As an active family with five kids, we often look for fun weekend adventures within a few hours drive of our home. This past summer was no exception and we found ourselves traveling to towns all over, and spending some time soaking up the history and sights that the cities had to offer.
Our favorite travel spot this summer was Hannibal, Missouri. I had no idea the amazing history and culture that could be had in such a small town!
It was nearly 140 years ago that Mark Twain transformed the sleepy little river town of Hannibal into a now American Icon. If you’ve read Tom Sawyer or Huckelberry Finn, this is where the stories took place!
While they host various festivals and celebrations throughout the year, we were there during an off time. The week after we visited, the city of Hannibal hosted it’s annual tradition of National Tom Sawyer Days. With National Fence Painting Championships, Tom and Beck Contest, frog jumping competition and Tomboy Sawyer Competition, there is something fun to do for everyone in your family. Traditionally this falls over the weekend of the fourth of July. It’s one of those events that I think you have to see at least once. I know we are planning to go back in 2007 so we can experience this particular festival.
So what else is there to do in Hannibal, Missouri? More than you can imagine!
The towns attractions include:
(if there is an asterisks after the attraction, I plan to tell you all about our visit to that attraction in future articles)
- Mark Twain Cave*
- Cameron Cave
- Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum Properties*
- Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat
- Spratt Family Theater
- Rockcliffe Mansion*
- Molly Brown Birth Place and Museum*
- Heritage Stage
- Twainland Express Sightseeing Tours
- Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park, Riverview Restaurant and Unique Shops
- Hannibal Trolley Company Sightseeing Tours
- Mark Twain Clopper
- Tom Sawyer Diorama Museum and Twains Yarn
- The Star Theater
- Tom and Huck Statue
- Historic Hannibal Ghost Tours*
- Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse*
- Huckleberry Park
- Riverview Park
- Lovers Leap*
As you can see, Hannibal is one of those weekend adventure trips, since there is so much to see and do that a day trip is nearly impossible.
With loads of lodging, from motels to resorts, and even bed and breakfasts, there are places to stay for any situation. In addition there are dozens of restaurants to choose from including fine cuisine all the way to down home small town cooking and all of it is delicious!
This historic town is rich with history exuding from it’s every street. If you have ever enjoyed the Tom Sawyer books, this is the place to visit! We had so much fun and I cannot wait to tell you about the special attractions.
Please watch my blog or the travel blog to see more terrific articles about Exploring Missouri.