Fun things to do in Hannibal: Sites & Activities

There are loads of things to do in Hannibal with many interesting and fun places to visit. Go to all of them. You won’t be disappointed but you will need wine after!!

Riverview Park2000 Harrison Hill

Riverview Park is located at 2000 Harrison Hill. Enjoy nature in 465 acres of forested land offering scenic views of the Mississippi River. It was officially entered in the National Register for Historic Places on September 6, 2005.

Riverview Park Website

573.221.0154

Sodalis Nature Preserve/The Conservation FundSodalis Nature Preserve

Sodalis Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park property gifted to the city to preserve endangered bats. It is now Hannibal’s second-largest park. More than 211,000 federally endangered Indiana bats hibernate in a former limestone mine that closed a half-century ago.  The bats that hibernate in Hannibal make up about one-third of all known Indiana bats (their scientific name is Myotis sodalis, hence the preserve name.)

Only non-motorized recreational activity is allowed. The almost 2-mile loop trail is fully paved. 

The Bear Creek portion of Sodalis Trail will be closed during the 79 bridge construction.

Sodalis Nature Preserve 

Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park11011 Highway 79 South

Sawyer’s Creek is a family friendly destination with Put-Put Golf, Entertainment, Shopping and Dining for all ages.

Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park Website

573.221.2200

Mark Twain Cave300 Cave Hollow Road

The Mark Twain Cave Complex boasts America’s first and oldest show caves!  The first organized guided tour was in 1886. They proudly became a National Natural Landmark in 1972. The Cave also boasts the Cave Hollow West Winery –  serving Missouri grown, made and bottled wine. You’ll need this after a day of tourism!!

Mark Twain Cave Website

573.221.1656

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum120 North Main Street

Come see where the stories started and how a boy from Hannibal became Mark Twain.  Tour 5 historic properties, including the Boyhood Home, a National Historic Landmark.  Browse two museums housing Clemens artifacts and 15 Norman Rockwell paintings.  Named one of the 15 Best Small-town Museums in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel

Boyhood Home & Museum Website

573.221.9010

Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum600 Butler Street

The Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum tells the story of Margaret Tobin Brown’s birth and childhood during Hannibal’s Gilded Age (1867-1886). Exhibits at the Museum examine the circumstances of Maggie’s childhood in Hannibal that give us a greater understanding of what propelled her to rise from humble beginnings along the banks of the Mississippi to the highest echelons of society.

Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum Website

573.248.1819

Hannibal History Museum200 North Main Street

The Hannibal History Museum captures life on the Mississippi in the city that was home to some of America’s greatest personalities. Explore our dioramas out of the pages of Tom Sawyer alongside tributes to Ukelele Ike, the voice of Jiminy Cricket plus baseball Hall-of-Famer Jake Beckley. In the evening, board the trolley for a guided tour of Hannibal’s mysterious and haunted past.

Hannibal History Museum Website

573.248.2819

Bluff City Theater212 Broadway

Discover professional theater in an intimate setting. New to Hannibal, Bluff City Theater, was founded in 2013 by Executive Director Joe Anderson. Bluff City Theater is an artist-driven theater company with an emphasis on literary works that bridge the gap between books and stage.

Bluff City Theater Website

573.719.3226

Mark Twain Memorial LighthouseAtop Cardiff Hill

The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse sits on 10 acres of park atop Cardiff Hill, a favorite play area of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the gang. Cross streets are E. Rock and E. Cardiff. Parking is available near the top.

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse Website

573-221-0154

More Things to do!!

Sites & Activities

Mississippi Mind Trap & Escape Room

Mississippi Mind Trap is a fun, exciting & interactive entertainment experience. You, your family & friends will attempt to find clues and solve puzzles while trying to escape one of our realistically themed rooms within the time limit.

518 Broadway

(573) 221-3087

https://www.mississippimindtrap.com/

Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat has been a unique fixture on the banks of the Mississippi for more than 30 years, offering visitors an up-close view of the Mississippi River during either 1-hour guided tours or 2-hour dinner cruises.

