Mark Twain's Boyhood Home: Hannibal, Missouri (A Detailed Overview)
Written: Apr 12 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful Scenic Views of The Mississippi, Lots of Information on Mark Twain
Cons: Can Be Pricey, Some Rundown Areas, Room For Improvement
The Bottom Line: Stop by and visit Hannibal if your in the area.
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| susieq112's Full Review: Hannibal, Missouri |
Attractions Associated With Mark Twain And His Books
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
The number one destination in Hannibal is Mark Twain's Boyhood Home and Museum. The Home & Museum consists of seven properties when you purchase your tickets. Most ususally start there adventure at the Interpretive Center. Here visitors watch a video outling Mark Twains life in Hannibal and the people who surrounded him, many of which he later based his characters off of. The Interpretive Center also offers many exhibits relating to Mark Twain and the steamboat era. From here many start off with The Beck Thatcher House. The Thatcher House was actually home to the Hawkins family. Laura Hawkins lived here (the real Becky Thatcher). This house features a rest area and reading room, a children's discovery area, gift shop. The upper floor offers a look into what the house looked like "back in the day". Full of antique furniture and decor, you can get a clear perspective on what the Thatcher house really looked like.
The actual Boyhood Home is located at 208 Hill Street. Here you are offered the ability to peek into a modelled set up of what life was like in the Clemens household. No access is allowed into the building, only viewing from the outside. Decks are placed on the back of the building for access to see the top floors. Many of the rooms offer recordings of pertinent information pertaining to the house and its setting.
The Judge Clemens Justice of The Peace Office is located at 205 Hill Street. This is where Mark Twain's father practiced law during there time in Hannibal. This building was referred to in Tom Sawyer regarding the trial of Muff Potter. The rear room was recalled in The Innocents Abroad and hiding here after skipping school. Both the rooms mentioned offer set-ups of these seens. Each are for viewing only from a platform.
Grant's Drug Store was the home and drug store of Dr. Grant and his family. The Clemens family lived for here for a short while in the 1840's. Mark Twain's father actually died in this building on the upper floor. The upper floor is not accesible to the public. However the bottom floor has been restored to a period drug store complete with medicines and small medical supplies and tools. Grant's Drug Store is one of the only period homes on display that you actually enter into. The Drug Store rendition is done wonderfully and is very informative.
The Museum Gallery offers many exhibits relating to Mark Twain's books and life. On the top floor of the museum is the collection of Norman Rockwell paintings of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn scenes. The originals from 1935 were donated to the museum and are on permanent display here. The museum also has many other exhibits including sceens from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Stagecoach, and a replica of a steamboat pilot house among many others.
Admission Prices
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Adult - $8.00
Senior - $6.50 (60+)
Children - $4.00 (6-12)
Under 6 - Free
Tickets include admission to The Interpretive Center, The Mark Twain Boyhood Home, The Huckleberry Finn House, The Becky Thatcher House, The J.M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office, The Grant's Drug Store, and The Museum Gallery.
Combination tickets are also available for additional destinations in Hannibal at discounted rates.
Hours Of Operation
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Open Seven Days A Week (Except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day)
March: Monday thru Saturday 9:00AM to 4:00 PM; Sunday Noon to 4:00 PM
April: 9:00 to 5:00 Daily
May: 8:00 to 5:00 Daily
June, July & August: 8:00 to 6:00 Daily
September & October: 9:00 to 5:00 Daily
November thru February: Monday thru Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Sundays Noon to 4:00 PM
The Mark Twain Cave
The Mark Twain Cave offers an one hour tour, during the guided tour points of interest are made out. The cave has become so famous because it is the same cave that Mark Twain played in as a child, it is also mentioned in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Tour guides give out information of certain areas of the cave including its natural wonders. The cave is also well know because it is (was) a wonderful hiding spot. Jesse James one of the most well known used Mark Twain Cave as a hiding spot as well as indians and trappers.
