Free Things to do in Hannibal

There’s something about Hannibal that keeps me coming back! I can’t quite put my fingers on what, but I can’t seem to get enough of this quaint Mississippi River town. I have spent a lot of time here, and my love affair with Hannibal will certainly continue for years to come. If you want an incredible vacation with very little expense, check it out! There are so many free things to do in Hannibal worth adding to your travel itinerary.

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Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center

While you’re in Hannibal you’ll certainly get an education on Mark Twain, whether you want one or not. His famous quotes line the streets, memorials honor him, landmarks bear his name, statues bring his literary characters to life, and museums tell his story. BUT not the whole story…

This little building is full of impressive memorabilia, educational value, and dedication to the African American experience. Step inside! You’ll learn all the things you never knew about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and his literary character Jim (inspired by Daniel Quarles). In spite of his lineage and ties to the confederacy, his dedication to civil rights was unwavering.

Admission to the museum is free but donations are welcome. For more information including hours of operation, please visit Jim’s Journey.

NOTE! Joel Dant (Advisor) and Faye Dant (Executive Director) were recipients of the Historic Preservation Legacy Award for their dedication and efforts in preserving African American history for future generations. I have had the pleasure of conversing with Faye a few times and appreciate the time she so graciously gives to others.

Lover’s Leap ~ romantic free things to do in Hannibal

I remember my first trip to Lover’s Leap like it was yesterday. As a matter of fact, it was late April in 2015 on the way back from a family gathering. Everyone was getting antsy, and it was certainly time to stretch our legs! We searched for a spot using Google Maps because we weren’t familiar with the area at the time. The search results were quite pleasing. Check out that view y’all!

The bluff was so high up the buzzards were soaring below me as I was taking photographs. They went about their lives ignoring my presence, hunting and scavenging their next meals. I was hoping for a photo, but they were too far down for a decent shot.

Equally impressive was the fact that I was standing in Missouri looking at the Mighty Mississippi with an Illinois backdrop. Adding to the awe were the tugboats pushing huge barges up and down the river. The barges were a lot larger and many times heavier than the seemingly small tugboats pushing them. It’s quite remarkable, really.

Looking straight down the paved road in the image above is Hannibal and all its charm. FYI, there’s this old fashion ice cream place called Becky’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Emporium. If you ever get a chance, you must go there! The ice cream really is “old fashioned” and oh so very good! It is now a habit for us to go there, get ice cream, and enjoy it from the top of Lover’s Leap.

Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse

This is one of the most unique free things to do in Hannibal. You really should visit the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse at least twice.

Once during the day, so you can see the beautiful panoramic view of the Mississippi unobscured by darkness. You’ll certainly appreciate the distance at which you can see, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Plus, the setting is so perfect for vacation pictures.

Then, once at night! It’s a totally different experience, and it’s so hard for me to choose which one I like best. I really love seeing the lighthouse shining bright against the night sky. Plus, it’s hard to beat cuddling on a bench with your lover while gazing at the city lights below.

Regardless when you visit, you’ll want to read the history board to get the full experience. It’s full of really neat information and super cool photos from way back when.

Getting to the lighthouse

There are two different ways to get up to the lighthouse. The road to the front parking lot will certainly give your vehicle a workout as it is a very steep climb up that hill. No, your front wheels won’t come off the ground though that thought may very well cross your mind. I certainly don’t recommend trying to drive up that road in icy conditions. Once you have successfully made it to the parking lot, the 244 steps up to the lighthouse will give your legs a nice workout. See the interactive map below for directions.

If you are living with handicaps or disabilities that prevent you from climbing a ton of stairs, use the rear entrance to the handicap parking area. The parking is limited, but it provides you with very easy access!

The interactive map below takes you up Cardiff Drive to an unmarked road. You’ll want to turn on that road that cuts back to the Southeast. A little way down that road and to your right you will see the handicap accessible parking area.

However, if you are driving a large truck or long van, you will have great difficulty turning on that unmarked road from that direction. It’s a terrible angle, I promise! You’ll want to take the longer way in. See the interactive map below.

Sodalis ~ One of my favorite free things to do in Hannibal

Trails

I love this place! If I were local, the Sodalis trails would be my daily walk. There’s a little over 3 miles of hiking trails here. You can walk along Bear Creek on a nice, paved trail all the way to the picnic area and down to the amphitheater. Or you can hike the unpaved Pirates Ridge Trail and enjoy views from the ridge. Not into hiking? Bring your mountain bike!

You can see the Sodalis trail maps here along with some other important information.

Super cool free things to do in Hannibal? BAT CAVE!

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Sodalis is the bat cave. There are many different entrances to an old mine that serves as a sanctuary for bats. Gates preventing entry are at every location but that doesn’t prevent you from seeing the bats in their natural habitat.

BAT TIP: Plan your trip in the summer months and go in the late evening. There are benches strategically placed near cave entrances so you can sit and watch the bats come and go from the cave. Additionally, the amphitheater is a popular place to watch them from if it isn’t too crowded. You’ll need a flashlight for the hike back to the parking area.

Parking & Amenities

The parking area has bathrooms available year-round. A modern facility with running water is open for public use in the warm weather months while a large portable toilet is available for public use in the cold weather months.

There are critter proof trash cans available so please don’t litter. At the risk of public embarrassment, those critter proof trash cans almost got the best of me. I stood there like a fool trying to figure out how to insert my trash the first time I used them. Luckily no one was watching me!

