Interested in soaking up the history and charm of the Show Me State? Well, it doesn’t get more historic or charming than the town of Hannibal, Missouri, whose claim to fame is being the birthplace of famous American novelist Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. And if you’ve read Twain’s books like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” or “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” we are here to tell ya that visiting Hannibal is a must, because this small, rustic town had a clear influence on his writing style. Come along as we show you why we think Hannibal is so special:

Hannibal is located about 100 miles north of St. Louis.
Hannibal Trolley Company/Facebook
It sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and holds the distinction as the birthplace of Mark Twain.
Another related attraction in town is the Mark Twain Cave Complex.
TripAdvisor/Management
In addition to seeing where famous outlaw Jesse James and his gang once hid out, you can enjoy a wide variety of delicious wines sold here.
One of the most popular sights is the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
TripAdvisor/Management
It is definitely one of the most interesting museums you might encounter, as well as one of the top attractions in Hannibal, Missouri.

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In addition to learning all about Mark Twain's life and work, you can also see several original Norman Rockwell paintings.
Rockcliffe Mansion is another popular tourist spot in town.
Rockcliffe Mansion
This absolutely stunning Missouri mansion was constructed in 1900 by lumber baron John J. Cruikshank, Jr. and overlooks the Mississippi River. It now offers guided tours so you can spend hours perusing this massive, beautiful house.
But maybe you'd rather get on the Mississippi River yourself instead of viewing it from the shore.
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Luckily, the Mark Twain Riverboat will take you for a cruise as you soak up the sights of the river and learn about Hannibal's history.
Of course, one of the sheer joys of visiting Hannibal is just enjoying the vibes of this pretty, rustic town.
TripAdvisor/JannWillie
There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and art galleries to try here.

Have you ever visited the town of Hannibal, Missouri? If so, we’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

For more information, check out the Visit Hannibal website, as well as the Visit Hannibal Facebook page.

For another Show Me State gem, be sure to read There Is No Better Small Town Cultural Scene Than Missouri’s Very Own Ste. Genevieve.

And hikers will be happy to know that there are some great trails in the area. To find a few, go to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Show Me State adventures, take a look at this video:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Missouri Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 14, 2023

Where can we find historic bridges in Missouri?

  • The Paseo Bridge (also known as the ICON Bond Bridge) in Kansas City is one of the most beautiful structures in the area.
  • The Martin Luther King Bridge in St. Louis is a 4,000-foot cantilever truss bridge spanning across the Mississippi River.
  • The Windsor Harbor Road Bridge in Kimmswick is the oldest known wrought iron span in Missouri.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful bridges in Missouri.

Where can we find historical sites in Missouri?

  • The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City pays homage to those who served in World War I.
  • The Anheuser Busch Brewery in St. Louis, opened in 1852 by Adolphus Busch, consists of 189 structures on 142 acres.
  • Graham Cave in Montgomery County is a Native American archeological site located inside the 356-acre Graham Cave State Park.

Read on to learn more about the many other fascinating historical sites in Missouri.

Where can we find natural wonders in Missouri?

  • Johnson's Shut-In is a public recreation area covering 8,647 acres and spans 1.4 billion years of geologic history.
  • The Mina Sauk Falls is the state's highest waterfall and cascades down 132 feet.
  • The Rocky Falls in the Southern Missouri Ozarks is part of the Current River and Jack's Fork National Scenic Riverways.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other stunning natural wonders in Missouri.

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Hannibal, MO 63401, USA