Hours of Operation
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Open daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
April to May - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Summer - 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
September to October - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
November to March - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The last tour starts one hour before closing.
Cost of Admission
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Adult - $15.00
Child - $8.00 (5-12)
Under 5 - Free
The Riverfront
Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat
The Mark Twain Riverboat was constructed in 1964 and is a wondeful scaled example of an oldtime riverboat. The boat holds approximately 400 passengers and resides year-round on the shores and waterways of the Mississippi near Hannibal. The boat docks right at the riverfront of Hannibal for cruises. It is located at the bottom of Center Street at the river.
The Mark Twain Riverboat offers three types of Cruises: A sightseeing cruise, A Dinner Cruise and A Saturday Night Jazz Cruise.
- A SIGHTSEEING CRUISE
The sightseeing cruise is approximately one hour in length and gives information and history on the river and sights that you see on the river. The sightseeing cruise offers a wonderful addition to a visit to Hannibal. You get a much better view of the surrounding bluffs and beauty of being in a river town. Information given on the cruise is insightful and interesting, especially that relating to Mark Twain. The river is vast in width and flows a brown, dirty water. It offers a great contrast to the rivers seen elsewhere, especially in comparison to rivers west of the Mississippi. In the fall months, especially late September and October sightseeing cruises offer a beautiful glimpse at the changing leaves, which offer dazaling reds, oranges and yellows all over the large bluffs of the Mississippi.
Prices for the sightseeing tour are: Adult - $12.00, Children (5-12) - $9.00, Under 5 - Free. No reservations are required for the sightseeing cruises.
Hours of Operation
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May - Daily at 1:30 PM
June thru July (Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Daily at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM
Spetember and October - Sunday thru Friday at 1:30 PM, Saturdays at 4:00 PM
-A DINNER CRUISE/SATURDAY NIGHT JAZZ CRUISE
The dinner cruise consists of a two hour cruise with the dinning and entertainment. During the cruise a buffet style dinner is offered. Music and dancing is another highlight of this cruise. During the week showboat era music, dixieland and gospel music is played live and on weekends jazz and blues style music is played live. For adults the dinner cruise is a lovely way to relax and have fun, while getting some insight into the "boating days". The boat is fully accesible with different decks to look out of and enjoy the night.
Prices for the dinner cruise tour are: Adults - $32.95 + tax, Children - $19.95 + tax. Reservations are required for the dinner cruise.
Hours of Operation for Dinner Cruises
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May - Friday & Saturday at 6:30 PM
June thru August (Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Daily at 6:30 PM
September - Tuesday thru Sunday Daily at 6:30 PM
October - Friday & Saturday at 6:30 PM
Hours of Operation for Jazz Cruises
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June thru August (Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Saturdays at 9:30 PM
Glascock's Landing
Glascock's Landing can be a very happening spot at times in the summer. Why? This is where the Mississippi Queen, Delta Queen and American Queen dock for day stops and day and night stops during summer and fall months. Glascock's Landing has been wonderfully landscaped for a proper welcome to steamboat passengers. It also makes a wonderful park area to stop and get another view of the river. The park also has Hannibal's newest statue overlooking the river, a young Samuel Clemens. A large pooless water fountain also adornes the park. A gazebo is also located on the south side of this small park which is a great place to picnic or relax.
