229 Best Places to Shop in USA

A local beacon of publishing produces inventively designed fiction, cookbooks, art books, and other titles, as well as postcards, planners, and address books—all of which you can purchase at its home near Oracle Park.

You'll find a great selection of art and travel books here, including a generous selection of titles on Southwestern art, architecture, and general history, as well as the latest in contemporary literature. In a large, inviting space close to the Plaza, you can also enjoy organic lattes, snacks, and sandwiches from the superb Iconik Coffee Roasters. Peruse the local author sections, and don't miss the live readings and music performances. The proprietress and her staff are known for their knowledge and helpfulness.

You could spend an entire morning poring over the fascinating book selection here, but you'd probably get distracted by the shelves stocked with everything from gossamer sweaters and artistic gift wrap to leather-bound journals. This is also a magnet for local events, from regular author readings to community discussions. Don't miss the notably good coffee in the café or the fantastic locally-made pastries like flaky mushroom Gouda croissants, which pair well with the iced lavender tea.

Among the city’s most beloved bookshops, E. Shaver, Bookseller is the go-to spot for bibliophiles and book-clubbers, considering they have groups meeting monthly for fans of Jane Austen, social justice and culture reads, graphic novels, and much more. Among other services, staff can curate a book collection to fit the customer’s taste, ranging in size from a few feet of shelves to an entire library.

This beautiful little space at the end of historic Pier 4 features a highly curated selection of fiction, poetry, biography, art, and local interest books, as well as vinyl records. It's an outpost of the OG bookstore in the East End of Provincetown, Massachusetts.

This landmark bookstore has a great selection and hosts hundreds of author events every year. The shelves are lined with handwritten recommendation cards from the knowledgeable staff, and this is the place to find Pacific Northwest history books and titles by local authors. A big inventory of bargain books and an appealing café sweeten the deal.

Offering a heavenly trifecta of books, coffee, and chocolate, Epilogue has a diverse selection of titles, lovingly chosen by the staff. The café serves hot drinks, Mexican treats like churros and conchas (sweet bread), and locally made chocolates. The adjacent Prologue has rare and used books, and hosts community events.

The shelves of employee-owned Farley's, a New Hope institution since 1967 and nicely renovated in 2023, hold ample choices, including books about the region. Staff picks, signed copies of local writers' works, children's books (in a special area), small press favorites, and cards and book-related merch: it's all here for the browsing, with staff happy to offer suggestions.

Named for William Faulkner, who rented a room here in 1925, this bookstore is designated a National Literary Landmark. It specializes in first editions and rare and out-of-print books—mostly by southern authors—but also carries new titles. The store keeps thousands of additional books at an off-site warehouse and hosts an annual Happy Birthday, Mr. Faulkner! Festival that salutes Faulkner and new southern writers.

A local favorite with a huge used-book department also carries new books in every field. It's known for its history room and rare-books collection, as well as fiction CDs, DVDs, comic books, and graphic novels.

Harriett's Bookshop is the first shop from owner Jeannine Cook, who opened it in 2020. The store, which is named for Harriet Tubman, was created with the mission of celebrating female authors, artists, and activists, and has become a hub for Black culture in the city. Harriet's hosted the launch of Will Smith's book tour in 2021, and regularly hosts cultural events. Wander in for a curated selection of books, many by black authors, or schedule a visit during one of the events.

What began in 1882 as a nonprofit service for students and faculty is now managed by Barnes & Noble College, a separate entity that manages college campus bookstores. Housed in the same location since 1906 and affectionately called The Coop (pronounced "coop," not "co-op"), the store sells books and textbooks (many discounted), school supplies, clothes, and accessories plastered with the Harvard emblem, as well as basic housewares geared toward dorm dwellers. If you need a public restroom, you'll find it here. And if you're looking for MIT swag, they have a location on that campus as well.

Operated by a nonprofit that puts all proceeds toward combating AIDS and homelessness, this New York institution has an impressive collection of previously owned books of many genres. Literary, cultural, and benefit events are held here frequently—including StorySLAMS put on by The Moth. There's a full calendar on the website. The café is a popular spot for laptop-toting creative types.

Opened in 1983 by the late Nach Waxman, a member of the James Beard Foundation’s Hall of Fame, this is so much more than a cookbook shop, with its vast selection of books on food history and culture, beverages, operations and technical manuals, out-of-print finds, and a "terrific array of great food writing," too. With about 12,000 books and magazines in stock, it's no wonder that culinary icons like Julia Child, James Beard, and three-star Michelin chefs have been among the charming shop's customers. The iconic store also has fun with food, serving up a 506-piece puzzle on the Italian sandwich, for example, and contests for cooking enthusiasts. 

