What could possibly be more “Hudson Valley” than drifting through row after row of literary goodness in a local bookstore? While there are indeed more convenient means of acquiring your next read, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as shopping local. Next time you’re in need of some intellectual stimulation, get your fix at one of these independent booksellers.
Albany County | Columbia County | Dutchess County | Greene County | Orange County | Putnam County | Rensselaer County | Rockland County | Ulster County | Westchester County
Albany County
The Bookhouse at Stuyvesant Plaza & Little Book House
Where: Albany
What Sets It Apart: A great selection of Capital Region works and frequent readings at the Bookhouse (and its sister store in Troy) make it one of the best places to learn about the history of the area.
I Love Books
Where: Delmar
What Sets It Apart: This “wonderland” sells all varieties of gifts, toys, and jewelry, as well as—of course—row after row of books!
Columbia County
Chatham Bookstore
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Where: Chatham
What Sets It Apart: This charming storefront framed in an orange awning stocks new releases, art supplies, and works by local artists on its walls.
Kinderhook Books
Where: Kinderhook
What Sets It Apart: Kinderhook Books is a Wednesday through Sunday book shop that stocks great reads and bookish gifts. From new arrivals to historic and informative staff picks, Kinderhook has unique choices in its charming shop.
Rodgers Book Barn
Where: Hillsdale
What Sets It Apart: This independent bookstore is straight out of a, well, storybook. As the name suggests, this book lover’s haven exists within a restored barn surrounded by rolling gardens, bird baths, antiques, and the occasional friendly kitty. Come to this Hillsdale bookstore for a wide array of used titles and stay for the ambiance.
Spotty Dog Books & Ale
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Where: Hudson
What Sets It Apart: The area’s original bookstore-bar stocks some serious literature, from its dense philosophy section to shelves chock-full of paperbacks from New Directions, Archipelago, and Europa Editions. Plus, artists can restock on supplies from its back room.
Dutchess County
Binnacle Books
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Where: Beacon
What Sets It Apart: This Main Street bookstore stays stocked with all the latest literature, from poetry to prose. It even hosts regular book signings and readings with big-name authors in its garden courtyard in the warmer months.
The Book Cove
Where: Pawling
What Sets It Apart: An independent treasure, The Book Cove is the perfect place to discover a wide selection of rare and out-of-print books. If literature isn’t enough, the Cove is home to a stunning and creative selection of antiques as well.
Merritt Bookstore and Toy Store
Where: Millbrook
What Sets It Apart: This bookstore has a little something for everyone. There are events on the shop’s annual calendar every season, including the Millbrook Literary Festival, Sheep and Wool Festival author signings, and more. Merritt supports local nonprofits and partners with Books Behind Bars to get books to incarcerated individuals in New York State prisons.
Oblong Books & Music
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Where: Rhinebeck and Millerton
What Sets It Apart: A beloved local bookstore, Oblong has selections for every kind of reader, whether you’re obsessed with fantasy, mystery, true crime, classics, indie releases, or general esoterica. The sister shops have an entire section dedicated to signed books and regularly host book signings so bookworms can meet their favorite authors.
Greene County
Briars and Brambles Books
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Where: Windham
What Sets It Apart: This bookstore is as interested in cultivating community as it is in books. With three different book clubs, including one called “Prosecco & Prose,” book signings, and other collaborative events, there is always something happening at this mountainside bookstore.
Magpie Bookshop
Where: Catskill
What Sets It Apart: Sunlit and plant-filled, this mountain town bookstore is as sweet as sweet can be. Hanging star lanterns fill the windows, and unique books line its shelves.
Orange County
Blue Fox Books
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Where: Walden
What Sets It Apart: With the delightful tagline, “Wit & whimsy in Walden, NY,” you know this independent bookstore is going to be cheery. Though this bookstore is still rather new, it is already making waves among bibliophiles of the Hudson Valley. Shop for your next read as well as literary themed candles and gifts, then pore over your haul on the patio.
Golden Hour Books
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Where: Newburgh
What Set It Apart: In Newburgh, Golden Hour Books is named after its original location, which overlooks the river on Broadway. That being said, the store is moving into a new spot in Newburgh’s Wireworks building this spring. This independent bookstore highlights new titles and runs its own Golden Hour Book Club.
Good Books
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Where: Cornwall
What Sets It Apart: A decidedly community-centered bookstore, Good Books is a family-owned operation in Cornwall. The store stocks every genre from cookbooks to sci-fi, with goodies like puzzles, notebooks, and tote bags to accompany any purchase.
The Montgomery Book Exchange
Where: Montgomery
What Sets It Apart: This local exchange is more than just a grab-and-go. At Montgomery, a friendly and knowledgeable staff helps to showcase a sizable selection of used literature.
