If you’re anything like me, sometimes reading a really great novel inspires you to want to actually visit the real life places described in the pages. There’s something magical about following in the footsteps of your favorite fictional characters or imagining the story unfolding around you in its original setting. So pack your bags, bookworms – here are some top destinations I recommend for book-inspired travel!

First up, none other than London, England – the foggy, gas-lit city that served as the backdrop for classics like Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist and Sherlock Holmes. Wander the cobblestone streets of Victorian London by visiting sites like 221B Baker Street, the fictional home address of Holmes and Watson. Or stop by the Old Curiosity Shop from Dickens’ novel of the same name which continues to stand in Portsmouth Street.

Next, make like Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and head to New York City. Stop by the Metropolitan Museum of Art where Holden’s younger sister Phoebe loved to visit. Grab a hot dog from a street vendor in Central Park or skate at the Rockefeller Center ice rink just like Holden did. And don’t forget to visit the Museum of Natural History and its famous Egyptian mummies exhibit.

For a trip back in time, take a pilgrimage to the American Midwest which served as the backdrop for classics like Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Retrace Huck and Jim’s raft journey down the mighty Mississippi River or visit small rural towns that likely haven’t changed too much since the mid-1800s when the novel was set.

These are just a few ideas to get your bookworm travel adventures started. Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite literary pilgrimages you’ve taken or dream of taking! I’d love to hear your travel tips and stories. And as always, happy reading and traveling, my fellow book lovers!

Feature Photo by Mihis Alex