The Definitive Speculative Fiction Road Trip (U.S. Edition)

American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
Iowa County, Wisconsin
For readers of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, it’s a little surprising to realize the House on the Rock is an actual place (of course, while the House does indeed contain the world’s largest indoor carousel, we make no guarantees that it will transport you into the mind of Odin.) It’s rather more than a house, too—more like a warren of rooms, some underground, which contain a pleasingly bizarre assortment of attractions. Some highlights include “The Streets of Yesterday,” a recreation of an early 20th century town; a collection of automated musical instruments that play when you feed them tokens; and a 200-foot long model of some sort of sea creature.

Children’s Literary Landmarks

From Stuart Little, by E.B. White; The Young Unicorns, by Madeleine L’Engle; and The Night at the Museum, by Milan Trenc.
New York, New York
NYC is littered with book-related landmarks—indeed, the true literary tourist should consult this excellent map when planning their trip—but the locations found in this set of children’s books are particularly charming. Race sailboats like Stuart Little in Central Park; visit the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, the setting of The Young Unicorns; and see the wonders that come alive at night at the American Museum of Natural History.

The House of the Seven Gables

The House of the Seven Gables, by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Salem, Massachusetts
Built in 1668, this remarkable house provided the inspiration for Hawthorne’s famous Gothic novel. It was owned by a cousin of his, and was also home to some of his ancestors, who had played parts in the Salem Witch Trials (indeed, it was Hawthorne’s guilt about the role his family played in those trials that provided the basis for the book’s major themes.)
Today, the grounds of the mansion also contain the house where Hawthorne was born (since converted into a museum), along with a variety of other attractions.

Saint Louis Cemetery #1

The Vampire Chronicles, by Anne Rice
New Orleans, Louisiana
There’s a lot for a vampire enthusiast to enjoy in New Orleans, of course, but what could be better than a jaunt to the very cemetery that was the vampire Louis’s favored brooding location? The cemetery that, in the books, also featured his empty tomb? If that’s not enough to convince you, it is also one of the rare cemeteries in the U.S. that has above-ground vaults, making it a perfect place for a morbid roam. It’s also rumored to be the final resting place of the voodoo priestess Marie Laveau, and, in a slightly less supernatural vein, is where Nicolas Cage has purchased a pyramid-shaped tomb for his eventual passing.

Steamboat Cruise

Fevre Dream, by George R.R. Martin
New Orleans, Louisiana
While you’re in the Big Easy, hop on a steamboat to get a feeling for what life on the opulent Fevre Dream might have been like (vampires not included…maybe). While some companies run multi-day cruises for beaucoup bucks, you can also opt to experience river life in shorter, more affordable chunks—for example, a two-hour dinner and jazz cruise.

Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
Liberal, Kansas
Okay, Baum never precisely said where in Kansas Dorothy lived, but the town of Liberal has claimed the title for itself. Little Dorothies act as tour guides to a farm house that supposedly resembles Dorothy’s, there’s a concrete “Yellow Brick Road,” and you can see the model house that the movie used for the tornado scene. Kitschy, yes, but then again, kitsch is an essential ingredient in all the best roadside attractions.
If Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz just doesn’t sate your hunger for Oz-related tourism, a five-hour drive will take you to the OZ Museum in Wamego, which advertises “over 2,000 OZ artifacts.”

The Loneliest Road in America (aka U.S. Route 50 in Nevada)

Desperation, by Stephen King
Central Nevada
Desperation was itself inspired by a cross-country road trip King took in 1991. While driving along Route 50 he stopped in Ruth, a town with fewer than 500 residents, and discovered the odd fact that it is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of Chinese miners who died in a nearby cave-in. The road, the town, and the story combined to inspire the novel, and you can experience all three.
The road is beautiful, quiet, and, despite its name, dotted with the occasional interesting attraction. The town of Eureka, for example, features several fascinating buildings dating back to the 1800’s and is well worth a stop.

Hayes Street and the War Memorial Opera House

The Man in the High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, by Philip K. Dick
San Francisco, California
These stops, from two different books, will allow you to imagine two different San Franciscos: one an alternate history city under Imperial Japanese rule in 1962; the other a post-apocalyptic megalopolis of the future (while Androids was originally set in 1992, later editions changed the date to 2021). Of course, the real life Hayes Street is home to a number of nice shops, and you can’t get to the War Memorial Opera House by hovercar, but both destinations are enjoyable stops.
If you want to visit other literary landmarks during your time in San Francisco, check out this very detailed interactive map hosted by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Forest Park

Wildwood, written by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis
Portland, Oregon
Spend a day getting lost in the luscious beauty of Portland’s famous Forest Park. While the Forest Park of Wildwood is a forbidden place filled with magic and talking animals, you may find that the real version has its own enchantments: rambling trails, a large variety of wildlife, and trees so green they look like they come from the Emerald City. Forest Park also serves as a regular setting on the television show Grimm, and when audiences at a Los Angeles screening first saw the park on screen they asked if the trees were actually real, and whether the moss was painted on.

Bella’s Truck and Other Attractions

Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer
Forks, Washington
A stop into Forks is a worthwhile experience whether you’re a Twilighter or not. Fans will have fun taking pictures in front of Bella’s Chevy truck, Forks High School, and the Forks Welcome Sign, while the more Twi-indifferent should enjoy gawking at a plethora of Twilight paraphernalia, then head out of town for a hike in the stunning Hoh Rainforest.
Once you’re done in Forks, drive the three hours east to Seattle and visit the wonderful science fiction section of the EMP Museum, which features exhibits like “Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic” and “Star Wars and the Power of Costume.”
Where will you start your trip?