Parks In Town
The Crown Jewel of Hannibal, Riverview Park
North of the major tourist area of Hannibal off of Harrison Hill is the best thing Hannibal has got to offer. This is Riverview Park. Riverview park is at first just a plan, local park to driver through, but it offers some of the most beautiful views in town. So if you only go one place in Hannibal, please make it here. Riverview Park is used locally for its quite and serene surroundings. We picnic hear, let out children play, read books, exercise, walk, and admire our local beauty. Riverview park offers four beautiful outlooks which you can pull up to in your car. Most of the parks roadways are one-way in direction, so keep your eyes on the signs. The first view offers an overlook on to the river looking north. From hear you are atop one of the bluffs and get an eagle eye view of the river. The second view looks out overthe river facing west. The bluffs across the flood plain are visible from here. A look staight down offers a view of the river from this bluff. In the third overlook you meet Mark Twain. Here a statue of Mark Twain prominiently looks out onto the river from the high bluffs. A seating area is located infront of the statue for viewing of the river. The last major overlook in the park is on the last loop at the end. Here you get a look to the south part of the river. Parts of downtown are visible, as is a rockscape of Mark Twain face on a parallel hillside. From here you can also see the bridge crossing the river into Illinois and of course the river itself.
Riverview Park also offers many trails, unfortunately many have remained unmarked. The main trail which IS marked is on the left side of the main road after you enter the park. This trail was originally a road going down to the river from the park. Recently they have repaved it as a trail. The trail takes you down a winding path to the edge of the river and also offers additional paved walking areas along the river. The other trail that is marked is at the end of the first loop. Marked by a gate and fixed up by the local boyscouts is the original entrace to the park. While the trail leads down to riverroad, the end showcases the "Riverview Park" entrance and a view of the river. This trail goes straight down the hill as a number of steps and steep inclines, so it can be somewhat strenuous.
This park also offers a large picnic areas, grills and a play center for children. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park and the playcenter is located on the last loop of the park.
Huckleberry Park
Huckleberry Park is located on the south/west side of town and is a wonderful place to stop by and relax. Huckleberry Park offers many activities to enjoy. The Park features a baseball diamond, a pond with duck and geese, a playground, tennis courts, skate park, raquette ball courts and picnic facilites. Huckleberry Park is an easy going park with plenty of space to sit and enjoy the weather or play sports.
Lover's Leap
Lover's Leap is another must see attraction in Hannibal. Off of Highway 79 in southeast Hannibal is the entrance to this park. The main feature of Lover's Leap is the lovely view looking off of a huge bluff down onto the river, flood planes, etc. From hear you get the best view of Hannibal also. This area also offers picnic facilities.
Other Parks In Town
Hannibal also has a few additional park that are fairly small but worth checking out, if your in town for an extended period of time.
The Cardiff Hill Overlook is located at the far north end of 3rd Street. This overlook was created a few years ago from the old bridge approach. This is where are old bridge went across the river. After its demolishion this small area was created. It offers an elevated look across the river and picnic areas.
Central Park is located at 4th and Broadway. This small park encompasses one full block of downtown. It features a fountain, large gazeboo with seating, William Henry Hatch statue and a WWI and WWII memorial. The park is covered with trees and plenty of benches for relaxing.
Kiwanis Park is located down by the river, infront of the boat marina. Here you will find playground equipment, picnic areas and a wonderful view of the river.
Main Street Shops
Another main attraction in Hannibal is Main Street. Main Street sits as it did many years ago. Old time (mostly) two and three story building built in the 1800's and early 1900's line the street. In this area you can look for art created by local artist in all forms, Hannibal and Mark Twain Souvenir's and much, much more. The following is a short list of some of the stores you will see on Main Street and what type of items they sell.
-Becky's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium (Sweets; drinks & candies, Old Time Items & Souvenirs)
-Native American Trading Company & Gallery (Hand crafted indian items, Art & Sculptures)
-AVA Goldworks (Hand Made Jewelry in Platinum, Gold and Sterling Silver)
-Picture Perfect Gallery & Framing (Name says it, Art and Frames)
Alliance Art Gallery (Local Artist, display and sell all forms of Art)
-Wild Bird Unlimited (Backyard Decor)
-Nancy Lee Kaufman (Wearable Art, Wall Hangings & Rugs by a local artist)
-Fresh Ayers (Locally made stoneware, Arts and Decor)
-Pudd'N Heads (Handcrafted wood, cloth, florals, antiques, etc.)