Putnam County
Antipodean Books Maps & Prints
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Where: Garrison
What Sets It Apart: In business for almost 50 years, Antipodean specializes in old and rare books, maps, prints, ephemera, and photographs. Hudson Valley residents are lucky to have a store such as Antipodean in their backyard as this impressive shop sources its wares from major antique book fairs across the globe.
Split Rock Books
Where: Cold Spring
What Sets It Apart: Stocking bestsellers and classics, Split Rock boasts a knowledgeable staff and an events schedule packed with book clubs, workshops, classes, drawing nights, and readings.
Rensselaer County
Market Block Books
Where: Troy
What Sets It Apart: Situated in historic downtown Troy, Market Block Books has served as a hub for Hudson Valley book lovers since 2004. The store stocks an array of adult and children’s books, with genres ranging from cooking to history to travel and more.
Rockland County
Big Red Books
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Where: Nyack
What Sets It Apart: With a big red couch as the focal point of this general interest bookstore, Big Red Books aims to be at the center of the Rockland community as an enriching place for artists and readers alike. A wide selection of genres as well as a discount for teachers and educators make this shop worth the stop.
Pickwick Bookshop
Where: Nyack
What Sets It Apart: With books stacked near to the ceiling (literally), Pickwick Bookshop feels like it’s straight out of the likes of Inkheart. The independent bookstore has piles galore of every type of book imaginable, so prepare yourself for a good hour or two of browsing to scout through the wares.
Ulster County
Barner Books
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Where: New Paltz
What Sets It Apart: With new arrivals coming in almost daily, Barner Books’ wide collection of local nature guides, contemporary novels, poetry anthologies, and vintage classics are bound to impress even the snootiest of intelligentsia. It also exhibits a vast, ever-changing assortment of vintage, collectible, first edition, and signed books for those looking to add something extra special to their collection.
The Golden Notebook
Where: Woodstock
What Sets It Apart: Since 1978, The Golden Notebook has been a trusted bookseller in Woodstock. To be sure, no Woodstock day trip is complete without a stop here, with its reams of Penguin Classic titles.
Inquiring Minds Bookstore & Cafe
Where: New Paltz and Saugerties
What Sets It Apart: In business for over 20 years, Inquiring Minds is a Saugerties staple. The independent bookstore offers a wide range of literature and new and used vinyl as well as organic coffee at its in-house café. Enjoy a coffee and your new read in the cozy, pet-friendly interior or out on the outdoor patio. While its second location in New Paltz doesn’t have a café, it’s just as essential a stop for any bookworm in Ulster County.
Mirabai
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Where: Woodstock
What Sets It Apart: Even in a town like Woodstock, Mirabai is quite a New Age store. Inside, it sells rock crystals and incense alongside sizable selections of books on angels, spirituality, and the esoteric strands of major world religions. Deemed the “Hudson Valley’s oldest and most comprehensive spiritual/metaphysical bookstore,” this gem is a must-visit for all spiritual seekers.
Our Bookshop
Where: Saugerties
What Sets It Apart: Our Bookshop’s outdoor wall of books is a must during any visit to Saugerties. The wall runs on the honor system, so anyone who finds a book they adore can simply slip the requested cash fee into the drop-box before heading home with their new page-turner.
Pages Past
Where: Kingston
What Sets It Apart: A purveyor of fine, old, used, and rare books in Kingston, Pages Past also stocks online collectibles like antique maps, sports memorabilia, vintage magazines, and antique manuscripts.
Rough Draft Bar & Books
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Where: Kingston
What Sets It Apart: This Uptown hub is a favorite local hangout, serving a rotating selection of local brews and seasonal coffees as well as artfully arranged cookbooks, graphic novels, contemporary novels, and classics in a formerly academic historic stone house.
Westchester County
Bronx River Books
Where: Scarsdale
What Sets It Apart: This Westchester shop keeps over 17,000 on its shelves in Scarsdale. If you can’t find something you like in stores, order it on Bronx River Books’ site, and the shop will have it ready for you in a few business days.
Bruised Apple Books
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Where: Peekskill
What Sets It Apart: This shop has been selling both new and used books since 1993, making it one of the oldest independent bookstores in the area. Its selection also includes used records, videos, and CDs.
By-the-Dam Books
Where: Croton-on-Hudson
What Sets It Apart: A carefully curated collection and friendly, personable staff make this grassroots-inspired bookstore a must-visit. Themed story times and author events make this book shop an exciting stop in Westchester.
Sleepy Hollow Bookshop
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Where: Sleepy Hollow
What Sets It Apart: Perfect for adults and children alike, Sleepy Hollow Bookshop stocks a curated selection of kids’ and young adult novels to spark imagination.
Transom Bookshop
Where: Tarrytown
What Sets It Apart: Designed and curated to feel as though you’ve crossed over into a new realm, Transom stocks new titles and classics under one roof.
P.S. Did we miss a spot? Email us here so we can add it.
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