20 Best Literary Museums Every Book Lover Needs to See

In the spirit of being honest, I should probably say this right from the very beginning of this post: 

I’ve never been to a museum. And no, I’m not even joking. I don’t know why – maybe because I’ve never been invited, and to be fair, I’ve also never gone on my own.

Well, I do remember visiting a South Korean Cultural Center somewhere in Abuja when I was a kid. I went with my classmates on a school excursion. 

We saw a lot of cool things – though, honestly, I can’t really remember most of them right now – but it wasn’t an actual museum.

To be honest, when I think about going to a museum, I feel like I might be a little bored. While I enjoy history, it’s more of a quiet, passing interest. 

And to be even more specific, I’m mostly interested in British or African history.

I know, I know, it sounds like I’m just making excuses. And maybe I am, just a little. But truthfully, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit that I’ve never been to a proper museum.

So while brainstorming some fresh blog topics (which I do all the time – you guys really should thank me), I suddenly remembered the many bookish museums I’ve pinned on my Pinterest boards.

And then it hit me: I’ve never written an actual post about them. Shocking, I know. So here I am, fixing that little oversight.

If you’re like me – curious but a bit unsure whether a museum visit would thrill you – and if you love books and secretly dream of visiting a place that feels like stepping into a giant paperback, then these museums might just be perfect for you.

Many of these are in Britain (just a heads-up), but I also included some wonderful ones from around the world. 

So if you find yourself in these cities or planning a future trip, you definitely need to add these spots to your travel list.

And one quick thing to mention: many of the museums I’ll be talking about in this post aren’t your typical ones filled with old weapons, ancient statues, or dusty paintings. 

Instead, they’re homes of literary icons or places inspired by beloved books – like the famous Sherlock Holmes library. 

They’re fascinating in their own right, and I honestly think everyone should visit at least one of these in their lifetime.

Charles Dickens Museum

Of course, the very first museum on my list is the Charles Dickens Museum in London.

I’ve watched so many documentaries about this place that I feel like my life as a book lover wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t visit it someday. 

And yes, I admit it’s a little hypocritical because I’ve never actually read a Charles Dickens novel. 

Please don’t judge me. I have tried – his books just didn’t click with me.

Still, I just know I’d have so much fun wandering through this house-turned-museum. It’s going to be a day I’ll never forget. 

For those who don’t know, this museum is actually Dickens’ former London home, lovingly preserved. 

It’s literally a piece of British literary history – so beautiful that I might tear up knowing I’m walking and breathing in the same space where one of literature’s greatest icons once lived.

Keats House

One thing I absolutely adore about the English is how intentionally they preserve their history. 

Coming from a country where even photographs from 40 or 50 years ago are rare, it’s amazing to see houses and artifacts kept intact for centuries.

Keats House is another literary gem – the home of the poet John Keats.

If you’ve ever been in poetry circles or spent time online in the past decade, you’ve definitely come across his name.

I even have a whole other post where I share my favorite lines from his poems.

He was truly one of the most brilliant English poets, and this house – still in excellent condition – welcomes visitors from all over the world.

I just know that if I ever find myself in London, this will be my second stop. (My first stop? I’ll tell you about that in another post.)

The Hemingway Home and Museum

And now, our first stop in America: Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, Florida.

This home is in stunning condition – you can almost imagine Hemingway himself strolling through the door, barking orders to someone nearby. 

The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, and guess what? Cat lovers like me would be in heaven here.

While doing my research, I was so delighted to find out that the house is home to over a dozen cats, who are descendants of Hemingway’s own.

They happily wander around, enjoying attention from visitors. 

There are guided tours every 15 minutes, and while there’s an entrance fee, it’s totally worth it for the experience. 

It’s definitely one of those must-visit places to cross off the bucket list.

The Monte Cristo Cottage

Eugene O’Neill’s Monte Cristo Cottage is another dream destination of mine. 

O’Neill was an American Nobel Prize-winning playwright and if that’s not brag-worthy, I don’t know what is.

What makes this house so special is that it was O’Neill’s childhood home and also the setting for his famous play, Long Day’s Journey Into Night. 

In recent years, the house has been remodeled to reflect the world of that very play.

So stepping inside feels like stepping into O’Neill’s mind and it’s such an incredible, fascinating experience

I have to visit this one if I ever make it to the US.

National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature

Abilene, Texas, is home to one of the world’s most unique literary museums – the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature.

This place is all about illustrated books – a dream come true for anyone who loves beautiful children’s literature. 

One of my life goals is to have a cozy little workshop someday, with a kids’ corner filled with gorgeous picture books.

If you’re traveling with kids – or young readers at heart – this is the perfect spot. 

They offer exhibitions, readings, and plenty of opportunities to meet others who love books just as much as you do. 

There are so, so many other museums I’d love to visit, and I’ll definitely keep updating this list as I discover more that inspire me and the reader in me.

If you’ve been to any bookish or literary museums you think are underrated or fascinating, please drop a comment below. I’d love to hear about your experiences.