I love learning about history and I particularly enjoy history as it relates to my people whether it be US history or the history of my faith. This is very cool and well put together. We werent able to go inside because of the pandemic but Ive been in previously and it was extremely interesting and well presented. Even from the outside, it was clear that improvements and refinements had been made since my last visit. Im excited to go inside again the next time I get to SD

Wonderful experience!! Even if you aren’t apart of the LDS church, it’s a great time. Lots of history and the missionaries are just so outstanding. We go here every time we visit SD.

This place is so nice and entertaining, best part is... it’s FREE! Once i got there, I was asked to wait till the rest of the group gathers. Once there were enough people, the tour began. It was highly entertaining and fun. They go into the history of the Mormon battalion using projector movies and also they have designed each room to look realistically like the place the Mormon battalion would have resided. They had real guns, clothes etc. in the end they give you a free black and white picture as souvenir. I definitely recommend this place.

I really enjoyed the tour of the site. This was a unique tour. It was a guided tour with two docents (one was in training, her 1st day). The tour consisted of a number of audio visual movies in which the docents interacted with the characters to tell the story of the Mormon battalion. Its was really cool how they did it. You could really tell how enthusiastic and proud the tour guides were of the members of the Mormon battalion!

Really interesting historical aspect of San Diego (and US history). The facilities are really nice (bathrooms are super clean and great AC for a hot day). They take you through a semi augmented reality experience of what it would be like to go back in time and be a part of the US army as a battalion member. You also can get a free black and white picture (see ours in the pictures I uploaded) to make you look like the old time period. My wife and I had fun. It’s super interesting to see how Mormons we’re a part of the founding of San Diego. Also, you can pan for gold! If you’re lucky, you might find some (it’s iron pyrite aka fools gold), but it’s still fun to get your hands wet and pretend. Fun for kids. They let us keep one piece. If you don’t mind them putting in a little pitch for their belief in Jesus, it is really worth while. They aren’t pushy at all, but if you have questions about spirituality, religion or Mormons, they’ll be more than happy to answer . Oh there is also a great lookout with binoculars. They have really put some thought into this place.

The tour was not only informative, but funny, entertaining and interactive. My kids 7 years to 18 years all enjoyed it. They take a picture of your group at the end and give you a free copy too! Panning for gold was one of my kids favorite activities at the end.

We went to the museum as a family. You get to go back in time to follow the Mormon Battalions adventure through the west. We learned so much and it kept my 4 children entertained. There were interesting and informative video clips. My children enjoyed dressing up like real members of the battalion, panning for gold, doing laundry and making bricks just like the soldiers did. They took our picture in black and white and printed it up (free) and emailed it to us. A free, fun, family friendly museum! Handicap accessible. Tours available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. A definite must see and its free!

Highly recommended for couples and families! Free tour through multiple rooms that is both engaging and interactive!They have exits from every room in case you need to duck out early - and honestly we were planning to do that - but then we got so into it that we didn’t want to!At the end they even had a free photo booth that prints out the photo. The whole experience was really cool and I highly recommend it!If you stay for the whole tour it’s about 40 min.

Neat tour of the history of the Mormon Battalion and the trek they endured on the way to San Diego. Engaging for children and adults alike. Pictures on the walls come alive and share their history. Hands on activities for children at the end panning for gold and lookout tower with binoculars to see around Old Town San Diego.

This place and its interactive presentation were amazing. We had a very good experience. We learned about the Mormon battalion and its impact on California and America.

Really enjoyed this tour! We had no intentions of even visiting old town on our first trip to San Diego but I’m so glad we did! This historic site was our first stop and I’m so glad we stumbled on it! It’s free and pretty entertaining for kids, especially the last part where they can pan for gold. I never knew the history behind the Mormon church and their hand in the building up of San Diego.

This place is awesome and is great to go visit at least once!

