The land on which Hannibal is located was originally inhabited by Native Americans; it was laid out as a town in 1819 by Moses D. Bates. Named after the hero of ancient Carthage, this river town flourished as a principal docking port for steamboats, flatboats, and packet steamers traveling the upper Mississippi River, and it was incorporated as a city in 1845. Affectionately known as “America’s Hometown,” Hannibal’s downtown is architecturally and historically significant and vibrant with culture, beautiful parks, a trail system, and entertainment. Visitors to Hannibal have a wide array of fun and interesting things to do and places to go – the hard part is trying to decide what to do and where to go first! A great place to start is the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Center – the friendly staff members provide information and advice on touring the city.
Some of the most popular places to explore include the museum and boyhood home of Hannibal’s most famous son – Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who is better known by his pen name, Mark Twain; the Huckleberry Finn house; the Becky Thatcher house; and the Mark Twain Cave, all of which the author described in his writings. You can also tour the childhood home of Margaret Tobin Brown, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”, of Titanic fame. Some options for exploring include trolley tours, riverboat tours, walking tours and even Haunted Hannibal and Historic Tours, which feature the 1899 Rockcliffe Mansion, a gorgeous Georgian Revival perched on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. Fun festivals and events take place throughout the year here, and art gallery walks occur downtown the 2nd Saturday of each month. Shoppers delight in unique boutiques and antique stores; parks invite people to enjoy the fresh air while hiking and biking; and restaurants and taverns welcome guests for delicious meals and refreshing drinks. Embrace all there is to do in Hannibal! Hotels allow you to stay conveniently close to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you enjoy affordable rates, many amenities, and friendly service. We look forward to hosting you soon! Reserve your room today!