Epic Pyne & Hofheins Family Road Trip • May 2026

Church History
& Adventure

Departing May 23, 2026 • Lehi, UT → East Coast → Home

20 Days
25+ Historic Sites
11 States
FREE All Church Sites
Utah • Wyoming • Nebraska • Iowa • Illinois • Wisconsin • Ohio • New York • Vermont • Massachusetts • Pennsylvania • Missouri • Home
Church History
Adventure / Thrill
Nature / Outdoors
City Exploration
Transit / Overnight

This epic road trip covers 25+ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints historic sites plus stops in Elkhorn, Chicago, Cedar Point, Niagara Falls, Boston, and New York City. The route heads east through Winter Quarters and Nauvoo, loops through the Great Lakes and Northeast, then returns west through Missouri and Wyoming. The Hofheins family will be joining the Pynes from the start through Kirtland, OH! 🎉

Key Info: Most Church sites open Mon–Sat 10–5, Sun hours vary (typically 12–5 or 1–5). All are family-friendly and offer free guided tours. Plan for seasonal hours and closures. Book Cedar Point, Maid of the Mist, and Statue of Liberty ferry tickets in advance!
🚗 Heading East
Day1Sat May 23
Lehi, UT → North Platte, NE
~9.5 hours driving • Depart early morning on I-80
🏁 Lehi, UT — Departure
Early Morning
Hit the road heading east on I-80 through Wyoming and Nebraska. The adventure begins!
🍦 Little America, WY — Famous 75¢ Soft Serve!
Mid-Morning
I-80 Exit 68, Little America, WY 82929
📍 Navigate
A legendary Wyoming I-80 tradition — you simply can't drive through without stopping for their famous 75¢ soft serve cones. Little America has been a road tripper's oasis since 1934 with a gas station, restaurant, hotel, and the best cheap ice cream cone in the West. Look for the billboards starting miles before the exit — the kids will be counting them down! Best of all, Grandma's treating — so it's completely free! 🎉 Located at Exit 68 off I-80 in southwestern Wyoming.
🌙 North Platte, NE — Overnight
~Evening
Rest up for a big Day 2.
🌙 Overnight
🍽️ Where to Eat
🥩 Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill — best sit-down in North Platte. Uncle Buck's Restaurant & Brewery at Cabela's is a fun stop with the kids! 🚗 Runza — Nebraska's iconic sandwich chain, beef & onions in a bread pocket. A must when in Nebraska!
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Hampton Inn & Suites North Platte — free hot breakfast, pool, well-reviewed. Holiday Inn Express & Suites North Platte — reliable, spacious rooms. Courtyard by Marriott North Platte — solid mid-range pick on the I-80 corridor.
Day2Sun May 24
North Platte → Winter Quarters → Mt. Pisgah → Nauvoo
~4 hrs to Omaha + ~2.5 hrs to Mt. Pisgah + ~1.5 hrs to Nauvoo
⛪ Sacrament Meeting — Council Bluffs / Omaha Area
Morning • ~1 hr
Attend a local ward on your first Sunday of the trip! Council Bluffs and Omaha have several wards — a perfect fit since you're stopping at Kanesville and Winter Quarters right afterward. Use the meetinghouse locator to find times. Find a meetinghouse near Council Bluffs →
Kanesville Memorial
~10:00 AM • 1 hr
222 E Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
📍 Navigate
Where Brigham Young was sustained as prophet, the Mormon Battalion was organized, and Oliver Cowdery returned to the Church. Beautiful memorial gardens.
4.7 (199)Free Admission
Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters
~11:30 AM • 1.5 hrs
3215 State St, Omaha, NE 68112
📍 Navigate
Excellent museum — try pulling the handcart! Pioneer cemetery on grounds. Winter Quarters Temple nearby.
4.8 (880)Free Admission
Mount Pisgah Pioneer Site
~1:30 PM • 45 min
Mount Pisgah, Iowa (near Thayer, IA)
📍 Navigate
A key pioneer trail encampment and settlement between Nauvoo and Winter Quarters. Hundreds of saints are buried here. A quiet, sacred outdoor site with a monument and pioneer cemetery. Bring water.
Free Admission
Historic Nauvoo — Check In
~6:00 PM
Nauvoo, IL
📍 Navigate
Check in and rest up for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
🌙 Overnight
