Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum and learn how a small boy from Hannibal became America's most beloved author! Experience interactive exhibits, live Mark Twain performances, 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings, treasured Clemens family artifacts and Twain memorabilia. Visit the museums 5 historic properties and 2 interactive museums including The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, a National Historic Landmark. Don't sneak away from Hannibal until you've visited!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- hedgedogsHolland, Michigan17 contributionsExcellent for any age!Start at the museum where you buy your ticket for all the homes. Go through the museum and watch the documentary if you have time. Then go on to the other homes. There are many interactive displays for children. Take time to "white wash" the fence!Visited April 2023Written 5 April 2023
- Kirk HTulsa, Oklahoma121 contributionsGreat little museum that is worth the visit.There is a ton of information about Samuel Clemons childhood and upbringing. I do wish they had more artifacts but I am sure those are spread out around the world. Lots of interaction for children. Highlight for my wife and I was getting to see the actual Norman Rockwell paintings that he did for the illustrations in Mark Twain's books.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 May 2023
- LexiVCleveland, Ohio919 contributionsExcellent ExperienceThis is definitely a must-see in Hannibal. The museum itself is extremely well done with lots of interactive exhibits. There was a well-priced gift shop attached as well. The other buildings are a short walk away down the street. There are many docents to answer questions and each location does a great job both visually and with their signage. These sites are well worth the time it takes to tour them.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 August 2023
- Terry W237 contributionsI Painted Tom Sawyer's Fence!The tour starts at Mark Twain's Boyhood Home (complete with fence, brush and "paint" to put yourself in the Tom Sawyer mood!) It's a self-guided tour with information as you go out back to Huckleberry Finn's house, through Twain's home, across the street to Becky Thatcher's house, through the Drug Store and down the street a couple of blocks to the Museum and Art Gallery. Don't forget to do that...the Norman Rockwell paintings/illustrations from his connection to Tom Sawyer are wonderful as well as the Mark Twain artifacts and information from his adulthood.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 September 2023
- MAP12New Orleans, Louisiana600 contributionsWonderful site, such history!!!I'm a Mark Twain fan, so this was definitely going to be on our trip this time. I've been here a couple times before and have loved the town. The last time it seemed to be a bit on the slide, but this time everything was clean and well maintained. If you're in the area, it's a definite "must see"Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 10 October 2023
- Ed DPeachtree City, Georgia675 contributionsThe museum is worth the stop.My wife is a retired English teacher and taught Twain throughout her career. She was suitably impressed with the museum and Twain’s childhood home. She was less impressed with the “imaginary” reconstructed sites like Becky’s house and Jim’s cabin. She was also appalled that I had never read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and called into question my education and cultural literacy. I bought a copy in the museum’s excellent gift shop and now have homework.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 October 2023
- CindyDNew York279 contributionsFun Day in Mark Twain's Boyhood HomeFun day trip about 2 hours from St. Louis. Twain's Musuem is a 3 floor museum with lots of artifacts, multimedia, etc. On the third floor there was an enormous gallery with Norman Rockwell artwork of Twain's books. Your ticket includes admission to several other sites in Hannibal, too - such as Twain's boyhood home, Becky Thatcher's House. Staff at Twain musuem were great - helpful and knowledgable. We spent over an hour exploring. After, we went to nearby Finn's restaurant for lunch. Great catfish! One BIG word of caution: You do NOT need to buy tickets in advance. I Googled "Mark Twain House" and landed on the one in Conneticut - for which you do need to buy advance tickets. Didn't realize my mistake until we were about a mile from Hannible. $72 down the drain!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- Erica DSalt Lake City, Utah348 contributionsWorth ItA very fun and informative stop. The interpretive center seems scanty, but wait until you hit the Gallery for the more expansive museum and the Rockwell Paintings. The houses have some interpretations and some nice interactive/audio displays. Plenty to read and enjoy. The whole experience takes about 2 hours.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 7 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,047 reviews
Excellent
561
Very good
344
Average
119
Poor
19
Terrible
4
Michael R
Bloomington, MN26 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
It was really fun to learn about Samuel Clemens and the parallels between his real life and his books. It was a great museum.
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth K
Shawnee, KS1,690 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We purchased our tickets at the Mark Twain Museum downtown and went through what was on display there. Very few relics or items associated with Twain, mainly his books and posters/vignettes scenes from those books.
We also walked up the street to the Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer area that is comprised of several buildings. I kinda felt like a rat in a maze as there is only one way in, climb stairs, go down a hallway, through a door, downstairs, cross the street, repeat process. Some interesting displays and photo ops.
We also walked up the street to the Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer area that is comprised of several buildings. I kinda felt like a rat in a maze as there is only one way in, climb stairs, go down a hallway, through a door, downstairs, cross the street, repeat process. Some interesting displays and photo ops.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica D
Salt Lake City, UT348 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
A very fun and informative stop. The interpretive center seems scanty, but wait until you hit the Gallery for the more expansive museum and the Rockwell Paintings. The houses have some interpretations and some nice interactive/audio displays. Plenty to read and enjoy. The whole experience takes about 2 hours.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CindyD
New York279 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Fun day trip about 2 hours from St. Louis. Twain's Musuem is a 3 floor museum with lots of artifacts, multimedia, etc. On the third floor there was an enormous gallery with Norman Rockwell artwork of Twain's books. Your ticket includes admission to several other sites in Hannibal, too - such as Twain's boyhood home, Becky Thatcher's House. Staff at Twain musuem were great - helpful and knowledgable. We spent over an hour exploring. After, we went to nearby Finn's restaurant for lunch. Great catfish! One BIG word of caution: You do NOT need to buy tickets in advance. I Googled "Mark Twain House" and landed on the one in Conneticut - for which you do need to buy advance tickets. Didn't realize my mistake until we were about a mile from Hannible. $72 down the drain!
