Great River Road Golf Club

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Great River Road Golf Club is carved out of the bluffs overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River.  Elevation changes of 160 feet challenge the golfers throughout the course.  The signature hole, a par 4, 370-yard dogleg left with an island green, tucked in the back waters of the Mississippi, is sure to test you.

Visit us online at:      www.golfnauvoo.com

 

Baxter's Vineyards and Winery Tours

Illinois Oldest Winery – Baxter's Vineyards and Winery – Sample wines, browse the gift area and take tour of Illinois' Oldest Winery featured on the Food Network's Alton Brown Feasting on Asphalt Series in 2007 (Cookbooks now available!)

Hours
Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday 10-5

Wine Tasting, Food Samples, Tours all Free

Baxter's Historic Beginning: Emile Baxter came from France to Nauvoo in 1855 to join the Icarian commune. When the society broke up in 1857, he chose to remain in Nauvoo. He planted his first vineyards, and from his French friends he learned the art of making wine. This tradition passed from father to son. During Prohibition the wine making was shut down and the fresh grapes were shipped to northern markets. Then in 1936, after the repeal of Prohibition, Emile's son Cecil decided to reopen the winery his father had started in 1857. He applied to the state of Illinois for a license to manufacture wine, making Baxter's Vineyards the oldest winery in Illinois. The winery is now owned and operated by Kelly Logan, great great grandson of Emile Baxter, and his wife Brenda. Baxter's Vineyards is currently growing eight acres of Concord, Catawba and Niagara grapes. Starting in 1999, Kelly and his crew have been planting a new 4-5 acre vineyard with Chambourcin, Chancellor, Foch, Norton, Traminette, and Vignoles grapes. In addition to the grapes, we also grow a variety of apples on four acres. Currently our orchards are made up of Jonathan, Red Delicious, Fuji, Yellow Delicious, Empire, and Jonagold varieties.

Visit us online at:  www.nauvoowinery.com

 

The Great River Road

The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from its humble headwaters in the northwoods of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Hop in your car, on a motorcycle, in a bus, or on a bike and follow the path of America's historic north-south transcontinental byway to a Mississippi River experience sure to last a lifetime.

 

Follow the Looking For Lincoln Story Trail to Nauvoo

The Looking for Lincoln Story Trail is a collection of 52 historic communities scattered throughout Illinois that feature the compelling stories of Abraham Lincoln through the 215 Wayside Exhibits.  Follow simple GPS coordinates to locate each wayside exhibit. (Make sure you download a Medallion Template to do a rubbing of a custom medallion unique to each individual exhibit.)

Visit www.lookingforlincoln.com/storytrail for complete details!

 

Geocaching in Nauvoo

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Visit one of several Geocache sites in and around Nauvoo.

 

Nauvoo State Park

Historic Nauvoo is the backdrop for the Nauvoo State Park, on the banks of the Mississippi River in western Illinois' Hancock County. The 148-acre park, on the south edge of Nauvoo along Illinois State Highway 96, features a 13-acre lake with a mile-long shoreline. In addition to fishing, boating, camping and hiking, people return to these serene surroundings for the park's recreational features, its annual grape festival and to soak up the area's history.

Amenities include playgrounds, shelter houses, and barbques perfect for picnics.

Nauvoo State Park is also home to the Rheinberger Home Museum.   Visit us online at:  dnr.state.il.us

 

Birding In Nauvoo

Great River Birding Trail

The National Audubon Society has mapped hundreds of birding sites from the river's headwaters in northern Minnesota south more than 2,000 miles toward Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, calling it the Great River Birding Trail.  Nauvoo, located in Hancock County is proud to be located along the Great River Birding Trail.   Featuring turn outs and viewing points along a 10 miles stretch of The Great River Road, we provide the perfect spots for a variety of nature viewing including Eagles who nest in the area all winter long.

Visit the Great River Road Birding Trail site at:  http://www.greatriverbirding.org/site/?site=1544

 

Bicycling

Tour Illinois and Nauvoo as the wind rushes by on one of many Trails and Roads that wind through the beautiful Midwestern countryside.  BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike)