Treating Parents to Trip to Navuoo, IL

I took my family to Nauvoo last summer and had a wonderful time. You definitely need to send them during the pageant. It is in the summer when it's hot and humid, but there is so much more going on then than at any other time of the year, and they DON'T want to miss the pageant. You can look online to see the exact dates. There are also a number of other fun, small productions going on throughout the days that they can get tickets to for free. There's a lot to do, and we are planning on going back there next year.

I have been there three different times. I LOVE Nauvoo! I would strongly suggest giving them at least a week there to experience everything it has to offer. My grandparents served a "couples mission" there and my grandpa worked in the blacksmith shop. He was the one who modified the machine that makes the "diamond" rings (made out of horseshoe nails) so that it can do more than one at a time. The first time I was there it was late summer and it was VERY humid. The second time I went it was early June and I don't remember it being as humid then. The third time I finally got to go to the pageant, and it was crowded, but worth it. I also got to go attend the temple. (I'm assuming you're LDS if you're sending your parents to Nauvoo.) If they want to go through the temple, they have to have an appointment. I hope my info has been of some help!

I think going during the Pageant would be great, but crowded. We've been to Nauvoo twice - during the summer both times, but have not been to the pageant. However, because it wasn't so crowded, we could get into all of the shows that we wanted and didn't have to wait for any tours.

I would say that if they want to avoid crowds, skip the pageant and go at another time during the summer. We enjoyed staying in town so we could walk around and look at the shops and everything was close. Book Hotels Now! During the summer they have a lot of performances - make sure to go to the one at night by the river. I think it is called "Rendevous in Old Nauvoo." It was so much fun! There are shows at 3 different venues, so be sure to look into all of them.

Also, we liked doing the wagon tour of the city, as it helped us get "the lay of the land." The tours of the old businesses are neat (the brickyard, bakery, cooper shop,etc.), as are the tours of the Red Brick Store and the Mansion House.

Once in Nauvoo, you aren't very far from Carthage, and that is worth the short drive.

I LOVED going to Nauvoo - I hope your parents have a wonderful time.

I used to live in Illinois about an hour and a half from Nauvoo. I can't say much about what to see there, but I can speak about the weather. The loveliest times to be in Illinois are April - May and mid-September through early November. I liked October best - the leaves have some color, and the weather is warm, but not too hot, nights are cool but not cold, and the crushing humidity is lessened. In April there are lots of things blooming, but the weather can be a bit unstable. May is nice, but toward the end of the month it can heat up. Spring is very humid there.

Summer is hot (90+), humid (often 80-90%), and very buggy. Mosquito repellent is an absolute must if your folks are going out around twilight. The nights don't cool down much because the humidity holds in the heat. I'd avoid July and August if possible. Even June can have weeks of 90 degree days.

Winter is cold, windy, often grey, and can involve a lot of ice or snow. I'd avoid January.

I hope my two cents' worth helps with your planning. From the information in the other posts, it sounds like you may need to balance the timing of interesting events and what the weather might bring. I'm sure whenever you send them, your folks will enjoy the trip. What a lovely anniversary gift!