Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [34]
Anne Rice House
This gorgeous Garden District mansion is where the horror-novelist-turned-erotica-temptress-turned-Christian penned the Vampire Chronicles. 1239 First St, New Orleans;
Center for Southern Culture
Faulkner’s Nobel Prize is on permanent display on the top floor of the JD Williams library. There’s a brilliant blues archive here, as well. 662-915-5855; 1 Library Loop, Oxford; admission free; 8am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 4pm Fri, to 5pm Sat, 1pm-5pm Sun;
Faulkner House Books
New and used books are on sale in what used to be Faulkner’s New Orleans abode. 504-524-2940; www.faulknerhousebooks.net; 624 Pirate’s Alley, New Orleans; 10am-5:30pm, closed Mardi Gras;
Ignatius J Reilly
This Canal St statue honors New Orleans’ funniest protagonist. Canal St btw Bourbon & Delphine, New Orleans;
Mercer-Williams House Museum
Upstairs is off-limits, but the downstairs is an interior decorator’s fantasy. Williams’ sister gives lunchtime tours. 912-236-6352; www.mercerhouse.com; 429 Bull St, Savannah; adult/child $12.50/8; 10:30am-3:40pm Mon-Sat; 12:30pm-4pm Sun
Old Courthouse Museum
In May, 30,000 people descend on tiny Monroeville for annual productions of To Kill a Mocking Bird. There are also Truman Capote and Harper Lee exhibits here. 251-575-7433; www.tokillamockingbird.com; 31 N Alabama Ave, Monroeville; admission free; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat;
Rowan Oak
This is the graceful 1840s home of William Faulkner, who authored many brilliant and slightly off-center novels about Mississippi and the South. He lived here from 1930 until he died in 1962. Tours are self-guided. 662-234-3284; off Taylor Rd, Oxford; admission adult $5, child & student free; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, 1pm-4pm Sun;
Square Books
The prolific Faulkner section is mind-boggling, but they have current titles and frequent readings from living, breathing authors, as well. 662-236-2262; www.squarebooks.com; 111 Courthouse Square, Oxford; 9am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat;
Writers Club
Grace King and Kate Chopin held a women’s lit salon in this lovely Jackson Square town home. 620 St Peter St, New Orleans;
EAT & DRINK
City Grocery
Eclectic Southern cuisine is served at this place on the south side of the Square. Writers congregate at the stylish, funky upstairs bar. 662-232-8080; www.citygroceryonline.com; 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford; mains $10-25; 10am-2pm & 6pm-10pm Mon-Sat
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Bourbon St’s most historic and soulful watering hole. 504-523-0066; 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans; noon-late
Magnolia Grill
Fresh continental fare served with fabulous Mississippi River views. 601-446-7670; www.magnoliagrill.com; 49 Silver St, Natchez; mains $13-29; 11am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat;
Napoleon House
Wonderfully timeworn and just off Jackson Square. Most come for drinks, but the food is tasty. 504-524-9752; 500 Chartres St, New Orleans; mains $9-15; 11am-5pm Mon, to midnight Tue-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat, to 7pm Sun
Under the Hill Saloon
A tremendously fun and historic bar that was once a favorite haunt of Samuel Clemens, riverboat pilot. 601-446-8023; www.underthehillsaloon.com; 25 Silver St, Natchez; 9am-late
Walls Bar-B-Que
Tasty Southern-grill fare is yours at this Savannah institution. 912-232-9754; 515 E York Lane, Savannah; mains from $7; 11am-9pm Thu-Sat;
SLEEP
Bed & Breakfast Inn
Whenever a B&B serves blueberry pancakes for breakfast, that’s a good thing. It’s just down the street from Mercer-Williams House. 912-238-0518; www.savannahbnb.com; 117 W Gordon St, Savannah; r from $150;
Maison de Ville
Tennessee Williams preferred these luxe environs when he was flush. The antique furnishings and summer bargains are nice. 800-634-1600; www.maisondeville.com; 727 Rue Toulouse, New Orleans; r $100-700
Mark Twain Guesthouse
Riverboat captain Clemens used to drink till late at the saloon and pass out in one of three upstairs bedrooms. Room 1 has the best view. 601-446-8023; www.underthehillsaloon.com; 25 Silver St, Natchez; r from $85
Puddin’ Place