Buckle up, book lovers…
This is your interactive map of road trip stops worth extending your route for.
A map of 50+ places for book lovers of all ages, from creaky-waterfall book mills to iconic author’s homes and storybook parks sized for little legs.
We built this completely custom, one-of-a-kind map so you can skip the search spiral and head straight to the good stuff…
Indie bookstores with cozy kid corners, local bookstore gems run by passionate small business owners, author homes where the stories were written, and quirky “only here” finds.
To explore your TLJ Map for Book Lovers, tap a literary location for more details, or filter your fun and build a road trip route that fits your family.
It’s like creating your own story… main characters, unexpected sidekicks, and the occasional plot twist.
The best part? The TLJ Literary Map is free and always growing. Every time you open it, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a brand-new stop to add to your family’s book lovers’ bucket list.
How to Use the TLJ Map for Book Lovers
Think of this TLJ Map as your shortcut to story-filled adventures.
Here’s where it gets fun:
- Choose your vibe: flip between Unique Libraries & Historic Reading Rooms, Independent Bookstores, Author Homes & Literary Museums, Storybook Magic (parks/attractions), and Quirky & Only-Here Finds.
- Find your family’s must-haves: toggle tags like Historic Sites, Storytime & Events, Hands-On Workshops, Gardens & Outdoor Trails, Haunted & Spooky, Quiet Spots, Unique Experiences and more.
- Save it for later: when something makes you want to bookmark it, save the location to your favorites or drop the map link into a phone note so it’s right there the next time you’re planning a quick detour or day trip.
For families who love a good plot twist, the TLJ Map of Unique Places to Stay might just be your new favorite travel tool.
What Counts as a
“Bookish Stop”?
Not every place with a bookshelf makes the cut on the TLJ Map.
Each bookish stop had to feel like part of the story… the kind of place your kids talk about on the ride home.
If your family loves the journey as much as the destination, don’t miss our guide to the best New York to Maine Road Trip Stops.
For Families Who Love a Fairytale Stop
Amusement parks like Story Land and Storybook Land are where nursery rhymes and classic bedtime stories come to life
If Story Land and Storybook Land are your speed this year, you’ll love our round-up of The Best Amusement Parks for Toddlers.
Walk through the gardens of Pickity Place (the real-life red cottage behind Little Red Riding Hood illustrations) before sitting down for a gourmet meal plucked straight from the gardens.
For Mini Historians & Library Lovers
You’ll be impressed by the Providence Athenaeum and Boston Public Library’s grand reading rooms, a dream setting if you are looking for witty banter or a Hallmark-style plot twist.
Have you ever been in two counties at once?? At the Haskell Free Library & Opera House (VT/Quebec), you can! Everyone will get a kick out of standing in the children’s library with one foot in each country.
For Indie-Bookstore Browsers
Curl up on a cozy day in the kids’ floor at Beacon Hill Books & Café, where storytime meets lattes for grown-ups.
Hunt for treasures at Owl Pen Books, explore the barns and gardens at The Book Barn, or spend your day wandering the legendary stacks at Strand Book Store… an iconic local bookstore every book lover should experience at least once.
For Hands-On Makers & Museum Kids
Let the kids create their own art at The Eric Carle Museum, where every corner feels like stepping inside a storybook, or try a bookbinding workshop at Historic Sugartown and make something you’ll actually want to keep.
Little ones love the interactive puppet shows and Storytimes at Book & Puppet Co… a place that proves reading can be as hands-on as it is heartwarming.
For Book Lovers who love a dark story
Wander the shadowy halls of the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, explore The House of the Seven Gables where every creak feels like a clue, or browse the oddities at The Paranormal Museum.
For families who love their fiction with a side of fun, these Theme Hotel Rooms are worth bookmarking for your next trip.
Highlights from the TLJ Map for Book Lovers
Just a taste of the 50+ road trip spots for book lovers…
Haskell Free Library & Opera House - Derby Line, VT/Quebec
The Haskell Free Library & Opera House is a charming library that uniquely straddles the US/Canadian border.
Kids love the “one foot in each country” moment, and you’ll love how delightfully odd it is.
Good to know… browsing is fine without passports, check hours.
The Book Barn - Niantic, CT
The Book Barn is the kind of place that every book nerd dreams about.
A whole property of book barns with goats, gardens, a playground, and kid-size nooks.
It’s a treasure hunt that easily turns “quick stop” into an hour. Plenty of outdoor space for wiggles, nooks to read in and garden adventures.
The Montague Bookmill - Montague, MA
Gorgeous treasured and used books line the walls at The Montague Bookmill… a 19th-century mill with a waterfall outside the windows.
Grab a snack next door, let everyone wander and soak in the magic of this place. Their motto nails it… “Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find.”
It’s pure main-character energy for book lovers chasing their next great read.
Storybook Land - Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Step into a world of classic nursery rhymes at Storybook Land, where fairytales meet gentle rides made just for younger kids.
It’s the perfect “first theme park”… easy to navigate, endlessly sweet, nostalgic, and even better when you catch one of their seasonal events or online ticket deals.
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA
Visit the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Poe’s final home and proof that atmosphere can do half the storytelling.
Sparse rooms, haunting quiet, and a dose of literary history make it perfect for older kids who love a little edge to their field trips.
Small, free, limited days… peek at hours before you go.
Pickity Place - Mason, NH
Pickity Place is the real-life cottage behind the Little Red Riding Hood illustrations, complete with herb gardens, themed rooms, and a set menu lunch that feels like a storybook treat.
Reservations are required, and it’s absolutely worth planning ahead.
Pickity Place belongs on every book lover’s bucket list.
You’ll find these road trip stops plus 50+ more on the TLJ Book Lovers Map.
Ready to Start Exploring the Coolest Places for Book Lovers?
Open your TLJ Map of Bookish Stops, save a few favorites, and share it with your book-club friend who always plans the best days out.
Follow @travel.like.jess on Instagram to catch the newest locations as they land… because the TLJ Map is never done growing.
Happy reading… and happy travels.
