Nauvoo, Illinois

Forced to leave the State of Missouri, the Mormons fled to Nauvoo, a small town just across the border in Illinois. Regardless of your religious persuasion, you will find this small town very interesting indeed. Although the town only has 1,000 residents, it experiences 300,000 visitors per year. The reasons are easy to understand why, given the 60 restored historic sites, and impressive architecture of the residences, commercial buildings and churches. Most of these sites are open to the public, with demonstrations and displays, and there are self-guided driving tours as well as wagon tours. These tours are free, as are the stage and riverside theatrical productions. There is a large visitors center complete with two theaters and a relief map of 1846 Nauvoo.