One of Washington's most legendary independent bookstores has a choice selection of fiction and nonfiction. It also hosts author talks, trivia nights, and comedy shows throughout the year. Kramers features a bar and a restaurant, which are open from morning until night.

It's locally loved for its above-average service, author readings, and excellent selection of new and used books and magazines. The staff is exceptional, and at the ready to help make recommendations. Even if you go in looking for something specific, you'll almost certainly stumble on something even better that you didn't know about before.

This is what an independent bookstore should be, with an intelligent selection of new books, many author appearances and other events, and a comfortable café. Staffers speak many foreign languages, including Hungarian, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, and German.

A bibliophile's dream, this friendly indie bookstore has a wide selection of books and literary magazines. There's a particularly well-curated poetry section. Author events are held frequently, in person and online.

An independent, community-minded bookstore, Mockingbird is a great place to browse, discover new books, and settle into a wing chair or sofa to read for a bit. There's a good selection of works by Maine authors, and book signings are often held for new releases.

This old mill complex along the Saw Mill River—since converted into a quintet of businesses—exudes old New England. The Bookmill is a quirky secondhand bookshop whose comfortable chairs make it easy to curl up with a book. The good-humored staffers at the adjoining Lady Killigrew café serve beer, coffee, and bagels; there's free Wi-Fi, too. The fantastic waterfall views from the deck of Alvah Stone, which serves lunch and dinner, justify its slightly elevated prices. From Friday to Sunday, you can visit Turn It Up for music and movies, and Wednesday through Monday the Sawmill River Arts crafts gallery offers items by local artists. The complex is incredibly picturesque, if not entirely wheelchair accessible.

One of Chicago's largest used-book dealers carries more than 80,000 titles and buys books from the public on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Bookworms, be sure to budget ample time: a quick browse here has a way of turning into a lost afternoon. 

In addition to island-style clothing for adults and children, Hawaiian cultural items, and unusual artwork, such as Niihau-shell necklaces, this boutique's book selection covers Hawaiian history and language and includes children's books set in the Islands. Na Mea also has classes on Hawaiian language, culture, and history. A sister store, Native Books, is in Chinatown.

Design devotees and architecture buffs alike gravitate to this beautifully curated shop, where everything on the shelves celebrates form and function. Rare international art, architecture, and design books (including a few for kids) share space with sleek home goods from Alessi and Iittala. You’ll also find elegant notebooks, portfolios, and design tools. For a quirky, memorable gifts that are as beautiful as they are functional, consider a pentagram typography calendar, an Arne Jacobsen wall clock, or an aerodynamic umbrella.

The place to go for an almost unbelievable collection of new, rare, and out-of-print photography books; the staff is made up of photographers who are excellent sources of information and advice on great spots to shoot in and around Santa Fe. The store has an impressive gallery in the Railyard District ( 541 S. Guadalupe St.) that presents fine photography.

After being bought by two former Washington Post reporters in 2011, this legendary independent continues the tradition of jam-packed author events and signings. In the downstairs coffee shop and wine bar, The Den, you can debate the issues of the day or read a book while enjoying a casual meal or snack.

The Platonic ideal of bookstores, Scuppernong has a well-chosen selection of new and used books, with plentiful staff suggestions and reading lists, along with a café serving hot beverages, wine, and beer. The back room hosts book clubs, story times, author readings, and open mic nights for poets and authors.

Open since 1886, Sherman's is Maine's oldest bookstore chain. The Portland store has an impressive stock of well-selected books interspersed with excellent gift choices, such as stationery, candles, and holiday decor, as well as a fun array of toys. It's a good place to spend a cold or rainy day perusing the selection.

Opened in 1927 and still run by the same family, this vast book emporium—home to 2 million volumes, or "18 Miles of Books"—is a symbol of a bygone era, a mecca for serious bibliophiles, and a local institution. The stock includes new and secondhand books, foreign-language titles, and thousands of collector's items—some of which are found in the third-floor rare-book room. The basement has discounted, sometimes barely touched review copies of new books organized by author. If you're looking for souvenirs, there's lots of New York–centric literature as well as T-shirts and totes. Check the store's events calendar for live readings.

Located in a historic building in quiet Hanapepe Town, this is the only bookstore on Kauai, with some 25,000 titles and a resident cat. On Friday Art Nights, authors sign their books out front while live music and food trucks entertain meandering crowds. New, used, rare, and out-of-print books are sold here, as well as vinyl records, comics, vintage video games, and two exclusive sticker lines.