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍔 The Red Front — Nauvoo's beloved diner: burgers, sandwiches & famous cinnamon rolls. 🍦 Annie's Frozen Custard for dessert. 🥤 Brigham's Back Alley Beverage for creative soda drinks. 🚗 Culver's (Iowa & Illinois) — ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard, a Midwest must! Steak 'n Shake along I-80 for thin burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Nauvoo Family Inn & Suites — the best family pick in Nauvoo, indoor pool, walking distance to sites. Inn at Old Nauvoo — comfortable rooms, great location near the historic district. Options in Nauvoo are limited — book well in advance!
Day3Mon May 25
Historic Nauvoo — Full Day
No driving today — explore on foot
Historic Nauvoo North Visitors' Center
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
290 Main St, Nauvoo, IL 62354
📍 Navigate
The 'City Beautiful' on the Mississippi River. Dozens of restored homes and shops. Free wagon rides, blacksmith demos, brick-making, pottery. Easily a full day of exploring!
4.9 (1,324)Free Admission🌙 Overnight
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍔 The Red Front again — definitely worth a return! Casey's General Store for surprisingly good pizza by the slice. Limited options in Nauvoo, so stock up!
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Same options as Day 2 — Nauvoo Family Inn & Suites or Inn at Old Nauvoo for your 2nd night. Book both nights together early.
Day4Tue May 26
Nauvoo → Carthage Jail → Elkhorn, WI
~25 min to Carthage + ~4.5 hrs to Elkhorn
Nauvoo Illinois Temple
Early morning • Walk the grounds
50 N Wells St, Nauvoo, IL 62354
📍 Navigate
Start the day at the temple before leaving Nauvoo. Beautifully rebuilt in 2002 on the original 1846 foundation with stunning views of the Mississippi River from the bluff. Grounds and exterior open to all. Members with a current temple recommend may schedule an appointment to go inside.
Grounds Free
Carthage Jail
9:00 AM • 1–1.5 hrs
310 Buchanan St, Carthage, IL 62321
📍 Navigate
Stand in the room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred on June 27, 1844. Guided tours are deeply moving.
4.9 (1,304)Free Admission
Elkhorn, WI — Staying with the Melvilles! 🏡
~2:30 PM
Staying with the awesome Melvilles for two nights! Lake Geneva is just 15 minutes away for a great side trip.
🏡 The Melvilles (address TBD) Navigate coming soon
🌙 Overnight ×2
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍕 Carthage is tiny — grab a quick bite before leaving. In Elkhorn: McFleshman's Brewing Co. for craft beer & pub food, or a local diner for a casual family meal.
Day5Wed May 27
Elkhorn, WI — Day 2
Rest day — explore Elkhorn & Walworth County
Elkhorn & Walworth County
Full Day
Full second day to enjoy Elkhorn and the surrounding area. Lake Geneva is just 15 minutes away for a great scenic side trip!
🏖️ Lake Geneva, WI (~15 min) 📍 Navigate
🍽️ Where to Eat
🌮 Lake Geneva (15 min away) has great options! Egg Harbor Cafe for breakfast, Harpoon Willie's for lakefront lunch, or Sopra for upscale Italian dinner.
Day6Thu May 28
Elkhorn → Chicago, IL → Sandusky, OH
~1.5 hrs to Chicago + ~5 hrs to Sandusky • Depart Elkhorn 8:00 AM
Chicago, IL — Afternoon Highlights
~9:30 AM – early afternoon
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
📍 Navigate
Arriving around 9:30 AM — spend a few hours hitting Chicago's highlights before the drive to Sandusky!
🎡 Navy Pier 📍 Navigate
🫘 Millennium Park & The Bean 📍 Navigate
🛍️ Magnificent Mile 📍 Navigate
🍕 Lou Malnati's (Deep Dish) 📍 Navigate
🌭 Portillo's (Chicago Dogs) 📍 Navigate
4.6 (86,694)
Drive to Sandusky, OH — Overnight
~2:00 PM departure • ~5 hrs • Arrive ~7:00 PM
Head east on I-90 through Indiana and into Ohio. Arrive Sandusky in the evening — check in and rest up for a full day at Cedar Point tomorrow!
🌙 Overnight Sandusky
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍕 Lou Malnati's or Giordano's — Chicago deep dish is a must. 🌭 Portillo's for Chicago-style hot dogs & Italian beef. All are right downtown near Navy Pier. 🚗 Portillo's (Chicago) — iconic Italian beef & Chicago dogs. Steak 'n Shake and Culver's through Indiana on I-80/90. White Castle appears once you hit Ohio — grab a sack of sliders!
