1. Vermont
Place: Sharon
Historical significance: Visit the monument dedicated on Joseph Smith's birthplace
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
2. Pennsylvania
Place: Harmony
What to see: Isaac Hale Home Site, Joseph Smith Home Site, Susquehanna River and the Cemetery
Historical significance: Visit the sites where most of the Book of Mormon was translated, John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized.
Web sites: www.josephsmith.lds.org
3. New York
Place: Palmyra
What to see: Joseph Smith Sr. Log Home, Sacred Grove, Joseph Smith Sr. Frame Home and E.B. Grandin Print Shop
Historical significance: Visit the sites where Joseph received the First Vision, printed the Book of Mormon, received the golden plates and organized the church.
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Tips: The Hill Cumorah Pageant is presented during July (see www.hillcumorah.org). If you're looking for a quiet weekend to visit the sites, you may want to avoid going in July.
Down the road: Hill Cumorah, Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center, Martin Harris Farm (not open for tours), Peter Whitmer Farm, The Erie Canal and Niagara Falls.
4. Ohio
Place: Kirtland
What to see: Kirtland Temple, Newel K. Whitney Home, Isaac Morley Farm, Newel K. Whitney Store, John Johnson Inn, John Johnson Farm Home, Joseph Smith Jr. Home, Printing Office, Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center, the Ashery, the Sawmill, and the Schoolhouse.
Historical significance: Visit the site that was the headquarters of the church from 1831-1838. Here the church organized the school of the prophets, built the first temple and translated many church documents.
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Tips: The Kirtland Temple and a visitors' center nearby is owned by the Community of Christ Church (see www.cofchrist.org/history/sites.asp)
5. Washington,D.C.
Place: Washington, D.C.
What to see: Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Tips: Visit the Washington D.C. Temple and visitors center while in town looking at American historical sites.
Down the road: American historical monuments like the White House, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Ford Theater and many more.
6. Illinois
Place: Nauvoo
What to see: Historic Nauvoo with restored businesses, including the brickyard, Scovil Bakery, printing office, Seventies Hall and others, and homes of several historic church leaders, Nauvoo visitors center, Nauvoo Temple and other sites. The Community of Christ maintains several sites including the Red Brick Store, the Mansion Home and a visitors' center.
Historical significance: Nauvoo is where the saints settled after leaving Missouri.
Web sites: www.historicnauvoo.net, www.lds.org/placestovisit, www.cofchrist.org/history/sites.asp
Tips: "The Nauvoo Pageant: A Tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith" is July 7-Aug. 1, Tuesday-Saturday
Down the road: Carthage Jail in Carthage, Ill., (25 miles southwest of Nauvoo) where Joseph and Hyrum were killed; Hannibal, Mo., (about 85 miles south of Nauvoo) which is home of Mark Twain
7. Missouri
Place: Independence
What to see: Independence Visitors' Center and Liberty Jail
Historical significance: Liberty Jail is where Joseph Smith and other church leaders were in jail awaiting trial.
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Down the road: Far West, Mo., where a temple site was designated but never built
8. Nebraska
Place: Winter Quarters
What to see: Mormon Trail Center and nearby pioneer cemetery, both in Omaha
Historical significance: Winter Quarters is where many church members stayed the winter before resuming the trek west
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Down the road: Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is just across the Missouri River and is where Brigham Young was sustained as the prophet and the first presidency reorganized. The pioneer musical "Come Home to Kanesville" runs the last two weeks in July (see kanesville.org).
9. Arizona
What: Arizona Temple Visitors' Center
Where: 525 E. Main St., Mesa
What to see: Take a free guided tour. Guides are available to answer your questions.
Schedule: Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
10. What: Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant "Jesus the Christ"
Where: on the lawn adjacent to the Arizona LDS Temple, 525 E. Main St., Mesa
Dates: April 1-2, 7-11 (English), April 3-4 (Spanish), 8 p.m.
Historical significance: celebration of the life of Christ
Web sites: www.lds.org
11. California
What: Oakland Temple Visitors' Center
Where: 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland
What to see: Take a free guided tour. Guides are available to answer your questions.
Schedule: Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
12. What: Los Angeles Temple Visitors' Center
Where: Los Angeles
What to see: Take a free guided tour. Guides are available to answer your questions.
Schedule: Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
13. What: San Diego Mormon Battalion Visitors Center
Where: 2510 Juan St., San Diego
Historical significance:
Web sites: www.mormonbattalion.com
Tips: Closed for remodeling. Expected to reopen late 2009.
14. Idaho
What: Idaho Falls Temple Visitors' Center
Where: 1000 Memorial Drive, Idaho Falls
What to see: Take a free guided tour. Guides are available to answer your questions.
Schedule: Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tips: Pack a picnic and eat by the nearby scenic Snake River falls
15. Utah
Place: Clarkston, Utah
What to see: "Martin Harris: the Man Who Knew" Pageant
Where: Martin Harris Memorial Amphitheater adjacent to Clarkston City Cemetery
Dates: Aug. 7-8, 11-15, 18-21, 8:15 p.m.
Historical significance: based on the life of Martin Harris who is buried in Clarkston
Cost: no charge but tickets are required — call 435-563-0059
Tips: Barbecue turkey dinner offered in Clarkston prior to show ($7 per meal)
Down the road: This pageant plays only on odd-numbered years
16. What: Cove Fort, Utah
Where: junction of I-15 and I-70, halfway between Fillmore and Beaver
What to see: the original fort restored as it was in 1860
Dates and times: 8 a.m. to sunset April-October, 9 a.m. to sunset Oct.-April
Historical significance: This is the oldest standing fort in Mormon history
Tips: A good choice for families, picnic grounds nearby, free parking
Down the road: Cove Fort Days, which are the first weekend in August, free hot dogs and drinks
17. What: Mormon Miracle Pageant
Where: South Temple Hill, Manti LDS Temple site
Dates: June 18-20, 23-27, 9:30 p.m.
Historical significance: largest of the Utah pageant productions, depicts Christ's visit to the Americas
Web sites: www.mormonmiracle.com
Cost: Turkey dinner ($7/$4) offered at LDS churches on Main St. from 5-8 p.m., breakfast offered Friday, Sat. mornings $4.
Tips: gates open at 6 p.m.
18. Place: Salt Lake City area
What to see: Temple Square, the Duell Pioneer Log Cabin, the Lion House, the Beehive House, Welfare Square, Historic Tabernacle, Brigham Young Monument, Seagull Monument, Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Family History Library, etc.
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Tips: There are a variety of musical performances, visual and cultural opportunities offered year-round in and around the Salt Lake LDS Temple site
19. Place: St. George, Utah
What to see: Pine Valley Chapel, Jacob Hamblin Home, Brigham Young Winter Home, St. George Tabernacle, St. George Temple Visitors Center
Where: southern Utah area in and around St. George
Web sites: www.lds.org/placestovisit
Tips: Take in a show at nearby Tuacahn Theater in Ivins or visit the nearby Bryce and Zions canyons
20. What: Park City Family Tree Visitors' Center
Where: 531 Historic Main St., Park City, Utah
What to see: a two-story representation of a family tree, interactive exhibits. Resources, guides available.
Schedule: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sundays, 1-7 p.m.
21. Wyoming
Place: Mormon Handcart Visitor's Center
Where: 47600 W. Highway 220, (33 miles southwest of Alcova, Wyo.)
Schedule: Summer, Sunday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Winter, Sunday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What to see: Experience a handcart trek. View exhibits recording the tragic circumstances of two handcart companies.
Cost: minimal charge for tours, treks
Tips: Explore Martin's Cove nearby