Visiting Hannibal is like stepping into a beloved story. Exploring caves, cruising on a riverboat, and strolling along cobbled streets past whitewashed fences straight out of great literary works are just some of the experiences to be had in this charming northeast Missouri destination that locals refer to as America’s hometown.
What to do in Hannibal
Hannibal was the childhood home of acclaimed writer Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Get a peek into his life at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, where you can go rafting or paint fences with famed characters Tom, Huck, and Becky through interactive exhibits. Tickets include admission to 8 buildings that together tell the story of how the community influenced Twain’s writing. Adults, $14.
Historic downtown Hannibal offers an assortment of museums, shops, and restaurants. Check out more than 2 dozen murals depicting 19th-century product advertising and scenes from Twain’s books.
Listen to stories about Hannibal’s history and the town’s favorite son on Mark Twain riverboat sightseeing cruises. Photo by David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo
One important character for Twain wasn’t a person at all, but the mighty Mississippi River. Climb aboard the 350-passenger Mark Twain riverboat for a 1-hour sightseeing tour that features narrated stories about Twain and the area’s history. Adults, $25; dinner excursions cost extra.
Tours of Mark Twain Cave showcase where Samuel Clemens played as a boy and later included in his writing. Photo courtesy VisitMO.com
Go underground for a tour of Mark Twain Cave, where Clemens played as a boy, and which later inspired McDougal’s Cave in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Amid the fascinating rock formations, look for famous signatures on the walls, including Clemens’ autograph, which was discovered only about 5 years ago. Adults, $27. Tours of a sister cavern, Cameron Cave, are conducted by flashlight. Adults, $30.
While Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center is generally open only by appointment, it’s worth a visit. On guided tours that feature old photos and artifacts, the museum shines a light on the complicated history of African Americans in Hannibal and in Twain’s books. Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Twain isn’t the only famous person associated with Hannibal. The Unsinkable Molly Brown, born Margaret Tobin, was more than a Titanic survivor. Learn about her rags-to-riches story and her impact on history at the Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum, open between Memorial Day and September 30. Adults, $5.
You may also like: Inviting small towns and cities to visit
Where to shop in Hannibal
Exuding a general-store vibe, Mississippi Marketplace is stocked with gifts, kitchen gadgets, and food products. For more than 50 years, Steve Ayers has been creating gorgeous and functional pottery in Hannibal. Lucky Ayers Pottery customers may catch him in action at his potter’s wheel.
Where to eat in Hannibal
Step back to the 1950s at Becky Thatcher’s Diner for breakfast or lunch. The classic diner serves comfort food, including burgers, malts, and daily specials like meatloaf. Try the catfish basket or a loose meat sandwich at Finn’s Food & Spirits, which hosts live music on its patio occasionally. Top off your meal with a handcrafted gelato at Chocolaterie Stam.
Where to stay in Hannibal
Built in the late 1800s on a bluff overlooking the river, Rockcliffe Mansion offers tours and lodging from April 15 through November 15. The mansion’s restoration is ongoing. Rates start at $179.
Belvedere Inn, an 1859 Italianate mansion, and its adjoining Scoundrel’s Inn are located near downtown. Their covered porches invite relaxation. Rates start at $180.
Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.
Travel offers & deals
