Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Book Lovers in SoHo
Top Things to Do in New York City for Book Lovers in SoHo
1. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
A volunteer-run bookstore and cafe in a cast-iron space where spiral staircases, mezzanine stacks, and warm lighting invite hours of unhurried browsing.
✓ Why Go:
Hundreds of well-priced used books across genres, frequent readings, and every purchase supports Housing Works’ mission to fight homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings for quiet browsing; weeknights if you want to catch readings and community events.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the mezzanine shelves for staff-curated sections and signed copies; bring a tote to donate gently used books at the register.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Cozy, community-driven, and inspiring—travelers love the prices, the cause, and the easy-to-lose-yourself atmosphere.
2. Taschen
The glossy SoHo flagship of the art publisher known for striking coffee-table titles spanning photography, architecture, fashion, and pop culture.
✓ Why Go:
For limited editions and lush monographs you’ll want to leaf through slowly—book-as-art at its most irresistible.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late weekday afternoons when the floor is calm and staff can guide you to hidden gems.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about display copies of large-format books so you can browse at a reading table without handling a sealed box.
✓ What Visitors Say:
A visual feast where knowledgeable staff and beautifully produced titles make browsing feel like a mini-museum visit.
3. Mulberry Street Library (NYPL)
A bright, modern NYPL branch tucked on tiny Jersey Street offering circulating books, reading tables, and free Wi‑Fi steps from the bustle of Broadway.
✓ Why Go:
Recharge, write, or borrow a novel; it’s a serene pause point for readers exploring SoHo.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midday on weekdays for the quietest corners; expect a lively after-school crowd late afternoons.
✓ Insider Tip:
Sign up for a library card on-site and download eBooks through the NYPL app before you travel.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Unexpectedly peaceful and welcoming; visitors praise the helpful librarians and calm work-friendly vibe.
4. The Drawing Center
This focused museum of drawing houses a smart bookshop packed with exhibition catalogues, artist books, and critical essays you won’t find in chain stores.
✓ Why Go:
A treasure trove for art-and-text lovers who want to dive deep into process, technique, and visual culture.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons aligned with gallery hours; visit on a weekday to browse the book tables at leisure.
✓ Insider Tip:
You can access the shop without committing to a full exhibition visit—perfect for quick catalog hunting.
✓ What Visitors Say:
A connoisseur’s nook; thoughtful selections make even a short stop feel like a discovery.
5. MoMA Design Store SoHo
A multi-level temple to modern design with a robust book section featuring architecture, typography, and design histories alongside covetable objects.
✓ Why Go:
Curated by MoMA’s design eye, the titles skew smart and giftable—ideal for design-minded readers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Right at opening on weekdays for a clear path to the book wall; weekends get busy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head to the back of the store for deeper cuts and small-press design publications that sell out quickly.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Inspiring and hands-on; travelers love pairing a great read with a well-designed notebook or pen.
6. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
The world’s only dedicated LGBTQIA+ art museum offers a bookstore highlighting queer art history, theory, memoir, and exhibition catalogues.
✓ Why Go:
Find voices and perspectives often absent from mainstream shelves while supporting a vital cultural institution.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late weekday afternoons for unhurried browsing before dinner in SoHo.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the front desk for upcoming author talks and catalog signings tied to current shows.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Affirming, thoughtful, and eye-opening—visitors value the depth and care of the selections.
7. Pearl River Mart
A beloved Asian emporium where shelves of cookbooks, design titles, and cultural histories sit among ceramics, teas, and stationery.
✓ Why Go:
Pick up food and design books you won’t easily find elsewhere and pair them with unique gifts.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning on weekdays when aisles are clear and staff can make tailored recommendations.
✓ Insider Tip:
Browse the back sections for bilingual titles and small-press imports that rotate frequently.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Joyful and eclectic; people love the prices, the range, and the cultural discovery.
8. Judd Foundation
Inside Donald Judd’s iconic cast-iron building, the ground-floor shop offers his writings and publications on minimalism, design, and architecture.
✓ Why Go:
For primary texts and meticulously produced books that illuminate SoHo’s art-history roots.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early afternoon on weekdays; confirm hours if you’re pairing with nearby galleries.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask staff about lesser-known essays and readers—some titles have small print runs and sell out.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Scholarly and niche in the best way; a must for art-and-architecture readers.
9. Crosby Street Hotel
A chic hotel whose lobby and bar are lined with art and photography books—an elegant perch to read, write, or daydream.
✓ Why Go:
Settle in with a book and tea amid SoHo design splendor and top-tier people-watching.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late mornings on weekdays for a quiet table before the lunch rush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Book afternoon tea at The Crosby Bar to linger by the windows with your latest find from nearby shops.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Upscale yet welcoming; guests and non-guests alike praise the serene, bookish ambiance.
10. The Mercer
An iconic minimalist hotel where the calm, library-like lobby invites a contemplative reading break between SoHo strolls.
✓ Why Go:
A refined hideaway to journal or read while soaking in the neighborhood’s creative pulse.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midday on weekdays for the quietest corners.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a coffee from the bar and tuck into a leather chair—phones on silent keeps the hushed vibe intact.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Chic and low-key; travelers love the sense of calm and quintessential SoHo style.
