Destinations Every Book Lover Needs to Visit at Least Once

Ahhh, summer vacations. Time to relax, reconnect with family and friends, and discover new places. Best of all, it is time to catch up on reading! What better place to do so than in a city known for its love and support for books. For any literary lover looking for a new destination to explore, try booking a flight to one of these cities that make books and reading come alive.

New York City, New York

First stop, New York City! Many writers at one point or another found themselves in New York. Central Park’s literary walking path depict prominent writers. Across town, on fifth avaenue, you can grab a bite to eat outside of Tiffany’s in honor of author Truman Capote. Of course, where would all these wonderful literary minds be without the top publishing companies headquartered in the city?

Concord, Massachusetts

Concord was once home to many of the greatest authors of the 19th century. Here you can visit the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Louisa May Alcott. You can find more authors at Sleppy Hollow Cemetery. 

St. Petersburg, Russia

Visit the apartment of one of Russia’s most well-known and celebrated poets, Alexander Pushkin. Once his dwelling in 1836, now is a museum of Pushkin’s carefully preserved belongs. Here you can see where the great writer created, “Eugene Onegin” and “The Queen of Spades,” both of which are now operas.

San Francisco, California

The city where the Beat Generation stemmed from. Iconic beat authors who claimed San Francisco include Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, Robert Frost, and Shirley Jackson to name a few. You’ll need to ask the boss for a little extra time so you can hit up all these writers’ favorite hangout spots.

Key West, Florida

What better place to write about a battle with a giant marlin than next to the ocean in breezy Key West, Florida? Ernest Hemingway’s home where he wrote the classic, The Old Man and the Sea is now a museum for book lovers and aspiring authors. Be on the lookout for all the kitties that call this place home.

Shiraz, Iran

Visit the “City of Poets” while in Iran. Many of the greatest Persian writers lived in Shiraz. You can visit the tombs of authors Hafez, Saadi, and Khwaju. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the city’s libraries that add for that extra poetry-themed vacation.

London, England

With all its massive history of authors, books, plays, libraries, and writing London should be on every book fanatic’s list of places to vacation!

Hannibal, Missouri

Mark Twain traveled all over the country, but today he calls Hannibal, Missouri home. Hannibal has all sorts of attractions that take you back into Twain’s era to give you an interactive and insightful look into his many novels. In addition to visiting his childhood home which is now a museum, spend time in the town itself. You’ll soon find a new take on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Come meet your favorite authors at one of the largest literary festivals. At the Gaithersburg Book Festival, avid readers and aspiring authors get the chance to hear readings, go to books signings, and mingle with others who share the same passion for books. A great excuse for a vacation!

Matamata, New Zeland

Stop by the Shire and see if Bilbo Baggins is in when you head to where they filmed Lord of the Rings movies. An excellent choice if you’re visiting with a movie buff.

Tokyo, Japan

During the 17th century, Tokyo (which back then was called Edo) was host to the poet Basho the master of haiku. Now, Tokyo has been the inspiration for many literary works in both Eastern and Western cultures. 

Mexico City, Mexico

Are you a sucker for libraries? Then you’ll want to head to Mexico and visit the magnificent José Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City. The library is named after José Vasconcelos, a politician who promoted reading. The architecture of the library is out of this world, complete with the skeleton of a whale hanging in the center to inspire any writer!

Book destinations are all over! We encourage you to check out the towns and cities close to you to see what makes it a great place for any book obsessed traveler. Let us know what you find in the comments!