Church History
& Adventure

The first temple of the Restoration, dedicated March 27, 1836. The Savior appeared here along with Moses, Elias, and Elijah who restored essential priesthood keys. Recently acquired by the Church. Free guided tours through all 3 floors. 👋 Last stop with the Hofheins family — what a journey together!

Serving as Church headquarters 1831–1838, the Whitney Store housed the bishop's storehouse and post office. The School of the Prophets first met here on January 23, 1833. Short walk from the temple.

One of the earliest gathering places of the Church in Kirtland beginning in 1831. Joseph Smith and early missionaries preached here and Saints lived communally on this farm in the early days of the Restoration. A quiet, often-overlooked gem just minutes from the temple.

Only ~15 min from Kirtland! Beloved Amish buffet with homemade comfort food, fresh baked bread, and incredible pies. A perfect lunch or early dinner before the drive to Niagara Falls. Cash and check only — no cards!

Right next to Mary Yoder's! Famous locally made Swiss and Colby cheeses, fresh baked goods, jams, and Amish gifts. Great spot to stock up on road trip snacks. One of the best cheese houses in Ohio.

~25 min south of Kirtland. Joseph Smith lived here 1831–1832 and received 16 sections of the Doctrine & Covenants in this home. On March 24, 1832, a mob attacked Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon here — a sobering and sacred site. A sacred and sobering site.

Designated a National Park in 2000, Cuyahoga Valley follows the Cuyahoga River through a landscape shaped by glaciers 12,000 years ago. Right on the way from Hiram to Niagara Falls along I-80! Brandywine Falls is stunning. A perfect nature break between Church history sites.

Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the US. Niagara Falls itself has been flowing at this site since the last Ice Age, ~10,000 years ago. Illuminated at night and absolutely stunning!

Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three Niagara waterfalls, drops 188 feet and was first described by Europeans in 1678. The Canadian side has the best view — illuminated at night it's absolutely unforgettable! Bring your passport — required for re-entry!

A beautiful Sunday to worship near one of the world's great natural wonders! Several wards in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo area. Find a meetinghouse near Niagara Falls →

Check in and rest for a big Church history day tomorrow.

Walk through the Sacred Grove at your own pace — site of the First Vision in the spring of 1820, where God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to 14-year-old Joseph Smith. Tour the log cabin and frame home. ~150,000 visitors annually.

On September 22, 1827, Joseph Smith received the golden plates from the angel Moroni on this hill. Brand new visitors' center with interactive displays. Walk to the top to see the Angel Moroni monument.

Between August 1829 and March 1830, the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were printed here. The original press is on display. Downtown Palmyra.

Home of Martin Harris, who mortgaged his farm in 1828 to finance the Book of Mormon printing and was one of the Three Witnesses who saw the plates in 1829. ~10 min from the Grandin Building. Recently restored and opened by the Church.

Only ~45 minutes south of Palmyra, Letchworth is one of the most spectacular state parks in the eastern US. The Genesee River carved a 17-mile gorge with walls up to 600 feet deep and three major waterfalls — Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. Consistently rated among the best state parks in America. Even a short hike to the main overlook is jaw-dropping. Established in 1907.

A perfect send-off from Palmyra — the temple sits just minutes from the Sacred Grove and Hill Cumorah. Grounds and exterior open to all visitors. Members with a current temple recommend may schedule an appointment to go inside.

On April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ was formally organized here with just 6 members. Beautiful reconstructed log home where early revelations were also received.

~15 min from Peter Whitmer Farm. On July 19–20, 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first Women's Rights Convention here, producing the Declaration of Sentiments. Visitors Center, Declaration of Sentiments exhibit, and the historic Wesleyan Chapel. A powerful piece of American history right on your route.

~45 min south of Seneca Falls. One of the most stunning gorge hikes in the Northeast — 19 waterfalls in under 2 miles! The Gorge Trail winds through dramatic canyon walls. Wear good shoes and expect to get a little misty. Pairs perfectly with Seneca Falls for a full morning/afternoon.

Joseph Smith Jr. was born here on December 23, 1805. The 38.5-foot granite obelisk represents one foot for each year of his life. See the original hearthstone from the Smith home.

A 1.25-mile round-trip hike to the highest point on the memorial property with sweeping views of the Vermont countryside. Right on the grounds — easy to add after the main tour!

Foundation stones of the home of Joseph Smith's grandparents, located just north of the birthplace monument. The Old Stone Bridge nearby was built before 1804 when the Mack family purchased the farm.

A fantastic family-friendly local gem — tube down the White River right through South Royalton! A short bus ride to the drop-off point and a relaxing float back. Perfect for a warm June afternoon after the Church history sites. Book ahead as time slots fill up.

Consistently rated one of the most beautiful towns in New England. Stroll the covered bridge, browse the village green, pick up Vermont maple syrup and cheese. A lovely way to end the afternoon before heading to your hotel.

Only ~30 minutes from the Joseph Smith Birthplace! Ben & Jerry's was founded in Burlington, VT in 1978 and this Waterbury factory is their original production site. The tour takes you through the ice cream-making process and ends with a sample of the flavor of the day. There's also a Flavor Graveyard where discontinued flavors are "buried" with hilarious headstones. Kids absolutely love it!

The Freedom Trail, established in 1951, connects 16 historic sites spanning Boston's colonial history from the 1630s through the Revolutionary War era. A full afternoon hitting the best spots!

Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in America and the birthplace of the American Revolution. A quick but great morning before hitting the road south!

