Student Tours for A.P. English Classes: The Monuments of Monumental Writers

Looking for the perfect educational tour for your English class?

From fair Verona to the dark caves of Missouri, destinations around the world have inspired the work of our most cherished authors and playwrights. For English students and avid readers alike, it can be a powerful and educational experience to walk in the footsteps of literary legends – reading in the libraries where they wrote, or watching plays performed in historic theaters built to preserve their legacy.

These inspiring destinations honor the writers behind the classics, and make unforgettable experiences for students with a passion for literature.

Edgar Allan Poe:

Baltimore, Maryland

Witness the life and work of this impactful writer at the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum. This historic landmark is where Poe once lived with his Aunt and her family, and it now operates as a museum honoring Poe's career. You can walk on the original wood floors and stairs while seeing artifacts like Poe's portable writing desk, a telescope, and glassware used by the writer.

Perhaps more exciting, though, is experiencing the writers tragic death; In Baltimore, it’s almost as if you can relive Poe’s poetic final day. Step inside The Horse You Came In On Saloon, the historic location that supposedly served Poe his final drink! Established in 1775, it's the oldest continually running saloon in the entire world, and legends say it’s the last place Poe was seen alive before his delirium and mysterious sudden death. 

At Gunners Hall, you can see where Poe was found in a delirious state, and just a short walk away is the hospital where they took him before he passed. His remains are underneath a monument at the front of Westminster Burying Ground, and his gravestone is one of the most frequently visited in the United States, marked with his signature Raven.

A trip to Baltimore can allow students to see into the life of Poe while also experiencing his ongoing impact in the city… can you guess where the Baltimore Ravens got their name? 

Mark Twain:

Hannibal, Missouri

On the West side of the Mississippi River, a small town called Hannibal breathes life into the stories of Mark Twain. There, you’ll get a glimpse into Twain’s life as a young boy, and the real life places, neighbors, and friends that inspired tales like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, more literary classics. 

At the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, you’ll visit replicas of the author's home, the drugstore he once worked at, and the home of his childhood sweetheart, who inspired the character of Becky Thatcher. On a tour of the museum, you’ll also see a replica of the “Huck Finn” House, where you’ll get to know the very real, impoverished life of the boy that inspired the namesake book of adventures. The museum also features interactive displays, and artifacts like Mark Twain's Oxford gown, iconic white jacket, and even his typewriter! 

You can’t leave Hannibal without traversing the Mark Twain Cave Complex where Twain played as a child– it's the very cave that inspired The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. There, you can walk in the footsteps of Tom and Huck and get a unique peek into the creative mind of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain is his pen name). You might even see his authentic 170-year-old signature etched into the wall!

Hannibal is home to many other sites honoring the author, including the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse and murals illustrating Twain and his iconic characters. 

Shakespeare

Stratford-upon-Avon and London, England

For our Shakespeare enthusiasts, England is a must-visit!

In Stratford-Upon-Avon, you’ll see the childhood home where Shakespeare was born and spent most of his young life, as

well as his last home, which is now a garden with commissioned artwork. 

Just a stone's throw away is the charming

cottage where Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, grew up. Perched in the middle of a garden, the home looks straight out of one of his fantastical plays. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, you'll also see the building where the ahead-of-his-time writer received his education, the farm where his mother grew up, and the Royal Shakespearean Theatre, a major attraction dedicated to his work.

In London, Shakespeare’s Globe is a must-see. The incredible 360° auditorium is a reconstruction of the original Elizabethan theatre built in 1599. Watching one of Shakespeare's classics from inside the structure is an experience like no other; The gorgeous wooden stage and balcony take audiences back in time as they watch his scripts come to life– and it feels like Shakespeare himself might be watching his actors from backstage!

More Tour Locations for English Classes

Big cities like Chicago and D.C. are home to many literary sites that can spice up your next student tour. After all, these vibrant cities are where many of our most renowned authors put pen to paper!

Chicago, Illinois 

• The American Writers Museum

  Celebrating over 400 years of American literature, this the museum features interactive displays on many influential authors, like Emily Dickinson, but also offers more generic writing exhibits that can appeal to any student. The “Mind of a Writer” gallery explores the creative process of writing. The museum also has plenty of vintage typewriters so that students can experience the original feeling of typing. 

  
  

• Lorraine Hansberry 

  The authors childhood home is still standing, and though you can’t go inside, you can drive down the street where Lorraine Hansberry spent some of her childhood years. Her life in Chicago greatly inspired “A Raisin in the Sun”, as she and her father faced many racial disparities while growing up in the city.

  
  

• Ernest Hemingway 

  Chicago is home to the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum, where you can see the historic home where Hemingway was born and lived for the first six years of his life. On a house tour, you'll see rare photos, the author's childhood diary, letters, and early writings.

  
  

*Chicago is the perfect city to coordinate author meet-and-greets and book signings, so be sure to ask your advisor about any opportunities during your next tour! 

Washington D.C.

• American Poetry Museum

  This museum presents, preserves, and collects the works of American poets. A visit to the museum is especially relevant and important today, as reading rates continue to decline and artificial intelligence becomes more commonly used in writing and art.

  
  

• Frederick Douglass

  The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site was once the home of the influential African American abolitionist and author, and has been restored to how it looked in 1895. It showcases Douglass's life, with original furniture and personal belongings.

  
  

• Library of Congress

  The largest library in the world and a treasure trove of literary resources. Often hosts programs, readings, films, and author talks. The library also holds the Annual National Book Festival in September.

  
  

• Folger Shakespeare Library

  Homes the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's works, along with rare books, manuscripts, and Renaissance art. The library often hosts plays, concerts, and poetry readings.

So whether you're rereading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, wrapping up A Raisin in the Sun for an AP English class, or diving into the world of Shakespeare, these educational opportunities can open a window to the lives of our most beloved authors– nurturing the seed of curiosity planted in the classroom.

Start planning your educational tour to continue the important work of literary education in America and beyond!