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sandusky — 2.4 miles from Cedar Point, free breakfast, pool. Fairfield Inn & Suites Sandusky — clean, comfortable, good value. Hampton Inn Sandusky-Central — solid mid-range near the park.
Day7Fri May 29
⚡ Cedar Point — Full Day!
No driving • Gates open 9–10 AM
⚡ Cedar Point — Roller Coaster Capital of the World
All Day • Gates to Close
1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
📍 Navigate
A full day to conquer the park! Top rides: Steel Vengeance, Millennium Force, Maverick, Top Thrill 2. Hit the big coasters first thing in the morning when lines are shortest. Buy tickets in advance!
🌙 Overnight Sandusky
🍽️ Where to Eat
🎢 Inside Cedar Point: try Famous Dave's BBQ, Melt Bar & Grilled, or the park's many food stands. After the park in Sandusky: Thirsty Pony for a casual dinner, or Red Robin for family burgers.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Same Sandusky hotels for your 2nd night — Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn are both reliable picks close to Cedar Point.
Day8Sat May 30
Sandusky → Historic Kirtland, OH → Niagara Falls (US & Canada!)
~1 hr to Kirtland + ~3.5 hrs to Niagara Falls • Evening stroll to Canada
Kirtland Temple
10:00 AM • 1–1.5 hrs
9020 Chillicothe Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094
📍 Navigate
The first temple of the Restoration, dedicated 1836. Recently acquired by the Church. Free guided tours through all 3 floors. 👋 Last stop with the Hofheins family — what a journey together!
4.8 (1,002)Free Admission
N.K. Whitney & Co. Store
~12:00 PM • 1.25 hrs
7800 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094
📍 Navigate
Early Church headquarters, bishop's storehouse, post office. School of the Prophets met upstairs. Short walk from the temple. Also tour the Whitney Home nearby.
5.0 (165)Free Admission
💦 Niagara Falls State Park — Overnight
~6:00 PM
332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
📍 Navigate
The falls are illuminated at night and absolutely stunning! Open 24 hours.
4.8 (77,300)🌙 Overnight
🍁 Canada Side — Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, ON
Evening • Walk across Rainbow Bridge
The Canadian side has the best view of Horseshoe Falls — illuminated at night it's absolutely unforgettable! Bring your passport — required for re-entry!
🌉 Rainbow Bridge Entry (Canada side) 📍 Navigate
🌊 Horseshoe Falls Overlook (Table Rock) 📍 Navigate
💦 Journey Behind the Falls 📍 Navigate
🎡 Clifton Hill (restaurants & entertainment) 📍 Navigate
🗼 Skylon Tower (revolving restaurant) 📍 Navigate
🍁 Passport Required
🍽️ Where to Eat
🐟 Kirtland/Mentor area: Brennan's Fish House for Lake Erie perch — a regional must! Niagara Falls evening: Fortuna's Restaurant (Italian, family-owned since 1945) or Top of the Falls inside the State Park for views with your dinner.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Hampton Inn Niagara Falls — well-reviewed, great location near the falls. Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls — modern, comfortable, mid-range. Holiday Inn Express Niagara Falls — free breakfast, good value for the area.
⛪ Heart of the Restoration
Day9Sun May 31
Niagara Falls → Palmyra, NY
~2.5 hours to Palmyra
⛪ Sacrament Meeting — Niagara Falls / Buffalo Area
Morning • ~1 hr
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 →
💦 Niagara Falls, NY — Morning Exploration
9:00 AM • 3–4 hrs
Bring a poncho — you WILL get soaked!
⛵ Maid of the Mist (book ahead!) 📍 Navigate
🌊 Cave of the Winds 📍 Navigate
🔭 Prospect Point Observation Tower 📍 Navigate
🌉 Rainbow Bridge (to Canada) 📍 Navigate
Palmyra, NY — Check In
~4:00 PM
Check in and rest for a big Church history day tomorrow.
🌙 Overnight
🍽️ Where to Eat
🥞 Niagara breakfast: Marketside Restaurant (locals' favorite since 1939). 🍁 Canada side: Table Rock House Restaurant right at Horseshoe Falls. In Palmyra: Muddy Waters Cafe or The Hog and Hen.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Best Western Palmyra Inn & Suites — the main mid-range option right in Palmyra, close to all the Church history sites. Courtyard by Marriott Rochester Brighton (~20 min away) if you want more amenities.
Day10Mon Jun 1
Palmyra, NY — Heart of the Restoration