What a fun place to the the family. The tour is amazing and i was shocked with how well it was done. Super interactive and the kids were inheritanc entertained the entertime. Then at the end we had the opportunity to pan for gold. What a fun time

Highlight of our San Diego trip. Do not miss if you visit old town! Beautiful grounds, moving, interactive story and history telling will keep even very young children entertained. Outshines any country replica at Epcot or Disney. Kids loved posing in the wagon out front, panning for gold, and learning to wash with wash boards and hand pump well. Elevator to look out tower with binoculars for guest use. The spirit you feel here will help renew your faith in God and determination to be a better person- amazing experience.

Neat guided tour to hear the history of the Mormom Battalions march across the west. I didnt know their assignment was to build a wagon road. It was also interesting to hear that they exchanged skills and knowledge with the people they met in San Diego, like brick firing and desert farming.

A fun free activity for the he whole family. Its lds, but the volunteers are not pushy and do not try to sell you on converting, so dont let that scary you. Parking is fairly easy and I there is a lot in back

What a fun stop! The missionaries were so nice and energetic!! We learned so much about the history of San Diego and the Mormon Battalion. I never knew any if it! This is such a cool place and make sure to bring your kids!!!!

Beautiful, free, full of interesting fact. Kids loved it. Adults loved it. Free. The people running the place are super nice. And after the awesome tour the kids had the chance to search for gold and keep the nuggets they found in their pan. Their is even a place to take an old time photo (black and white, but cool anyway) For free! Love it. Wait, did I say that all of that was free? ;)

This place totally surprised us.. It was one of the highlight of our SD trip. This place is very well done with special affect and story-telling. Within 45 mins of private tour, you learn an untold piece of history about Mormon Battalion and early days of San Diego. Dont let the name fool you, since no one will force any religious information onto you. You will be surprised like us, also Its free and kids friendly!

Such a neat experience! Very fun, interactive guided tour and was one of the highlights of our trip (10 yr old, 8 yr old & 6 yr old)! The kids even got to pan for gold and keep their favorite piece! Highly recommend checking this out if youre in the area!

Such a fun tour! The missionaries did a great job and the interactive tour was wonderful. It is all FREE!! I highly recommend spending the 40 - 60 minutes to learn about this little known part of history. All ages welcomed.#reedsontheroad

We had a very nice tour, guided by some awesome folks. Free tour about the history of San Diego. To me San Diego is most beautiful city of the world.

Awesome place to check out!!Great place for free internment!If you are pressed for time rearrange your schedule because there is a lot to see and do.We had heard about the Mormon Battalion from a friend of ours and they said it was great and they were totally right!!Just walking up to the entrance looking at the cool old looking building and the covered wagon out front and the beautiful statue you start to see how much time was put into the building.Next you walk in and are welcomed by friendly people and you can look around a little bit and then go right into a very well lead and interactive tour. We have 3 kids under the age of 8 and they all we able to stay interested during the tour and the gold mining at the end put the tour over the top!

I hadnt visited since before the Mormon Battalion visitors center got a complete redo. The new visitors center was AMAZING! I had my boys, 10 and 7 with me. The presentation was so fun! It was interactive and engaging for people of all ages. It was great that they made a movie presentation with actual actors. Perfect way to spend the beginning of our day.

Absolutely lovely place with lots to know about San Diego history and the tour guides are fantastic

Very cool place

Great way to spend a Sunday in old town. Free interactive tour. It was Fun to learn about the early settlers of San Diego. You can even pan for gold and keep youre favorite piece which the kiddos loved. Everyone was happy. Free Parking for visitors in the back of the building

This was a great FREE place. It is an interactive.tour and the sister missionaries are great and knowledgeable. Fun for all ages!

Absolutely loved it. Great little interactive tour, very well designed and executed. Very friendly staff, we felt very welcome and taken care of. Was so heart warming learning about the many sacrifices the men and women of the battalion endured and the faith they displayed. Wonderful family activity. Highly recommend it.

