65 Family-Friendly Summer Activities in Downtown Hannibal
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There are many family-friendly activities in downtown Hannibal - here is a list of some of our favorites! Add these to your family’s summer bucket list for an unforgettable, fun-filled summer.
Join the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum for a FREE concert series every Thursday evening at 7pm in between the Boyhood Home and Becky Thatcher House. Visit their Facebook Page for more information.
Central Park Farmers Market
Kick off your Saturday in downtown Hannibal from 8am-noon in Central Park with our local farmer’s market. Fresh produce, baked goods, and more! A great family tradition. Every Tuesday from 3-7pm and Saturday from 8am-noon. For more information visit their Facebook Page.
Yoga in the Park
Join Twisted Juniper every Saturday in Central Park at 9am for Yoga in the Park. Yoga is a great bonding activity and has been shown to improve physic and mental health in school age children. This class is just $5.00 per person.
Mark Twain Museum
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is a FREE activity for Hannibal Residents (just show proof of residence). And of course is it a great activity for tourists with numerous properties to tour including the Boyhood Home, Interpretive Center, Huck Finn House, WPA Stone Building/Gift Shop, Becky Thatcher House, John M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Building, Grant's Drug Store, the Tom & Huck statue, and the Museum Gallery.
Hannibal History Museum
Admission to the Hannibal History Museum is free for locals and tourist alike! It is a great time to learn about Hannibal’s History during our Bicentennial Celebration.
Mark Twain Cave & Campground
The cave is the best activity when it gets warm since the Mark Twain Cave stays at a cool 50 degrees. Make it a weekend and stay at one of their 99 campsites! Tent sites are just $22 a night!
Attend a Hannibal Hoots Game
Hoot for the Home Team at a Hannibal Hoots Game! Tickets are just $6.00 for kids and $8.00 for adults.
Hannibal Trolley
Visit Hannibal’s Trolley for a one hour, 14 mile guided tour of Hannibal. You may depart and re-board the trolley at Mark Twain Cave, Sawyer’s Creek, Rockcliffe Mansion and the trolley depot.
Mommy and Me Pedicures at the Powder Room
Make reservations for a relaxing day at the Powder Room! All the COOL moms go to the Powder Room. Special rates available for little princesses 12 years old or younger.
Volunteer or Join Kids in Motion
Looking for a special activity for you kid this summer? Let them learn the value of work ethic and life-long skills through community service projects. For more information visit their Facebook Page.
Find Painted Rocks, or Paint and Hide them for others or search for them
Some special community members have painted and hid special rocks throughout the downtown to spread joy! If you find a rock the rules are simple - take a pic of it and post your story on this FB page, relocate the rock so someone else can find it, or keep the rock as long as you replace it with one that you have painted.
Watch the Mississippi Queen, American Queen, or other riverboats dock.
Watch the Big Riverboats come into downtown Hannibal all summer long! We will post the schedule on our website as soon as it is available.
Mississippi Mind Trap Escape Room
Mississippi Mind Trap is one of the newest additions to downtown bringing quality, fun escape rooms to downtown Hannibal! Test your skills as a family and see if you can escape in under an hour!
First Friday Art Adventures
Join the Hannibal Arts Council every First Friday for an exciting new art adventure! Be sure to sign up quickly as space is limited! For more information visit their Facebook Page.
Java Jive Sidewalk Chalk Art
Stop outside Java Jive every Friday Night from 5-9pm for Sidewalk Chalk Art Night. They provide the chalk! They just ask that all drawings are appropriate and tasteful. They will stay on the sidewalk until Sunday evening when they hose the sidewalks.
Root Beer Float and Scavenger Hunt at Mark Twain Dinette
Cool off with the Mark Twain Dinette’s Homemade Root Beer Floats! Their Root Beer has been made in house since 1967 making it a classic Hannibal tradition. Check out the back of their kids menu for a downtown scavenger hunt!
Night Hike through Sodalis Nature Preserve
Watch out for the scheduled Night Hikes through Sodalis Nature Preserve led by the Hannibal Parks and Recreation. Our favorite part of the preserve are the old quarry caves at the top that are home to the largest population of Indiana Bats in the county. You probably won’t see any bats during the day time, but a nice breeze that comes from the caves will cool you off as you walk by!