Short local drives between sites
Sacred Grove & Smith Family Farm
10:00 AM • 2.5 hrs
843 Stafford Rd, Palmyra, NY 14522
📍 Navigate
Walk through the Sacred Grove at your own pace — site of the First Vision in 1820. Tour the log cabin and frame home. ~150,000 visitors annually.
5.0 (671)Free Admission
Hill Cumorah Visitors's Center
1:00 PM • 1.5 hrs
603 State Rte 21, Palmyra, NY 14522
📍 Navigate
Brand new visitors' center with interactive displays. Walk to the top of the hill to see the Angel Moroni monument.
4.9 (1,202)Free Admission
Grandin Print Shop
3:15 PM • 1 hr
217 E Main St, Palmyra, NY 14522
📍 Navigate
Where the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were printed in 1830. Original press on display. Downtown Palmyra.
4.9 (1,036)Free Admission
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍕 Mark's Pizzeria (beloved local chain), Yellow Mills Diner for classic American diner food, or The Hog and Hen for a nice sit-down. Rochester (20 min away) has many more options.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Best Western Palmyra Inn & Suites for a 2nd night, or consider Fairfield Inn & Suites Rochester (~20 min) if you want a pool and more options.
Day11Tue Jun 2
Whitmer Farm → Joseph Smith Birthplace, VT — Hike, Tubing & Woodstock
~30 min to Whitmer + ~4 hrs to Vermont • Full day on-site!
Palmyra New York Temple
Early morning • Walk the grounds
2720 NY-21, Palmyra, NY 14522
📍 Navigate
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.
Grounds Free
Peter Whitmer Farm
9:00 AM • 1–1.5 hrs
1451 Aunkst Rd, Waterloo, NY 13165
📍 Navigate
Where the Church was organized April 6, 1830 with just 6 members. Beautiful reconstructed log home.
4.9 (772)Free Admission
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
2:30 PM • 1–1.5 hrs
357 LDS Ln, South Royalton, VT 05068
📍 Navigate
The 38.5-foot granite obelisk — one foot for each year of Joseph's life. See the original hearthstone from the Smith home.
4.9 (448)Free Admission🌙 Overnight Nearby
Patriarch Hill Hike — Joseph Smith Birthplace
~30 min • On the memorial grounds
357 LDS Ln, South Royalton, VT 05068
📍 Navigate
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!
Free
Solomon & Lydia Mack Home Site
~15 min • On the memorial grounds
357 LDS Ln, South Royalton, VT 05068
📍 Navigate
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.
Free
The Tubing Taxi — White River Tubing
Optional • ~2 hrs • If time allows!
South Royalton, VT 05068
📍 Navigate
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.
🎟️ Reserve Ahead
Woodstock, VT — Optional Side Trip
Optional • ~20 min south • One of Vermont's most charming towns
Woodstock, VT 05091
📍 Navigate
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.
🍽️ Where to Eat
🧀 South Royalton is tiny — South Royalton Market for deli & Vermont staples. Windsor/White River Junction nearby: local Vermont diners, maple syrup everything, and fresh cheese.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Near White River Junction, VT: Hampton Inn & Suites White River Junction — best mid-range pick near the Joseph Smith Birthplace area. Courtyard by Marriott White River Junction — clean and comfortable.
Day12Wed Jun 3
Vermont → Boston, MA
~2.5 hours
Boston, MA — Freedom Trail
~12:00 PM • Full afternoon/evening
A full afternoon in Boston hitting the best spots!
🗺️ Freedom Trail Start (Boston Common) 📍 Navigate
🦞 Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market 📍 Navigate
⚓ Boston Harbor & Waterfront 📍 Navigate
🍕 Regina Pizzeria (North End) 📍 Navigate
🍞 Legal Sea Foods 📍 Navigate
🌙 Overnight
🍽️ Where to Eat
🦞 Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall for variety & famous clam chowder in a bread bowl. Legal Sea Foods for classic New England seafood. Regina Pizzeria in the North End — legendary thin-crust since 1926.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Boston: Hampton Inn Boston Crosstown Center — solid mid-range with great access to the Freedom Trail. Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown or Fairfield Inn & Suites Boston are both reliable mid-range picks.
Day13Thu Jun 4
Boston → New York City
~4 hours (possibly 5 with traffic)