It is good to learn from the past history but life is yours and no one else is accountable for it except you. So search within, trust your experience and try to be limitless in terms of time and space because that is what universe is and so you are. Regards.

Really cool tour... the interactive elements engage you during the tour. It brings some humor while teaching about historical facts surrounding the Mormons. Very insightful and they ask for a donation after so you can take the tour, and if you enjoy it, you can donate as much or as little as you feel its warranted.

Great tour with interactive play. You will learn and not get bored.

Totally awesome. Interactive tour, role playing, a you play musical instruments!!!

Great family activity. The Sister missionaries were engaged all along the way and the tour was beautifully done. I learned so much about the sacrifices of the early saints. The Lord was answering their prayers and directing their paths amidst all their trials. Many didnt realize they were being blessed and prepared by following the prophet.

Love this place and my kids love it too! Very historical and the people there are so kind. Bathrooms are way nice also. Dont forget to go to the tower and mine for gold in the river!

So much fun with the kids. Great start to visiting the historic park

This place is a fantastic way to hear the story of the Mormon Battalion. Super friendly staff. Short but high tech storytelling. Free parking! Great for kids.

I have lived most of my life in San Diego and had never stopped here. Yes, it is a Mormon site and they mention some of their beliefs, but dont let that stop you from visiting. They do such a good job at presenting the travels to the west and making it come alive. You move from room to room with interactive sights and story lines. They involve the kids and make it fun for them.After the tour they will take free pictures of your group and you can go out and do gold mining for free!Well worth a visit!

Great tour! Really enjoyed the information and the videos! Top notch. Great place for the kids as well. They can on for gold, pump water and make bricks.

Good for small children. Not so much for teens and adults. My favorite part was watching the tour guides dance around the word “Mormon” as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not supposed to use that word to describe themselves anymore as of the year 2019.

Educational, and a lot of FUN for adults and kids. Takes about 45 min, but it’s worth it.

Great place to learn of faith filled examples and great history of old town San Diego. My family loves to stop here whenever we visit. I always feel the peace and love that the Lord has for me. My appreciation for the pioneers grows every time I visit this site. I always learn something new that will direct my life with celestial guidance.

We loved visiting this historical museum. The kids had a great time planning for gold. And really the whole thing was very interactive and interesting for all in our party. A fun addition to our visit in Old Town.

Well worth the time to stop in and learn a little about this piece of history. The tour is very entertaining. We had a three old and she stayed engaged the whole time. Also souvenir photo and gold panning were free! Definitely stop in if you are in the old Town area.

Great interactive tour and the guides/hosts were soooo nice. Loved it and so did the kids (11, 9, 5, and, 5 years old). We will definitely head back when in old town San Diego. Thanks for a great time.

This story is beautifully told and was quirky fun. Special thanks to the missionaries keeping the story alive. We loved the interaction. My only suggestion is the pre movie was the same info so by the end told the tour we hear a few parts 2 or 3 times. Every rooms was full of life and created very well. Again thanks so much for the time and effort into helping bring it to life for my family.

A lot of history and our kids love it!

This is Sister Grimshaw writing this review. Extremely informative. I had no idea that all those men did so much work for the people of San Diego. And marching for 2000 miles to get there? Wow! It was wonderful, but might I suggest that the sister missionaries speak just a little slower so they can be understood? I dont want to miss anything. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job.

This is a wonderful stop on your vacation to Southern California. The missionaries are kind, the atmosphere is enjoyable and the tour is very educational. Interactive for kids and a great place to cool off from the heat. It is also FREE! There is a free souvenir picture as well. I think everyone should make a stop at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at least once! :)

Weve been by this place several times while visiting Old Town San Diego but never went in. We went in today and were pleasantly surprised by what we found. There is no admission to get in and there is a guided tour. The tour tells the story of the Mormons who were recruited by the US army to fight in the Mexican War. They marched from Iowa to San Diego in the 1840s. It is a fascinating story that came from the journals of people who made the trek. We are happy we went.