Hannibal river cruises give visitors the opportunity to explore the Mississippi just like Tom and Huck. This Mississippi River Cruise departs from Center Street Landing three times daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with two departures daily during September and October.

Built in 1964, the Mark Twain Riverboat is 120 ft. long, 33 ft. wide and has a 400-passenger capacity, so there is plenty of room aboard the vessel, which is wheelchair accessible (w/ some limitations.)

Center Street Landing

Call (573) 221-3222 to make reservations…you’ll need them for the dinner cruise.

https://marktwainriverboat.com/

Rockcliffe Mansion

Rockcliffe Mansion was built between 1898 and 1900 by lumber baron John J. Cruikshank Jr. for his 2nd wife and four daughters.  It is a 13,500 sq. ft. grand residence originally built on a 10-acre estate, situated on a limestone bluff with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, Lover’s Leap, and historic Hannibal.  The family lived in Rockcliffe (as the family called it) until Mr. Cruikshank passed in 1924.  It was then closed, vacant and abandoned for the next 43 years.  Decorated in the Late Victorian and Art Nouveau styles, most of the original antique furnishings, gas/electric combination lighting fixtures, high-end plumbing fixtures, and personal effects of the original family were preserved and are on display

1000 Bird Street
(573) 221-4140
https://www.rockcliffemansion.com/

 Jim’s Journey Freedom Center

Jim’s Journey

Visit Hannibal’s only museum dedicated to the African American who inspired the character of Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Open seasonally, Jim’s Journey Freedom Center is Hannibal’s newest museum. In Hannibal’s first memorial to “Jim”, aka Daniel Quarles, view Samuel Clemens, the humanitarian, and explore the lives of African Americans who influenced his life and works. The Freedom Center also details the history of African Americans in Hannibal and highlights the lives and accomplishments of prominent African Americans from Hannibal. You will have the opportunity to explore the proud history of many African American Hannibal residents who through the generations have called Hannibal Missouri home.

The museum is conveniently located close to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum Properties.

509 N. 3rd St.

(217) 617-1507 • Free Admission

JimsJourney.org

Stores & Shops

You will find an enormous, exciting selection of art & jewelry & pottery in downtown Hannibal. Please visit all of them and if you have any money left, go get a beer or a glass of wine!! Really…here they are in alphabetical order:

Alliance Art Gallery – co-op gallery featuring local artists in many mediums…stone, paint, metal, wood. Where Bob buys my Christmas presents!!

121 N. Main St.

(573) 221-2275

http://www.allianceartgallery.com/

Ayers Pottery – handcrafted pottery, made right here in Hannibal – best mugs anywhere!

308 N. 3rd Street

(573)-221-6960

https://www.ayerspottery.com/

Native American Trading Company and Gallery – seriously – if we ever stop renovating houses, I am spending my last nickel here – but – trust me – you’ll need more than that! Hey -it is soooo worth it!

115 North Main Street

573-248-3451

https://www.nativeamericantrading.com/

Hannibal Arts Council – beautiful works of art created by artists around the Hannibal region

105 South Main Street

573-221-6545

https://www.hannibalarts.com/

Hickory Stick Quilt Shop

326 N Main St

573- 221-4538

The Travelers Boutique

205 N Main St

(573) 603-1242

Antique Shops

We have guests drive stuff home to Texas – that’s how great our antique shops are here!! Even if you don’t buy – you’ll have fun looking at all the treasures. I promise.

Aunt Polly’s Treasures

213 Hill Street

(573) 221-1496

Encore Emporium ****

315 South 3rd Street

(573) 231-4922

Lydia’s Cabinet of Curiosities

223 North Main St.

(316) 644-5321

Pudd’ N Heads

115 Bird St

(573) 248-1018

Savannah’s

114 North Main St.

(573) 221-4800

New London Schoolhouse Marketplace ****

1101 Main Street

New London, Missouri

573-406-2009

**** My favs