Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by JJ
Florida’s sun-soaked landscapes, rich history, and eccentric characters have long inspired literary greats. From Hemingway’s Key West to Zora Neale Hurston’s Eatonville, the state is home to landmarks tied to America’s most celebrated authors. Whether you’re a literary pilgrim, a history enthusiast, or just looking for a unique travel experience, Florida’s literary heritage offers bookstores, museums, and historic homes that tell the stories behind the stories.
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum – Key West
???? 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL
???? Ernest Hemingway Home
Few names are as closely linked to Florida’s literary scene as Ernest Hemingway. The Hemingway House in Key West was home to the legendary author from 1931 to 1939, during which he wrote some of his best-known works, including To Have and Have Not. Visitors can explore the house where Hemingway lived and worked, see the descendants of his six-toed cats, and admire the lush gardens that inspired his writing. The property also includes his private studio, where his vintage typewriter still sits.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The Gardens Hotel – A boutique hotel just minutes from the Hemingway House. Website
- Casa Marina Key West – A historic oceanfront resort with a literary past. Website
Nearby Restaurants:
- Blue Heaven – A Hemingway favorite, known for its seafood and laid-back atmosphere. Website
- Sloppy Joe’s Bar – Hemingway’s go-to watering hole, now a Key West institution. Website
Zora Neale Hurston Museum – Eatonville
???? 227 E Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville, FL
???? Zora Neale Hurston Museum
Eatonville, just outside Orlando, was the childhood home of Zora Neale Hurston, the Harlem Renaissance writer best known for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Today, her legacy lives on at the Hurston Museum, which highlights her life, work, and contributions to African American literature. The town itself, one of the first incorporated Black towns in the U.S., is a living testament to the themes of heritage and identity found in Hurston’s novels.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The Alfond Inn (Winter Park) – A stylish boutique hotel near literary landmarks. Website
- Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando – A luxurious hotel in downtown Orlando, minutes from Eatonville. Website
Nearby Restaurants:
- The Ravenous Pig (Winter Park) – A modern Southern gastropub. Website
- Dajen Eats – A plant-based Caribbean café inspired by Hurston’s cultural roots. Website
The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park – Cross Creek
???? 18700 S. County Road 325, Cross Creek, FL
???? Rawlings Historic State Park
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings captured rural Florida life in The Yearling, a novel about a boy and his pet fawn. Her 1930s farmstead in Cross Creek, near Gainesville, has been preserved as a state park, complete with original furniture, gardens, and citrus groves. Visitors can tour her home, explore the nearby lakes that inspired her, and walk the same trails that appear in her novels.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast (Micanopy) – A historic inn near Rawlings’ home. Website
- Sweetwater Branch Inn (Gainesville) – A charming literary-inspired stay. Website
Nearby Restaurants:
- The Yearling Restaurant – A rustic eatery featuring Florida Cracker cuisine. Website
- Blue Gill Quality Foods (Gainesville) – A farm-to-table spot with Southern charm. Website
The Tennessee Williams Exhibit – Key West
???? 513 Truman Ave, Key West, FL
???? Tennessee Williams Exhibit
Tennessee Williams, the playwright behind A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, spent over 30 years in Key West. The Tennessee Williams Exhibit showcases rare photos, letters, and memorabilia from his time in Florida. He wrote many works, including The Night of the Iguana, while enjoying the island’s bohemian lifestyle.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- La Concha Hotel & Spa – A historic hotel where Williams once stayed. Website
- The Marker Key West – A luxury waterfront resort. Website
Nearby Restaurants:
- Louie’s Backyard – A Key West staple with a literary crowd. Website
- Café Marquesa – An intimate fine-dining spot. Website
The Jack Kerouac House – Orlando
???? 1418 Clouser Ave, Orlando, FL
???? Kerouac Project
Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac lived in this humble Orlando bungalow when On the Road was published. Today, it serves as a writer’s residency, where up-and-coming authors can live and work in the same space where Kerouac penned The Dharma Bums.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The Wellborn Hotel – A literary-inspired boutique hotel in downtown Orlando. Website
- The EO Inn – A cozy retreat near Orlando’s cultural district. Website
Nearby Restaurants:
- The Strand – A hip eatery with a bookish vibe. Website
- Quantum Leap Winery – A literary-friendly wine bar. Website
Plan Your Florida Literary Road Trip
From Hemingway’s island retreat to Kerouac’s Beat-era bungalow, Florida’s literary history is as diverse as its landscapes. Whether you’re exploring the mystical swamps of Cross Creek, soaking up the Creole influences of Eatonville, or enjoying the artistic spirit of Key West, there’s a literary landmark waiting to inspire you.
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