My Stephen King Roadtrip- Help!!!

[Aussieguy84]

Hi there all. I'm a 24 yr old Australian guy who is going to be doing some travelling in America and I am determined to partake in some Stephen King inspired tourism!

Does anyone have any suggestions? My itinerary is loose at the moment, but will definitley be detouring into Maine and other states to indulge in my almost shameful love of the man's work.

So, anyone know of any significant locations in any of his novels, or places that should be on the map, or maybe are not? I plan to take plenty of happy snaps and blog about it. I'm prowling the net and his books for street names in big cities (there are a couple from The Dark Tower books, which I'm excited about! and also researching about places where certain film adaptations were shot etc as well) etc... but any help would be appreciated.

And of course, if anyone wants to meet up in any of those places, bring it on!

[cunninghamair]

If you get out the Colorado way, check out the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Someone here can give more details, but I believe SK worked on the novel here and it was the exterior for the movie.

My family lives near here in Lyons, and we stumbled onto it by accident. Very strange to come around the corner and see it, even in the day time. It's a quaint town, and while you are there, definitely check out Rocky Mountain National Park.

Boulder is close by and a big college town. If you're young and hip, you might want to spend some time here also. Also a mecca for outdoorsmen, including running and cycling if you are so inclined.

Good thread. I travel a lot a I'm looking forward to what others mention :-)

[tillyn]

Well, Duma Key was written about the Florida region, could go there at least it's warm and you wouldn't freeze. (being from Australia you'll probably freeze everywhere you go.)
My sister lives in N.S.W. and when she comes home she can't get warm!

[tak113454]

Wow that is so cool!
You should go to the Quabbin Reservoir! (From Dreamcatcher)
I went there before I read the book because my ex-bf lived in Belchertown. It's actually really pretty!!

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quabbin.htm

[sknut70]

you should of course go to bangor, and see the sites there including of course his house.

from there, the drive down 95 to boston is from the Road VIrus Heads north, and if you take the Mass pike west, you will be following the path of Dreamcatcher towards quabbin.

then NYC is full of Dark Tower places, or if you head south, Florida for Duma Key,

If you head west , there is the shawshank prison in Ohio, and colordo for The Stanley hotel.

so many many options for you really y

[Haunted]

There are some great suggestions here!! Your idea of keeping a blog while you travel is a terrific one too. I hope you will keep us all informed of your thoughts when you find and visit a Mr. King spot.

[hipmamajen]

Yeah, if you're out here in Colorado you can check out the Stanley. Also, swing through Boulder and see where the Free Zone hung out in The Stand!

[sknut70]

what a great idea for a travel book! traveling around the us SK style. driving through king related placed and writing your thoughts.

hm... wish I had time to do such a thing

[TheHardcase]

Makes me wonder if Ogunquit, Maine benefited from the groundswell of interest when The Stand was released. Come to think of it, I wonder if that interest hasn't lasted until this day.

[Aussieguy84]

thanks guys- this advice is fantastic! I'll be taking lots of photos- my trip is still in the planning stages, but I'll be seeing as much as I can in the time I've got. I'll keep you all in the loop- thanks so much, what a warm welcome to the message boards! Keep in touch, cheers- Aussieguy84