Staying in the area today, we visit Hannibal, Missouri touring landmarks from Mark Twain’s life and the classic Tom Sawyer books. We even got a little taste of the Mississippi on a Riverboat cruise.
29 September 2025 – Monday
0916 75,614 68°F Leave Frank Russell Campground
We booked two nights, so can come back after exploring Hannibal.
0945 75,641 73°F 628′ Hannibal, Missouri
Only about 30 minutes from the campground we reached the Hannibal Visitors Center where we picked up info on things to do in the area.
1016 75,642 75°F 620′ Hannibal Riverview Park
Almost two hundred feet above the Mississippi, the park is a great place to watch boats navigate river curves.
Marine Traffic identified the boat as the US flagged vessel “Vaylor Patrick” underway at 6.5 knots enroute to Pine Bluff Dock in Kentucky. These are called towboats, even though they usually push barges in the confines of the river.
1025 75,642 76°F 441′ Hannibal Waterfront and Museums
Descending from the bluff at Riverview Park, we found lots of space in a spot at Center Street landing.
Hannibal’s main attraction is The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
Mark Twain with some of the characters from his stories.
Exhibits were set-up so they mixed the actual home with Twain’s imagination.
The famous fence that appeared in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer published in 1876.
Norman Rockwell created wonderful sketches and paintings inspired by Twain’s books.
The museum has an extensive collection on display.
Looking at the pencil and brush stroke detail up close was fascinating. Please excuse the reflections.
Not just Tom Sawyer’s house, but Becky Thatcher’s home, the Drug Store, and several others are part of the museum.
A full size ships wheel and several detailed riverboat models pay homage to the wooden ships that were a lifeline to towns like Hannibal.
The museum portrays what life was actually like in the mid-1800’s. Spinning The Wheel of Misfortune is a “fun” way to see what your fate might have been.
If you visit Hannibal, we highly recommend touring the museum, especially if you have read any of Twain’s stories. Almost next door is Jim’s Journey, where you can learn about the African American experience in that same era.
After visiting the museum, we checked out the cute downtown. Like any good midwestern town, there is a nice quilt store.
The name of this Ice Cream shop could be our family motto!
When a downtown wall didn’t have windows, it usually contained a mural depicted more Hannibal history.
Never turning down a chance to get out on the water, we booked passage on a Mark Twain Riverboat Cruise.
Not every boat has a Calliope like this on the bridge roof. It even worked, playing a pleasant ragtime melody.
Though not propelled by real paddlewheel, the boat was a fun way to see the town and surroundings from the river.
A bald eagle flew across our bow! Highway and railroad bridges are in the background.
Our captain piloted and narrated throughout the one hour cruise. He did a fine job of both.
Our riverboat passed a towboat, before parallel parking at the town dock.
We really enjoyed our day in Hannibal and suspect others might too. If you have a favorite place in town, please leave it in a comment below.
1650 75,674 85°F Back in site #41 at Frank Russell Campground.
With mostly clear skies in the forecast, Beth stayed up and captured some night sky shots with her iPhone 15 Pro. I’m always impressed by her shots and the capabilities of tiny phone cameras.
Good night from under the Milky Way in Missouri.
Today’s short route into Hannibal and back.
Leave a Reply