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Writer's pictureKristina Light

Exploring Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Legacy: A Guide to Must-Visit Little House Sites

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House Series is beloved by generations of readers. As a mother of girls, the stories have resonated with our family for years. We love to bring our favorite books to life with adventure, and fortunately, many of the locations from her books are preserved today as museums and historical sites. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the books or looking for a unique road trip, visiting these landmarks is both educational and memorable.



This is a guide to six must-see stops on a Laura Ingalls Wilder tour:


"Little House in the Big Woods" replica at Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin, Wisconsin
"Little House in the Big Woods" replica at Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin, Wisconsin

1. Pepin, Wisconsin – Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum & Birthplace

Pepin, Wisconsin, is the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Birthplace is a small but educational museum featuring exhibits that depict pioneer life and Laura’s early years in the area. Visitors will see clothing, photos, a replica wagon like the Ingalls family used to travel west, and a one-room schoolhouse. A replica of the Little House in the Big Woods, based on the book of the same name, is one of the most beloved features of the site, giving visitors a glimpse of what life was like for the Ingalls family.


Tips for Visiting:

  • Address: The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Birthplace 306 Third Street Pepin, Wisconsin

  • Hours: The museum is open between May and October, 7 days a week.

  • Special Events: Check the schedule for special events, such as craft demonstrations or storytelling sessions for kids. On the second weekend in September, they host Laura Ingalls Wilder Days with two full days of music, living history, parades, food and fun.

  • Nearby Attractions: Don’t miss a walk along the scenic shores of Lake Pepin, a natural beauty that inspired Laura's writings.

  • Lodging: Book Pepin lodging with Expedia.



Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence, KS
Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence, KS

2. Independence, Kansas – Little House on the Prairie Museum

Independence is the site of the Ingalls family’s Kansas cabin, as described in Little House on the Prairie. The Little House on the Prairie Museum features a reconstructed cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, and a hand-dug well believed to have been built by Charles Ingalls. This was one of Laura's childhood homes and the birthplace of Carrie Ingalls.


Tips for Visiting:


Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, MN
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, MN

3. Walnut Grove, Minnesota – Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

Walnut Grove served as the setting for On the Banks of Plum Creek and the beloved Little House on the Prairie television series. This is the town where Laura spent much of her childhood. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove features memorabilia from Laura’s life and the TV series. A highlight is Plum Creek itself, where visitors can explore the natural environment Laura described in her book. The site features nine buildings telling the stories of the Ingalls family and other early pioneers of Walnut Grove, as well as the history of the television show. One of the fan favorites is the replica Ingalls home from the Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert series.


Tips for Visiting:


Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum in Iowa
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum in Iowa

4. Decorah / Burr Oak, Iowa – Laura Ingalls Park & Museum

The Laura Ingalls Park & Museum in Iowa offers visitors a glimpse into Laura's connections to the area. When Laura was nine, her family left Minnesota after two years of grasshopper plagues. They traveled to Burr Oak, Iowa, to help manage the Masters Hotel, owned by their Walnut Grove friend, William Steadman. The museum, in Decorah is about 20 minutes from Burr Oak. The museum celebrates Laura's pioneering legacy with exhibits, a small library of Little House books, and interactive displays. The park features a play area and picnic tables inspired by pioneer life. Decorah is 2.5 hours from the Amana Colonies, another great road trip in Iowa.


Tips for Visiting:


5. De Smet, South Dakota – Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes & Discovery Center

Known as the "Little Town on the Prairie," De Smet is where Laura spent much of her teenage years. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes & Discovery Center features original buildings, including the Surveyor’s House from By the Shores of Silver Lake, the First School of De Smet, which is the first school Laura and her sister Carrie attended, and the Ingalls family’s home built by Pa in 1887. Visit Mary's gravesite, and explore exhibits telling the family history in the Discovery Center. Hands-on exhibits for kids include the opportunity to practice sewing on a treadle sewing machine, dress like a pioneer, and learn to read Braille, as Mary did. This museum is updated each summer with new exhibits displaying Ingalls family artifacts.


Tips for Visiting:


Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum  in Mansfield, MO
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO

6. Mansfield, Missouri – Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum

Mansfield is where Laura wrote her beloved Little House series. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum showcases her life as a writer and her years with her husband, Almanzo on Rocky Ridge. Visitors can see personal artifacts, including Laura’s manuscripts and family heirlooms.


Tips for Visiting:

  • Address:  The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum 3060 State Hwy A, Mansfield, Missouri

  • Hours: March 1 – November 15: Monday thru Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM, (Closed Easter Sunday). (Open One Weekend in December for “Christmas at Laura’s”)

  • Seasonal Highlights: The last weekend of September, the museum hosts Wilder Days, an annual celebration commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, America’s favorite pioneer girl, and her cherished “Little House” books. The first weekend in November, the museum hosts the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival celebrating children's authors. In December, they host Christmas at Laura's.

