If you love travel and books, you’ll put these literary hot-spots on the top of your list. These weekend destinations are perfect for readers of all genres, formats, and authors.
Hobart Book Village – Catskills, NY
Set in the Northern Catskills, Hobart Book Village is home to seven independent bookstores, art galleries, and more. Founded in 2005, the Village now hosts the annual Festival for Women Writers and Winter Respite Lecture Series.
The Gold Cities – Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA
Booktown Books is a collaborative of 14 independent bookstores all housed within 4,000 square feet in Grass Valley, CA. Over in Nevada City, visitors can check out Toad Hall Books and Hardy Books, both of which specialize in antique books and Western Americana.
Providence, Rhode Island
Home to 8.6 libraries per 100,000 residents, and having 326% more independent bookstores than the average city, Providence is a great destination for anyone who loves getting lost in the stacks. Providence also has a myriad of entertainment options including historical tours, a zoo, and shopping, if you’re traveling with folks who don’t care much for books.
Formal Fantasy Balls
With fantasy’s resurgence and growing popularity, many young folks have started hosting formal balls for readers. Hosted for the first time in 2023, Bookish in Baltimore’s The Starfall Ball celebrated the fantasy genre, featuring hundreds of readers traveling from across the country to wear their finest outfits adorned with bookish accessories, whether subtle or obvious. The Bookworm Ball will be hosted in Indianapolis, IN, in August 2023 with a similar dress code.
Book Festivals
Hosted across the country, book festivals offer gathering places for readers of all genres. They can range from general to niche, and you’ll likely be able to find a handful within your state. Don’t forget to check out your local bookstore, as they often host author readings and book signings. Staying close to home can also save time and money if you’re not able to travel elsewhere for a festival! Bookreporter.com keeps an updated list of book festivals across the country.
Author Homes
Homes of famous American authors are scattered throughout the U.S., from Stephen King’s home in Maine to John Steinback’s home in California. Many of these have been turned into museums honoring the work of the author. Below are just a few incredible museums to visit:
- Emily Dickinson’s Homestead – Amherst, MA
- Edith Wharton’s The Mount – Lenox, MA
- Frederick Douglass’ Cedar Hill – Washington, DC
- Ernest Hemingway’s Estate – Key West, Florida
- Langston Hughes’ House – Harlem, New York
- The Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum – Baltimore, MD
- Laura Ingles Wilder’s Rocky Ridge Farm – Mansfield, MO