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed D
Peachtree City, GA675 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
My wife is a retired English teacher and taught Twain throughout her career. She was suitably impressed with the museum and Twain’s childhood home. She was less impressed with the “imaginary” reconstructed sites like Becky’s house and Jim’s cabin. She was also appalled that I had never read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and called into question my education and cultural literacy. I bought a copy in the museum’s excellent gift shop and now have homework.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MAP12
New Orleans, LA600 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
I'm a Mark Twain fan, so this was definitely going to be on our trip this time. I've been here a couple times before and have loved the town. The last time it seemed to be a bit on the slide, but this time everything was clean and well maintained. If you're in the area, it's a definite "must see"
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry W
Chicago, Illinois237 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The tour starts at Mark Twain's Boyhood Home (complete with fence, brush and "paint" to put yourself in the Tom Sawyer mood!) It's a self-guided tour with information as you go out back to Huckleberry Finn's house, through Twain's home, across the street to Becky Thatcher's house, through the Drug Store and down the street a couple of blocks to the Museum and Art Gallery. Don't forget to do that...the Norman Rockwell paintings/illustrations from his connection to Tom Sawyer are wonderful as well as the Mark Twain artifacts and information from his adulthood.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee S
Australia2,589 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The Mark Twain house was ok but lacked the goods, it only had a written display, no furniture or memorabilia there were some displays behind glass & that was it.
Because of the house it's not wheelchair friendly ( not there though ) the garden is nice.
Because of the house it's not wheelchair friendly ( not there though ) the garden is nice.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ghengiscon
Durham, NC89 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Kudos to the committee that put this tour together. Different buildings of historic significance are gathered on the same campus. Exhibits are in depth and fascinating. Extremely well done museum!
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy R
Fort Worth, TX9 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The documentary was the best part. It’s 90 minutes long. The garden was pretty. The lady at the front desk was cold and unwelcoming. The bookstore lady was very nice and helpful.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancysue1
Emporia, KS1 contribution
What does the $9 admission cover?
Delilah Redmond O
Cuba, MO31 contributions
All of the the below locations are included in this price
Interpretive Center – A timeline of Mark Twains life and includes interactive exhibits
Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home & Garden – see where Sam Clemens grew up (and where the REAL adventures of “Tom Sawyer” took place) in a lovely garden flanked by a stone wall built by the WPA. The home is on the register of National Historic Landmarks.
Boyhood Home Gift Shop – the original museum, the 1937 stone building built by the WPA
Huckleberry Finn House – where the REAL Huck Finn (Tom Blankenship) grew up
Becky Thatcher House – home of Laura Hawkins, the inspiration for Becky. The home is a museum dedicated to Laura Hawkins and also explores what childhood was like in the mid 1800’s.
J.M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office – where Sam’s father held court
Museum Gallery – lovely 2-story building featuring interactive exhibits, the Norman Rockwell Gallery, and treasured Clemens family artifacts. Time your visit to see a live performance by Mark Twain!
Tom & Huck Statue – at the foot of Cardiff Hill, available to the public for a great family photo
bagbym
Saint Louis, MO
Where do you pay the $9 admission at?
mcummins5
Hannibal, MO9 contributions
The $9 admission is for seniors and admission tickets can be purchased at the Interpretive Center, the Becky Thatcher House or at the Museum Gallery. The museum prices are:
Adults $11
Seniors $9
Children $6
Children 5 & under are free.
Mary Beth F
Wellsville, KS1 contribution
What are ticket prices for tours?
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK23,078 contributions
We did not take the tour, simply strolled around and the signage was very helpful. However, if you look on the official website , there is a click link to the tour options with prices. Enjoy your visit, it is a great Town.
Jeff S
Michigan186 contributions
How long does it take to visit the attractions?
mcummins5
Hannibal, MO9 contributions
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum suggests allowing at least an hour to view the historic homes and two interactive museums. But you could easily spend more time with all of the information available.
Chris T
Wausau, WI1 contribution
What are the hours?
mcummins5
Hannibal, MO9 contributions
Hours are:
April 1 through January 4
Monday – Sunday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day)
January 5 through March 31
Monday – Sunday| 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
(Closed Easter Sunday)
risher70
Ironton, MO167 contributions
How much does it cost and do you have to have a reservations
aksuresh
Mumbai, India55 contributions
My memory is of a $10-$12 entry fee for adults with a discount ($2?) for senior citizens above the age of 60. This is one composite fee that covers the museum, and the boyhood home. If you want to take the cruise, that is separate.
We went on an off-season day, so no reservations were needed, and we could see everything at a leisurely pace without crowds jostling for space. But we were told that often there are school trips arranged for children, so it is better to check before you decide on a date for your visit.
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Claim your listingMARK TWAIN BOYHOOD HOME AND MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
- Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:00 - 17:00
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- (0.01 mi) Rumor Has It
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