Cardboard Boat Races
A great activity for kids and parents! Build a cardboard boat following the Hannibal Parks & Recreation rules available at the HPR office, 320 Broadway. Each boat must have two passengers 6-16. Awards for the fastest boat, Titanic award, and best decorated.
Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum
Hannibal’s Bicentennial is a good reason to learn about some of our other famous residents, including The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Visit her birth home from 10a-4p Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Go fishing in the Mississippi or Bear Creek
The ultimate Mississippi River pastime. Be sure to follow the law, support Missouri Conservation, and get your yearly fishing permit. Just $12.00 for Missouri residents.
4th of July Fireworks
Make sure you find the perfect spot to view the Fourth of July Fireworks in downtown Hannibal. Fireworks begin at 9:30pm.
Picnic at Lover’s Leap
Enjoy a scenic family picnic from the pavilion at Lover’s Leap!
Summer Reading Program at Hannibal Library
Encourage a life long love of reading through the summer reading program at your local library! You can even sign up online here. We’d recommend a cozy spot at Java Jive with an iced tea or coffee, on a blanket in central park, a bench on Main Street, or anywhere with a river view.
Lighthouse Staircase
The 244 stairs from Main Street to the Lighthouse are a great chance to get in some excercise in downtown Hannibal! Many residents use it as a daily routine to build muscle and cardiovascular health! From the top there is a wonderful view of Main Street and the river.
Enjoy a Playground at Riverview Park
There are a couple playgrounds at Riverview Park. Stop in at your favorite restaurant downtown for some carryout and enjoy some lunch and play in the park!
Pokémon Hunting
Though the game is now three years old, you can still discover downtown Hannibal in a whole new way with Pokémon. Catch ‘em all in downtown Hannibal at your favorite businesses and attractions!
Plan a family bike ride through downtown Hannibal
Visit an Art Gallery
Take your budding artist to a local art gallery! It’s a great opportunity for them to meet local artists, view great works, and cultivate a life long passion for culture.
Mud Volleyball
Start thinking about your Mud Volleyball team now! Or if playing is not your cup of tea, watching is always a great times. Youth Mud Volleyball begins on July 4th and continues with Regular Mud Volleyball on July 5th and 6th.
Kristy’s Garden
Stop in Kristy’s Garden on Main Street and enjoy the beautiful flowers, take a photo in the face-in-hole Butterfly photo-op, and enjoy the view on Main Street.
Try Geocaching
Or make your own treasure hunt!
Big Dirt Dig!
On June 1st, from 9-11am, let your little one play to their hearts content in a big pile of dirt! Be sure to bring their favorite digging toys and plan a nice bath or hose time after.
Mark Twain Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise
Enjoy a one-hour cruise on the Mighty Mississippi! Learn historical facts at a relaxing, rhythmic pace. Kids 4 and under are FREE, children 5-12 are $12, and adults are $21.
National Tom Sawyer Days (NTSD) Fence Painting
National Tom Sawyer Days (NTSD) Fence Painting is a 63 year old Hannibal tradition for girls and boys locally and all over the nation. Click here for the registration form.
Fly a Kite in Riverview Park
NTSD Carnival
Is it really summer without some classic carnival rides and treats? Don’t miss the NTSD Carnival from July 3-6!
Fourth of July Parade and other NTSD Fun
Hannibal is known for having one of the best Small-Town Fourth of July celebrations. Enjoy some good old-fashioned fun in downtown Hannibal! Click here for the full schedule.
Kids Summer Movies Series at B&B Theaters
Enjoy the magic of the movies for only $3 a person or $2 for backstage pass members. Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10am. Beginning June 4th through July 25th. Click here for more information.
Ice Cream At Becky’s Ice Cream
Cool off at Becky Thatcher’s Ice Cream Parlor and Emporium with a special ice cream treat or their selection of children’s literature.
Jim’s Journey
Learn about one of Twain’s under-represented characters and African American influence.
Gelato at Chocolaterie Stam
Try something new and enjoy a dish of gelato made fresh in store! While you’re there check out their delicious, decadent chocolates.
Visit with Tom and Becky
Watch our for visits from Tom and Becky Ambassadors in historic downtown Hannibal.
Dine Outside on a Patio or Historic Sidewalk
Karlock’s Car Emporium
The Karlock’s Car Emporium is home to vintage cars and memorabilia. The ultimate throw-back museum in downtown Hannibal.