-Groomingdale's Pet Boutique (Pet fashions and accessories, Doggie daycare service)
-Mississippi Dry Goods (emporium of knick-knacks, etc.)
-St. Petersburg Mercantile (emporium of knick-knacks, etc.)
-Raven's Nest Gallery (glass and textile artwork)
-Inspirations for Today's Lifestyle (Decor and Gifts)
-Hickory Stick Quilt & Gift Shop (Quilting supplies, sewing supplies, etc.)
The shops on Main Street offer many things to look at, see, touch, and study. If your looking for Hannibal souvenirs, this would be the place to find it. Among your souvenirs you'll find many interesting peices of art, most of it made right here in Hannibal by our local artists. Different shops offer a wide array of items to hunt and search through. A few offer items in flea market style and some of the oldest and neatest collections. You never know what your going to find on Main Street.
Main Street also offers a few restaurants and a coffee shop. This area of town is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself for atleast an afternoon or morning. The area stretches over four blocks. Additional shops are located on Center Street, Hill Street, and North Street off of Main Street. At the end of Main Street (at Main Street and North Street) which is the bottom of Cardiff Hill (referred to as Holiday Hill in Mark Twains books) is a prominent statue of Tom & Huck. Unfortunately at this point in time the foundation of this statue is in disrepair and has been closed off for close up viewing. However the statue is still viewable. Just to the left of the statue is a set of stairs that begins up the hill.
After climbing about 10 flights worth of steps (warning! it may be more) you come to the very top of the hill and you find Hannibal's very own Lighthouse. The lighthouse is about 4 to 5 stories high and seems to tower on the hill. Inside the Lighthouse you can climb to the top to peer out over the river and flood plain. When atop you also get a wonderful birds eye view of Hannibal's downtown area. Quite a few years ago the lighthouse was revamped and a new light was put in. The lighthouse still flashes signals down to the river every night. The trip to the top of the lighthouse offers a wonderful view, but it can be strenoush getting up there. The last time I was there the last story was accessed by a latter and only two people were allowed to go all the way to the top at a time. The lighthouse is not prominently special as far as lighthouses go, but it is part of Hannibal history.
Other Places of Interest
Rockcliffe Mansion
Rockcliffe Mansion was completed in 1900 hundred. The mansion is made only of the best and is THE most beautiful home in town. Recently restored (and continue to be worked on) the home is 13,000 square feet. Tours offered include original artifacts, paintings, furniture, clothing, and personal items of the family that constructed and lived in this monument. The tour includes rooms on all three floors of the home. One of the neatest points of interest in the home are the portraits of the husband and wife that lived in the home. No matter where you stand in the room, or move to the eyes on these portraits follow you. Rockcliffe Mansion also includes the LaBinnah Bistro and Bed & Breakfast.
The tour of Rockcliffe Mansion is astounding. The home built with the most opulent materials of the time is simply beautiful. Mouldings are extremely detailed and decor is wonderful because it is the original decor placed in the home when it was first occupied. The home shows all of the amenitied of the time and is very insightful.
Home of Molly Brown
While many people don't know it, Hannibal also has another famous person on the books. Molly Brown (from Titanic) was born and lived in Hannibal for a time (1867 to 1885). On the side of a hill off of Mark Twain Avenue sits the birthplace and home of Molly Brown. The home has been restored to a home of the 1860s to the 1880's. The museum/home features rooms suchs as the Titanic Room, A period Bedroom, A period Kitchen and Parlor. If you have an interest in the Titanic this may be the best opportunity to learn about one of its passengers.
Accomodations
Hannibal has many hotels scattered throughout town. Of course being a citizen of Hannibal I haven't stayed at any of them, but I do have my biased opinions on which ones are better than others. The downtown area offers many smaller hotels. A block up fro the river front is Hotel Clemens. If you wish to stay in Hannibal at the riverfront this is probably your only and best bet. Hotel Clemens is the only hotel in town that offers "room with a view" of the river and it also nearest to the main attractions of the town. There are a few hotels located just past Hotel Clemens on Mark Twain Avenue. These hotels are about 4 to 6 blocks away from the river and downtown attractions.
