Planning Your Visit

Nauvoo is a small historic town along the Mississippi River with a population of around 950 residents, yet it welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors each year. Sitting atop a scenic bluff overlooking the river, Nauvoo offers a unique mix of history, shopping, dining, and small-town charm. While the main business district is located along Mulholland Street, primarily in the 1200–1400 blocks, visitors will find locally owned shops, restaurants, lodging, wineries, and attractions woven throughout Nauvoo.

Just down the hill on Main Street is Nauvoo’s Historic District, where restored homes, historic trade shops, and interactive demonstrations bring life in 1840s Illinois to life. Visitors can explore traditional trades such as blacksmithing, baking, and printing while learning about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the people who lived in Nauvoo during one of the most significant periods in the city’s history.

Nauvoo welcomes visitors year-round, with each season offering a different experience. The Historic Sites operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are open seven days a week throughout the year, closing only a few days each year, and are free to tour, allowing visitors to explore restored homes, interactive shops, and historical demonstrations in every season.

The busiest tourism season in Nauvoo is from May through October, when the Mulholland Street business district is fully active with shopping, restaurants, entertainment, lodging, and special events. During these warmer months, visitors can enjoy the full small-town atmosphere with locally owned shops, wineries, outdoor activities, and historic performances throughout the community.

Many businesses operate seasonally and may have limited hours during the late fall and winter months. In addition, most of the downtown business district is closed on Sundays. However, Baxter's Vineyards, Casey's, and Dollar General are typically open on Sundays for visitors needing dining, fuel, groceries, or supplies. Visitors are encouraged to check individual business hours when planning offseason or Sunday visits.

Nauvoo is a beautiful destination year-round. Many people visit Nauvoo in the summer, especially in July to see the Nauvoo Pageant. Spring and Fall are also highly recommended. The weather is moderate and the town is less crowded. In the Spring everything is in bloom. The flowers are spectacular. In the Fall we have some of our most beloved community events including the Nauvoo Grape Festival and the Nauvoo Pumpkin Walk. Visit our Events page to learn more.

Yes, Nauvoo offers a range of accommodations, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, homestays and accommodations for camping. We recommend booking your stay in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons like July. You can find these accommodations under Stay.

Some of the top attractions in Nauvoo include the Nauvoo Temple, Historic Nauvoo, Nauvoo State Park, Mississippi River wildlife, the Nauvoo River Walk, local events, eateries, shopping, and more. Check out Experience Nauvoo for more details.

Our town offers a variety of local places to eat. Keep in mind, we are a small town. We will not have the type of variety you would find in a big city, but that is the charm of coming to Nauvoo: we are small and we're proud of it!