Beaufort, a quaint town on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, turns into the fictional setting of Peachtree Bluff every December, offering a magical, Hallmark-style experience for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s beloved books. The event, known as Christmas at Peachtree Bluff, has become a highlight for literary tourists, drawing over 50 devoted readers each year.
The weekend-long celebration includes a special dinner at Beaufort’s Woodson at Beaufort Grocery, a cozy bistro that readers recognize as Peachtree Grocery from the series. Attendees also embark on a double-decker bus tour of the town, where Harvey, a Beaufort resident, guides visitors through real-life locations that inspired her books—historic homes, local stores, and even the community bar where characters meet for town discussions.
Kristen Michel, who traveled from Maryland with her sister, praised the tour, noting the unique opportunity to hear Harvey share stories about the houses featured in Peachtree Bluff. “We got all this history, a lot of Beaufort history, but also Peachtree Bluff history,” Michel said.
Harvey, who fell in love with Beaufort at 19, said the town’s charm—its historic homes, wild horses, and fresh seafood—continues to inspire her work. “I hope people can feel that Beaufort is such a happy place for me,” she said. Her latest book, A Happier Life, is set in the real Beaufort, further cementing her connection to the town.
The annual Peachtree Bluff Takeover began in 2019 as a fundraiser for Beaufort’s historic society. Initially planned as an intimate event, the takeover quickly gained popularity, leading to multiple bus tours. Since then, Christmas in Peachtree Bluff has drawn even larger crowds, with attendees flocking to the town to experience the magic of Harvey’s fictional world come to life.
Michel, who first picked up one of Harvey’s books on a whim, now makes the event part of her annual holiday tradition. “It’s a treat to ourselves,” she said, sharing the experience with her sisters or daughter each year.
A Growing Trend in Literary Tourism
Beaufort’s transformation into Peachtree Bluff is part of a broader trend of literary tourism, where fans visit locations featured in their favorite books. This phenomenon has become increasingly popular, with other destinations embracing their literary connections. For example, fans of Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook regularly visit New Bern, North Carolina, while Elin Hilderbrand’s followers flock to Nantucket for special events. Even Twilight fans make pilgrimages to Forks, Washington, where the vampire saga takes place.
Internationally, literary tourism has expanded with themed tours to locations from Outlander, Treasure Island, and Agatha Christie’s works. New ventures like BOOKED Trips, launched by Jalisa Whitley, offer immersive, book-inspired travel experiences for literary lovers, focusing on cultural immersion and community.
These literary journeys are about more than just visiting fictional locales; they create spaces for book lovers to connect with one another. “Women are finding connection through travel,” said Whitley, noting how many of her trips focus on community-building and cultural experiences. This sense of belonging is echoed by readers like Michel, who described her trips to Beaufort as an opportunity to bond with others who share her love of literature.
As literary tourism continues to grow, the chance to experience beloved books firsthand—and to meet like-minded fans—remains a major draw for readers around the world.
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