If you're a lover of books and Minnesota, then you're going to love this little road trip in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that we've got planned for you. It's going to take you to some spots that touch on our state's literary legacy, as well as some of the best bookstores in the Twin Cities. The initial part of this trip is short, and how much time it will take you to complete will depend on how much time you spend browsing. At the end, I've included a stretch goal if you'd like to turn your afternoon adventure into a weekend getaway.

The itinerary.

Tap or click on the above map to navigate or customize the road trip itinerary in Google Maps.

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald Statue - St. Paul

You'll kick off your literary road trip in downtown St. Paul's Rice Park, where you'll find a statue of Minnesota's arguably most famous literary figure, F. Scott Fitzgerald. A St. Paul native, Fitzgerald's best known work is his novel, The Great Gatsby, which features some references to his home state.

2. George Latimer Central Library - St. Paul

Just across Rice Park from the statue, you'll find the George Latimer Central Library, the crown jewel of the St. Paul Public Library system. Completed in 1917, Fitzgerald may well have witnessed its construction. Be sure to pop in and have a look around this historic repository of words and knowledge.

3. F. Scott Fitzgerald Home - St. Paul

From Rice Park, you'll head out of downtown and up the hill to swank and historic Summit Avenue. There, you'll find one of the homes associated with Fitzgerald in the Twin Cities.

This is the brownstone where he wrote the manuscript for This Side of Paradise, his first novel, as well as several short stories.

4. Red Balloon Bookshop - St. Paul

Drop down a block to Grand Avenue, and pay a visit to Red Balloon Bookshop. It's a whimsical spot that's also one of the best local bookstores in St. Paul for children's literature. I used to visit when my kids were little, and I still love to pop in from time to time. Just look for the friendly bear holding the red balloon.

5. Next Chapter Booksellers - St. Paul

If you're wondering where to buy books in St. Paul that isn't so kid lit-centric, head a few minutes west on Grand Avenue to its intersection with Snelling. There, you'll find Next Chapter Booksellers, which is easily one of my favorite bookstores in St. Paul. You're pretty likely to find something from award-winning author Marlon James there, as well.

6. Macalester College - St. Paul

James, winner of the Man Booker Prize and American Book Award, as well as many others, teaches at Macalester College, which is right across the street from Next Chapter. Take a moment to stroll around the beautiful campus and soak up some of the creative vibes that emanate from it.

7. Dinkytown - Minneapolis

Your next stop will take you to Dinkytown, the Minneapolis neighborhood where Bob Dylan lived when he attended the University of Minnesota. Legend has it, he lived in the building that was once home to Gray's Campus Drug, at the corner of 4th Street SE (positively!) and 14th Avenue SE. Now a vacant former restaurant, you can imagine him in one of the second-floor windows looking out at the hustle and bustle of Dinkytown as he noodled song lyrics with his guitar in hand.

8. Book House - Minneapolis

Half a block away from the former Gray's, you'll find the Book House. A Dinkytown institution, Book House has long been my favorite used bookstore in Minnesota. Every visit is like a successful treasure hunt - you never know what you'll find, but there's always something.

9. Bob Dylan Mural - Minneapolis

Next, you'll head to the massive mural of Bob Dylan on 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis. By this point, you may be asking why Bob Dylan is on our literary road trip. Well, if you most know, this favorite son of Minnesota was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. So, his feet are firmly planted in the worlds of both music and literature.

10. Birchbark Books and Native Arts - Minneapolis

The next stop on your adventure is, I think, the best local bookstore in Minneapolis for new books, Birchbark Books and Native Arts.

It's owned by renowned author and longtime Minneapolis resident, Louise Erdrich. Her work has won the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and countless other honors. Her bookstore is a wonderful place to get to know Erdrich's work while discovering other works by native and non-native writers, alike. If you don't have time to linger, be sure to check out

Birchbark's offerings on the shop's website.

Stretch goal...

Birchbark is the end of the Twin Cities day trip portion of this adventure. You can finish here, or you can extend your adventure by visiting the boyhood stomping grounds of Minnesota's two Nobel laureates for literature. If you're game, tap or click on the map above to continue your literary journey in Minnesota.

11. Sinclair Lewis Childhood Home - Sauk Centre

You're first stop is Sauk Centre, a little over an hour northwest of Minneapolis. It's where Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lews grew up. Famous for books like Babbitt, Main Street, and Elmer Gantry, Lewis incorporated his years in Minnesota into much of his literature. He became the first United States writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature when it was awarded to him in 1930. You can still visit his home in Sauk Centre.

12. Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Library - Sauk Centre

Sauk Centre has embraced its favorite son, and the public library is an excellent place to go to learn more.

You'll even find a statue of Lewis standing outside the entrance.

The next stop on your journey is Hibbing, Minnesota, for a return to Bob Dylan and his roots.

13. Bob Dylan Boyhood Home - Hibbing

Although his was born and lived his first few years in Duluth, Robert Zimmerman spent his formative years in Hibbing.

It was there that he became enamored of music and songwriting.

14. Bob Dylan Nobel Prize Tribute - Hibbing

He occasionally showcased his talents at Hibbing High School, where you'll find a tribute to Dylan and his Nobel Prize on its grounds.

15. Hibbing Public Library - Hibbing

The Hibbing Public Library houses a Bob Dylan collection that's fascinating to explore. It's definitely worth a visit if you're a Dylan admirer like I am.

Whether you just make a couple stops on this itinerary or spend a weekend doing the whole trip plus the stretch goal, I'm sure you'll learn some interesting stuff along the way or, at the very least, learn about some of the best bookstores in the Twin Cities. If you do choose to do the stretch goal, I recommend staying at the Hampton Inn Hibbing - it's clean, modern, well-appointed, and conveniently located to all the Dylan sites, as well as some other local attractions.

Have you visited any of these places? Let us know in the comments - and be sure to shout out your own favorite bookstores and literary sites in Minnesota.

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