Hannibal Lecture
How to make the most of a weekend in Hannibal, Missouri.
A town that’s just a little more than four hours north of Springfield can offer some respite from everyday life. Hannibal might have been made famous by the charm of Mark Twain and the spunky fictional kids he created, but there are also some surprises in store. There’s a little art, some fine dining, some romantic places to stay. And—if you’re looking for it—all the casual, laid-back charm you’d expect from a town that holds an annual competition for whitewashing fences.
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Stay
Part of Hannibal’s cozy charm radiates from its many bed and breakfasts, and two of Missouri’s best are the Garth Woodside Mansion (at left) and Reagan’s Queen Anne. The Garth (11069 North New London Rd., 888-427-8409, garthmansion.com) sits on 40 acres and has everything from walking trails to a fishing pond, and it has individual rooms in the B & B and cabins. It features a daily-changing menu, too, and dinner is included in the room price. Reagan’s (313 North Fifth St., 888-221-1251) is a historic business offering casual and romantic suites, and it also sports a wraparound veranda and a koi pond. Both B & Bs can be busy at times, so call ahead for reservations.
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Eat
If you’re looking for a fun place in Hannibal, look for further than The Brick Oven (207 Center St., 573-221-1288). They boast some of the best Italian food and pizza west of the Mississippi, with unique pizza recipes like a margarita or shrimp pesto pizza, and the traditional fare. There’s also a full wine bar. And be sure to stop by Java Jive (at right, 213 North Main St., 573-221-1017), where you can grab a good cup of coffee made with fresh local beans and some sweet little muffins and pastries. They also have a full selection of teas, too, if that suits your fancy.
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Shop
If you’re itching to buy some local art, shoot over to Ayers Pottery (308 North Third St., 800-227-6960, ayerspottery.com). Steve Ayers has been in the craft for 30 years, and his work is known nationally for its bright, vibrant colors and functionality. One Hannibal mainstay is the Native American Trading Company (at left, 115 North Main St., 573-248-3451, nativeamericantrading.com), which sells hand-worked crafts in many different mediums. You can get a pair of fur-lined moccasins or pick up some herbal products to make your stay even more relaxing.
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Play
No visit to Hannibal would be complete without the Mark Twain Cave (7097 County Road 453, 573-221-1656, marktwaincave.com). Whether you visit in the winter or summer, the cave is a constant 52 degrees. The tour is a casual 55-minute walk where you can see natural cave formations and cave art. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum (at right, 120 North Main St., 573-221-9010, marktwainmuseum.org) also offers some great tours and events. See how Samuel Clemens became Mark Twain, or join a one-day writer’s workshop.
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See
One must-see store in Hannibal is the Ava Goldworks (211 Center St, 573-221-1928, avagoldworks.com), which has been making jewelry for 35 years. Its award-winning artists are known nationally, and it has one of the 118 America Certified Master Bench Jewelers. Designs range from classic to modern, with gemstones, gold and platinum. Or if you want to see a work-of-art home, take a tour of the Rockcliffe Mansion (1000 Bird St., 573-221-4140, rockcliffemansion.com), where you can walk through more than 30 rooms decorated with hand-crafted furniture, beautiful woodwork, and genuine Tiffany windows and chandeliers.
