Literary Travel Destinations and Movie Locations to Visit

One of the reasons I started this site was because I loved visiting a place I had just read about or seen in a movie–it just added a whole new level of curiosity and meaning to my travels. (Check out About Travel Books and Movies to learn more.) Admittedly, the reading and watching I do is usually more for a general sense of place, but there are a few specific destinations around the world featured in a book or movie where you can step into the shoes of your favorite characters.

And I’m not the only one: visiting literary travel destinations and movie locations has become a popular travel idea–there are whole blogs about people visiting famous movie locations (I love @filmtourimus on Instagram), there are special tours specifically dedicated to fans (Game of Thrones tours are especially popular right now), and many locations have built themselves up to support the fans (meaning some places have become touristy)…

I’ve made a special list of some of my favorite literary tours and film tours that you should definitely check out ranging from Harry Potter to Anne of Greene Gables to Sex and the City and all of the Hawaii-related movies and TV shows.

As always, be a conscientious tourist. This type of tourism has caused some problems–Phi Phi Lei Island made popular by the Leonardo Di Caprio movie The Beach was closed in 2018 to give the coral reefs and sea life a chance to recover from the more than 5,000 tourists that flocked to the beach a day. And a bus abandoned in the woods of Alaska featured in Jon Krakauer’s book Into the Wild and a movie by the same name was air-lifted away in June 2020 after at least two tourists had died and several had to be rescued while trying to reach the bus.

Although some of these are not exactly what I would call a travel book or travel movie, they all have a specific location in them that has become a popular travel destination…and there really is something fun about eating a specific meal mentioned in a book or having your picture taken in the exact same spot as your favorite character.

(Note: we focused on popular book and movie locations in North America and Europe on this round, but will feature more in the future in other places!)

Ten Popular Literary Travel Destinations

Anne of Green Gables is one of the best-selling books in the world and is the first book in a beloved series about a young orphan girl who is sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island in Canada. It has inspired several films and TV show adaptations. Fans can travel to the Green Gables Heritage Place and other locations on Prince Edward Island to experience life in Avonlea themselves (many places even offer themed packages for a visit). My Mom and one of my Aunts recently made the trip and highly recommend it!

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognized characters in literature and his address in London, England, 221B Baker Street, is one of the most easily recognized addresses in the world. (Fun fact: When Arthur Conan Doyle first started writing the series, the house numbers on Baker Street didn’t go that high, but numbers were reallocated in the 1930s and 221B Baker Street became a real address.) The Sherlock Holmes Museum is now located at 221B Baker Street (although the numbers were adjusted) and fans can climb the seventeen steps to his apartment and see many things featured in his books. A Study in Scarlet is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series–in it, Dr. John Watson has returned from war in Afghanistan and decides to move in with Sherlock Holmes, whom he soon discovers has several curious habits, but the two work together to solve a murder that Scotland Yard is finding difficult.

Author: John Steinbeck

Genre: Fiction, Classic

Places Featured: Monterey, California, United States

John Steinbeck is known for his writings about the ideas of fate and social injustice, especially in the eyes of the “everyman” and although he is best known for The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, his book set on a street lined with sardine canneries, Cannery Row, is also a popular read and tells the stories of the locals that live along the street and how they rely on each other during the Great Depression. Cannery Row is now a popular spot in Monterey (even for those that aren’t familiar with the book) and fans can explore several spots that inspired the book.

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the third most read book in the world (behind the Bible and Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung in case you were wondering). There are Harry Potter cafes all over the world (I went to one in South Korea!?!) and a whole Harry Potter World in Florida. The movies are also popular and there are plenty of sights to visit from them (we included one below), but King’s Cross Station and the Platform located between Platforms 9 and 10 is a real place that existed long before the book’s publication. It has, of course, recognized its important role in the popular series and there is now a sign where fans can have their photo taken. (The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in King’s Cross, opened by Warwick Davis, who appeared in the films, is also there.)

If you’re unable to travel all the way to London, you can easily plan a visit to Florida’s Universal Studios to get your Harry Potter fix using this Complete Wizarding World of Harry Potter Guide and Two-Day Itinerary from Jillian, The Manic Wanderer, a fan of traveling, books, and fandoms!

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a “nonfiction novel” (meaning it is based on real-life events, but told like a novel) that explores the shooting of Danny Hansford, a local male prostitute, by respected antiques dealer, Jim Williams–and the four trials it took to “finish” the case. It’s a haunting exploration with some very interesting characters. Although the infamous “Bird Girl” statue from the cover of the book has since been moved to the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Bonaventure Cemetery still plays an important role in the book (and the subsequent 1997 Clint Eastwood movie) and fans will appreciate the captivating setting.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache works for the provincial police force in Quebec, Canada, and, in this first book of the popular series, is called in to investigate the death of Jane Neal, who lives in the small town of Three Pines. The locals think the death is an accident, but the inspector has a different idea. Louise Penny has won several awards for her writing and her descriptions of the beautiful Canadian countryside is one of the reasons fans love her books. The best way to see Three Pines truly come to life is to take one of the Three Pines tours that feature several spots featured in the books.