Boston — Morning Exploration
8:30 AM • 3 hrs before heading to NYC
A quick but great morning in Boston before hitting the road south!
🌳 Boston Common 📍 Navigate
⚓ Boston Harbor & Long Wharf 📍 Navigate
🎓 Harvard Square, Cambridge 📍 Navigate
🦞 Quincy Market (quick breakfast/lunch) 📍 Navigate
🗽 New York City — Evening Arrival
~3:30 PM • Evening exploration
Arrive for an epic first evening in NYC — check in then hit the city!
🎭 Times Square 📍 Navigate
🌳 Central Park 📍 Navigate
🍕 Joe's Pizza 📍 Navigate
🥪 Katz's Deli 📍 Navigate
4.7 (239,000+)🌙 Overnight ×2
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍕 NYC arrival: Joe's Pizza for an authentic $3 NY slice. Shake Shack for great burgers. Katz's Deli for the iconic pastrami sandwich.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 NYC: Hampton Inn Times Square — great location, reliable mid-range for NYC. Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West — good value for the city. Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan — solid Marriott option in Midtown.
Day14Fri Jun 5
New York City — Full Day
No driving
NYC Top Picks
Full Day
A full day in the greatest city in the world — pick your favorites!
🗽 Statue of Liberty Ferry (book ahead!) 📍 Navigate
🕊️ 9/11 Memorial & Museum 📍 Navigate
🌉 Brooklyn Bridge Walk 📍 Navigate
🌳 Central Park 📍 Navigate
🏙️ Empire State Building 📍 Navigate
🎭 Broadway Theater District 📍 Navigate
🍕 Lombardi's Pizza (Little Italy) 📍 Navigate
🥪 Katz's Deli 📍 Navigate
🏪 Chelsea Market 📍 Navigate
🍽️ Where to Eat
🗽 Lombardi's — America's oldest pizzeria (1905), Little Italy. Chelsea Market — a food hall the whole family loves. Nathan's Famous Coney Island hot dogs. Smorgasburg outdoor food market (Sat/Sun in season).
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 2nd night in NYC — same hotels. Hampton Inn Times Square or Holiday Inn Express Midtown. Booking both nights together often gets a better rate.
🏠 Heading Home
Day15Sat Jun 6
NYC → Priesthood Restoration Site → 🚂 Steamtown, PA
~2.5 hours to PA • Susquehanna then Scranton
Priesthood Restoration Site
11:30 AM • 1.5–2 hrs
27832 PA-171, Susquehanna, PA 18847
📍 Navigate
Beautifully restored Joseph & Emma Smith home and Isaac Hale home. Where John the Baptist appeared to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and later Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood. Along the Susquehanna River.
5.0 (761)Free Admission🌙 Overnight Scranton Area
🚂 Steamtown National Historic Site — Scranton, PA
Afternoon • Departs 1:15 PM or 2:30 PM
150 S Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503
📍 Navigate
A fantastic train experience right after the Priesthood Restoration Site! The Scranton Limited departs multiple times daily for a 30-minute ride through Scranton's rich railroading 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
🎟️ Book in Advance
🍽️ Where to Eat
🚂 Near Priesthood Restoration (tiny Susquehanna area) — bring packed lunch. In Scranton: Coopers Seafood House (a Scranton institution!), The Back Yard Ale House, or Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizza. 🚗 Wawa or Sheetz (Pennsylvania/East Coast) — not your average gas station! Famous for made-to-order hoagies, fresh coffee, and hot food. Wawa is basically a cult in the Northeast.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Scranton: Hampton Inn Scranton — well-reviewed, clean, convenient to downtown and Steamtown. Courtyard by Marriott Scranton — reliable mid-range in the city center.
Day16Sun Jun 7
Pennsylvania → Columbus, OH
~7 hours • I-76/I-80 west into Ohio
⛪ Sacrament Meeting — Scranton, PA Area
Morning • ~1 hr
Start the Sunday right before hitting the road west! Several wards in the Scranton area. Find a meetinghouse near Scranton →
Drive West — Columbus, OH Overnight
After church • ~7 hrs • Evening arrival
Head west through Pennsylvania and into Ohio on I-76/I-80. Rest up tonight — Zoombezi Bay opens first thing tomorrow morning!
🌙 Overnight Columbus, OH
🍽️ Where to Eat
