đź“š Your Next Great Read Awaits: Best Bookstores In & Near Glens Falls
Glens Falls and its surrounding communities are home to a surprisingly rich network of independent bookstores, each with its own distinct personality. Whether you're looking for new releases, used books, or rare finds, author signings, book clubs, or special events, gift items for bibliophiles, a cozy atmosphere, or funky vibes, we've got it all! Discover the best bookstores in and near Glens Falls.
Best Bookstores in Glens Falls
The Shirt Factory: A Bookstore Hub
71 Lawrence Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
The Shirt Factory is an ideal spot to spend an afternoon exploring literary gems, browsing vinyl records, or chatting with local shop owners.
Bonus tip: The Shirt Factory hosts a Book Expo around February or March. You also won't want to miss out on the nearby Saratoga Book Festival, held each October!
Beldame Books
A dream for horror and sci-fi fans, this small but mighty shop offers a rotating mix of new and used books. They've been known to carry prime titles and vintage horror from Stephen King, R.L. Stein, and Christopher Pike.
You’ll also find manga, mystery, thrillers, romance, and the kind of offbeat gems you don’t see in chain stores. Be on the lookout for collectible toys, comic books, and graphic novels. They often have a box right outside the entrance with $1 books.
“The selection is great and always changing and super affordable.”
Ghost Books
If your tastes lean toward the mystical or macabre, Ghost Books is a must-visit. This niche store is filled with magic books, spiritual tools, antiques, oddities, and art pieces.
Think crystals, Ouija boards, and esoteric volumes - all beautifully displayed in a truly special setting.
“Atmospheric oddity shop specializing in a wide range of spiritualist artifacts books and unique finds.”
Bookhouse & Sweetside Records
Part record store, part music-themed bookshop, this cozy space offers a curated selection of books and vinyl. Access it from Curran Lane - though part of The Shirt Factory, it has its own exterior entrance.
“Great record/bookshop! The owner is very nice and helpful. Always getting new inventory.”
Black Walnut Books & Little Black Walnut Books
Owned by a queer and native bookseller, this independent shop celebrates queer literature and authors of color. Reviewers love the owner’s deep knowledge and the shop’s warm, inclusive energy.
Events like horror book clubs (in collaboration with Beldame Books), craft nights, and community gatherings make it a social hub for readers.
Little Black Walnut Books (pictured above), located separately within the building, focuses exclusively on children’s books.
“This is the most darling little book shop. Beautiful, inviting, and thoughtfully curated.”
Just One More Chapter
14 Ridge Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
The newest addition to the Glens Falls bookstore scene, Just One More Chapter is a boutique romance bookstore offering special editions, limited prints, and fantasy reads. The shop prioritizes quality and variety, and visitors rave about its charming vibe.
There's also a book club, and their popular “blind date with a book” display adds a fun twist to browsing.
"The vibe is PERFECT. If someone pulled a bookstore algorithm out of my head, it still wouldn’t be as perfect or great a fit as this store was.”
Used Bookstores Near Glens Falls
Lyrical Ballad Bookstore
7 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Step into a maze of literary wonder at Lyrical Ballad Bookstore where over 100,000 volumes - including rare and collectible books - line the walls, shelves, and hallways of this multi-room shop.
They host occasional live music events and carry everything from vintage children’s books to horse racing titles.
“The rooms seemed never to end, everything was sorted and categorized in fun and thoughtful ways.”
Owl Pen Books
166 Riddle Road, Greenwich, NY 12834
Owl Pen Books is an off-the-beaten path gem open seasonally in a restored barn down a dirt road in Greenwich. You must make a plan to go, as you won't just happen to come across it - it's worth the scenic drive into the country!
The vibe is nostalgic and welcoming, with thousands of titles including rare, vintage, and classic kids books.
"If there's an award for the most charming bookstore in the world, this place gets it."
The Village Booksmith
223 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839
Hard-to-find titles and affordable prices await at The Village Booksmith, which carries curated selections of a wide variety of genres. Note, they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.
"Great store for older books - surprisingly large selection with good prices."
Maple Tree Books
3812 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY 12885
Located just north of Glens Falls, this veteran-owned used bookstore is packed with gently used hardcovers, paperbacks, and a standout collection of vintage comic books. It’s the kind of place where you can lose an hour or two just scanning the shelves.
“So many books here, so little time. A wide, eclectic variety. Friendly owner.”
Bookstores With Events & Local Focus
Battenkill Books
15 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816
Battenkill Books sells mostly new, but some used, books, with a strong selection of local history and fiction. They regularly host author signings, poetry nights, book clubs, and family-friendly events.
“What a find! This is a remarkable bookstore. It had something for everyone in our group…recent books, classics, children’s books, and great gifts.”
Northshire Bookstore
424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Northshire Bookstore is a Saratoga staple with a wide variety of books including those by local authors, and the entire second floor is just for kids. They frequently host book signings and author events.
Their Manchester, VT location - just over an hour from Glens Falls - is even larger and includes used books.
“I mean, you can’t go wrong with a local bookstore and this one is about as fantastic as it gets. Friendly staff, great selection, wonderful layout.”
More Bookstores Worth Visiting Near Glens Falls
The Book Cabin
337 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, NY 12845
This seasonal bookstore north of Lake George Village is housed in a charming cabin with outdoor reading areas. Known for their carefully selected titles and cozy atmosphere, The Book Cabin has earned a loyal following.
“The selection of books is broad and organized with care, and there are little recommendation cards scattered throughout to help you pick something.”
Golden Leaf Books
30 Saratoga Avenue, Waterford, NY 12188
This whimsical store is a haven for lovers of fantasy, romance, magic, and botanical reads. You’ll also find books on cannabis (Leafy Peaks Dispensary is conveniently across the street for a two-stop visit), crystals, and indie favorites.
“This place has gotten me to break my rule: I may or may not be a book hoarder, and I told myself to stop buying books. Then I discovered Golden Leaf Books. Oh boy. What a gem.”
Barnes & Noble
3029 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
While not an independent bookstore like the others on this list, we'd be remiss not to mention Barnes & Noble, which always has a reliable selection of new releases, bestsellers, and kids books.
“Nice environment and good deals! Prices were better than I expected.”
Explore Local, Read Local
From the multi-bookstore experience at The Shirt Factory, to niche gems like Just One More Chapter and Golden Leaf Books, you'll find an independent bookstore that offers far more than a place to buy books. Dive into local author events and more as you embrace all the literary magic happening in the Glens Falls region!
🌳 Find a park to read at after you pick up your next book >>
