Group Visits

Historic Nauvoo is a popular destination for many groups, from bus tours to school classes to family reunions. Careful planning and coordination with the historic site guest services will help you have a better experience while visiting.

If your group consists of fewer than 25 people, you do not need to submit a reservation request, but you may still review the information on this page to aid you in planning your visit to Nauvoo.

There are a number of things to see and do during your visit to Historic Nauvoo! We recommend checking out the Things to Do page to explore the options. If you are coming with children or youth, the For Families section has more specific recommendations for younger audiences.

Given the size of the historic buildings in Nauvoo, you will need to divide your larger group into smaller groups of approximately 10–15 individuals in order to participate in tours.

The tour size of nearby Carthage Jail is limited to 20 individuals. While part of your group waits for others to finish touring, we invite you to enjoy the visitors’ center and its exterior grounds.

Depending on your group’s size and needs, there are a variety of places to gather or to reserve for special meetings during your visit to Historic Nauvoo. Not every facility or location is available on demand, and careful planning is required for large groups visiting during the busy summer months. When our facilities are not sufficient or available, consider looking at options outside the historic district. Requests for a gathering place can be made when filling out the Group Reservation Request.

Explore the available gathering places by clicking here.

Guidelines for Historic Nauvoo and the Community

• Only missionaries may conduct tours; do not conduct discussions or classes for your group inside the historic sites.
• Always provide youth and children with appropriate adult supervision.
• Groups using a reserved outdoor gathering place or the Kimball Barn must leave by 10:00 p.m., and groups using a reserved historic site (Cultural Hall, Seventies Hall, or visitors’ center theater) must leave by 9:00 p.m.
• Pay attention to your group’s noise level, especially after closing (10:00 p.m.).
• Remain on sidewalks when walking in town and stay off private residential property.
• Do not obstruct traffic or walk in the street.
• Clean up after yourselves if you have outdoor activities, and do not litter at any time.
• Obey posted signs and Nauvoo City traffic ordinances.
• Park cars in designated parking areas only.
• Whether you contract with a bus company to travel here or drive your own large RV, instruct all drivers to always follow bus routes and to park only in designated bus parking areas. Do not unload passengers while stopped in a street.

Guidelines for the Joseph Smith Historic Site

Several historic sites adjacent to Historic Nauvoo are owned by Community of Christ, including the Mansion House, the Smith Family Cemetery, the Red Brick Store, and more. These sites are important to but not owned by the Latter-day Saints. Community of Christ welcomes visitors of all faiths, and we encourage you to include their sites in your planning.

If you visit the Joseph Smith Historic Site, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Guided tours are only provided by Community of Christ volunteers or staff. If you take a tour, please be respectful of their presentation and of their perspectives on historic events.
• If you visit the Joseph Smith Historic Site without taking the official tour, please do not attempt to enter the Mansion House or other residences.
• Do not conduct classes or discussions within the Smith Family Cemetery; take your discussions beyond the fence after visiting to preserve the reverence of the site.
• Yield to all scheduled tours when visiting the Red Brick Store.

Please fill out the Group Reservation Request for Illinois Historic Sites to tell us about your group and your plans. After submitting the form, a missionary will contact you to discuss what is available at the site(s) for the date(s) you request and to finalize your reservation. Please be aware that we are not able to arrange lodging, food, or transportation.

• Buses may not park on the street but should park west of the visitors’ center in the lot north of the Family Living Center, in the lot at the far west end of Parley Street, or in the lot to the southeast of Kimball and Main Streets. Buses may not stop at any time on public streets to unload or pick up passengers.
• Nauvoo has designated routes for buses. GPS units might direct drivers to use roads that are not fit for bus traffic. This can lead to damage to both roads and vehicles. Download a map of the approved routes for buses and RVs.
• Buses must obtain a sticker from the city that verifies they have read the rules governing bus and RV behavior. Contact the Nauvoo Tourism Office for information about receiving your sticker: 1-217-453-6648.