3 Summer Destinations for Book Lovers

If you’re a self-proclaimed book worm who packs at least one book for every day you’ll be on vacation, then you’ve probably made a point to visit a few literary-leaning destinations during your travels. Maybe you’ve visited Jane Austen House in England or the settings of Outlander in Scotland. However, have you made a point to visit some of these stateside destinations for book lovers?

New Orleans, Louisiana

Say “New Orleans” to any book lover and the first author who might come to mind is Anne Rice. For any fan of the prolific author, the city is dripping with settings associated with her work. However, as you seek out spooky spots where vampires might roam, don’t forget about the city’s other literary connections.

Hotel Monteleone has been home to writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner. There’s also Tennessee Williams House in the French Quarter.

De Smet, South Dakota

If your favorite books are still those you fell in love with during childhood, you may want to visit De Smet, South Dakota, once home to none other than Laura Ingalls Wilder. Visit Ingalls Homestead to relive the books, with activities like driving a covered wagon or making a corncob doll. (2024 is a great time to do so, as this is the 50^th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder TV Show.)

Monterey County, California

Encompassing Pebble Beach and Carmel Valley, among others, Monterey County, California, is also the location of National Steinbeck Center, one of the largest literary museums in the United States. If your tastes run a bit more modern, though, explore some of the settings from Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies.