Museums are an obvious category you research when planning your trip. The incredible architecture, history, art, music and more are all worth exploring. But you should also research libraries.
Libraries are often perched in some of our communities’ most historic buildings, or are given flexibility to design some of the city’s most modern buildings. You might have the opportunity to view some of the oldest or rarest manuscripts, experience movie sets in person, or connect more deeply with a favorite writer or culture.
Many libraries offer exhibits like museums too, like presidential libraries which are almost always worth checking out.
Visit these libraries for historical architecture:
Boston, Massachusetts
Free admission
While the entire building is filled with interesting architecture, the real gem is Bates Hall where the original tables and bookshelves are still in use along with the classic green lamps. It was meant to be a palace for the people in the late 1800s and it still feels palatial in 2021.
Johns Hopkins University
Closed due to COVID-19, but you can visit virtually
Okay, while the Peabody is now a wedding venue, it’s still technically a library. The 19th century architecture is romantic beyond belief so it makes sense as a wedding venue. The cast iron railings and golden hues make it a magical place to just stare.
Trinity College Dublin
$22, the Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin actually comes with your admission to the Book of Kells exhibit, but I bought the ticket mostly for the Long Room.
While you can only walk about halfway down the center aisle on a tour, it's an absolutely gorgeous, moody library with the dark oak ceiling added in 1861, 129 years after it’s opening.
Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Free, but temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Time Magazine voted the Royal Portuguese Reading Rooom the fourth most beautiful library in the world. Can you tell I’m smitten for 19th century gothic styles? But this one also fits in the below category of interesting contents as well because it is one of the most complete modern libraries of Portuguese literature as home to at least one copy of almost every book ever printed. It’s also home to lots of publishing and printing paraphernalia, all operational and viewable by the public.
Admont, Austria
$15 for a tour
As the world’s largest monastery library, the Admont Abbey Library was built in the Baroque period and boasts art and literature from the 8th century. It’s bright pastel colors exude the enlightenment it meant to convey.
Visit these libraries for modern designs:
Scottsdale, Arizona
Free
While I am a sucker for super historic or hyper modern, it’s important that it blends well with its surroundings. The Arabian Library is a perfect ode to its southwestern location. The copper, glass and soft lighting are stunning. Plus, It’s LEED® certified and you all know I have a sweet spot for sustainability.
Seattle, Washington
Free
Finished in 2004, the Central Library building has such unique geometry and its dark glass exterior and concrete interior make it worth the stop while you visit Seattle. So much natural light! It has capacity for more than 1.45 million volumes. The unique floor was even designed by an artist from Ohio. Insider tip: go find the hidden octopus mural on the 3rd floor.
University of California San Diego
Free
Named for Dr. Seuss, it totally looks like it could be in a Seuss book with the top floors of the building large than the bottom, resembling a tree. Designed by the same architect as the TransAmerica Pyramid in San Francisco and the rocket-launching facilities in Cape Canaveral, the library is like nothing else, design-wise.
Tianjin, China
Free
Affectionately known as The Eye, the library is part of the Binhai Cultural Center (southeast of Beijing) and was opened in 2017. If Gaudi had to build a functional library, this might have been one of his concepts in that it nods to nature in the fluidity of the floor-to-ceiling shelves. The up-lighting in dusk hours makes it even more interesting to look at. However, there are no books on the shelves because it’s not structurally sound, so what you see on the shelves are just printed images of spines.
Seoul, South Korea
Free
Like the Binhai Library, many of the shelves are inaccessible due to the design, but at least there are actual books on the shelves at Byeolmadang Library. Most of the books are in other areas than the main atrium which usually has art exhibitions and a speaker series. The library touts itself as more of a meeting place and what a fun one.
Minsk, Belarus
Free, but some attractions are a dollar or so
Another glass polyhedron that resembles a tree, the National Library building was completed in 2006. This one has it all though: a conference center, an observation deck, a gym, a book museum and four art galleries. Plus they light up the outside like a festive disco ball.
Mexico City, Mexico
Free
Also built in 2006, this library is made of steel, concrete, marble, granite, wood and glass. Major warehouse vibes, it’s known as a megalibrary with 409,000 square feet of space. Some structural issues caused the library to be closed shortly after opening but it was repaired and safe for the public again in 2008.
Visit these libraries for interesting or rare books and artifacts:
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
Indianapolis, Indiana
$12
While Vonnegut isn’t my favorite author, I happened to have a couple extra minutes while in Indianapolis for work so I decided to take a peek. It was a charming little spot and the docent even talked me through some of the artifacts and history. Unassuming and a fun gift shop with all of Vonnegut’s work for sale.
Washington, District of Columbia
Free, but temporarily closed due to COVID-19
As the largest library in the world, The Library of Congress is home to some of the world’s oldest writings, even before books were invented (tablets from 2040 BC). You can also see a Gutenberg Bible and a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. The library is currently lead by Carla Hayden, the first woman and first Black American to do so since its founding in 1800. The Library of Congress is also where you’ll find the U.S. Copyright Office and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Yale University
Free, but temporarily closed due to COVID-19
The Library of Congress may be the largest library in the world, but the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library is the largest private library in the world of its kind and even has temperature and humidity controls to ensure the books are preserved for generations to come. Unlike many of the modern glass libraries we see today, the Beinecke is made from quarter-inch marble that lets in only dim light. This interesting feature could also put it in the visit because it’s cool looking category too.
Oxford University
Tours start at $5 but temporarily closed due to COVID-19, visit virtually
Oxford University was used as much of the inspiration for the Harry Potter books and movies, and the Bodleian Libraries are a significant part of that. The Bodleian operate as a collection of libraries each dedicated to a wide range of different subjects including the history of medicine, islamic studies and ornithology.
Want help planning a bibliophile vacation? Bookstores, libraries and author hotspots are a favorite attraction category of mine so I’d love to help.