Powell’s might as well have its own zip code. The largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell’s City of Books is home to more than 1 million new, used and rare tomes. Bookworms can find plenty to do in this labyrinthine store – check out the Espresso Book Machine, which you can use to publish your own book in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. A total of 1.6-acres of retail space means that there’s a section, postcard, or gift for every book lover in your life.
Independent bookstores are the heart of every city and there's no end to what you can do and find at some of the best indie bookstores in the country. Want to meet-and-greet with local artists and authors? Check out your local book nook. Want to sip coffee and listen to records? Bookstores are known to have both. Want to get married under a tunnel of novels (yes, really)? There's an Instagram-famous bookstore for that too.
Which leads us to our next favorite thing about bookstores (besides the thousands of paperbacks to peruse, of course): many of these bookstores boast stunning locations (like inside an old bank vault) and gorgeous interiors with everything from hand-painted ceilings to book sculptures.
So come for the beautiful visuals and art, and stay for the chance to discover your next favorite book in these independent bookstores in the US.
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