A NOVEL VACATION

Follow in the footsteps of classic literary characters and see their stories come to life.

Gone with the Wind

BY MARGARET MITCHELL
LOCATION: Atlanta
PUBLISHED: 1936
SUMMARY: Set during the Civil War, the classic American novel tells the love story of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.

ATLANTA HAS CHANGED significantly since the 1800s, but traces of the war-torn Southern city and Tara plantation can still be found.

While Tara-the O'Hara's iconic home and a character in its own right-wasn't real, many believe that Stately Oaks Plantation (www.historicaljonesboro.org) in nearby Jonesboro inspired it. Costumed tour guides will make it easier to imagine yourself as 16-year-old Scarlett getting all dressed up for the party (17-inch waist and all) where she sees Rhett for the first time.

When the war breaks out, the O'Haras move to Atlanta, and in Part III of the novel, the city comes under siege. The Battle of Atlanta is depicted on the Atlanta Cyclorama (www.atlantacyclorama.org), a sweeping 360-degree painting and diorama. Also on site in Historic Grant Park is the Civil War Museum, which would have come in handy for innocent Scarlett, who at first didn't understand why the war was happening.

Get a look inside Mitchell's life as well, including the small apartment (nicknamed "The Dump") on Crescent Avenue where she wrote most of the novel. The entire building is now the Margaret Mitchell House (www.gwtw.org), and her apartment is preserved with period furnishings. You can also pay your respects at Historic Oakland Cemetery (www.oaklandcemetery.com), for without her, the classic love story of Scarlett and Rhett would never have existed.

Eloise

BY KAY THOMPSON (AUTHOR) AND HILARY KNIGHT (ILLUSTRATOR)
LOCATION: New York
PUBLISHED: The first book was published in 1955
SUMMARY: Eloise is a children's storybook character who lives-and causes mischief-in The Plaza Hotel.

ON YOUR NEXT visit to New York, take Eloise's motto to heart: "Getting bored is not allowed." The precocious child-who lived with her British nanny, pug Weenie and turtle Skipperdee-spent much of her time causing mischief at The Plaza Hotel (www.fair-mont.com/theplaza; 212-759-3000). Channel your inner Eloise and start with tea in the hotels' Palm Court. Just remember to "Charge it please!" On your way out, don't forget to admire the original oil painting of the pint-sized princess that hangs just outside its entrance-and thank her for inspiring all the fun that lies ahead.

It's probably a good thing Eloise didn't venture outside the hotel-there's no telling what mischief she would have gotten into had she walked across the street to toy mecca FAO Schwarz (www.fao.com). You'll find dolls of Eloise herself among the shelves piled high with toys.

It's likely the energetic Eloise would have loved Central Park (www.centralpark.com), also across the street from the hotel. Not only does she hate being idle, but "she is interested in people when they are not boring"-and the park is filled with everyone from those playing with remote-controlled boats on the pond to people riding the old carousel.

An animal lover through and through, Eloise would also have enjoyed a visit to the Central Park Zoo (www.centralparkzoo.com)-although one can only imagine what kind of monkey business she might have attempted.

All The President's Men

BY CARL BERNSTEIN AND BOB WOODWARD
LOCATION: Washington, DC
PUBLISHED: 1974
SUMMARY: Bernstein and Woodward are the Washington Post reporters who investigated the first Watergate break-in and uncovered the infamous scandal.

IT ALL STARTED the morning of Saturday, June 17, 1972. Bob Woodward learned that five men had been arrested for burglarizing the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Visit the Watergate complex-made up of offices, apartments and The Watergate Hotel (www.thewatergatehotel.com), which will reopen in late 2009 after renovations-to see where the crime took place.

Dive further into the scandal at the Library of Congress (www.loc.gov), where the reporters conducted part of their investigation, and the Washington Post building at 1150 15th St. NW (groups of 10 or more can schedule a tour). It was here that executive editor Ben Bradlee said, "Print that baby," referring to the story that would implicate former attorney general John Mitchell.

Finally, rather than hiding in a dark garage awaiting an informant, tour the White House (www.whitehouse.gov). Schedule it well in advance, and walk the same halls where President Nixon experienced his downfall.

Little Women

BY LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
LOCATION: Concord, MA (18 miles from Boston)
PUBLISHED: 1868
SUMMARY: The classic novel follows the lives of the March sisters-Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy-and is likely based on Alcott's own childhood and sisters Anna, Elizabeth and May.

THE PICTURESQUE SUBURBS of Boston had a prominent role in one of the most beloved novels of all time. Alcott spent much of her childhood living at Hillside - now called Wayside (www.nps.gov/archive/mima/wayside) - which inspired the March home.

Step inside the barn, now a visitor center, where the Alcotts staged plays much like those by March sisters, who staged Rodrigo in the opening scenes of Little Women (you may recall young Amy refusing to play the boy's part).

The Alcotts later moved to Orchard House (www.louisamayalcott.org), where Louisa penned the novel while sitting at a shelf desk. Walking through the home is like jumping into the pages of the book.

The desk is still in the historic home-turned-museum, along with Louisa/Jo's well-read books, Elizabeth/Beth's piano and May/Amy's watercolors. One can easily picture the March family sitting down to eat at the wooden table or listening to timid Beth's strong fingers dance over the piano keys.

The Maltese Falcon

BY DASHIELL HAMMETT
LOCATION: San Francisco
PUBLISHED: 1930
SUMMARY: The detective novel follows Sam Spade as he travels through San Francisco on a quest for a priceless statuette.

SPEND A FEW days playing gumshoe and shadowing the movements of detective Sam Spade either on your own or with Don Herron (www.donherron.com), whose tours have become legendary.

Start at the historic Flood Building (www.floodbuilding.com), where Hammett himself worked for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in suite 314 prior to becoming a novelist. Step inside the lobby, which today is home to a glass-enclosed replica of the foot-tall golden statue.

Among the most well-known stops is Burritt Street, a dark alley near Bush and Stockton streets, where Spade's partner, Miles Archer, was murdered.

A high point of Herron's tour is a stop at 891 Post St., where Hammett penned the famous mystery. Fans believe he modeled Spade's top-floor corner apartment after his own. A plaque saying "Home of Dashiell Hammett and Sam Spade" was installed in 2005, on the 75th anniversary of the book's publication.

Afterward, enjoy "Sam Spade's lamb chops" at John's Grill (www.johnsgrill.com; 415-986-3274), an old-style chophouse in Union Square where Spade dined (and the only city locale mentioned in the book by its real name). Just be sure nobody is following you when you make your exit.