Was very surprised at how well this was put together. It was very interactive and keeps you engaged with the history. The missionaries did a great job at making it fun.

Great experience! Learned a lot about the history of the Battalion. Great interactive presentation to make it more real. Excellent for children!

A fun and informative trip back in time to 1847. Interactive video presentations the whole family will enjoy and its free.

We loved visiting this super cool and interactive museum! Ive never had an experience quite like this one and was impressed with how awesome it was. Wed definitely visit again. Fun for all ages.

What a wonderful experience! Expect to spend 40 minutes for the tour. In addition to the story of the Battalion, youll likely hear some stories from Old Town that you wont hear anywhere else.

A great interactive history lesson for most ages. There are things to do for all from 2 and up the younger can still come though. I recommend it to anyone who is curious.

This was one of the highlights of our trip to California! It was great to see and understand more of the history of the LDS Church. The missionaries in this place are really friendly and are willing to answer any question that you may have! Please come and visit, you will not regret it!

Very cool historic site! Very well put on.

Interesting multimedia presentation of the history of the Mormon Battalion in the US Army.

This is a fun place to learn some history of early San Diego pioneers. My grandkids love it and ask to go back when they visit. Since its FREE, I say yes!

It was a good place to learn some history that isnt taught in school. The guides were friendly and it was semi interactive which made it a little more interesting. Everything is free. It took about 45-1 hour.

We loved this tour. Our 6-year-old daughter said it was awesome! The sister missionaries were wonderful and cute. The tour was fun and we learned some history. Would recommend this to anyone!

It was very interesting to get the Mormon history and background. The building itself is beautiful and well kept. It was interesting to see how the Mormons added to the history and culture of the region.

Not what I expected. I got a great interactive history lesson here. Definitely a spot worth visiting if you are in the historic area of San Diego.

My family an I on our family trip went into here with no prior knowledge an expectations an this place surpassed all of them first of all clean bathrooms an the staff were very fun an kind an full of information to answer any question so its a presentation was as close to Disney quality in any museum Ive visited parking is easy to find in the area an its right in the hub of old Town San Diego an helps paint the picture if your hiring all the historical spots

Cool presentation by the staff to make you feel like you are part of history in the making. They are dressed in costumes, the kids loved it. Interesting history of that group during settlement of the area, worth the trip !

Loved every minute! Never a dull moment.

Great facts on history. Its also goes through the history of the Mormon Battalion with an interactive story. Great for kids!

I absolutely loved it here! The sister missionaries are so so SO kind and wonderful! My dad brought me here for my birthday and it was the best gift I could ask for. There’s a really special feeling you get when you’re there!! I would highly recommend coming here and learning more about the gospel of Jesus Christ!!

So much fun! Loved the talking pictures. The sister missionaries were so much fun with our kids. They were totally engaged from start to finish. And its free!!!

We loved visiting the Mormon Battalion Historic site in San Diego. It is interactive and very informative about the settlement of the San Diego area. We learned a lot in a pleasant way here.

This place was so much fun and plays very well into the Old Town stories.

Stumbled upon this site while roaming Old Town and could not have been more pleasantly surprised. The 30-minute guided tour highlights little-known history with an engaging story, immersive set design, and a delightful staff. Best of all - it’s free!

Cool narrated tour,I enjoyed visit to this place

A great place to take kids and learn about a part of the history of San Diego. Incredible interactive exhibit in a lovely building.

This is definitely a place where the missionaries are trying to convert people to Mormonism. The overly slick video shows only one side of the story. In the real world of history the Mormon battalion really was not that important.They have plenty of money to make this a very large Showplace for trying to recruit more LDSs. You can skip this one.

Very interesting and informative. Delightful pioneering hands-on activities for young and older alike. And its free. Including a photo for your group.

Gotta see it. Was a wonderful experience. Will go again next time Im in California. Learned a lot about the early pioneers of California as well as the history of the Mormons.