Hannibal Haunted House & Wax Museum
A nostalgic attraction for many downtown visitors view notable wax figures and tour the Haunted House.
Big River Train Town
Train enthusiasts rejoice! View model toy trains and more at Big River Train Town.
Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour
Take a Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour! Learn about some of Hannibal’s scariest stories and spend some time in one of Hannibal’s oldest grave yards searching for real ghosts. Great for teens!
Watch the sunset or sunrise at a scenic riverpoint
Candy at Mississippi Marketplace
Find your favorite candy or go to snack at Mississippi Marketplace! Free Samples Daily!
Bring your Motor Boat, Pontoon, or Kayak to the Mighty Mississippi
Enjoy the magic of the Mighty Mississippi on your own vessel! There is ongoing riverfront renovations during the 2019 Season - contact the Hannibal Parks and Recreation for information on the temporary boat ramp. Be sure to follow boater safety at all times and check river level forecasts prior to boating.
Open Door Studio
Walk-ins are welcome at the Open Door Studio! And no experience is necessary. Create memories and keepsakes through their pottery painting, spin art, canvas art, board art, fabric painting, and more!
Kids Bowl Free at Ten Pin Alleys
Kids Bowl Free every day from 3-9pm from May through August at Ten Pin Alleys!
Catch Fireflies (or Butterflies)
Bear Creek Rendezvous
Head to the Mark Twain Cave Complex on August 10th and 11th and learn all about Native American History through demonstrations including primitive knife and tomahawk throwing, woodworking, flint napping, gun-ball making, tanning, pottery making and Native American cooking. Children’s games will be played, and Native American genealogy will be shared.
Lone Wolf Bike Show, Corvette Show, or Throwback Cruise
Fun events for your car, bike, or things-that-go loving little ones! Lone Wolf Bike Show is on June 15th, 2019. The Corvette Show kicks off August 10th in the morning on Main Street and the day ends with the Throwback Cruise on Broadway in the evening.
Bluff City Theater Production
Live theater is great at any age! Appreciating live theater and watching live theater teaches children life skills including patience. Taking your child to a live theater production for the first time may be a challenging experience, but they will learn how to sit quietly, respect others, and pay attention.
Go treasure hunting at a resale shop
Visiting an antique shop might not be the first place you would take your little one, but for teens and older children it can be a great experience! Reminisce over toys from your childhood or try not to think about how old you are when your kid doesn’t know what a VHS is. You never know what you’ll find in one of the great resale and antique shops in downtown Hannibal!
Find a new hobby at the Hickory Stick or Bits and Pieces
Whether you know how to sew or not, Downtown Hannibal is home to two incredibly unique sewing shops! Their staff are more than happy to help you discover some incredible fabrics and put you on your way to developing a new hobby!
Pay it forward with a random act of kindness
Teach your children the joy of a random act of kindness. Visit your local fire department, police department, or ambulance district with a thank you gift, baked goods, etc.
Take family pictures in downtown Hannibal.
Find your favorite photographer and plan a family photo session, senior pictures, or just-because pictures in downtown Hannibal! From scenic river views, great parks, and historic buildings there are plenty of opportunities for the perfect shot.
Take a Lantern Tour of Cameron Cave.
For the adventure seeking family take a tour of the Cameron Cave (part of the Mark Twain Cave Complex) by lantern or flashlight. This experience is a great alternative for those who have already done the traditional Mark Twain Cave tour and are wanting a geological cave tour.
Enjoy a slice of pizza at Brick Oven and color on the tables
Enjoy tastes of Italy with your family in downtown Hannibal! Pizza’s come straight from the wood-fired Brick Oven and you can keep your little one entertained with coloring on the paper table covering.
Youth Education in Theater Initiative (YETI) pr Bluff City Theater Summer Camps
Not only can you attend live theater productions in downtown Hannibal, but you can also sign your 13+ teen to participate in the YETI mentorship program at Bluff City Theater. They also offer summer camps and other youth programs for children of all ages. For more information visit www.BluffCityTheater.com.
Visit Historical Landmarks/Statues
Take the time to learn about the historic landmarks and statues in downtown Hannibal. A great time to do it during Hannibal’s Bicentennial in 2019!
