A Literary Tour of New York City

New York City has a rich literary history that continues even today. For over a century, authors, writers, playwrights and artists have called its neighborhoods home. Countless books and plays take place in this city that never sleeps, making New York City a great destination for anyone who loves books. Whether you have a day, a weekend or longer to explore the city, consider a New York Literary Tour.

This guide highlights guided tours, hotels, restaurants, and parks for anyone who wants to explore New York through a literary point of view. Pick and choose which sound best to you, grab a map of Manhattan, and plan your trip. I recommend setting aside at least 2 days to be able to relax and enjoy the shops and parks, as well as a tour or two. Getting a Metrocard will allow you to use New York's public subway and bus system to get around from place to place, which is easier than you may think, and saves a lot of money. Make sure you wear a good pair of walking shoes. They may not be the most fashion-forward, but your feet will thank you after a long day of walking. Finally, take a bag that's easy to carry and pack some water and a snack or two. When those are gone, you'll have room for the books you know you'll be shopping for. Most of all, take the time to relax, savor the sights, and have fun!

Where To Stay
Manhattan certainly has an overwhelming amount of hotels to choose from. But these three stand out as lodging that will give you more than a bed, they'll give you a true New York literary experience. As a bonus, they are located near most of the points of interest listed in this guide.

Library Hotel
299 Madison Ave. at 41^st Street
www.libraryhotel.com
If you're looking for a luxury hotel, this library-themed boutique hotel is the perfect choice. It's located on what is known as "Library Way," just steps from the New York Public Library and the Pierpont Morgan Library. Each of its ten floors is named after a major category of the Dewey Decimal System, and each room is adorned with art and a collection of books that relate to its unique theme. This is certainly a pricier option, but if you can afford it, the perfect compliment to a literary trip in New York.

Hotel Chelsea
222 West 23^rd Street
www.hotelchelsea.com
This hotel has housed a huge list of writers and artists over the years; if you people-watch in the lobby, you may even have your own celebrity sighting. It was here at the Hotel Chelsea that poets Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso exchanged ideas, Dylan Thomas died of alcohol poisoning in 1953, and Arthur C. Clark wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey. Many writers have stayed in residence at this historic hotel, including Mark Twain, O. Henry, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sarte, and Thomas Wolfe, to name a few. A variety of rooms are available, from suites with parlors to rooms with shared baths. Stay where history has been made in the art and literary worlds for over a century and create your own memories.

East Village Bed and Coffee
110 Avenue C
www.bedandcoffee.com
This laid back European-style guesthouse is a great budget-friendly option for staying in NYC. Shared bathrooms and common areas provide all of the amenities of a pricier hotel, but with a community feel. Located in the East Village, it neighbors cafes, book stores, shops, and lots of the places where famous writers lived. Staying here will give you a true taste of life in New York, and with rates starting at $115, you'll have money left over to tour the city and buy a few books.

Guided Tours
The best way to cover a lot of ground and learn in the process is through a guided walking tour. The tours below will give you a true taste of what life was like for many famous authors as you walk through their neighborhoods, see where they lived and wrote, and view what served as inspiration for many of their works.

Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl
Saturdays at 2pm
Tours leave from The White Horse Tavern at 567 Hudson St.
http://bakerloo.org
Tickets are $20; students and seniors are $15.

Local actors take you on this walking tour of Greenwich Village bars that are full of literary history. You'll have a chance to relax and have a drink in each bar while your guide tells you the history of each establishment, as well as what famous authors and poets drank, hung out, and wrote in each one. Writers such as Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, Hart Crane, and Thomas Paine are covered on the tour. The website has links for each author so that you can learn more. This tour operates rain or shine all year long, so make sure you dress appropriately and eat lunch before you go. Drinks are not included in the price, but proceeds from the admission ticket go to the not-for-profit Bakerloo Theatre Project, supporting the arts.

Big Onion Walking Tours
www.bigonion.com
Adults $15; Seniors (over 63), Active Military, and Full-Time Students $12
Reservations are not required.

Big Onion Walking Tours have a wide array of tours in New York City, mostly organized in certain neighborhoods. If you're looking for a tour that highlights history and architecture to give you a broader perspective about where famous authors lived and wrote, then these tours are for you. While not strictly literary in nature, the Greenwich Village Tour and the Historic Harlem Tours are your best options; descriptions of the tours can be found on their website.

New York Talks and Walks
www.newyorktalksandwalks.com

This company offers various tours, including several private and public literary walking tours, such as The Literary Haunts of Harlem, Langston Hughes Walk in Harlem, Literary Garrets of the West Village and Elsewhere, and Literary and Artistic Garrets of Greenwich Village. Call 1-888-NY-WALK0 or visit their website.

Oscar Wilde in New York Walking Tour
Tours conducted by request.
www.owsoa.org
Call 856-237-2044 or email a request.

