (October 1 – March 31)
- Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
- Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Where to Stay while Visiting Nauvoo
When I was planning our trip – seeking to keep things as inexpensive as possible – I booked us two nights at the Nauvoo State Park. We had our minivan and a family-sized tent we could setup and sleep in. However, after making our way back to the tent around 10 p.m. (after watching the British Pageant), we were dying of heat in the tent and nothing we did would alleviate it. So we did the only thing we could do – try to find a hotel room for that night as close to Nauvoo as possible.
Using Booking.com, we found two hotels that had an available room on the other side of the Mississippi River. It was only nine miles away, but because of the large river in the way, it was a 45-minute drive over to Fort Madison. The long drive between our hotel room and Nauvoo was not ideal… at all! But I don’t think my wife would’ve survived a night baking in the tent.
So rather than staying 40 minutes from Nauvoo, I recommend finding a place in the city where you can walk to the historic areas you want to explore. You can still drive to places from your hotel, as there is parking in the historic area, but being closer is much better!
The best way to find hotels or other lodging options in Nauvoo is on the Beautiful Nauvoo website. You can also try using websites like Booking.com. But my biggest tip…
Plan your visit as far in advance as possible so you can book a local hotel before the crowds book up all the rooms!
If you have an RV or a tent trailer with multiple fans, you may be okay to book a site at Nauvoo State Park. But just know that the humidity and summer heat may make it less enjoyable (or tolerable) if you aren’t prepared for it.
Getting to Historic Nauvoo
Nauvoo is pretty large, with restaurants, shopping and lodging scattered around the area. But the Nauvoo Historic District, which comprises the buildings, stages, museum, tours, landmarks and activities is located on the western half of the city, along the banks of the Mississippi River. The best place to start your visit is the Visitor Center, located at 290 N. Main Street, Nauvoo, Illinois 62354.
Why? Because the visitor center is where you can orient yourself to the buildings and find out what shows and activities are scheduled for that day. One of the best ways to explore the area is on one of the two large touchscreens with a map of the city. If the touchscreens are occupied, there are printed brochures you can grab, or you can speak with one of the missionaries volunteering at the info desk.
The Visitor Center also has several exhibits to help you understand the building of the Nauvoo Temple, which stands on the hill above the city to the east. If you’re not familiar with temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it’s a great location to help you know why these temples are so important. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, I love opportunities to visit and serve in these temples, which dot the globe.
The maps will help you also know where the restrooms and drinking fountains are located, which will be very important if you’re visiting in the muggy heat of July. STAY HYDRATED!!
Explore the Historic Buildings and Main Street Trades of Nauvoo
Scattered across Nauvoo are buildings of all sizes. Some are homes built by the early residents of Nauvoo, while others are buildings around trades. For example, you’ll notice the gunsmith shop in the photo above. It’s connected to the home of Jonathan and Elizabeth Browning. Learn about the Brownings, their gun collections, contributions to the city and residents of Nauvoo and their faith.
Visiting these buildings can be challenging, especially if you’re there with the summer crowds. At one point, we arrived at the entrance to the gunsmith shop, and a group of people were sitting on the front steps. They said they’re waiting for the tour to start. After waiting for 15-20 minutes, and seeing the missionaries (or guides) inside the home, we finally recommended we enter the home. Sure enough, that’s how the tour starts. You enter the home and wait in the entrance, then the missionaries will walk you through the area.
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Across the street, there’s the print shop. For that one, the guides will open the doors between tours, because the entrance and exit are through the same door. Just keep an eye out for signs and don’t be afraid to pop your head in to ensure you’re not standing outside in vain.
Here’s a rundown of buildings you can explore along Main Street:
- Scovil Bakery
- Webb Blacksmith
- Riser Booth and Shoe Shop Tour
- Post Office
- Lyon Drug & Variety Store Tour
- Pendleton Home & School Tour
- Brickyard
- Stoddard Tinsmith
Homes and Other Buildings Around Nauvoo
Beyond the trades and shops around Main Street, there are several homes and buildings you can tour throughout Nauvoo. There are even some you can visit in short trips away from Nauvoo. With so many buildings, do your best to visit the homes and read about the residents. Here’s a rundown on some of the homes you can tour in Nauvoo:
- Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home
- Cultural Hall
- Edward and Ann Hunter Home
- Heber C and Vilate Kimball Home
- Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball Home
- John and Leonora Taylor Home
- Lucy Mack Smith Home
- Ordon and Miranda Hyde Home
- Seventies Hall
- William and Esther Gheen Home
- Wilford and Phebe Woodruff Home
- William and Caroline Weeks Home
The history around each of these homes and the people who lived in them is helpful to understanding the hardships members of The Church of Jesus Christ endured as they were once again pushed out of their homes and cities to head west.
One short trip I recommend taking is out to Carthage Jail, located about 30 minutes southeast of Nauvoo. It’s the jail where Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother, Hyrum Smith, were killed by an angry mob. It’s a very somber location and one that holds significant history.
Learn about the Life of Joseph Smith, Jr
Joseph Smith, Jr. was born in Vermont in 1805 and his family moved to Palmyra, New York when he was 10. During the next few years, the area was experiencing a lot of religious excitement, with many churches working to grow their membership. Joseph wasn’t sure which church to join, though a few of his family members joined the Presbyterian faith. He continued to ponder which church to join and searched the Bible, looking for answers.
During his studies, a scripture in the Epistle of James (chapter 1, verse 5) caught his attention:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Bible. Epistle of James, Chapter 1; Verse 5
After pondering that scripture for some time, Joseph decided to retire to the woods near his home and ask God which church he should join. That led to what later came known as the First Vision. In the coming years, Joseph would be taught and guided to an ancient record, and with the help of God he translated the records into what became known as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
The Saints settled in Nauvoo
On April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith, Jr., and five other men founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church grew rapidly, and were driven from place to place and persecuted for their beliefs. Eventually, in 1839, the Saints (also known as the Mormons) settled in Commerce, Illinois – which later became known as Nauvoo.
The Saints prospered for years and built a House of the Lord, also known as a temple. The persecutions continued, and on June 27, 1844, Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed while awaiting trial in Carthage, Illinois. Soon thereafter, the saints were driven from Nauvoo, eventually crossing the plains and settling down in the mountains of northern Utah.
Visit the Joseph Smith Historic Site
I share that history to help you understand how the Saints ended up living in Nauvoo. That history stems from the humble questions and faith of a young Joseph Smith, Jr. While visiting Nauvoo, head to the south end of town to tour the Smith homestead, visitor center, buildings and the family cemetery.
The hours for the visitor center and guided tours vary by the season. Visit the Explore Nauvoo website for information on operating hours so you can plan your trip accordingly.
If you want to take a guided tour of the area, they begin at the Red Brick Store at 610 Water Street. They do ask for a $5 preservation fee to join the guided tours (there is no charge for the other tours in the Historic Nauvoo and Main Street area, as this specific tour is operated by a different organization). The tours last about one hour and take you to see and learn about the Nauvoo House, the Smith Family Cemetery, the Homestead, the Mansion House and the Red Brick Store.
Catch Formal and Impromptu Performances Throughout Nauvoo
One of the best parts of exploring Nauvoo are the musical performances. While there are some that take place in amphitheaters, others take place under a tree along main street. Volunteers (also known as missionaries) spend the summer in Nauvoo to share their musical talents. As you can see from the photo above, they love what they do, and the people do as well. There’s lots of clapping and toe tappin’ going on as they fiddle, dance and strum the time away.
While I really enjoyed the performance above and watching the crowd get into the dancing, one of the best performances – outside of the pageants, of course – was the Sunset on the Mississippi show. There was a brass band, lots of dancing, a hilarious storyline shared through music and much more. This is done nightly during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and no ticket is required. During the off season, this show takes place in the visitor center auditorium and tickets can be picked up starting at 7 a.m. on the day of.
Find a full list of the events and performances online, or check in at the Nauvoo Visitor Center when you arrive to get a rundown on what’s taking place during your visit.
Learn About the People of Nauvoo and the Trek West
After Joseph and Hyrum were killed in Carthage Jail, the Saints were driven out of their homes in 1846 and the temple – which they had labored so hard to build – was abandoned. In the cold of February and March, 1846, the Saints took their belongings and crossed the Mississippi River. The story of this exodus is preserved along the Trail of Hope.
Between May and October, there are certain nights dedicated to sharing the stories of those Saints who left their homes in Nauvoo. Actors portray those Saints and share the history of what it was like for them to leave. The Trail of Hope lasts about 45 minutes, and it’s a humbling and faith-promoting experience.
