Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. The Strand Bookstore (New York City, NY)
- 2. Powell’s City of Books (Portland, OR)
- 3. City Lights Booksellers & Publishers (San Francisco, CA)
- 4. Tattered Cover (Denver, CO)
- 5. Books & Books (Coral Gables, FL)
- 6. BookPeople (Austin, TX)
- 7. Politics and Prose (Washington, D.C.)
- 8. Harvard Book Store (Cambridge, MA)
- 9. The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, CA)
- 10. Books Are Magic (Brooklyn, NY)
- Conclusion
Introduction
Bookstores have always held a sacred space in the cultural life of America. They’re not just retail spaces where books are bought and sold; they’re memory-makers, idea incubators, and safe havens for curiosity. In 2025, while digital publishing and online retail continue to play a dominant role in the publishing ecosystem, there’s a growing appreciation for the tangible, the local, and the experiential. That’s where iconic bookstores come in. These literary landmarks have defied the odds and flourished—not necessarily because they’re the largest in square footage or inventory, but because they’ve become cultural institutions in their own right.
This article explores the ten most iconic bookstores in America. These bookstores have stood the test of time, survived digital disruptions, and continued to define what a bookstore can be. Each one offers something deeply unique: some have shaped literary history, others have transformed the neighborhoods they occupy, and many serve as community anchors in a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or just someone who loves the smell of printed pages, these are the bookstores worth traveling for.
1. The Strand Bookstore (New York City, NY)
Ask any New Yorker—or book lover anywhere—to name a famous bookstore, and The Strand is likely the first that comes to mind. Located just off Union Square, this family-run store has been in operation since 1927 and proudly proclaims it houses “18 miles of books.” In reality, it’s more like 2.5 million titles packed into 55,000 square feet of literary heaven. But size isn’t what makes The Strand iconic—it’s the attitude, the energy, and the devotion to books and readers alike.
The Strand has managed to stay relevant by walking a fine line between tradition and reinvention. Its lower level is home to used and rare books that draw serious collectors, while the main floors serve tourists, students, and lifelong readers with equal zeal. It hosts frequent author events, political discussions, and art exhibitions. In 2025, The Strand remains not only a bookstore but a symbol of New York’s enduring literary culture.
2. Powell’s City of Books (Portland, OR)
Powell’s City of Books isn’t just a store—it’s a universe unto itself. Sprawling across an entire city block in downtown Portland, Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world, offering more than 68,000 square feet of new, used, and rare books. Its color-coded rooms are legendary, and first-time visitors are often handed a map to navigate its labyrinthine layout. But Powell’s isn’t about novelty; it’s about substance.
What makes Powell’s iconic is its unwavering commitment to literary diversity and community engagement. The store regularly hosts high-profile authors, curates genre-specific newsletters, and operates an online storefront that rivals any digital competitor. In 2025, Powell’s has strengthened its position by introducing sustainability programs and enhancing its global shipping services, proving that an analog love of books can flourish in a digital world.
3. City Lights Booksellers & Publishers (San Francisco, CA)
Few bookstores in America are as historically significant as City Lights. Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, City Lights became the cradle of the Beat Generation. It was the first all-paperback bookstore in the country and played a key role in challenging censorship laws through the publication of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. That rebellious spirit still defines the store today.
Located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, City Lights is both a bookstore and a publishing house. It specializes in progressive politics, world literature, and poetry, attracting an eclectic mix of locals and global literary pilgrims. Its three-story layout is cozy, not cavernous, but it radiates a kind of gravitas that only decades of intellectual freedom-fighting can produce. In 2025, City Lights continues to amplify marginalized voices and remains a lighthouse for readers who believe in the transformative power of books.
4. Tattered Cover (Denver, CO)
For more than 50 years, Tattered Cover has been Denver’s literary heart and soul. Though it has moved from its original Cherry Creek location, its flagship store in the Bonfils-Stanton building retains the warmth and character of a classic independent bookstore. With its plush armchairs, exposed brick walls, and wood-accented interiors, Tattered Cover invites customers to linger, not just shop.
The store is a model for literary community-building. It offers writing workshops, school partnerships, and live events that draw standing-room-only crowds. In recent years, Tattered Cover has doubled down on accessibility and inclusivity, adding multilingual sections and expanding its community outreach programs. In 2025, it stands as a beacon for what an independent bookstore can do when it sees itself as a cultural steward, not just a retail space.
5. Books & Books (Coral Gables, FL)
Books & Books has been a literary oasis in sunny South Florida for more than four decades. Founded by Mitch Kaplan in 1982, the Coral Gables location remains the flagship of what has become a small but influential network of indie bookstores. Nestled in a Mediterranean Revival building, it offers a charming courtyard, a beloved café, and rooms that unfold like chapters in a novel.
Books & Books is famous for its author events, often attracting literary heavyweights and political thinkers. The store’s commitment to literary quality is matched by its investment in digital innovation. In 2025, its hybrid event series and virtual book clubs expanded its reach well beyond Miami-Dade County. It’s not just a place to buy books; it’s a community platform that continues to elevate the region’s intellectual climate.
6. BookPeople (Austin, TX)
BookPeople lives up to its name. For over 50 years, this Austin-based bookstore has centered people in every aspect of its operation—readers, writers, staff, and neighbors. Located in the heart of the city, BookPeople is Texas’s largest independent bookstore, known for its sprawling selection, vibrant children’s section, and politically engaged clientele.
What makes BookPeople iconic isn’t just its size or inventory, but its philosophy. It actively supports local authors, partners with schools and nonprofits, and curates a calendar that features everyone from debut novelists to presidential candidates. In 2025, the annual Texas Book Festival has grown into a major national event. With a finger firmly on the pulse of both its community and the broader literary world, BookPeople is a Southern powerhouse with staying power.
7. Politics and Prose (Washington, D.C.)
In the nation’s capital, Politics and Prose is more than a bookstore—it’s an intellectual institution. Founded in 1984, the store has become known for its top-tier author events, many of which have been broadcast on C-SPAN’s Book TV. From former presidents to Nobel laureates, the guest list at Politics and Prose reads like a who’s who of global thought leaders.
Despite its reputation for highbrow content, the store is welcoming and warm, with knowledgeable staff and a loyal customer base. In 2025, its satellite locations and online programming continue to thrive, making it easier for people around the world to engage with its rich content. Whether you’re in search of a political memoir, an academic text, or a cozy mystery, Politics and Prose offers a carefully considered space to explore ideas.
8. Harvard Book Store (Cambridge, MA)
Though it is not officially affiliated with Harvard University, the Harvard Book Store is steeped in academic prestige. Since 1932, it has served the intellectual community of Cambridge with a rich selection of scholarly texts, literary fiction, and an outstanding used book cellar. Located just steps from Harvard Yard, it attracts students, professors, and visiting scholars from all over the world.
In 2025, the store continues to innovate while respecting tradition. It was one of the first bookstores to embrace on-demand printing via its Espresso Book Machine, and it recently launched a digital reading series featuring academic authors. Its commitment to sustainability and community service only adds to its legacy. Harvard Book Store isn’t just a place to shop; it’s a cornerstone of American academic life.
9. The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, CA)
True to its name, The Last Bookstore feels like a final stand for print culture in a city built on digital dreams. Housed in a former bank building in downtown LA, the store combines books, art, and architecture into a one-of-a-kind experience. With soaring ceilings, whimsical book tunnels, and even a vault filled with rare editions, it’s part museum, part marketplace.
The store’s eclectic inventory includes everything from graphic novels to rare first editions, and its space doubles as a venue for live music, art exhibits, and film screenings. In 2025, The Last Bookstore continues to attract both serious readers and Instagram tourists. It’s a visual spectacle, yes, but also a place where stories—in all forms—are celebrated. That blend of style and substance secures its place on any list of iconic bookstores.
10. Books Are Magic (Brooklyn, NY)
Books Are Magic might be the youngest store on this list, but it has quickly become one of the most beloved. Founded in 2017 by author Emma Straub and Michael Fusco-Straub, the store expanded in 2023 into a larger, multi-level location in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood. Its bright walls, handwritten staff recommendations, and whimsical window displays make it feel instantly welcoming.
Despite its relatively short history, Books Are Magic punches well above its weight. It has a fiercely loyal community, a robust social media presence, and an events calendar that rivals long-established institutions. In 2025, the store has begun hosting mini literary festivals and launched a mentorship program for young writers. It may be newer than most, but its impact is already immense.
Conclusion
Iconic bookstores are more than buildings filled with books. They are living organisms, constantly evolving to meet the needs of their communities while preserving the timeless magic of print. In 2025, these ten bookstores represent the best of what America’s literary culture has to offer—not because they’re the biggest, but because they matter. Each one tells a story of resilience, creativity, and purpose.
Whether rooted in history like City Lights and The Strand or blazing new trails like Books Are Magic, these bookstores remind us why physical literary spaces are still essential. They foster human connection, provide platforms for diverse voices, and offer a sensory richness that algorithms simply can’t replicate. As long as people crave stories, there will be bookstores—and these ten will continue to lead the way.