Other hotels that I would recommend include Holiday Inn Express located on the southeast side of town, the Quality Inn located on the far West side of town or the Comfort Inn located on Highway 61 South.
The Quality Inn is our newest addition in hotels and offers many ammenieties above and beyond the other hotels in town, simply because of the fact that its newer and updated as compared to some of the other hotels in town.
There are also a number of full service Bed and Breakfast Accommodations located in and around Hannibal. Those located downtown include Abby Rose, Fifth Street Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Lulabell's Bed & Breakfast, Reagan's Queen Anne. Robard's Mansion, The Rothacker House, and Sixth Street Guest Haus. Many of these bed and breakfast are located in some of the most beautifully adorned and decorated homes of Hannibal. The architecure of some these homes is the most beautiful and ornate of the towns. There is one bed and breakfast located out side of town in the country called Garth Woodside Mansion Bed & Breakfast. This is easily one of the most ornate and beautiful houses in or near Hannibal. It is fully decorated with antique furniture and period peices. Once run down, the owners have fully restored it to its grandure.
Dinning and Eating Out
Mark Twain Dinette & Family Restaurant
Mark Twain Dinnette has been here forever, or atleast for about 60 years. This restaurant offers items like homemade rootbeer, tenderloins, onion rings, burgers, salads and more. Mark Twain Dinnette is unique because it hs been here for so long. A trip inside and some of the walls show pictures of the original Mark Twain Dinnette a tiny fry house basically. Among all of the restaunrants intown the Mark Twain Dinnette offers the best tenderloin and root beer. The Mark Twain Dinnette is located downtown on 3rd Street across from the Hotel Clemens.
Fiddlesticks Food & Spirits Co.
Fiddlesticks is a sports bar. They offer steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, salads, and burgers. Fiddlesticks is located on the west side of town next to Quality Inn. Fiddlesticks is one of the better eating experiences in town. The food is wonderfully presented and tastes great. While Fiddlesticks is a chain restaurant available in other towns, Hannibal does offer some wonderful foods at local restaurants you will only find here.
Logue's Restaurant
Logues is located on Highway 61 near Comfort Inn. They offer midwestern home cooked food. Logue's offers some of the best foods in town at the best prices. Portions are always ample and the taste is great. Some of my favorite items here is there hot roast beef sandwich and their ham steak. They also offer a great selection of pies for dessert. Wait staff is always friendly and courteous and the enviroment is very relaxing.
Breadeaux Pizza
Breadeaux's is a locally owned pizza restaurant. They are located on Main Street and are a wonderful stop while visiting the shops downtown. The offer a pizza buffet during lunch hours, plus a full menu of pizza's, pasta'a and subs at all times. Breadeaux pizza has an overall good taste and they offer fairly good service. Prices are fairly cheap and affordable.
Lulabelles
Lulabelles is run out of an old bordello used until about the 1950's. The owners of the building have restored it. They turned the bottom floor into a lovely restaurant and the top floor is a bed & breakfast. The restaurant offers some of the best food in town. Lulabelle's offers a full selection of cuisine for dinner daily. Most dinners come with a delecious caesar salad with their very own special caesar dressing and homemade bread. The offer pasta'a, seafood, steaks and more. While Lulabelle's is one of the best places to eat in town, it is also one of the more expensive restaurants also, but it is well worth the cost.
Bubba's On the Waterfront
Bubba's is a truely unique dinning experience. Here you will find some of the more interesting food choices in town. The offer catfish, pit smoked BBQ, charbroiled steaks, seafood, cajun and many other types of food. The restaurant is located by the riverfront at the bottom of Broadway in an old warehouse.
