35 Beautiful Literary Spots Across America for Every Reader

26. MacDowell Colony (Peterborough, NH) – A Retreat Where Masterpieces Were Born

Tucked into the quiet woods of New Hampshire, MacDowell is America’s oldest artist residency program—and it’s hosted some of the greatest literary voices of the 20th century, including James Baldwin, Alice Walker, and Thornton Wilder. While the retreat itself is not open to the public year-round, special events like Medal Day allow visitors to tour the grounds and explore the cabins where literary history was made. The spirit of creation lingers here, surrounded by pine forests and pastoral beauty, making it a rare chance to glimpse the secluded environments where authors do their deepest work.