Opened on April 20, 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use. A true bucket-list experience. Only about 20 min from the Freedom Trail. A day game on Day 13 pairs perfectly before driving to NYC. Check the 2026 schedule at mlb.com. Book early — Fenway sells out fast!

Founded in 1624 as New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers, New York City is now the largest city in the US with over 8 million people. Arrive for an epic first evening — check in then hit the city!

A full day in America's largest city — home to the Statue of Liberty (dedicated 1886), the Brooklyn Bridge (opened 1883), and the 9/11 Memorial (opened 2011). Pick your favorites!

Philadelphia sits right between NYC and the Priesthood Restoration Site — just 1.5 hrs from Manhattan. The National Constitution Center tells the story of the US Constitution through artifacts, interactive exhibits, and a stunning 360° theater presentation. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are just steps away. The Constitution was signed here on September 17, 1787.

On May 15, 1829, John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the Aaronic Priesthood along the Susquehanna River. Shortly after, Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood. Beautifully restored Joseph & Emma Smith home and Isaac Hale home.

Only ~4 miles from the Priesthood Restoration Site. Joseph and Emma lived here 1827–1830, where Joseph translated the majority of the Book of Mormon in 1828–1829. Includes the Isaac Hale gravesite and beautiful Susquehanna River setting. A deeply peaceful site.

On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked and its passengers heroically fought back against the terrorists, causing the plane to crash in this field rather than reach its intended target in Washington D.C. All 40 passengers and crew died. The memorial, dedicated in 2011, includes the Wall of Names, a beautiful visitor center, and a flight path memorial. It's only ~45 minutes from the Priesthood Restoration Site and is one of the most moving sites in America. Bring tissues.

Scranton was a powerhouse of the American railroad era from the 1850s through the early 1900s. Steamtown, established as a National Historic Site in 1986, preserves that history. The Scranton Limited departs multiple times daily for a 30-minute ride through this rich past. Free museum admission — one of the largest steam locomotive collections in the country. Small fee for the train ride. 📌 Visit nps.gov/stea for details & tickets

Start the Sunday right before hitting the road west! Several wards in the Scranton area. Find a meetinghouse near Scranton →

About 2 hours southwest of Scranton, Gettysburg was the site of the Civil War's deadliest battle — July 1–3, 1863, with over 50,000 casualties. The visitor center has a stunning cyclorama painting, and the battlefield auto tour through Cemetery Ridge and Little Round Top is unforgettable. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address here on November 19, 1863. A sobering and powerful piece of American history.

Head west through Pennsylvania and into Ohio on I-76/I-80. Rest up tonight — Zoombezi Bay opens first thing tomorrow morning!

Start the day with a splash! Zoombezi Bay is a 22.7-acre water park operated by the Columbus Zoo, featuring 17 water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, action river, and Baboon Lagoon — a giant multi-level play structure with a 1,000-gallon bucket dump. Bonus: your ticket includes same-day admission to the Columbus Zoo! Plan to leave by early afternoon to make good time to Missouri. Book tickets in advance at zoombezibay.com.

Hit the road after the water park and head west on I-70 through Indianapolis and Kansas City into Independence. Arrive in the evening, rest up for a full day of Missouri Church history sites tomorrow!

Independence was dedicated for a temple site by Joseph Smith on August 3, 1831. Great exhibits and pioneer cabin replica. The dedicated temple lot is right nearby.

~20 min north of Independence. Joseph Smith was imprisoned here from December 1838 to April 1839. D&C 121, 122, and 123 were received here, including “How long can rolling waters remain impure?” Reconstructed cutaway display. Deeply moving.

Opened in 1972, Arrowhead Stadium has hosted the Chiefs for over 50 years and is consistently ranked among the loudest stadiums in the NFL. Behind-the-scenes tour of the press box, suites, field level, and locker room. Only ~10 min from Independence. Great off-season add-on! ~$20–30/person. Book in advance at chiefs.com — tours sell out.

Opened in 1973, Kauffman Stadium is one of MLB's most beautiful ballparks and sits right next door to Arrowhead — combine both in one afternoon! A great evening game works perfectly since you're staying overnight in KC. Check the 2026 schedule at mlb.com.

Stay overnight in the KC/Independence area — a much more relaxed ending to the day with time to reflect on what you've seen.

~1 hour north of Independence. Joseph Smith dedicated the temple site on July 4, 1838. The cornerstones were laid April 26, 1839 — the very morning the Saints were forced to flee. Once home to 5,000 Saints. Remote location — gravel roads!

~30 min from Far West. Joseph Smith identified this valley in 1838 as the site where Adam built an altar after leaving the Garden of Eden (D&C 116). Rolling green hills with beautiful views. Sacred outdoor site — bring water.

~30 min from Far West. On October 30, 1838 — just days after Governor Boggs issued the Extermination Order — a Missouri mob attacked this small Saints’ settlement, killing 17 men and boys and wounding 15 others. A somber, sacred memorial site along Shoal Creek. One of the most moving sites on the entire trip.

About 1 hour north of I-80 on US-385, Carhenge is a full-scale replica of Stonehenge built entirely from vintage American automobiles! Jim Reinders built it in 1987 as a tribute to his late father. 38 cars painted gray are arranged exactly like the real Stonehenge. It's wonderfully weird, completely free, and one of the most photographed roadside attractions in America. A perfect final quirky stop before heading home!

Head west on I-35 through Kansas City then pick up I-80 west into Nebraska. Arrive North Platte early evening — final overnight before the push home tomorrow.

Head west on I-80 through Wyoming — one last stop at Little America for a 75¢ soft serve on the way! Welcome home after an incredible 20-day journey through 11+ states and 25+ historic sites!