“That’s the thing about books.
– Jhumpa Lahiri
They let you travel without moving your feet.”
As a self-declared bookworm, I can speak to the fact that there were many books that I’ve come across that made me want to visit where the story was set. What’s even more satisfying, is when I start reading a book and realize I’ve actually been to that town or city!
There are some destinations that have been the setting of so many beloved books, and some have been the home and inspiration to award-winning authors. And then there are other locations that have some of the most beautiful libraries, best bookshops, and even festivals in the world. Let’s take a look at some cities that have a little bit of everything that are perfect for book lovers.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The first UNESCO City of Literature established in the world, Edinburgh is full of reasons why it’s a paradise for book lovers. Edinburgh has 28 public libraries today, and the first public library opened by Andrew Carnegie in 1890 can still be visited today. Other impressive libraries visitors might want to visit are the National Library of Scotland, Fountainbridge Library, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Library, and more. It’s also the home of the first circulating library, Ramsay’s Circulating Library in Edinburgh, opened by Allan Ramsay in the 1730s, the city celebrates Ramsay’s life and impact on the community with a memorial statue visitors can see on Princes Street in New Town.
Scotland’s capital city has long been the inspiration and home of celebrated authors such as Sir Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle, and J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series alone has attracted visitors—or Muggles—to the city, with loads of landmarks to see and things to do that’ll put you right in the middle of the magic, like the Hogwarts Express (Jacobite Steam Train), Diagon Alley (Victoria Street), The Elephant House Café where Rowling spent her time writing, and many more locations.
While you can simply hop on one of the many literary tours while in Edinburgh, try to plan your trip around one of the city’s festivals like the Edinburgh International Book Festival that happens every August. This festival is the largest of its kind in the world and offers more than 500 events that bring writers and readers together to celebrate words and overall ideas.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is another city that has been significantly shaped by the literary arts and that still attracts writers, thinkers, and those who long to sit under the beautiful fall foliage or beside a cozy fire with a book in their hands. Many people associate the city with sports and American history, but Boston also exudes academia and impressive libraries.
Traveling bookworms have been known to make the Boston Public Library a stop on their itinerary. Established in 1848, making it the first free library in the U.S., the building itself is beautiful and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another breathtaking library that you’re able to tour is on Harvard’s campus. The Houghton Library houses rare books and manuscripts by writers and poets like Samuel Johnson, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, and more.
Speaking of writers and poets, Boston has been home to some of the most famous names in literary history. Head to the Boston Literary District, where you’ll find homes where Robert Frost, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne lived. The list of residences goes on and on, while there are other stops like museums, theatres, restaurants, and bookshops that either have historical significance or were once frequented by authors and poets who are household names to this day.
Key West, Florida
Sure, a cozy setting on a rainy day might be the perfect spot to read your favorite book, but there’s really nothing like reading beneath the shade of a palm tree with the tropical breeze helping you turn the pages. And what do you know it, Key West, Florida, is not just the perfect Spring Break destination or a cold-weather escape, it’s actually one that draws readers and fans of various authors who’ve called the Keys their home and inspiration for years.
Almost as iconic as Key Lime Pie, itself, The Hemingway Home and Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Key West by both fans of Ernest Hemingway and visitors who just want to see the famous six-toed cats. You can take a tour of the house and grounds and take a look into the mind of the legendary author. Many other popular authors like Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams, and Judy Blume have also called Key West Home.
Judy Blume, most known for her children’s and young adult books, currently lives on Key West while keeping other homes in Manhattan and Martha’s Vineyard. While you can’t just knock on her door, you can take a peek at her abode and read her interview on Architectural Digest’s website. But you can visit Books & Books, the bookstore founded by Blume and her author husband, George Cooper.
If you’re wanting to visit Key West during one of their literary evens and festivals, you might want to take a look at either the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival, Hemingway Days, or even the four-day Key West Literary Seminar. Click here to read our Destination Highlight on Key West!
New York, New York
The Big Apple has inspired many writers and poets for years, making the city a common setting for novels and screenplays. While not all readers have walked the streets of New York City, they’ve all visited within the pages of a novel or two. A seemingly familiar place from all of the stories, television shows, and movies, actually visiting New York City is a whole other animal.
While we can’t name every single location in NYC that’s become iconic through a best-selling novel, we can tell you about a few literary landmarks to see. Hotels like The Chelsea, The Algonquin, and The Plaza were just a few that were frequented by Mark Twain, Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, F Scott Fitzgerald, and the ever-famous fictional children’s character, Eloise, of course. If visiting gorgeous libraries is your thing, make a stop at The Morgan Library and Museum or New York Public Library’s flagship location, the Stephen A Schwarzman Building.
In a time when physical books are seemingly on the decline, New York City has the most independent bookstores in the United States. Some impressive, historic, and otherwise famous shops you’ll want to visit will be the Strand Book Store, Housing Works Bookstore, the Book Club Bar, and Argosy Book Store, the oldest family-owned shop established in 1925.
And if you want to attend some sort of book-related event or festival, NYC is the place to go. The New York Public Library’s World Literature Festival, Brooklyn Book Festival, New York Book Festival, The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America’s New York International Antiquarian Book Fair—ok, you get the point. There’s a ton. Make sure to look at the calendar to keep things straight.
Charleston, South Carolina
This destination is a short drive away from Hilton Head Island and would make a great day trip, even if there’s enough to see and do to fill up more than a week! Rich in history and beautiful to boot, it’s no wonder that this Lowcountry city has been the inspiration for writers and overall artists alike. Who wouldn’t want to walk through the colorful streets to find a perfect bench or a coffee shop to read in?
One of the most iconic authors that grew up in and wrote about the Lowcountry, was Pat Conroy. Celebrated with his own festival every year in Beaufort, South Carolina, his novel, South of Broad, is written in such a way that when you close the book itself, you’ll be surprised you haven’t actually been cycling down the streets of Charleston with Leopold Bloom. A few other authors of note who have been Charleston residents are Josephine Humphreys, Kwame Dawes, Stacy Willingham, and Mary Alice Monroe.
While the Holy City has plenty of independently owned bookstores to peruse, and even more cafes and restaurants to sit down and enjoy a meal and a book in, the big draw for bookworms has got to be the Charleston Literary Festival that happens every fall. This year, the festival is set for November 1-10th at the Dock Street Theatre. Read our Destination Highlight to learn more about planning a trip to Charleston.
