One-time home to Mark Twain, this small river city is a tourist’s dream. Packed with activities, Hannibal nevertheless has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere and is a popular spot for those seeking refuge from the big city bustle of St Louis. The Mississippi River is also a highlight with walking trails in the 465-acre Riverview Park and swimming facilities at the Hannibal Aquatic Center. Old-styled shops and cafés adorn the riverscape, offering some scenic sunset views.
Fiction becomes reality in Hannibal as Mark Twain’s books come to life. People come from all over the country to see the famous cave from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and where Samuel Clemens grew up. There’s even a day tour, allowing the enthusiast a chance to walk in the author’s footprints. From visiting the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and the Mark Twain Museum to the Mark Twain Cave and a ride on the Mark Twain riverboat, you’ll have Twain souvenirs coming out of you ears by the time you leave.
Hannibal’s culture, however, is actually quite diverse, relaxed and welcoming. Musical styles range from Celtic and 1800s Old Time acoustical music to the electric rips of jazz and blues. The art galleries feature local artists as well as world renowned pieces and there is also a large variety of cuisine, from Midwestern barbeque to Italian and Asian fusion.
Highlights
Mark Twain Cave: become Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher as you explore the cave mentioned in Mark Twain’s literature.
Riverboat cruises: an excellent way to enjoy sightseeing and sunset dinners with background music from the 19th century.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home: the restored house where Samuel Clemens lived between 1844 and 1853 adjoins the Mark Twain Museum, housing some interesting memorabilia.
Rockcliffe Mansion: take a tour of this 19th century mansion and its 12,000 square feet of ornate décor, Tiffany windows and lamps, marble fireplaces and clothes, and furnishings from that period. Get a picturesque view of Ole Man River from the top floor.
Historic Hannibal Ghost Tours: trolley along as you listen to the legends and old wise tales. A guided tour will take you into the cemeteries, Victorian mansions and old bordellos where ghosts reportedly have been seen.
Rock crawling: get ready for an adrenaline rush at Rockport Off-Road Park with monster four-wheel-drive vehicles with roll cages or view some of the four-wheel-drive events and see how far these trucks can go. Excellent mountain bike trails are also available.
Train Town: offering good old fashion fun for all ages and fully operational toy trains from the Golden Ages with interactive layouts, the exhibits here will please any train lover.
Mark Twain Clopper: enjoy Hannibal the old fashioned way with a tour of the Historic district in a horse-drawn carriage.