🏛️ Schmidt's Sausage Haus — Columbus German institution, famous for giant cream puffs. Thurman Cafe for massive, award-winning burgers. North Market food hall for variety. Zoombezi Bay has concessions inside. 🚗 Steak 'n Shake — thin smash burgers & real milkshakes all along I-76/I-70. White Castle once you're in Ohio — a Midwest legend. Skyline Chili if you go near Cincinnati (Cincinnati-style chili over spaghetti — unique!).
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Near Columbus/Zoombezi Bay: Hampton Inn Columbus/Worthington — 10–15 min from the water park, free breakfast. Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus/Dublin — clean, good value, family-friendly area.
Day17Mon Jun 8
💦 Zoombezi Bay → Columbus, OH → Independence, MO
Water park at open • ~8 hrs driving after
💦 Zoombezi Bay Water Park — Columbus, OH
First thing at open • ~10 AM – early afternoon
4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
📍 Navigate
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.
🎟️ Book in Advance
Drive West — Independence, MO Overnight
~Early afternoon departure • ~8 hrs • Arrive evening
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!
🌙 Overnight Independence, MO
🍽️ Where to Eat
🔥 Kansas City/Independence BBQ is world-famous! Gates Bar-B-Q — iconic KC BBQ since 1946. A Little BBQ Joint — locals' favorite for smoked meats. Clinton's Soda Fountain — Harry Truman's first job, great for ice cream. Courthouse Exchange (burgers since 1899). 🚗 White Castle (Ohio/Indiana) — sack of sliders for the road! Culver's all through Indiana & Missouri — ButterBurgers and custard. Steak 'n Shake through Indiana. Lion's Choice near Kansas City — Missouri's best fast roast beef sandwiches.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Independence MO: Hampton Inn Independence — free breakfast, well-located near the Church history sites. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Independence — spacious rooms, pool, solid mid-range choice.
Day18Tue Jun 9
Missouri Sites — Independence, Liberty, Far West & Adam-ondi-Ahman
~2.5 hrs total between sites
Independence Visitors' Center
9:00 AM • 1.25 hrs
937 W Walnut St, Independence, MO 64050
📍 Navigate
Great exhibits and pioneer cabin replica. Dedicated temple lot nearby.
4.9 (1,016)Free Admission
Liberty Jail
10:45 AM • 1 hr
216 N Main St, Liberty, MO 64068
📍 Navigate
~20 min north of Independence. Where Joseph Smith was imprisoned winter 1838–39. D&C 121–123 were received here. Reconstructed cutaway display. Deeply moving.
4.9 (1,440)Free Admission
Far West Temple Site
1:00 PM • 45 min
NW Far W Dr, Kingston, MO 64650
📍 Navigate
~1 hour north of Liberty. Cornerstones of the planned temple still visible. Once home to 5,000 Saints. Remote location — gravel roads!
4.9 (384)Free Admission
Adam-ondi-Ahman
2:30 PM • 45 min
Grand River Township, MO 64647
📍 Navigate
~30 min from Far West. Rolling green hills with beautiful views. Sacred outdoor site — bring water.
Free Admission
Drive West — North Platte, NE Overnight
~4:00 PM departure • ~8 hrs
After Adam-ondi-Ahman, head west on I-35 through Kansas City then pick up I-80 west into Nebraska. Arrive North Platte late evening — final overnight before the push home tomorrow.
🌙 Overnight North Platte
🍽️ Where to Eat
🏡 Before the drive west: Dixon's Famous Chili (since 1919, a Kansas City legend). Or grab road-trip provisions at a Hy-Vee grocery for snacks on the long drive to North Platte. 🚗 Runza once you cross into Nebraska — one last chance before heading home! Also Culver's in Nebraska for a ButterBurger pit stop.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏨 Back to North Platte for the last overnight! Hampton Inn & Suites North Platte or Holiday Inn Express North Platte — same great options as Day 1. Almost home!
Day19Wed Jun 10
North Platte → 🏡 HOME — Lehi, UT!
~8.5 hours • I-80 west through Wyoming and into Utah
🎉 Welcome Home — Lehi, UT!
Evening
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 19-day journey through 11+ states and 25+ historic sites!
🍽️ Where to Eat
🍦 Little America, WY — one last famous 75¢ soft serve on the way home! Grab a hearty Wyoming breakfast at a local diner before the final stretch. 🚗 Runza in North Platte before you leave Nebraska — last chance until next trip!
Practical Tips & Reminders
🎟️

