Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Hannibal is a historic city along Missouri’s border with Illinois. It flourished following the construction of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, which transported mail to the first outpost of the Pony Express. Hannibal was where the American writer Mark Twain spent his boyhood years and found inspiration for many of his novels.
Things to do in Hannibal
Between 1844 and 1853, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum was home to Samuel Langhorne Clemens. The whitewashed residence is designated as a National Historic Landmark and is dedicated to the beloved American writer. It forms part of the Mark Twain Historic District, which includes the 1885-built Ice House Theatre and the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse.
On the southeastern outskirts of Hannibal is the Mark Twain Cave, which was made famous following its appearance in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. It is Missouri’s oldest show cave and is accessible on guided tours, with a highlight being the hideout of Jesse James. The cave complex also hosts a one-man stage performance showcasing the life of Mark Twain.
For magnificent views across the Mississippi River, head to Lovers' Leap, a two-hectare park that is perched atop a bluff to the south of Hannibal. In addition to picnic benches and a shelter, there is a historical marker explaining the site’s name. According to Native American legend, two young lovers from warring tribes were prevented from marrying and sacrificed their lives here rather than being apart.
Getting around Hannibal
Hannibal is just under two hours’ drive from St. Louis and 1.5 hours from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America and Europe. Regular buses connect to Hannibal, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.