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Throughout your visit to Nauvoo, you’ll learn all about the people and Saints of Nauvoo. Whether you’re a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, you’ll appreciate the faith and dedication of these pioneers as they persevered through one hardship after another, holding firm to their faith in God and Jesus Christ.
Take Part in the Country Fair
We had done very little research and planning on what to do in Nauvoo. We didn’t even know the pageant was happening until we arrived in Nauvoo and heard the music. But we were pleasantly surprised, that after a long day of wandering around Historic Nauvoo, that we were able to step back in time and enjoy the Country Fair.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on the nights when the Nauvoo Pageant is being held (not the British Pageant), mosey on over to the Country Fair. All of the activities are free. That’s right, F-R-E-E. And there are some super fun and engaging activities. My wife and I tried our hand at sawing a log. It took us a moment to get the rhythm down, but we sawed through that log in no time.
We also learned how to tie rugs or hot pads using strips of fabric. It was a fun new craft I was excited to learn, and one that I was happy to show my kids when I got back home. At one point, we sported some 1840s-era clothing and snapped a selfie in the photo booth. There are opportunities to learn about family history and even a live band with a dance floor so you can try dancing.
I can’t stress how much fun the Country Fair is, so I definitely encourage everyone to plan their trip accordingly so they can spend an hour or so learning new “old” things. The fair ends at 8:30 so you can make your way over to the Nauvoo Pageant.
Don’t Miss the Nauvoo Pageant – Reserve Your Seat Early
If you want to have a decent seat from which to watch either the Nauvoo or British Pageants, I highly recommend reserving your seat. The process is simple, though pretty old school. Here’s how you do it:
- After 2 p.m., make your way to the performance area and enter from the south side.
- Stop at one of the booths (as pictured above) and grab enough twine to wrap around the number seats you need for your group.
- Grab a card and write your name on it.
- Head to the seating area and wrap the twine around the seats you need to claim.
- DON’T FORGET to attach your name card so you know the claimed seats are yours.
- Venture back to your exploration of Nauvoo.
At around 8:30 p.m., make your way back to the seating area and get comfortable. As the sun sets and the performances start, you’ll begin to wish you’d have thought of something – BUG SPRAY. When the sky gets dark and the bright lights come on to light up the stage, bugs come out in droves. Hopefully you applied some bug spray before you sat down, that way you’ve got some protection from the pests.
The Nauvoo and British Pageants last about 90 minutes, so it wraps up around 10 p.m. If you parked in the city, plan on a little traffic on your way out. It wasn’t too bad for us, but please… be courteous to other drivers and pedestrians.
Visit the Nauvoo Temple Grounds
Although the Nauvoo Temple was destroyed in the 1800s, it was rebuilt and dedicated in 2002. It stands majestically above the historic city, overlooking the grounds below. You can see far across the Mississippi River from this little hill, and it is a beautiful site.
Visitors are welcome to explore the temple grounds. There’s a statue on the east side, showing Joseph and Hyrum Smith riding horses as they head to Carthage Jail – the spot where they would both be killed. There are beautiful flowers on the grounds, and the building itself is very photogenic – especially during sunset. At night, the Nauvoo Temple is illuminated and is able to be seen from the seats of the Nauvoo Pageant.
In order to enter the temple, you must be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, age 12 or older. You must also have a temple recommend, which is given to you from your bishop and stake president. If you plan to serve in the temple, it’s best to schedule an appointment well in advance of your visit. Those without a recommend aren’t permitted to enter the temple. But I encourage you to visit the Nauvoo Visitor Center to learn more about why temples are so important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ.
Summary of the Nauvoo Pageant and Activities
There’s a lot to see and do in Nauvoo. While I’m so glad our visit to the city allowed us to watch the Nauvoo Pageant, I would love to return to the city when the weather isn’t as hot and muggy and enjoy more of what there is to see there. I’d like to spend more time exploring the shops, taking the tours, talking with the volunteers, watching the performances and even trying to improve my stilt walking skills.
I highly recommend planning a visit to Nauvoo to learn about the early Saints and the culture of that era. It’s a humbling experience and definitely strengthened my faith by learning about the sacrifices made by those early pioneers.
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