Book in Advance

Several stops require advance tickets: Cedar Point, Zoombezi Bay, Maid of the Mist (Niagara), Journey Behind the Falls (Canada side), Statue of Liberty ferry, and Steamtown train rides. Don't wait — summer dates fill fast!

🍁

Passports for Canada

Everyone needs a valid passport to cross the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and back. Make sure all passports are current well before May 23!

⛪

Church Site Hours

All Church historic sites are free with guided tours. Most are open Mon–Sat 9–5. Sunday hours are limited (typically 12–5). Sacrament Meeting is planned for Days 2, 9, and 16 — use the Church's meetinghouse locator to confirm times.

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Hotel Strategy

Book early for Nauvoo (very limited rooms), Sandusky/Cedar Point (fills months ahead), and NYC. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Courtyard are solid mid-range picks throughout the trip.

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The Long Drive Home

The PA → MO return is split into two comfortable days — Scranton to Columbus (Day 16, ~7 hrs) and Columbus to Independence (Day 17, ~8 hrs with Zoombezi Bay in the morning). Start each day with a full tank!

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Water Parks

Zoombezi Bay (Jun 8) opens around 10 AM — get there right at open on a Monday to beat crowds. Admission includes the Columbus Zoo same day! For Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds, bring a poncho — you WILL get soaked.

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What to Pack

Comfortable walking shoes are a must — you'll log serious miles at Nauvoo, NYC, and Boston. Pack ponchos for Niagara. Bring water and sunscreen for outdoor Missouri and Wyoming sites. Swimwear for Niagara, Zoombezi Bay, and Cedar Point Shores.

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Resources

churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/locations for updated hours and site info. maps.churchofjesuschrist.org to find Sunday meetinghouses along the route. nps.gov for Steamtown and Statue of Liberty tickets.

Bonus Sites for Future Trips
Paris Tabernacle 109 S Main St, Paris, ID 83261. Beautiful sandstone tabernacle, 2.5 hrs north of Lehi near Bear Lake. Daily 9:30–5:30.
Johnson Home & Morley Farm Kirtland, OH area. Additional historic sites near the Kirtland Temple.
Martin's Cove & Handcart Trail Sites Alcova, WY. Hallowed ground of the 1856 Martin handcart company. Also: Devil's Gate, Independence Rock, Sixth Crossing, Rock Creek Hollow.
🗺️ Full Trip Map

All 25+ stops — click any pin for details

Outbound (to NYC) Return (home) Church History City Adventure Nature / Transit
✦ Epic Pyne & Hofheins Family Road Trip 2026 • Lehi, UT • 19 Days • 11 States • 25+ Historic Sites ✦