Author: Mark Twain

Genre: Fiction, Classic, Historical

Places Featured: Mississippi River, United States

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic in American literature that follows the adventures of young Tom Sawyer growing up along the Mississippi River in St. Petersburg (modeled after Hannibal, Missouri where the author lived as a boy). Of course, his adventures include getting in trouble and falling in love–in fact, one of his adventures is when he and his love, Becky, end up getting lost in a cave complex known as McDougal’s Dave. The cave complex (which plays a bigger role in the story, but we won’t give it all away here) is now a popular tourist destination in Missouri and nearby is even a fence for visitors to whitewash.

Another classic read by many around the world (it’s been translated into more than 60 languages), The Diary of a Young Girl is a collection of writings, originally in Dutch, by Anne Frank, a young teenager who is forced into hiding with her family when her sister is summoned to a German work camp during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. Eight people lived in the Secret Annex (about 450 square feet or 42 square meters) for almost two years and now, this small space (and a related museum) is one of the most popular places to visit in Amsterdam.

Although the cathedral isn’t currently open to visitors due to a devastating fire in 2019, Notre Dame is still one of Paris’s most visited sites (and in a city like Paris, that says a lot). Although there are many reasons for people to visit Notre Dame (stunning architecture, religious meaning, beautiful art, etc.), many will remember it as the sight of the important piece in French literature: Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (which has also been adapted several times for television and movies–our favorite, of course, being the 1996 Disney version). The book follows the complicated relationship between Quasimodo, a hunchbacked bellringer, and Esmerelda, a beautiful gypsy dancer, in medieval Paris.

The memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun, describes the time Frances Mayes and her partner bought a villa in Tuscany and set about restoring the home and discovering the beauty of the countryside (and deliciousness of the food and wine, of course). I loved the book (check out my Under the Tuscan Sun book review) and the movie (I also have a movie review for Under the Tuscan Sun), but, the book and the movie are very different…just as visiting the villa from the book and the movie is also different. The movie featured the Villa Laura as Diane Lane’s home and it is now a popular luxury resort. The real Bramasole, though, (as in the one featured in the book) is still in Cortona and is a popular spot for tourists to visit, but it is a private residence and does not offer tours.

Honorable Mention Literary Travel Destinations:

• L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Naples, Italy featured in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Bonus Literary Travel Destinations from Children’s Books:

• Conservatory Water, Central Park in New York City, New York featured in Stuart Little by E.B. White
• Great Maytham Hall in Kent, England featured in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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Ten Popular Movie Locations You Can Visit in Real Life

Movie: The Sound of Music (1965)

Destination: The Sound of Music Pavilion in Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is a beautiful city with well-preserved architecture, it’s the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it is surrounded by the stunning Alps…and the most asked-for tour is the one about an American musical that came out more than 50 years ago. The Sound of Music received five Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director) and is an iconic film with some iconic scenes. It tells the story of a free-spirited nun-in-training, sent to be a governess to the seven children of Captain Georg Von Trapp during the start of World War II. There’s some romance, some Nazis, and lots of singing–and it’s beautiful. The tours are great fun and the pavilion (site of the lovely I Am 16 Going on 17) can be seen in the park of Hellbrunn Castle.

Destination: Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Movie: Rocky (1976)

Probably one of the most recognized scenes in all of film is the triumphant run up the steps made by Rocky Balboa in the Oscar-winning Rocky, the first installment of a popular film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. The scene has been recreated many many times in TV shows, commercials and social media feeds (yours truly has done it as well). The scene is so popular, many people don’t even realize that the “Rocky Steps” are in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where there is now a statue in tribute to the character, an “everyman” boxer who takes on the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion in this first installment of the series (while falling in love, of course). The movie is a must-see for anyone visiting Philadelphia.

Destination: The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, United States

Movie: The Shining (1980)

Stephen King is one of the most prolific writers in today’s world and you know that any film adaptation of his books are going to be intense, scary, and probably mess with your mind. The Shining is about an aspiring writer, Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson in one of his many memorable roles), who moves his family to the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His son has a psychic ability to see the hotel’s horrific past…which soon begins to affect Jack who seems to be losing his grip on reality. There are a few iconic scenes and quotes from the movie (REDRUM. REDRUM. REDRUM.) and the Overlook Hotel (which is the Stanley Hotel in real life) is the scene for all of it. You can spend the night yourself in the historical hotel and even go on a “Night Tour” (if you dare).

