Kentucky travel locations inspired by books: The Great Gatsby
Welcome to Louisville: What visitors need to know
Visiting Louisville? Join Kirby Adams for a quick tour of unique spots in the Derby City.
- Kentucky offers literary-themed tours inspired by authors and books.
- Locations include museums, historic hotels, and farms related to literary figures.
- Visitors can explore exhibits, homes, and landscapes connected to Kentucky authors.
- Tours feature authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sue Grafton, and Jesse Stuart.
As we turn the page from spring to summer, could a literary tour be in the books?
Travel inspired by the works of favorite authors is experiencing a surge of interest thanks to the popularity of book clubs, literary festivals and a desire for niche travel.
The good news? You don’t have to travel far to bring some of your favorite books to life. The Bluegrass State, with its deep literary roots, offers countless opportunities for book lovers to walk in the footsteps of celebrated writers, from historic hotels to interactive museum exhibits.
The most famous of Kentucky’s literary landmarks is Louisville’s historic Seelbach Hilton hotel, where F. Scott Fitzgerald found inspiration for “The Great Gatsby” during his time in Kentucky.
The intellectually curious will also discover a wealth of literary attractions across the state, including immersive exhibits, historic homes and scenic retreats that inspired some of the nation’s most influential authors.
Whether you want to sip cocktails in Jay Gatsby’s world, stand in the newsroom of a trailblazing journalist or wander the landscapes that fueled a poet’s imagination, Kentucky’s literary sites offer a journey through history, culture and storytelling.
Here are eight stops on a Kentucky literary tour for you to consider.
1600 Montague Road, Covington, Kentucky, bcmuseum.org
Celebrating the life and legacy of artist, writer and sustainability pioneer Harlan Hubbard (1900-1988) at the Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington, Kentucky, which introduces a new exhibit, “Driftwood,” running through Aug. 3.
Visitors will discover the writings and artwork of the philosopher and naturalist who chronicled a life of simplicity along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in his book “Shantyboat and Payne Hollow: Life on the Fringe of Society.” Hubbard’s back-to-nature sketches, paintings and writings are also on display.
Relive the story of Seabiscuit at Claiborne Farm
703 Winchester Road, Paris, Kentucky, claibornefarm.com
Fans of Laura Hillenbrand’s “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” can step into the rich history of Claiborne Farm, where the legendary horse was born and spent many of his years.
Founded in 1910, this iconic farm has been home to racing greats like Secretariat, Bold Ruler and others. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour through the farm’s scenic grounds, where they will learn about its fascinating history from expert guides.
A highlight of the tour is the chance to get up close to some of the farm’s champion stallions and even offer them a carrot as a treat.
425 Magnolia Ave., (Old Louisville Brewery), louisvillehistorictours.com
Join author David Dominé as he guides you through the quirky Old Louisville neighborhood, hitting many of the spots featured in his 2021 true-crime memoir, “A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City.”
Guided by the author, this 150-minute jaunt will include a stop at a popular neighborhood watering hole to enjoy drinks along the way and a quick peek inside the opulent Conrad-Caldwell House on lovely St. James Court, the residential heart of the most well-known historic district in the city.
Participants will be showered with extra goodies like a disco ball souvenir, and, of course, an autographed copy of “A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City,” which The New York Times described as “part true-crime mystery, part portrait of Louisville” and Publishers Weekly,in its starred reviewed, assured that, “fans of ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ will be captivated.”
829 W. Main St., fraziermuseum.org
The Frazier History Museum is home to the personal memorabilia, awards and manuscripts of the late crime fiction writer Sue Grafton.
A Louisville native who graduated from Atherton High School and the University of Louisville, Grafton is famous for the best-selling Kinsey Millhone alphabet series — “A is for Alibi” through “Y is for Yesterday.”
Grafton’s novels and more are displayed in the museum’s literary section of the “Cool Kentucky” exhibit.
965 Lodge Road, Greenup, Kentucky, parks.ky.gov
Poet laureate Jesse Stuart captured Kentucky’s rural spirit through his writing. Born in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1906, Stuart was a noted author, educator, lecturer, world traveler, farmer, and environmentalist. He was a prolific writer who published 2,000 poems, 460 short stories, and more than 60 books and served as Kentucky’s Poet Laureate (1954-55).
In addition to being one of Appalachia’s best known and most anthologized authors, Stuart’s works, such as “The Thread That Runs So True,” have been translated into many foreign languages.
At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, visitors can explore Stuart’s preserved homeplace, personal library and mementos while enjoying the scenic trails and lakeside views that influenced his work.
Walk in the footsteps of a journalism trailblazer at the SEEK Museum
East Sixth St, Russellville, Kentucky, seekmuseum.org
Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first African American female White House correspondent, is commemorated at the SEEK Museum in Russellville, Kentucky. The museum tells the unique and buried stories about slavery and the related struggles for freedom, equality and justice. These stories are told in seven historic buildings located in two National Register Districts, and educational exhibits have been installed that encourage visitors to seek knowledge, truth and understanding of these important issues.
One of the most notable heroes highlighted at the museum is Dunnigan. A Logan County native, she became the first female, African American to be admitted to the White House and Congressional Press Corps.
A bronze statue of Dunnigan sits on the museum grounds in the center of a park dedicated to the struggles for civil rights, and the site of part of the national Civil Rights Trail. In addition, an exhibit highlights her groundbreaking career and offers a glimpse into her pioneering memoir, “A Black Woman’s Experience: From Schoolhouse to White House.”
Step into the Roaring Twenties at the Seelbach Hotel
500 S. Fourth St., seelbachhilton.com
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s stay at the Seelbach Hotel in 1918 introduced him to the world of mobsters and bootleggers, one of whom is believed to have inspired Jay Gatsby, the title character in “The Great Gatsby.”
Today, guests can immerse themselves in this world by booking the newly redesigned Gatsby Suite, which artfully contrasts the personalities of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.
The Daisy-inspired bedroom evokes old money with gold peacock lamps, a Victorian settee, and a vintage phone draped in pearls. In contrast, the Gatsby Lounge captures the bold spirit of new money, featuring plush velvet armchairs, an Art Deco mini bar and a gold ceiling textile that leads to a stunning three-tiered crystal chandelier.
Throughout the suite, subtle Gatsby references, including character photos, coastal art representing East and West Egg and a pearl necklace on the vintage phone, add to the experience. Art Deco books and copies of “The Great Gatsby” complete the ambiance.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ tour of Lexington
167 W Main St., Lexington, Kentucky, 21cmuseumhotels.com and visitlex.com
Anyone who has watched the popular Netflix miniseries, “The Queen’s Gambit,” knows it’s loaded with references to Lexington. The series is based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis (“The Hustler,” “The Color of Money,” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”)
Thanks to the popularity of “The Queen’s Gambit” miniseries, the city of Lexington created “The Queen’s Gambit Guide to Lexington.” The self-guided driving tour includes nine locations for fans to visit and reminisce about the story of an orphan chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, and her quest to become the world’s greatest chess player while struggling with emotional problems and drug and alcohol dependency.
Why stop with the tour? For those who truly want an immersive experience, you can book the The Harmon Room at 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. The Harmon Room is a time capsule of American mid-century modern design replete with vintage accessories, nods to the show’s most memorable moments and characters, and period furniture.
The Harmon Room’s centerpiece is an artistic recreation of Beth Harmon’s drug-induced hallucinations: a larger-than-life chessboard installation suspended from the ceiling above the bed.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].
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