The Ultimate Guide to US Literary Landmark Road Trips for Solo Travelers

With so many legendary literary works of art penned by influential American writers, have you ever dreamed of wandering through some of the locations that helped inspire some of the greatest writers? Whether you’re planning a solo road trip away or fancy a novel-centric city break vacation on your own, join us as we reveal the top 5 iconic literary landmark destinations you won’t want to miss.  

Step Into the World of Mark Twain and Unleash Your Imagination in Hannibal, Missouri 

Anyone who grew up reading the timeless adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn will undoubtedly agree that Mark Twain’s daring tales still can spark laughter and generate a sense of childlike wonder for anyone rereading them today. As a literary-minded traveler, our first must-see landmark finds us heading to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, Missouri, which kick-started the inspiration behind his celebrated tales of Mississippi River life. 

With several properties on the museum campus, Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is ideal to spend a few days surveying the exhibits that once helped shape the author’s creative streak. However, while you’re in town, make sure you also explore the National Natural Landmark that is Mark Twain Cave Complex, famed for its labyrinthine of passages which Twain used to play in as a child, and another source of inspiration for his books. 

Embrace the small-town charm of this literary landmark getaway on the banks of the Mississippi in Hannibal, Missouri, before enjoying a very welcoming stay at Best Western On the River. 

Wander the Haunted Corridors That Spawned Stephen King’s The Shining in Estes Park, Colorado 

Superbly depicted in Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Shining, our next top destination, curated specifically for literary enthusiasts, sees us joining the Shining Tour of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. If you’re a fan of Stephen King, you’ll relish the theatrical tour that leads visitors along the eerie corridors, revealing the fabled settings that gave rise to the novel that became a cult classic. 

Undeniably, for fans, the main attraction of the Shining Tour is to visit Room 217, the very room that King stayed in that still haunts readers and moviegoers to this day. However, aside from meandering through the elegant halls and learning about the buildings’ haunted goings-on, solo visitors get to do so while surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountain views that encircle Estes Park. 

Take in the haunting interiors that inspired Stephen King in Estes Park, Colorado, before ensuring a more relaxing night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus Silver Saddle Inn. 

Step into the Enigmatic Retreat That Cradled Emily Dickinson’s Genius in Amherst, Massachusetts 

Our next top literary landmark sees us heading to Amherst, Massachusetts, to uncover the inexplicable talents of one of America’s most influential poets – Emily Dickinson. For solo visitors keen to learn about this elusive genius, you need to visit the Emily Dickinson Museum, which provides a fascinating insight into the home where she wrote nearly all her poems, and showcases how she devoted her entire life to her writing after withdrawing from society to become a recluse. 

Amazingly, the well-preserved rooms within her home allow guests today to witness her now-celebrated writing desk, where she sat writing her famous verses. You can also learn more throughout the guided tours, poetry readings, and interactive creative workshops onsite, which are instrumental in sharing the brilliance of Emily Dickinson’s work, making it a must-visit literary landmark on our shortlist. 

Capture the essence of a solo exploration at the Emily Dickinson Museum before unwinding at the Best Western Manchester Hotel in nearby Manchester, Connecticut. 

Discover Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, and the Enchanted Landscapes Behind L.M. Montgomery’s Green Gables 

If you’ve not yet had a chance to read L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, it’s a wonderful tale of Anne Shirley and her adventures exploring the stunning landscapes of Canada’s Prince Edward Island. As a result, our next top book-inspired getaway sees us heading to the Green Gables Heritage Place, which draws fans from across the globe who want to step into the idyllic world of Avonlea, as well as stroll along the wilderness trails that Montgomery cherished herself. 

Of these, visitors to the Green Gables Heritage Place can recount the nostalgic tales of Anne and Diana while sauntering along Lovers Lane and the Haunted Wood Trail as depicted in her stories. With countless photo opportunities and the chance to explore L.M. Montgomery’s works around Cavendish, she has cemented Prince Edward Island’s status as one of Canada’s most important literary landmark destinations. 

Plan an unforgettable solo getaway to L.M. Montgomery’s Green Gables Heritage Place on Prince Edward Island by staying at the Best Western Plus Moncton in nearby Moncton, New Brunswick. 

Relive the Courtroom Drama Depicted in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird in Monroeville, Alabama. 

There is no doubt that Harper Lee’s iconic novel To Kill a Mockingbird is credited with transforming Monroeville, Alabama, into a designated fan tourist destination and, in doing so, helped to build its reputation as the “Literary Capital of Alabama.” For fans of the book, the heart of the experience can be found at the Old Courthouse Museum, which once inspired the courtroom of Atticus Finch in the book.  

Visitors can study the key exhibits that connect to the story’s pivotal theme of injustices witnessed in the 1930s and also discover more about Lee’s life itself and his childhood friendship with fellow novelist Truman Capote. However, the highlight for travelers to Monroeville has to be to watch the amazing reenactment of To Kill a Mockingbird as told inside and outside of the Old Monroe County Courthouse Museum, where a select few guests are also invited to join the jury during each performance.  

Journey back in time to the 1930s courtroom of Monroeville, Alabama, and the retelling of Harper Lee’s classic novel, and be sure to get a great night’s sleep at the Best Western Brewton Inn in nearby Brewton, Alabama.