The Oldest Bookstores in Manhattan

Calling all book lovers and NYC lovers! Manhattan has so much to offer for the literary fanatic. Of course, there’s so much literary history here (more to come on that in a future guide!), but we also have fantastic and old bookstores. I've been fortunate to frequent them as I look for books on my TBR, support indie sellers, meet authors, and enjoy learning the history of the stores. This guide includes 6 bookstores with different genre specialties, histories, architecture and events like book signings. Scroll down and save this map so you can check them out next time you’re in Manhattan 📖

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Updated ago

📍Rizzoli Bookstore (1964)

Rizzoli Bookstore

@taylorkennedy

Though in a new location near the Flatiron, this elegant and visually appealing bookstore captured my heart right away. Rizzoli specializes in illustrated books on architecture, interior design, fashion, photography, cookery, and the fine and applied arts, as well as literature, and foreign language books. I even attended an author reading once for my favorite historical fiction author.

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📍Argosy Bookstore (1925)

Argosy Book Store

@taylorkennedy

‌If you want to find old and rare books, look no further than Argosy - the oldest independent bookstore in Manhattan still in its original location. They specialize in Americana, modern first editions, autographs, art, photography, and antique maps & prints. I was in there hours taking in the rare first editions behind glass cases.

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📍The Mysterious Bookshop (1979)

Mysterious Book Shop

@taylorkennedy

Calling all crime and thriller fans! Mysterious bookshop is the oldest mystery specialist book store in America. They recently held an author event for thriller writer Alice Feeney. If you like mystery and thrillers, this is your place.

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📍The Drama Bookshop (1923)

The Drama Book Shop

@taylorkennedy

‌NYC is a theater lover’s dream. So of course there must be a theater love bookstore. The Drama Bookshop is full of theatrical works, and the new location was even designed by the set creator of Hamilton. It pays homage to twentieth century European cafes and reading rooms, and features a full service cafe serving coffee, teas, and light snacks.

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📍The Strand (1927)

Strand Book Store

@taylorkennedy

‌This is one of the most well known bookstores in Manhattan, and it dates back to when the neighborhood was full of bookstores and called “Book Row”. This store has multiple floors with millions of books across every genre. There’s also tons of bookish gifts. ‌The Strand also opened a Central Park outpost on weekends. They set up tables of used and new books to peruse

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The Strand also opened a Central Park outpost on weekends. They set up tables of used and new books to peruse.

📍McNally Jackson Books

McNally Jackson Books Seaport

@taylorkennedy

‌While these stores have opened more recently in the 2000s, I had to give a shout out to my favorite location. McNally Jackson in South Street Seaport is located in a the historic Schermerhorn Row building, built in 1811. The old brick, cobblestone roads, and sailing vibes make this my favorite location in Manhattan. There’s also an excellent coffee and cocktail shop in the bookstore.

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Rizzoli book signing event with author Fiona Davis

Always obsessing over this gorgeous store front

The day I stumbled upon The Strand Central Park outpost

First editions at Argosy

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Taylor Kennedy

I'm 30 years old living in Manhattan NYC with my rescue dog Millie. I love reading (and documenting my reads on my book instagram!), exploring NYC, traveling across the country and to new countries, wine tasting, and watching trashy reality love shows.

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