Free things to do in Hannibal ~ Murals

I love walking or driving around and looking at all the beautiful murals. It’s one of the most unique free things to do in Hannibal, and it’s so much fun! If you’re needing to fill some time gaps in your vacation itinerary and happen to be in Hannibal, this is definitely an activity worth considering. In fact, you can spend as much or as little time as you want on this self-guided tour. Also, these murals make incredible backdrops if you’re into photography.

Visit the Robinson Cemetery

We found this treasure by accident when we took a wrong turn trying to get to the Sodalis Nature Preserve. Somehow, we managed to “get lost” in a town we frequently visit. Don’t ask…

In any case, I truly believe we were meant to find this place. We spent some time exploring the cemetery and then we spent some time researching it. I am so glad we did!

Turns out, the Robinson Cemetery is more than just another cemetery. It was a final resting place for African Americans in the Hannibal area during a time when even the dead fell victim to racial segregation. More often than not, cemeteries like this are forgotten, leaving them unkept and run down. In other cases, there simply aren’t enough resources available for maintenance.

NOTE: My little obsession with this cemetery is far from over. I will continue researching and probably annoy a lot of people in the process. BUT…I hope to one day see this cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places. I have some more research to do and need a little more information before I can properly fill out the Eligibility Assessment form. With that being said, if anyone reading this has verifiable information regarding the historical significance of this cemetery, please reach out to me by email.

Visit one of the many parks

There’s no shortage of parks in Hannibal where you can visit for free! So, consider adding some of these to your vacation itinerary. It’s a perfect way to optimize your travel plans by adding a variety of recreational activities at no additional charge.

Nipper Park at Glascock’s Landing

I have spent a considerable amount of time gazing at this view of the Mississippi River. Mainly because the trains block me in, but it never gets old! This is a perfect place to take a walk and there are benches that line the river providing visitors a place to relax. Restrooms are available, and the park is very much handicap accessible.

Huckleberry Park ~ A lot of free things to do in Hannibal in one location!

When it comes to free things to do in Hannibal, this park should definitely make your itinerary! There’s something here for everyone, and you could easily spend an entire day enjoying all the recreational activities. Play badminton on the tennis court, gather a team for softball, or shoot some hoops. Not your thing? Bring a fishing pole and try your luck at the parks handicap accessible pond. Not an angler? Hike the nature trails. Got kids? There’s a playground and learning trail. Hungry? Have a picnic! Bookworm, like me? Find a bench and get lost in the pages.

Additionally, the Don Crane Disc Golf Course is also a part of Huckleberry Park. I have honestly never played disc golf before. BUT…it looks super fun and it’s definitely on my list of things to try! In any case, there is a nice 18-hole course here for you, if disc golf is your thing or if you simply want to try something new.

Ringer Park

Got a favorite set of horseshoes and want to give your arm a workout? This is the park for you! Grab some friends and get your game on! There are picnic tables available so pack yourself a thrifty lunch.

Riverview Park

This park is amazing! The views of the Mississippi River from the overlooks are beautiful. The park is an excellent place to have a picnic lunch while enjoying the serenity of nature. Then, hit the hiking trails and burn those calories. There are paved and unpaved trails you can hit. If you don’t want to hit the trails on foot, ride your bicycle. In either case, there’s just a little under 4 miles of trails for you to explore!

Dempsey Dog Park ~ free things to do in Hannibal with your pooch

Traveling with your four-legged friend? This dog park is sure to please with playground equipment and space to run off all that pent up energy! Bring your dog’s favorite toys and get in a good old-fashioned game of fetch! Click here for Dempsey Dog Park rules and requirements.

Julian Steyermark Woods Conservation Area

Looking for free things to do in Hannibal that are really peaceful? This is definitely at the top of that list! It allows you to get away from people and destress for a while. Go on a nature hike, forage some wild edibles, watch the wildlife, listen to the birds, take some pictures, and just exist. Here’s the Julian Steyermark Woods Conservation Area area map!

Walk Downtown Hannibal & Visit the Shops

It’s always fun to walk around and visit shops. You can spend as much or as little time as you would like so it’s a great way to fill in gaps in your travel itinerary. The activity remains free until you lose all self-control and find yourself amidst a shopping spree. If you’re not careful, this activity can be detrimental to your travel budget as well as your “packing light” strategy. BUT…as long as you air on the side of caution, it can be a really fun addition to your travel plans.

Cruise Hannibal

I have an obsession with old buildings and unique architecture. My husband does too. Every single trip we take together, we make sure there’s time for cruising around our chosen destination so we can snap pictures of cool buildings. I have to wonder how many times people have called the law reporting a suspicious vehicle because we were snapping photos. Oops…

Events & Festivals

When looking at free things to do in Hannibal, you can’t ignore the events and festivals held here throughout the year! This area offers both incredible and unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. You can look through a comprehensive list of Hannibal’s events and festivals here. While some do require tickets, most of the events and festivals listed here are free. It’s at the very least a good resource for you to use while optimizing your Hannibal vacation itinerary.

Planning a trip to Hannibal?

When it comes to lodging you have a variety of options to choose from. However, it can be really time consuming searching all the options and comparing all the prices. I use booking.com, a lot! It’s super easy to use and saves a ton of time. In fact, booking.com has filters so you can easily compare options and find exactly what fits your needs!

Are you planning on using your RV Camper for lodging while in Hannibal? Check out my post on RV Camper Tools and Supplies and download the free printable checklist!

I hope this information helps you make the most of your travels. Wishing you many blessings and as always, Safe Travels!