The tour is so fun and you learn a lot. The story is so inspiring. I enjoyed the feeling of this place.

Entertaining. Do watch out though, in the end it is a recruitment location for their cult. They also do like to skim over the history and only tell the version they like. They make sure to leave out items that make their church look bad.

It felt like a recruitment trial...instead of walking through the Historic museum we were a kept audience by a film replayed on repeat until the sisters were ready for our group to accompany them thru the museum. We were held behind doors & escorted from room to room, unable to walk around, and held captive by more scenes of same film we had seen before being permitted to leave for actual tour. Clever way to convince & re-inforce the actual views of The Book of Mormon I suppose, as there seemed to be no expense spared by these films.

Awesome experience! Very interactive and fun for kids! The sister missionaries were engaging, genuine, and helpful. Thanks for a great experience!

This is so cool! I love the missionaries their! Keep up the good work!

Awesome place to visit we had a great time

So much fun. 45 minute tour keeps you engaged. Was very informative. My 11 year old daughter and 13 year old nephew had a lot of fun and really liked it.

The missionaries do a great job of helping to tell the story of those volunteers. Definitely worth an hour of your time.

Great place to learn about the history of San Diego as well as the Mormons. Great interactive presentation and I enjoyed the stories that were told. The re-enactment was well done and brought things to life.Restrooms were well kept and very clean.

We love going to the Mormon Battalion. It is fun and educational. We take a family picture at the end and the photos mean a lot to us. Great to go over and over again.

A great history lesson of our past that is presented in a very unique way that will capture your imagination. Take the time to visit. You will be grateful you did.

Im not Mormon but I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Mormon Battalion museum. Its fun, interactive, comical and interesting. The tour guides were dressed in period specific outfits, they were knowledgeable and entertaining. They made sure to get our entire group involved, which I really enjoyed. Old and young will have fun there especially children.I was surprised how great a FREE museum was. You even are able to get a free group picture and pan for gold at the end.Additionally they have free parking. That area is very, very difficult to find parking, even harder to find free parking but they had a large parking lot that we had no problem finding a spot. They ask you to move after leaving the museum but our group didnt and there wasnt any issues.The museum teaches how and why the Mormons changed the history of the US and San Diego. It was fascinating! Ive lived in San Diego for 36 years, I never knew the impact of Mormons in San Diegos history.It doesnt matter if you are Mormon or not, go check out this museum if you are in Old Town! You wont regret it.Fun tip: in the 5th room, sit on the wooden boxes instead of the rocks.

We were looking for something memorable to take the kids to when were were vacationing in San Diego. We have 5 kids ranging from 2 yrs old to 10 years old and the program kept the kids attention the whole time. The kids really enjoyed the presentation and the activities at the end as they learned about the Mormon battalion. Recommended as a history lesson for avid hikers, outdoorsmen, members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and even those who aren’t members. The atmosphere was inviting and entertaining. It was free admission and a “must see”.

This is a interesting museum that brings the information to you in a fun way. Great for young and old!

Very fun experience with awesome sister missionaries.

Extremely interactive the video and movies are really fun to watch would definitely go again

Free admission. Cool little snippet of pioneer history. The presentation is VERY kid friendly.

Very awesome experience to learn about some history. Everyone was very nice and helpful

Top notch production! An inspiring, little known piece of history. Totally free of charge, including parking. Great for adults and children. You dont have to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enjoy this. It is very historical in nature, AND entertaining. One of the best places we visited on our San Diego vacation and it didnt cost a thing. A free picture of your group is available at the end of your tour. Yep, no annoying up selling.

Loved it. I told the family here after walking around old Town for a hour. Felt it would be nice to have a interactive tour and yes. Per other Googlers great spot to learn and step out of the sun. Enjoy..

What a great way to experience the Mormon Battalion! Very creative, fun and easy to understand for all ages.

Excellent!! Would recommend to anyone. Interactive video tour. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable.