Five Unique Bookstores in the U.S.
If you are a book lover and avid reader, there is nothing better than discovering a new bookstore to wander around for hours. Unique independent bookstores can be found almost anywhere in the country, so consider stopping at a new one on your next weekend trip or in your future travels. We curated a list of five of the coolest bookstores in the U.S. that are worth the visit.
Epilogue Books And Chocolate Brews (Chapel Hill, NC)
Located in Chapel Hill, this independent bookstore is not too far away from Elon. If you are looking for a fun day trip off-campus, we highly recommend that you take the quick 45 minute drive to check out this bookstore. It offers a colorful, warm atmosphere with hanging plants, brick walls, vibrant murals, and a colorful display of books. Inside, you will also find a Spanish-style cafe with specialty coffee and chocolate drinks, as well as freshly made pastries and churros. Wander through the curated shelves, grab a drink and pastry, take aesthetic pictures, and walk around Chapel Hill.
Brattle Book Shop (Boston, MA)
If you find yourself in Boston for the weekend or during a break, Brattle Bookshop is a unique bookstore worth checking out — even just to take a photo. It is one of the oldest and largest used bookstores in the country, offering two floors of used books, a third floor of rare books, and an outdoor section for books on sale in the alley next to the building. The alley is lined with bookshelves built into the bricks and carts overflowing with books that you can buy for as little as $1. The historical alley and the black and white mural of famous authors overlooking it creates a great photo opportunity.
The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, CA)
If you are ever visiting Los Angeles, we recommend that you stop by California’s largest new and used bookstore, and one of the most commonly posted bookstores on social media in the country. The Last Bookstore is located inside a historical bank building with massive columns still standing on the first floor. The second floor is where the magic happens, and where books come to life in unique art installations. Wandering upstairs, you will find the Labyrinth Above The Last Bookstore which displays a book tunnel, a shelf with flying books, bank vaults, a book portal, and other art installations.
McNally Jackson Books (New York, NY)
A visit to one of the three locations of McNally Jackson Books is a must on your next New York City trip. The original bookstore in the Nolita neighborhood is bright and colorful and home to the Espresso Book Machine, which can print on demand almost any paperback in minutes. It features a popular cafe decorated with books hanging from the ceiling and covering the walls. The two other equally beautiful locations are in Brooklyn and the Seaport neighborhood.
Barts Books (Ojai, CA)
In the mountains of Southern California you can find the world’s largest outdoor independent bookstore, Bart’s Books. You can browse the green and orange shelves full of new and used books with the warm sun shining on you and the trees swaying above you. The indoor section, housed in the owner’s former cottage, is open-air with a lemon tree growing in the center of the house. Visiting this bookstore is a unique experience, and another perfect photo opportunity.
These five bookstores are truly bucket-list worthy for book lovers, but there are also thousands of other independent bookstores in the country for you to check out. Even though it may be easy to ship a book on Amazon or pick one up at your local Barnes & Noble, it is important to continue supporting independent bookstores, as they are small businesses that could use more support.
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