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Best Independent Bookstores in Virginia
12
items I love checking out independent bookstores and this list comprises my favorite ones throughout Virginia. Bookstores are organized based on region. Please note this is an ever-evolving list as I visit bookstores across Virginia.
Map
Sections
3
Northern Virginia
Central Virginia
Western Virginia
Northern Virginia
Bookstores worth checking out in the Northern Virginia area.
Located in Manassas, McKays is a bookstore lovers dream. There are thousands and thousands of used books spanning a plethora of genres from mystery to classic fiction, manga to history and much more.
They also sell used CDs, video games and board games. You can also sell unwanted items.
They also sell used CDs, video games and board games. You can also sell unwanted items.
McKay Used Books
Located in Leesburg, Virginia, Birch Tree Books is a quaint bookstore that combines books and plants. It is a smaller bookstore (and hard to maneuver when crowded) but it's worth checking out for a collection of well-curated books, tons of well-cared...
Birch Tree Bookstore
Located in Middleburg, Virginia, Middleburg Books is a cozy bookstore with a well curated collection of books ranging from children's books to classics to science fiction and more. The staff is very attentive and the atmosphere is very inviting.
Middleburg Books
Located in Warrenton, Virginia, Open Book is a nice bookstore to shop for new books. They carry a nice range of book types (children's books, mysteries, science fiction and more) and have a welcoming environment.
The Open Book
Busboys and Poets has multiple locations and this specific one is in Arlington in the Shirlington area. Busboys is a unique type of bookstore because its technically a resturant with a sizable bookstore across multiple genres.
Cool triva: Former president Barack Obama stopped here before and there's a photo of his trip there!
Cool triva: Former president Barack Obama stopped here before and there's a photo of his trip there!
Busboys And Poets
Located in Mclean, Fonts and Gifts is a charming bookstore. My favorite things about this bookstore is that the books it stocks are very well-curated and it has a host of wonderful gifts (including for book lovers!)
Fonts Books & Gifts
Central Virginia
Bookstores located in Central Virginia including but not limited to Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg areas.
Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, Daedalus is not just a bookstore but an experience. Full of used books, its in a large space with many corridors, so many in fact they offer a map to prevent you from getting lost!
Daedalus Bookshop
Located in Bridgewater, Virginia, the Green Valley Bookfair has been around for a few decades and is a MASSIVE warehouse of new books. For booklovers, its a must visit because I honestly cannot recall another place with so many books in one place…oth...
Green Valley Book Fair
Located in Staunton, Virginia, the Book Dragon is a great bookstore that has books from a variety of genres. It's been around for several years and also hosts a couple different book clubs.
The Book Dragon Shop
Western Virginia
Bookstores located in the western part of the state including but not limited to the Shenandoah Valley and Winchester.
Located in Winchester, Virginia, Blue Plate is a wonderful local bookstore that has been around for almost twenty years. They predominately sell used books and offer a wide variety of options ranging from history to fiction, science fiction and young... Blue Plate is my favorite used bookstore I've been to. Not only do they have a carefully curated collection (all their books are in good condition) but they clean all their used books before putting them on the shelf. I also love that they have a lo...
Blue Plate Books
Located in Winchester in Old Town, Book Gallery has been around for quite a while and for good reason. It's a sizeable bookshop with books across a range of genres. They also host authors and run special events and have an area specifically for child...
Winchester Book Gallery
Located in Woodstock, Virginia (in the Shenandoah Valley), Bonfire opened in June 2025. It's a lovely store with a vast array of books, ample seating area (with an electric fireplace!), yarn, games and more. The owner is also super nice!
Bonfire Bookstore and Yarnery