Dreaming of the perfect bookworm’s road trip?
Journey through Minnesota to visit twelve enchanting bookstores that will captivate your literary heart.
1. Magers & Quinn Booksellers (Minneapolis)
Nestled in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis, Magers & Quinn Booksellers is the literary equivalent of a treasure chest.
With its iconic black awning and windows brimming with literary delights, it’s like stumbling upon Aladdin’s cave – if Aladdin was really into Hemingway and Austen.
As you step inside, the scent of paper and possibility envelops you.
The store’s vast collection of new, used, and rare books is enough to make any bookworm’s heart skip a beat.
It’s the kind of place where you come in looking for one book and leave with an armful, a lighter wallet, and a grin that says, “Worth it!”
2. Red Balloon Bookshop (St. Paul)
If Magers & Quinn is the sophisticated older sibling of Minnesota’s bookstores, Red Balloon Bookshop is the whimsical younger one who still believes in magic – and rightfully so!
This charming children’s bookstore in St. Paul is like stepping into the pages of a storybook.
The cheery red balloon sign outside is your first clue that you’re in for something special.
Inside, it’s a kaleidoscope of colors and imagination.
From picture books to young adult novels, Red Balloon has been inflating young minds with the joy of reading since 1984.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see the Cat in the Hat lounging in a reading nook.
3. Wild Rumpus Books (Minneapolis)
Hold onto your whiskers, folks, because Wild Rumpus Books is exactly what it sounds like – wild!
This Minneapolis gem is not your average bookstore.
It’s more like a literary zoo where books and beasts coexist in perfect harmony.
With its purple door and whimsical exterior, Wild Rumpus looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairy tale.
But the real magic happens when you step inside.
Alongside the carefully curated selection of children’s books, you’ll find live animals roaming freely.
That’s right, you might browse for books with a chicken at your feet or a cat purring on a nearby shelf.
It’s the only place I know where “bookworm” could be taken literally!
4. Birchbark Books (Minneapolis)
Owned by acclaimed author Louise Erdrich, Birchbark Books is more than just a bookstore – it’s a celebration of Native American literature and culture.
Tucked away in Minneapolis’s Kenwood neighborhood, this cozy shop feels like stepping into a warm, welcoming living room… if your living room happened to be curated by a literary genius.
The store’s commitment to indigenous authors and stories is evident in every carefully chosen title.
But what really sets Birchbark apart is its atmosphere.
With its hand-carved canoe hanging from the ceiling and a confessional booth turned reading nook, it’s clear that every inch of this store has a story to tell.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you that sometimes, the most powerful journeys happen between the pages of a book.
5. Subtext Books (St. Paul)
Descending into Subtext Books is like entering a secret underground society for book lovers.
Nestled in the historic Blair Arcade building in St. Paul, this basement bookstore proves that some of the best things in life are below street level.
The moment you step through the door, you’re greeted by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and that intoxicating old book smell.
It’s the literary equivalent of a speakeasy – a hidden gem where words flow freely and everyone knows the password is “just one more chapter.”
With its intimate atmosphere and expertly curated selection, Subtext is the perfect place to plot your next reading adventure or stage a literary revolution.
Just remember, in Subtext, the first rule of Book Club is: you must talk about Book Club!
6. Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery (Park Rapids)
Nestled in the heart of Park Rapids, Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery is the kind of place that makes you want to curl up with a good book and a loyal canine companion.
With its charming storefront and playful name, it’s clear that this isn’t just a bookstore – it’s a tail-wagging celebration of the written word.
Inside, the warm, welcoming atmosphere is as comforting as a well-worn paperback.
The carefully curated selection of books caters to all tastes, from bestsellers to hidden gems.
And let’s not forget the bindery part – where old books go to get a new leash on life.
It’s like a spa day for your favorite dog-eared classics!
7. Content Bookstore (Northfield)
Don’t let the name fool you – Content Bookstore is anything but content with being just another bookshop.
Related: This 282-Acre Wonder at Minnesota’s Pipestone National Monument is a Labyrinth of Rock Formations to Explore
Related: This Stunning State Park in Minnesota is Like Stepping into an Andrew Wyeth Painting
Related: The Easy Half-Mile Hike in Minnesota that Leads You to this Gorgeous Secret Waterfall
This Northfield gem is a bibliophile’s paradise, where the joy of reading is as palpable as the aroma of freshly printed pages.
With its inviting storefront and eclectic window displays, Content beckons you in like a literary siren.
Once inside, you’re greeted by a treasure trove of books, thoughtfully arranged to spark curiosity and ignite imagination.
It’s the kind of place where you might come in for a specific title and leave with an armful of books you never knew you needed.
Who knew being “content” could be so exciting?
8. Scout & Morgan Books (Cambridge)
Tucked away in Cambridge, Scout & Morgan Books is the literary equivalent of a cozy cabin in the woods.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to grab a book, find a comfy chair, and lose yourself in a good story – preferably with a steaming cup of coffee in hand.
The store’s rustic charm is evident from the moment you lay eyes on its inviting exterior.
Inside, the warm lighting and wooden shelves create an atmosphere that’s part library, part living room, and all wonderful.
With a mix of new and used books, Scout & Morgan is like a treasure hunt where every shelf holds the potential for your next favorite read.
It’s proof that sometimes, the best adventures begin with turning a page.
9. Cherry Street Books (Alexandria)
If books were cherries, then Cherry Street Books in Alexandria would be the sweetest orchard in Minnesota.
This charming independent bookstore is a slice of literary paradise, served with a generous helping of small-town charm.
The store’s warm, inviting facade is just a taste of the delights that await inside.
Once you cross the threshold, you’re enveloped in a world where every book is a potential new friend waiting to be discovered.
With its carefully curated selection and knowledgeable staff, Cherry Street Books is the kind of place that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
It’s not just a bookstore – it’s a celebration of the written word, served with a cherry on top!
10. Drury Lane Books (Grand Marais)
Perched on the shores of Lake Superior, Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais is the stuff of bookish fairy tales.
With its quaint, colorful exterior and picturesque setting, it looks like it was plucked straight from the pages of a storybook.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where books reign supreme and every shelf holds the promise of a new adventure.
The cozy interior, with its wood stove and comfortable reading nooks, invites you to linger and lose yourself in a good book.
And with Lake Superior just a stone’s throw away, you can take your literary finds outside for a read with a view.
It’s the perfect spot for those who like their books with a side of breathtaking scenery.
11. The Bookstore at Fitger’s (Duluth)
Nestled within the historic Fitger’s Brewery complex in Duluth, The Bookstore at Fitger’s is a bibliophile’s dream come true.
It’s like someone took a regular bookstore, added a dash of history, a sprinkle of Lake Superior charm, and voila! Literary magic.
The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in that intoxicating bookstore aroma – a heady mix of paper, ink, and possibility.
The store’s rustic interior, with its exposed brick walls and wooden beams, provides the perfect backdrop for literary exploration.
From local authors to national bestsellers, The Bookstore at Fitger’s has something for every reader.
And the best part?
After you’ve found your next great read, you can explore the rest of the Fitger’s complex.
It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but in real life!
12. Fair Trade Books (Red Wing)
Last but certainly not least on our literary journey is Fair Trade Books in Red Wing.
This isn’t just a bookstore – it’s a community hub where stories are shared, ideas are exchanged, and reading is celebrated in all its glory.
The store’s inviting storefront, with its green awning and welcoming windows, is just a hint of the treasures that await inside.
Once you cross the threshold, you’re greeted by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, cozy reading nooks, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to cancel all your plans and spend the day lost in a good book.
But what really sets Fair Trade Books apart is its commitment to, well, fair trade.
They support independent publishers and local authors, ensuring that your book-buying dollars make a real difference.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you that every book has a story – not just between its covers, but in how it made its way to your hands.
So there you have it, fellow book lovers – a literary road trip through the enchanting bookstores of Minnesota.
From urban gems to small-town treasures, each stop on this journey offers its own unique chapter in the story of Minnesota’s vibrant book scene.
Let the journey unfold!
This map is your guide to every twist, turn, and unforgettable stop ahead.
Happy reading, and may your TBR pile be ever-growing!