School’s out and vacation time is here. “Staycations” (vacations spent at home or close by) are in fashion for many of us this summer. For lots of reasons an exotic vacation to far off places may be out of the question this year. Last spring when I was able to get away to Key West, legendary adopted home of Ernest Hemingway, I came across an interesting book from our collection entitled Novel Destinations. This is a fun travel guide that is filled with great suggestions for a literary vacation, many of them inexpensive and not too far from Westport. Written by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon, these travel writers combined a passion for travel with a love of reading and, as a result, their book has filled a niche for all book lovers who would like to see and experience a little more about their favorite authors and the places that inspired them.
The Monte Cristo Cottage in New London is close enough for a daytrip. It was the childhood home of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Eugene O’Neill. The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center nearby has a great selection of programs and plays to enjoy throughout the summer. If you head up north to Hartford, there are several literary landmarks. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center is the last home of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Ms. Stowe’s best selling novel is credited with arousing public opinion against slavery. Nearby of course, is the Mark Twain House. Twain lived here from 1874 to 1891 and there’s always a lot going on here including activities for children as well as adults.
Children and adults alike will also love Washington Irving’s Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY, a short drive away in Westchester County. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will come alive as you tour the house and surrounding gardens. If you can manage an overnight trip, then I highly recommend a drive to Concord, Massachusetts. There are numerous literary destinations there that will capture your interest. Home of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Nathaniel Hawthorne, my favorite place of all is Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. This is the home where she was inspired to write her semi-autobiographical novel and a visit here is a must if you’re a fan.
These are just a few of the many destinations highlighted in the highly entertaining Novel Destinations. The authors also cover many places in Europe and in addition, they have a great blog that they often update. If you’ve been to any literary places recently, I’d love to hear about them. I’m always planning ahead for my next trip – any suggestions?
