This Quaint Oxen-Powered Wagon Ride Through Illinois' Historic Nauvoo Is A Magnificent Way To Take It All In
By Clarisa|Published September 26, 2022
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Clarisa
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Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time.
Do you love a little history with your fun day trips? If you’ve been looking for a unique and historic wagon ride in Illinois, look no further than Historic Nauvoo’s oxen-powered wagon tour. If you’re up for a day trip adventure, then this historic spot is ready for you to take on all they have to offer. Grab that bucket list and mark down the only oxen-powered adventure Illinois has.
Welcome to a little bit of history that you can explore in the present, a little place named Nauvoo. This historic site is all about the early settlers in this area, the ways they lived, and how they got around.
How they got around is actually the focus of this whole trip. Taking a wagon ride pulled by horses is always fun, but have you been pulled along by oxen yet? Just like this yoke, you'll need to strap in for all the history you can learn in one day at Nauvoo.
Strong oxen-pulled carriages similar to this one were used back when settlers first arrived here, but you can ride in one yourself without all the extra baggage. If you have time and planning skills, taking other rides can help you get a full day's adventure out of this trip.
Taking the "Mormon Trail" with the oxen wagon ride won't last all day, but have no fear; the Nauvoo Historic Site and visitor center has a lot to teach you! Historic buildings, performance events, activities for kids, and wagon rides pulled by horses can easily take up a whole day in a fun way.
Who wouldn't enjoy learning about the local history of wagons and the old technology used in the area? That history includes this ferry contraption used to help covered wagons ford rivers. Thankfully you won't have to ford any rivers to get here, but you will have to sit in a wagon during the oxen experience.
Similar to how oxen eat anything green instead of being picky about grasses and grains like a horse, you have a wide variety of Nauvoo history to consume here at various locations. Why not make a day trip of it?