Other Eating Options In Hannibal
There are of course tons of other places to eat in Hannibal, downtown and elsewhere. The one's listed above are some of the best Hannibal has to offer you, as a tourist. Other restaurants available downtown are Ole Planters Restaurant, LaBinnah Bistro, DaNancy's, Jumping Frof Cafe and Twainland Cheesecake & Italian Pasta House. Away from the downtown areas you will run into some more typical franshised restaurants like McDonalds, Ponderosa, Golden Corral, Hardee's, Cassano's Pizza & Subs, Wendy's, Country Kitchen, KFC, and more.
My Overall Opinion
As a long time citizen of Hannibal I sometimes wonder why one chooses Hannibal as their vacation destination. Of course many visitors only make Hannibal a pit stop or a nights stay of their Hannibal visit, it seems to be a popular destination. People come from all over the world to spend a night or two in Hannibal and to seek the settings of Mark Twain's stories.
Is Hannibal a tourist trap? Well, kind of. It features many places to see and things to do. Unfortunately some of the prices are highly priced and somewhat unfair considering the service, etc. Is it worth it? It depends on what your looking for. If your a Mark Twain fan, bring your money and enjoy the town. Go to the Boyhood Home, the cave and everthing else you see. Many of the aspects of Hannibal relate to Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and more. Mark Twain refrenced and re-refrenced Hannibal and the Mississippi River again and again in his stories. It does offer a wonderful perspective into his stories and offers you a real view setting. A re-read of those stories or after you return home add a "real" aspect to some of the stories and events in them. In the end however the Main Street Shops, Ticket Prices all point to the "tourist trap" title. I could compare it to Ouray, CO (instead of hot pools, you get Mark Twain) or Virginia City, NV (you still get Mark Twain here, but you also get casino's). I've went through alot of town's like Hannibal during "roadtrip" like vacations across the country. Each offers its own unique advantage, you must decide if it truly interest you.
The educational factor, especially for children that may have just read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn are outstanding. This definately calls for a trip to The Boyhood Home & Museum. Children would best benefit from this around ten to fourteen. When they are old enough to understand, but not so old they're too cool for it. The information and insight provided at the Boyhood Home and Museum (and additional buildings) relates all of the characters of those stories, into the real people they were based of off. Insight is offered into the style of living at the time and is very interesting.
Some of the disadvantages surrounding Hannibal is the state of disrepair in some places. The fight to keep these buildings looking new after 200 years has proved to be difficult. While some things are repaired and kept up others are left to dissapate. The Tom & Huck Statue located at the end of North Main Street is a tribute to this failure. The foundation of the Statue has failed and no attempt to repair it has been made. Another obvious problem is the state of the roads in Riverview Park. While the park is the most beautiful in town, the roads have been nothing but spot patched for years and they are quite a bumpy ride. If you do come here you will have to overlook small problems like these to get what you want out of your stay. While most places are restored and look wonderful you will come across a rough patch during your stay.
One of the main advantage points of visiting Hannibal is the mamoth Mississippi River. For those of us that spend everyday with this river we begin to shrug it off, but it truely is fantastic. The river runs wide and deep and is the largest in the country. Hannibal offers some of the most spectacular views of the river from many different vantage points. All of these views are breath taking and worth your time to check out. The best are found in Riverview Park and Lover's Leap, of course you can get the close up look right at the riverfront.
My best picks for Hannibal would be Riverview Park, The Mark Twain Cave, and The Boyhood Home And Museum. These offer the best of Hannibal. They are the most informative and most interesting. As far as dinning I would say a dinner at Lulabelle's should be considered at the top of the list, even if you only spend one night.
If you do decide to stop by my hometown my best advice to give you is to stop by the Hannibal Visitor's Center at the corner of Mark Twain Avenue and 3rd Street. This is a great stop to begin your stay here at town. You can pick-up information on all of the attractions I have mentioned here, plus more.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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susieq112
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Procrastination ~ At this rate, I'll never finish my mini-doumentary...
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