Destination: The Parker’s House in Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Movie: A Christmas Story (1983)

Everyone has a list of movies they watch every holiday season and for many in the United States, the list includes A Christmas Story. The seasonal classic is a series of vignettes about the Christmas that 9-year-old Ralphie Parker really wanted an air rifle. It’s another film that’s funny and sweet and captures real life in the Midwestern United States. Although the film takes place in Indiana, the Parker’s home is actually in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2004, it was developed into a gift shop and museum…where you can also spend the night, sleeping in Ralphie’s twin bed if you’d like! (You can also spend the night in the Bumpus House, home of the Parker’s hillbilly neighbors if that’s more your style.)

Destination: F.A.O. Schwartz in New York City, New York, United States

Movie: Big (1988)

Some girlfriends and I recently made a trip to New York City and although we had to wait behind several children for our turn, you better believe that we visited the large piano and did our best at playing Chopsticks, just like Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia do in the classic 80’s movie, Big. The movie is about a young boy who makes a wish to be “big” and discovers he has become an adult overnight. It’s a sweet story with the toy store, F.A.O. Schwartz playing a big role, so visiting the store is a must for fans.

Destination: Baseball Field in Dyersville, Iowa, United States

Movie: Field of Dreams (1989)

Another top movie quote is from this movie about a corn farmer in Iowa who hears voices telling him to build a baseball field. It’s a feel-good movie with great characters and an inspiring story–even if you’re not a baseball lover. The farm and baseball field have been turned into a whole complex with a gift shop, tours of the home (you can spend the night in the home, too), and special events throughout the year.

Destination: Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City, New York, United States

Movie: When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Speaking of popular film scenes: another easily recognizable scene (though I’m not sure how often the whole thing is acted out…) appears in When Harry Met Sally, a classic romantic comedy starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. In the scene, the two are arguing about a man’s ability to recognize when a woman is faking an orgasm; to prove her point, Sally launches into a demonstrative fake orgasm while all the diners watch. It’s hilarious…made even better by the perfectly delivered punchline from one of the other diners: “I’ll have what she’s having.” (Fun fact: Billy Crystal is the one who came up with that line delivered by Estelle Reiner, mother of the director, Rob Reiner.) The movie is great for anyone going to New York, but you will definitely want to visit Katz’s to sit in “the seat.” (Their corned beef and pastrami isn’t bad either.)

Destination: The Notting Hill Bookshop in London, England, United Kingdom

Movie: Notting Hill (1999)

I had been to London a few times before seeing Notting Hill, a sweet romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant (that I may have watched several times), but I had never heard of Notting Hill. On my very next visit, I made sure to head to the neighborhood to scout out some of the movie’s scenes, including the Portobello Road Market used in one of my favorite scenes ever to show the passing of time and the famous “blue door” (so famous that the original owners didn’t like all the attention and auctioned it off, but, never fear, it has been restored). The Notting Hill Bookshop specialized in travel books only (my dream!) until 2011. So, although it is no longer the same travel bookstore that William Thacker owned, it is still a lovely store and worth a visit.

Destination: The Glennfinnan Viaduct & The Jacobite Steam Train in Glenfinnan, Scotland

Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and others in the Harry Potter series

The movies of the Harry Potter series (which started with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001) are just as popular as the books–when adjusted for inflation, they are third highest-grossing film series (behind the Marvel Universe and Star Wars). And, as expected, locations used in the filming are a popular draw for tourists. There are many to choose from (note King’s Cross Station mentioned above), but one of the most popular images from all eight films is the majestic scene of the Hogwarts Express transporting the main characters to Hogwarts. Fans can ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glennfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, close their eyes and pretend they’re on their way to the Wizarding World (I highly recommend listening to the amazing score by John Williams to really help transport you).

Destination: Highclere Castle in Highclere, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Movie: Downton Abbey (2019)

Downtown Abbey was a very popular British historical drama series about the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants that aired from 2010 to 2015. Fans missed the show so much that a feature-length film was made to continue the story in 2019 (and they did an amazing job, which is not always the case when TV shows are made into movies). Filming locations from all over the United Kingdom were used in the show and the movie (if you have seven days, you can enjoy this tour that covers everything), but the most iconic spot is Highclere Castle, the stunning “country house” which was used for the exterior shots of Downton.

Honorable Mentions:

• Mystic Pizza in Mystic, Connecticut featured in Mystic Pizza (1988)
• Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Georgia, United States featured in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
• Skopelos, Greece featured in Mamma Mia! (2008)

Bonus Destinations from Children’s Movies:

• The McAllister House in Winnetka, Illinois, United States featured in Home Alone (1990)

Bonus Popular Destinations from TV Shows:

• Lallybroch/Midhope House in Scotland, United Kingdom (and several other destinations) featured in The Outlander
• McGee’s Pub (called McLaren’s on the show), in New York City, New York featured in How I Met Your Mother
• Several places featured in Game of Thrones