Literary New Orleans: 15 Landmarks for Book Lovers

Famous Literary New Orleans Books, Authors, and Places

Hotel Monteleone

The beautiful and historic Hotel Monteleone inspired many great visiting writers, whose names are immortalized in literary suites where guests can stay: William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty, and more.

Many books set in New Orleans mention it. This was Tennessee William’s favorite hotel and the setting of his play, The Rose Tattoo. The Hotel Montelione was also named in these literary works: Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers, Rebecca Wells’s Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, and Eudora Welty’s A Curtain of Green.

The display pictured above can be found in the lobby.

Carousel Bar

The Carousel Bar, which slowly rotates as you sip your cocktails (including the Vieux Carre, which was invented there), was famously visited by Ernest Hemingway, who mentioned it in his short story, “The Night Before Battle” and Eudora Welty, who mentioned it in her short story, “The Purple Hat.” Other notable patrons include Tennesse Williams and Truman Capote.

I first heard of it recommended by book lover and Southerner Reese Witherspoon.

Faulkner House Books

Tucked in a small alley just off of Jackson Square is the small and intimate bookstore Faulkner House Books. I saw lots of rare editions and relics of and about Faulkner there. Its name comes from the fact that Faulkner once lived in the building (and wrote his first novel, Soldier’s Pay, there)!

Gallier House

Anne Rice’s books are often set in New Orleans. She used this restored 19th-century mansion as inspiration for her famous book Interview With the Vampire. She’s said: “I’ve toured the Gallier House many a time thinking, ah, this is where Louis and Lestat and Claudia live in my heart.”

Jackson Square

Besides being one of the most famous locations in New Orleans (as the site where Louisiana was made a United States territory), Jackson Square is also where Truman Capote wrote Music For Chameleons, a collection of essays dedicated to New Orleanian writer Tennessee Williams.

It’s surrounded by street performers, vendors, and popular bars and restaurants and is right across from the famed beignet hot spot, Cafe du Monde, so you can grab some chicory coffee and a beignet and read there, as I did– it’s a bucket list must!

At its center is also the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, where our friends married. Pop in and take a look– it’s beautiful.

More Landmarks in New Orleans for Book Lovers to Visit

Ignatius J. Reilly Statue

The absurdity-committing New Orleanian protagonist of A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is immortalized in statue form at the former D.H. Holmes Department Store mentioned in the novel.

Anne Rice’s House (Rosegate House)

The famous author lived in this Greek Revival-Italianate mansion in the Garden District.

Commander’s Palace

Many of Anne Rice’s characters have dined at the award-winning Creole restaurant Commander’s Palace (once home of the famous chef Emeril Lagasse), including those from her Mayfair Witches book series.

We found it to be a Southern classic fine dining experience. After several visits over the years, my husband’s favorites are their legendary turtle soup and bread pudding. Note that there is a dress code!

The Pontchartrain Hotel

Tennessee Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire here. A reproduction of a page is in the lobby. You’ll also find influences like the Hot Tin bar (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) and the Jack Rose restaurant (The Rose Tattoo).

Tennessee Williams’s Home

The author bought this townhouse and lived there on and off from 1972 until his 1983 death.

Tennessee Williams’s Apartment

Also known as the Louis Adam House, this townhouse was Tennessee Williams’s first home in New Orleans and the setting for his play Vieux Carre.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

One of the oldest structures used as a bar in the United States, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop was one of Tennessee Williams’s favorite bars. Our New Orleanian friends told us it’s a cool place to grab a drink.

Galatoire’s Restaurant

The French Creole restaurant Galatoire’s was Williams’s favorite restaurant and a place visited by Stella and Blanche in his play A Streetcar Named Desire. Anne Rice’s characters have also dined there.

Octavia Books

Numerous New Orleanians raved about Octavia Books, an independent bookstore to me. Check out their events calendar before you visit!

Latter Library

Our friends pointed out the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library to us and raved about its architectural beauty. The Latters purchased the 1907 mansion in 1948 and converted it into a public library to memorialize their son, who died during World War II.

Sources

I visited New Orleans twice: in 2015 and 2024. My husband lived there and attended Tulane University from 2000 to 2004. Our close friends grew up and still live there.

Besides these experiences and the sources linked above, I relied on many sources, from blogs to Wikipedia, social media videos, and beyond. Some of my favorite resources are these books:

• Booked: A Traveler’s Guide to Literary Locations Around the World
• Novel Destinations

More About Literary New Orleans