The Oscar Wilde Society of America, or OWSOA, is a non-profit academic and literary society dedicated to educating others on the life of Oscar Wilde and his many trips and lectures in America. Wilde frequented New York, and this tour will well-inform you of the people, places, and history of the gilded age in which Wilde wrote and lectured. Based on new and unique research, this tour is sure to educate even the seasoned Oscar Wilde scholar.

Eat and Drink Like A Writer

Pete's Tavern
129 East 18^th Street
http://geocities.com/Eureka/Concourse/9261/petestavern.index.html
Pete's Tavern first opened its doors in 1864, and claims to be the longest continuously operating bar in New York City, staying open even during Prohibition disguised as a flower shop. O. Henry made this bar famous, and you can sit in the booth by the door where he penned his most famous story, The Gift of the Magi, as well as others. Have a pint, lunch, dinner, or, my favorite, weekend brunch at this historical tavern.

McSorley's Old Ale House
15 East 7^th Street
www.mcsorleysnewyork.com
This bar dates back to 1854, and its walls are a living scrapbook of old New York. Many artists and writers frequented this bar over the years; e.e. cummings' poem i was sitting in mcsorley's obviously takes place here, and Joseph Mitchell's novel, McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, hangs on the wall. Frank McCourt's television interview with Tom Snyder took place in this Old Ale House, and a signed copy of his work, Angela's Ashes, hangs on the famous wall as well. Don't expect to order your favorite beer here, though. They only serve their house brew, which you can order in "dark" or "light."

Where to Relax and Play
Central Park
www.centralparknyc.org
This park is the largest and most famous park in New York. It's served as inspiration to countless writers and artists, and certain areas pay homage to the literary history of this city and the world.

Literary Walk
Mid-park from 66^th to 72^nd streets
The Literary Walk houses statues of William Shakespeare, Fitz-Green Halleck, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns. Located on the Mall, and flanked on both sides by majestic American Elms, it's a beautiful spot to stroll in the shade or sit on a bench and read.

Shakespeare Garden
West Side between 79^th and 80^th streets
The Shakespeare Garden is comprised of 4 acres nestled in a rocky hillside with rustic fences and benches. Beautiful flowers and foliage bloom for all seasons, but spring is the most beautiful. Bronze plaques installed throughout the garden each bear the Shakespearean quotation that inspired particular plantings. This is a beautiful and tranquil spot to curl up on a bench and read or be inspired. It is adjacent to the SummerStage where Shakespeare in the Park is performed.

Washington Square Park
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/washingtonsquarepark
This park and the surrounding neighborhood is rich with literary history. Henry James' novel, Washington Square, was set there, and he lived in a home overlooking the park. Many other writers such as Willa Cather, Theodore Dreiser, O Henry, Stephen Crane, Edith Wharton, and Louisa May Alcott have all had homes in this neighborhood. You can research where each author lived (some homes are no longer standing) and host your own walking tour, or just sit back with a book and enjoy the beauty of the park.

Bookstores
No literary trip to New York is complete without browsing some of the most extensive book stores in the country. Take the time to browse the aisles and buy a few. Be inspired by the authors whose neighborhoods you've visited, or take time to discover a new author whose history may just be beginning here in New York.

The Strand
828 Broadway (At the corner of 12^th St. & Broadway)
www.strandbooks.com
Come to The Strand for the quintessential New York book experience. This amazing book store holds over 18 miles of books, and many titles are discounted. You could truly spend all day and all of your money in this store; it's a book-lover's dream, with new, used, and out of print books around every corner. Do you need to find the perfect title or collection for yourself or a gift? Try The Strand's Personal Shopper service. If you want to decorate your home or business with books, they offer a service for that, too, and have provided books to many movie sets such as You've Got Mail. Take the time to visit this amazing book store and take home some titles to enjoy. And make sure you carry them home in one of The Strand's famous reusable book totes.

St. Mark's Bookshop
31 Third Ave.
www.stmarksbookshop.com
This independent bookstore is located in the East Village near New York University and The Cooper Union. They specialize in Cultural Theory, Graphic Design, Poetry & Small Press Publishing, Film Studies, and Foreign & Domestic Periodicals and Journals. This store definitely has an artistic vibe; relax and browse here in the neighborhood that has been home to many writers and artists over the years.

Barnes & Noble at Union Square
33 East 17^th St.
www.bn.com
Whether you enjoy what's familiar or just love to see New York City's bigger version of stores you have in your hometown, this Barnes & Noble is for you. Overlooking Union Square, this Barnes & Noble boasts four whole stories of books, connected by escalators, and of course, their famous café. The offerings are pretty much the same as what you'd find at your local branch, but there is more volume, and more books on New York. If you're visiting on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, Union Square hosts the famous Greenmarket, where local farmers and artisans sell fresh produce, cheeses, breads, and meats. Buy a book and some local food and have a literary picnic.

Sources:
www.about.com
www.placeandliterature.com
www.smartertravel.com
www.forgotten-ny.com
www.wikipedia.com