DETAILS

Hannibal, Mo.

GETTING THERE: Hannibal is about 115 miles north of St. Louis, 300 miles southwest of Chicago and 230 miles southeast of Des Moines. I visited on a day trip from St. Louis, driving up scenic Missouri State Route 79.

TWAIN BOYHOOD HOME & MUSEUM: The most logical order in which to walk through the eight buildings that make up the museum is to start at the interpretive center (415 N. Main St.) and finish at the museum gallery (120 N. Main St.). Admission is $8. Info: 573-221-9010, http://www.marktwainmuseum.org/.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The Mark Twain Cave Complex (800-527-0304, http://www.marktwaincave.com/; $15) replicates adventures of the author's youth. The Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat (573-221-3222, http://www.marktwainriverboat.com/; from $12) offers one-hour sightseeing cruises and two-hour evening dinner cruises. Mark Twain Himself (866-492-0021, http://www.marktwainhimself.com/; $15) presents live shows at the Planters Barn Theater downtown. Historic Hannibal Ghost Tours (877-423-4140, http://www.hauntedhannibal.com/; from $15) offers trolley and walking guided tours. We enjoyed going up to Lovers' Leap, off Route 79 just south of town, to check out the view.

WHERE TO EAT: The Corner Cafe (118 S. Second St., Clarksville, Mo.; 573-242-3555), in an artsy riverfront community between St. Louis and Hannibal, offers a hearty breakfast or lunch for two for about $15.

In Hannibal, Java Jive (211 N. Main St., 573-221-1017) is a comfortable, homey place to grab a post-museum snack and coffee for two for about $10. For more substantial meals in or near Hannibal, try the Mark Twain Dinette (400 N. Third St., 800-786-5193), which was established in 1942 and is known for its milkshakes and homemade root beer. At LulaBelle's Restaurant (111 Bird St., 573-221-6662), dinner entrees on the wide-ranging menu are $16 to $24.

WHERE TO STAY: Many major chains -- including Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Holiday Inn Express, Super 8, Travelodge and Quality Inn & Suites -- have properties on the highways surrounding Hannibal. The 242-room Hannibal Inn and Conference Center (U.S. Route 61 at Market Street, 573-221-6610, http://www.hannibalinn.com/; from $50 a night double) is a reasonably priced, full-service hotel three miles from downtown. There are at least nine bed-and-breakfasts in or near Hannibal. To splurge, try the historic Rockcliffe Mansion (1000 Bird St., 573-221-4140; http://www.rockcliffemansion.com/), where rooms start at $249.

INFORMATION: Hannibal Convention & Visitors Bureau, 573-221-2477; http://www.visithannibal.com/. -- Bill O'Brian