Book lovers will agree that there are certain novels, poems, and memoirs that have the power to reshape our thinking and transform our lives. Do you have a classic that you’ve read and re-read a hundred times?
If it just so happens to be one of the novels below, you can actually step into the pages that had such an impact on your life. Perhaps you’ll wander the prairie that Laura Ingalls-Wilder transported us to in her famous series. Or, maybe you’ll touch the stones of Lallybroch, the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser.
Together, let’s turn the pages of our favorite books and dive into some of the most sensational stories ever told.
King’s Cross Station, London
Ready to board the Hogwarts Express and get up to a little magic? Well, unfortunately, that will have to live on in our minds.
We can, however, visit King’s Cross Station and at least touch the sign at the 9¾ platform. There’s also a cute little vanishing luggage cart where you can take a photo and use it as your new Harry Potter bookmark.
If you truly do admire all things Potter, this guide to Edinburgh will talk you through the magical streets that inspired J.K. Rowling.
The Spaniards Inn, London
Instead of Harry Potter, if Dracula is more up your alley, then you simply must make your way from King’s Cross Station to The Spaniards Inn, near Hampstead Village and Parliament Hill. Bram Stoker made it famous for his references to the pub throughout his work.
But so did Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers. Aside from the natural beauty it beholds all on its own as a glorious 16th-century building, it’s also possible that you’ll have a celebrity sighting or two when you visit this part of town.
Derbyshire, England
Do you think J.K. Rowling was a Jane Austen fan? Probably. Wouldn’t it be lovely to pay Mr. Darcy a visit? Well, you can! If you head to Derbyshire, you can go inside Chatsworth House and enjoy the grounds.
Over 25 rooms are open to the public, so you can step right into the pages of the novel. It’s also a museum with plenty of sculptures and other works of art on display. Stand on the steps that Mr. Darcy himself graced a time or two, and, of course, you must walk around the gardens.
While you’re in Derbyshire, you can head over to Haddon Hall, as well. This is a perfectly preserved 12th-century manor house where the Lampton Inn scenes were filmed. The moment you step inside, you’ll instantly be transported back in time to the Middle Ages. It’s truly a feast for the eyes.
South Queensferry, Scotland
This is a tough one. Outlander fans really need a few days in Scotland to visit all the major sights where Claire and Jamie took their love. The one that will probably pull on your heartstrings the most is Midhope Castle, a.k.a. Lallybroch.
While you can’t go inside because the property is derelict, the owner is gracious enough to let visitors drive up (with a pass). With the winds of fate blowing through your hair, you can walk through the archway that Jamie once passed through and right up to the front door. Your heart is guaranteed to melt as you walk a few steps in his shoes.
If, instead, you’d like to see the castle that Claire and Frank toured on their second honeymoon before she was transported back in time and actually lived there for a while, you can head over to Doune Castle. This, too, will have a similarly haunting effect and take you right into the pages of the novel or the scenes of the television series.
There’s so much more to see, however, if you’re an Outlander aficionado. The best way to do it is to book an Outlander Tour with Sassenach Historian Tours. The delightful Hailey Beaupre will take you to all these heart-tugging destinations and become an instant friend.
Dublin, Ireland
If you believe Ulysses by James Joyce to be the most masterful piece of art, then you simply must take to the streets of Dublin and walk in Leopold Bloom’s steps. If you can manage it, try to arrive in Dublin on June 16th, which is Bloomsday in this fair city.
With the insta-friends you’ll make on that day, you can visit many famous sights, including Martello Tower, Clifton School, Glasnevin Cemetery, and more. One of Ireland’s newspapers, Irish Central, is more than happy to keep you up to date on Bloomsday, as well as all the notable destinations along your tour.
Of course, you can’t just stop in Dublin once you make it to this enchanted land. While you’re there, you can also explore these 25 must-visit destinations in Ireland.
Pamplona, Spain
When one thinks of Ernest Hemingway, two things come to mind: his time in Paris and his gorgeous home in Key West, Florida.
There’s actually a lovely little plaque on the building outside his former apartment in Paris on 74 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine. It’s where he and his wife, Hadley, lived during their first year in Paris when they, undoubtedly, still wore rose-colored glasses.
But, we digress. He also had a great love for Pamplona, specifically when the running of the bulls was on. Arguably his best work, The Sun Also Rises takes readers there as they learn about bravery and fortitude. Today, you can still visit many of the locations mentioned in the novel, including Botín, Cafe Iruña, and Café Select.
Prince Edward Island, Canada
If Anne of Green Gables shaped your childhood, then you simply must revisit it on Prince Edward Island. Interestingly, this is actually the smallest island in the province. It goes to show what one can do with just a little bit of farmland.
Here, you’ll want to head over to the Green Gables Heritage Farm, where you can walk through the scenery that served as the backdrop for this childhood classic. There are also several museums and parks to explore as you reminisce the day away.
De Smet, South Dakota
If you adored Anne of Green Gables, it’s likely you had similar feelings for the feel-good Little House on the Prairie series. If you book a guided tour, you can visit the schoolhouse, church, and family homes. In addition to that, there’s also a lovely exhibition room where you can view original Ingalls-Wilder artifacts.
The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
Might you prefer a haunting or two instead? Well, you can always visit the hotel made famous by Stephen King’s The Shining. The hotel had already achieved notoriety for its ghost stories all on its own. It’s said that a former maid haunts room 217. She’s a friendly ghost, however, who likes to pick up after her guests.
The fourth floor, however, has a less friendly male ghost who has made women feel uncomfortable and tried to throw one guest’s wedding ring down the drain. People have also heard the sound of children’s laughter when no one was around. Creepy, right? Perhaps we should stick to Haddon Hall – although, who’s to say those corridors aren’t just as haunted?
Mark Twain Cave, Missouri
Camp out in Hannibal, Missouri, for the weekend if you’re a lover of all things Mark Twain. Formerly known as McDougal’s Cave, you can now visit Mark Twain Cave and walk through the passageways that inspired The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
When you book a tour, hopefully, they’ll show you the spot in the cave where he signed his name as a child under his given name, Sam Clemens. The area has been built up nicely with plenty of tours through the caves, a winery, and a lovely little campground where you can pitch a tent for the night and re-read this glorious classic.
Pack Your Bags and Throw In a Paperback Copy
Ready to pack your bags and head to England, Scotland, Ireland, or Missouri? We wish you safe passage as you make your way to any one of these exciting destinations. Don’t forget to throw in a paperback copy of the book you’re about to step into. It’ll make it all the more magical.
Whichever continent you’re heading to, we have a destination guide on deck to help you make the most of your time in your new city. Here’s hoping we bump into you in the storied streets of Scotland someday!