Looking For Advise On Touring To Nauvoo...

[GNews4BadTimes]

Hi folks! I'm thinking about traveling to Nauvoo and exploring it around Memorial Day weekend. Thinking about driving my car there, but it's about 400 miles from me. Would renting a car be bettter for me? Going by train or air? Does anyone have any advise for me? What is the best hotel? What way is best to get around the town there, by bike or car? Other than the Temple there, what are some of the sites that would be good to see? I'm excited to go there and check it out!

Edited May 3, 2009 by GNews4BadTimes

[NeuroTypical]

We went about 8 or 900 miles, so we flew and rented a car. It was the temple dedication, so there were no rooms within 50 miles of the place. Quincy is a wonderful little town not too far away you could find rooms.

We did a google search and found a business who gave horseback rides of Joseph's last journey from Nauvoo to Carthage. You have to bring your own LDS history stories with you (the people running the business aren't LDS), but it was a very poignant experience.

LM

[lestertheemt]

We drove from Utah to Nauvoo...we did it in 2 days. I would also suggest getting your room now. We spent a week there and I would easily go back.

Enjoy it!

[Palerider]

I live about 4hrs south of nauvoo....you might try to google nauvoo and find the numbers for the hotels and make a reservation....there are rooms in Keokuk Iowa and Quincy Illinois....if you are really feeling adventerous...you could find rooms in Hannibal Missouri....I am not real sure about this but....I think there is a town or two to the north that has Hotels.......I also think you might find some deals on car rentals.....I always look for unlimited mileage....

[tubaloth]

Would renting a car be bettter for me?

You probably do want a car, if you rent or bring your own it is up to you. Its matter of the costs of renting vs the wear and tear on your own car. (Is your car going to break down on this trip?)

Going by train or air?

Again you would have to check out which way is most feasible. The first time I was in Chicago and we drove up (rented a car) the other two times I was on a tour bus.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

I’m not sure how many days you are plan on staying there. Are you planning on going the temple?

I assume you plan on going to Carthage one afternoon?

There are plenty of places to tour.

http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/region/0,10749,1778-1-1,00.html

This map isn’t the best (kind of small) but gives you an idea of what is all there.

There are the normal places like the Brick yard where you get your Nauvoo brick. The Black smiths and the Browning Gun place is interesting. Most of these places are with in walking distance.

Usually I would break things up into different sections. (morning and afternoon, some evening)

So you pick a time to go to the temple. Then you eat lunch, then you either go to Some of the LDS sites, or the visitor center. Then at another time you go and see the Community of Christ stuff. Like the Mansion house, Joseph Smith’s house and the Red Brick store (where the Relief society was organized) Its actually a real store so you can buy stuff but the upstairs is a room. But you go to the Communicty of Christ visitor center and have to have them guide through these places.

Then another afternoon you can go to Carthage.

Its tough to do some things on Monday because they close earlier (some at 5 some at 6pm) so take that into account. I also know most evenings at the Cultural Hall they put on a little play/musical. It’s pretty good. I think it starts at 7pm?

Also there are some other plays or lectures by the River at night. I’m not sure of the details of those, just seen them going on. But there is some pretty nice plaques by the river and your walk back to Nauvoo, its call the trail of Tears. Its where the saints left Nauvoo when the river was frozen. The plaques give different accounts of them leaving and life in Nauvoo. Most people come to this area during Sunset. The sunset is pretty good at the river, but it can get dark kind of quick and so you can’t read the plaques at night. (so make sure you plan a head, or you can be using your Cell phone as a flash light)

One other thing (because I could talk about Nauvoo forever) is the Cemetery. Its not really in walking distance (maybe for a pioneer) but a place you should drive too. If you had people who died in Nauvoo they have a list of all the graves they know of. Its nice place. You don’t really have a lot to do here, but the feeling there is nice. Something to consider.

What is the best hotel?

There are only like 2 or 3 hotels actually in Nauvoo. There is the Nauvoo inn which is probably the best place to stay, but does cost more.

Nauvoo Family Inn & Suites?Nauvoo, IL > Home (not sure how much it is a night)

When I stayed in a hotel I ended up staying in Keokuk. Which is down south and across the river. At the time it was a cheaper hotel, but I didn’t realize how far away from Navoo it was. It was about a 40 mins drive through the city of Keokuk and back up by the winding road to Nauvoo. For the price is probably wasn’t to bad, but we picked a hotel on the far side of Keokuk there probably are others that are closer.

There might be some better hotels (and closer) up north. There are plenty of reviews on line of different hotels, just make sure you check there first.

What way is best to get around the town there, by bike or car?

Most is just drive your car to an area and park it, then just walk around to what ever sites you want to see.

Have fun!

[RachelleDrew]

I live like two hours from Nauvoo. I would suggest staying in Hannibal, MO or in Illinois. You have the options of Quincy or Macomb in Illinois. I don't know what Carthage has to offer in the way of hotels, it's not a big town. Iowa is fairly close too. Nauvoo of course has many historic hotels, but they aren't a large capacity and the town can get crowded in the summer, especially during the pageant.

I would suggest renting a car, or driving down yourself.

I hope you have fun. It's a really cool town.

[Palerider]

I live like two hours from Nauvoo. I would suggest staying in Hannibal, MO or in Illinois. You have the options of Quincy or Macomb in Illinois. I don't know what Carthage has to offer in the way of hotels, it's not a big town. Iowa is fairly close too. Nauvoo of course has many historic hotels, but they aren't a large capacity and the town can get crowded in the summer, especially during the pageant.

I would suggest renting a car, or driving down yourself.

I hope you have fun. It's a really cool town.

Thank you....Macomb was the other town I was trying to think of and I don't think Carthage has any motels....I do recall one along the hwy to Carthage,....not sure how good it is....might be a flea bag place....

[Winnie G]

Stay at the Nauvoo Inn, Its in Nauvoo nice rooms and the dinning room is set up so you can eat in large groups even though you maybe strangers and share your experiences of the day. It also has a pool.

I cant say this enough if you go there when it is HOT!!!! take your day in parts. you will need to change cloths and rest from the heat. you will want a car to see Carthage and things around Nauvoo. Take the time to do at lest two sessions at the Temple.

Enjoy!

PS: there is a old movie theater that is now a old ice cream/ dinner on the main street, the food is homemade fun and grate environment to eat and rest from the heat, you will love the two book stores across the street that have every thing from old books for sale to scrap booking supply's just for the trip and Nauvoo.

Edited May 9, 2009 by Winnie G

[a-train]

Stay at the Ellis Sanders House:

Welcome to the Ellis Sanders House Bed&Breakfast in Historic Nauvoo Illinois

The couple running it is great, the house is smack dab in the middle of the action and you will get a real feel for the Nauvoo era. Joseph Smith stayed in that house on several occasions. You will not be disappointed.

-a-train

Edited May 10, 2009 by a-train

[miztrniceguy]

I can also speak to Nauvoo inn being nice, as I have stayed there several times...my own wedding, and several others. Very nice people and good food.