  • Nearby Dining: Enjoy a meal at a local café in Mansfield to complete your visit with a small-town experience. Mansfield is approximately 45 min from Springfield, Missouri, and 1hr 15 min from Branson, Missouri making it a great addition to a Branson family vacation.

  • Lodging: Book Mansfield lodging with Expedia.



Travel Tips for Laura Ingalls Wilder Fans

  • Plan a Road Trip: These locations are scattered throughout the Midwest, making them ideal stops for a themed road trip.

  • Choose the Best Time to Visit: Many of these locations are seasonal or have restricted hours, so confirm the details before your visit. They also host festivals and events, so look out for special occasions, including chances to meet stars from the shows, authors, and members of the Ingalls family.


Laura Ingalls Wilder Timeline:

  • 1867, February 7: Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born in Pepin, Wisconsin.

  • 1867-1869: The Ingalls family resided in Pepin, Wisconsin. 

  • 1869-1871: The Ingalls family lived in Independence, Kansas, the setting for Little House on the Prairie.

  • 1871-1874: The family returned to Pepin, Wisconsin, the setting for Little House in the Big Woods.

  • 1874-1876: The Ingalls family moved to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, where On the Banks of Plum Creek is set. 

  • 1876-1877: The family lived in Burr Oak, Iowa, a period Laura described in her autobiography Pioneer Girl.

  • 1877-1879: The Ingalls family returned to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, a time not covered in Laura's books.

  • 1879-1885: The family resided in De Smet, Dakota Territory, where By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, and These Happy Golden Years are set.

  • 1883, December 10: Laura obtained her teaching certificate, as described in Little Town on the Prairie.

  • 1885, August 25: Laura Ingalls married Almanzo Wilder in De Smet, Dakota Territory, an event depicted in These Happy Golden Years.

  • 1885-1889: Laura and Almanzo Wilder's early married life, as recounted in The First Four Years, took place in De Smet, Dakota Territory.

  • 1886, December 5: Rose Wilder, Laura's first child, was born in De Smet, Dakota Territory, as described in The First Four Years.

  • 1889, July 11: Almanzo and Laura's unnamed son was born and passed away a few weeks later, as recounted in The First Four Years.


For book lovers, visiting Laura Ingalls Wilder’s historic sites is an opportunity to make memories and experience the pioneering spirit celebrated in her stories. Each museum offers unique insights into her life, so, pack your bags, bring your favorite Little House book, and plan a memorable adventure in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s world!


Bonus: 5 Favorites from our Laura Ingalls Wilder Fan Gift Guide

This post includes Amazon affiliate links, and if you choose to make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!


The Little House Books Paperback Box set

This nine-book paperback box set of the classic series features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams that we grew up loving as young readers. 




The Little House Books Hardcover – Box set:

The Library of America and editor Caroline Fraser present a definitive boxed set in two collectible hardcover volumes.




Little House on the Prairie Tote Bag

This canvas tote bag is perfect for book lovers and Little House fans. With images and quotes from the books and the series, this is a fun keepsake.


THE QUEEN'S TREASURES My First Little House on The Prairie Handmade Oleson's Bear Family & Mercantile Play Set:

This charming 18-piece play set draws inspiration from the My First Little House Book series for young children. It includes a fiberboard Mercantile-style carry case with doors and windows for little fingers to explore, along with 4 handmade jointed bears featuring Mr. & Mrs. Oleson, Nellie, and Willie, all packaged in boxes that transform into shop counters!

Safety tested and ideally sized for 15-inch dolls, it is recommended for children aged 3 and up.






The dress is made of 100% cotton, while the apron is 100% polyester, featuring a white lace collar and elastic sleeves. The dress showcases a floral print and a self-tie ribbon at the neckline. The bonnet and white pinafore have a flying sleeve design.


Discover MORE ideas in our Complete Laura Ingalls Wilder Gift Guide!



What are your favorite memories of the Little House stories? Share in the comments below.

3件のコメント


Lindsay
34 minutes ago

Oh this was a cute read. I love that you actually got to see the places where these stories took place. I used to love Little House on the Prairie, and never did I think there were actual locations with which it was based.

いいね!

Julia
a day ago

So nice places to visit! I didn't even know about them, but they look like definitely worth visiting one day!

いいね!

Linda (LD Holland)
a day ago

I did not follow the Little House series so would not normally have been drawn to visit the sites that have been preserved.  But it was fascinating to read about how many different sites there are to see.  A fun way to re-visit the stories from book or the series.

いいね!

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