The Best Independent Bookstores To Visit in the U.S.

In a world of one-click shopping and two-day shipping, it may sometimes seem like convenience beats all else, especially when it comes to buying books. But independent bookstores remind us that book browsing is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to read, a hard-to-find title, or a community gathering space, independent bookstores are here to help. Here are seven of our favorite independent bookstores across the U.S.

Powell’s Books – Portland, Oregon

In terms of sheer size, no bookstore beats the magnitude of Powell’s Books. Spanning an entire city block in Portland, Oregon, Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world. The 68,000-square-foot building has four floors, 3,500 sections, and over a million titles. The store is built primarily for browsing, not lounging — customers are encouraged to peruse the aisles, of course, but seating is limited inside the store. But before you leave, don’t forget to visit the Rare Book Room, which houses rare and vintage books that are impossible to find elsewhere.

Beacon Hill Books and Cafe – Boston, Massachusetts

Tucked into one of Boston’s poshest neighborhoods, Beacon Hill Books and Cafe oozes a cozy charm that will appeal to any book lover. Each floor inside this historic brownstone is dedicated to its own section, including one designed to delight young imaginations. Featuring walls of books, child-sized furniture, small secret doors, and a train that operates throughout the space, the Children’s Corner is nothing short of enchanting. Be sure to bring your little ones for storytime on Tuesdays, and then check out the other floors, which are geared toward adult readers. On your way out, you can also stop by the ground-floor cafe that serves English tea and pastries and doubles as an event space.

City Lights – San Francisco, California

Since it opened in 1953, City Lights has sought to be more than an independent bookseller. For decades, this San Francisco-based shop has been on a mission to both sell and publish innovative literature. After publishing Allen Ginsberg’s controversial 1956 book Howl and Other Poems, the bookshop established itself as a literary refuge for the Beat Generation. Since then, City Lights has become a designated historic landmark, garnering continued recognition for its cultural impact on writers and artists. It maintains an irresistible indie charm, selling curated and progressive collections with an emphasis on small presses and poetry.

Elliot Bay Book Company – Seattle, Washington

Browsing bookstores is the perfect rainy day activity, and since it’s often raining in Seattle, consider making a trip to Elliot Bay Book Company. The 20,000-square-foot space has around 150,000 titles in stock, with thoughtfully curated sections, helpful staff, and a calendar of literary events. The store itself is also a showstopper, featuring soaring ceilings, large windows, and endless aisles of cedar bookshelves. There’s plenty of seating to curl up with a book, additional reading rooms for hunkering down, and a cafe that serves provisions all day long.

Faulkner House Books – New Orleans, Louisiana

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Faulkner House Books is home to its fair share of history. The store specializes in Southern literature, including rare and out-of-print books and signed editions. But as its name suggests, Faulkner House also has a special affiliation with the acclaimed novelist William Faulkner, who lived on the building’s ground floor in 1925 when he wrote Soldier’s Pay. Although the shop is  a mere 500 square feet in size, it serves as a community gathering space and is the headquarters for the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society, a nonprofit group of local and emerging writers.

Book Cellar – Chicago, Illinois

The Book Cellar understands that books aren’t just meant to be read — they’re meant to be discussed. This Chicago-based bookshop — a treasure for anyone seeking community, regardless of where your literary tastes lean — is home to nine (yes, nine) different book clubs. The Racial Justice Book Club discusses works by Toni Morrison and Octavia Butler, the Salon focuses on the classics, and the Never Too Old: YA Book Club looks at young adult favorites through an adult lens. Titles are chosen through egalitarian methods (introduced by members and voted on by the group), and wine and snacks are available for purchase in-house.

Parnassus Books – Nashville, Tennessee

Whether or not you’ve read a book by Ann Patchett, making the pilgrimage to Parnassus Books is worth your while. The acclaimed author of literary gems including Tom Lake and Bel Canto, Patchett opened Parnassus Books in 2012. Her credibility in the literary world makes Parnassus a draw for well-known authors, who visit the store for readings, book signings, and local events. Book lovers will appreciate that Patchett personally signs all of her books that are sold in store, and she also pens the shop’s blog, Notes From Ann.