America’s Great River

See the town where Mark Twain grew up and where he drew inspiration for his most famous novels. Raised as Samuel Langhorne Clemens, the author later took the pseudonym Mark Twain, a unit of measurement used by Mississippi River pilots (his former occupation). You will see his boyhood home, with its iconic white picket fence that the fictional Tom Sawyer was required to whitewash. At the Museum Gallery, admire 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings depicting scenes from Twain’s novels. The museum complex also includes the homes of Laura Hawkins, Twain’s childhood sweetheart who inspired the character of Becky Thatcher, and Tom Blankenship, the real-life Huckleberry Finn.

Tour Hannibal’s first African American History Museum and see the town where Mark Twain grew up. Tour The Huck Finn Freedom Center and learn about one of Twain’s most complex literary figures: Jim, the former enslaved person and friend to Huck Finn who was inspired by Mark Twain’s friend Daniel Quarles. View exhibits exploring Mark Twain’s characters that portray African Americans as complex, multifaceted people. Celebrate the importance of these literary figures and get an intimate look into the lives of African Americans from Hannibal’s 1819 founding. Afterward, you will tour Mark Twain’s boyhood home, replete with the iconic white picket fence that the fictional Tom Sawyer was required to whitewash.

Explore a renovated historic brick mansion with owner, preservationist and PBS host Bob Yapp. Renowned for his work on George Washington’s Mt. Vernon home, Bob Yapp has hosted several PBS shows. The original builder, Alfred Lamb, was friends with Mark Twain who, in the 1880s, spent time in the house and wrote about his experience. The home was the first mansion built in Hannibal and was purchased by the Yapps in 2008. In 2015, they transformed the mansion into a boutique inn and opened the Belvedere School for Hands-On Historic Preservation. Bob will share how the mansion came back to life and demonstrate how practical preservation works.

Discover the intertwined histories of Hannibal and Palmyra, as well as their connection to the Civil War. Travel to the Marion County Jail Museum, where you will be greeted by the curator and guide, a Genealogical Research Associate with deep ties to Palmyra. Explore pre-Civil War architecture, learn about the lives of the sheriffs’ families and gain insights into the lives of enslaved individuals before and after the war. Hear the harrowing tale of the infamous Palmyra Massacre, a tragic event from October 18, 1862. Then, explore genealogical resources and an interactive historical experience. Continue to the Gardner House Museum, a fine example of 19th-century architecture. Browse exhibits showcasing local history, including artifacts, photographs and documents, while your guides provide insights into the house’s past and former inhabitants. Afterward, return to your ship.

Delve into the life of renowned author Mark Twain, including a Privileged Access visit to his namesake museum. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, he later took the pseudonym Mark Twain, a unit of measurement used by Mississippi River pilots (his former occupation). You will view his boyhood home, with its iconic white picket fence that the fictional Tom Sawyer was required to whitewash. At the Museum Gallery, admire 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings depicting scenes from Twain’s novels. The museum complex also includes the homes of Laura Hawkins, Twain’s childhood sweetheart who inspired the character of Becky Thatcher, and Tom Blankenship, the real-life Huckleberry Finn. Following your tour, gain deeper insights into the life and times of Twain and his contemporaries as you step behind-the-scenes to see rare and unique items that are not part of the museum’s regular exhibits.

Explore two historic homes in the town that shaped Mark Twain’s literary legacy and his imagination. Drive to the Rockcliffe Mansion, an 1898 Colonial Revival- and Georgian-style residence. Explore the home with your guide, taking in its stylish interior; hand-carved wood, pink marble and Tiffany-stained-glass windows create a sophisticated atmosphere. See the double staircase where Mark Twain addressed 300 guests during his visit to the home in 1902. Next, travel to downtown Hannibal to visit the home of Laura Hawkins, Mark Twain’s childhood friend and the inspiration for the character of Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Walk the halls on your own before sitting down in the garden for tea, served with local bread, pastries and frozen lemonade. After, you may continue on to join “The World of Mark Twain” included excursion, or return to your ship.

Explore the caves that inspired The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before visiting a local winery. Drive through the town of Hannibal and out along the Mississippi toward the Mark Twain Caves. Originally known as the McDowell Caves, these caves are a registered National Natural Landmark where Jessie James, the infamous outlaw, and Samuel Clemes, the legal name of Mark Twain, have left their signatures. The caves were renamed after the author as they play an important role in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Step into the chilly caves, which remain a cool 52°F year-round and explore with your guide, learning how the caves inspired Mark Twain. After, walk to the Cave Hollow Winery, which is known for both its local Mississippi wine and its “wine slushy.” Settle in for a tasting of local wines before returning to your ship.