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People reading in a library. Photo sourced from

The Best Bookstores in Kansas City

If you love to read and a bookstore is the first place to go in a new city, then this is the right blog for you.

The bookstores in Kansas City are as devoted to the customer’s experience as they are to the literature itself.

While there has been a decline in hardcover books and a shift to e-books in the past decade, some bookstores have had to be shut.  

However, there are several independent booksellers where you can discover new reads, stories, and authors. It is the perfect place to engage communities unique to the area that keep people coming back.

Children have not been left behind, these bookstores have lovely reading sections and some have toys.

Every bookstore you come across in Kansas welcomes you to walk in, browse the vast selection and stay for a while and unwind.

Check out these best bookstores in Kansas City.

1. Prospero’s Books – More than a bookshop

Assorted title books collection in a bookstore. Photo by Marta Dzedyshko – .

This one bookshop is your go-to for book treasures. Prospero’s bookstore has been in business for more than three decades.  

Prospero’s has three floors of gently-used books and with no doubt something for everyone. Whatever book you are looking for, you are bound to find it here.

Children will love it here as there are several lovely books that they will love. Their section is vibrant and inviting. Over and above, the children’s section has cute old-fashioned school desks.

If you are into old-school collectables like vinyl, drop by this charming Bookshop for a great selection. Their book collection is more than 50,000.

You can also take a break and take in the beautiful vistas of the town from the third floor.

Practical Information:

Address: 1800 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:30 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 07:00 pm

Website:

2. BLK + BRWN Bookstore – Black-Owned Store

Woman reading a book. Photo by Christina Morillo –

This is a creative space that is conveniently located on 39^th Street.  

It is the first bookstore in the city purposed to empower Black and Brown communities through literature, love, and conversation.

The bookstore is owned by Cori Smith who says that she thought of the neighbourhood’s location. She wanted it to be welcoming to the Black and Brown community.

As a first in the community, this bookstore makes good use of technology. When you borrow a book, you will be asked to scan the QR code.

The results of the code will give you the book ‘experience’. This experience is a well-curated playlist and interviews with authors to book reviews and historic lectures.

This is an interesting way to whet your reading appetite.

Practical Information:

Address: 104 1/2 West 39th Street in Kansas City, Mo.

Website:

3. Barnes and Noble Zona Rosa

People reading in a library. Photo sourcedfrom

The famous Barnes $ Nobles Bookseller is also located in Kansas City. This chain has eReaders as well as a wide selection of titles for adults & kids.

So, if you are in Kansas, this needs to be one of your top choice bookstores to visit. They stock books by local authors as well as international ones.

You will not only get a great read here but also get to sip on the best coffee in the city.

Furthermore, the Zona Rosa Barnes and Noble has a fun kids area with a good book selection, weekly storytimes that include a coupon for a $4 kids meal!

The café sells Cheesecake Factory cheesecake.

Practical Information:

Address: 8625 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153

4. Rainy Day Books

Woman reading a book in a bookshop. Photo Sourced from

This bookstore was first established in 1975. Since then, the bookstore has been the source of literature and any book-related need, in the Greater Kansas City community.

Not only a bookstore, but Rainy Day Books also doubles as a meeting place for local creatives. It is a great place to share ideas with other like-minded creatives.

Additionally, the bookstore acts as a voice for literacy and awareness.

Out of all the bookstores in Kansas, this bookstore is the only independently owned store that sells new books. Visit the store with the kids and explore the kid’s section.

They host great events and if you are interested sign up for the newsletter to know when: they host author visits, indie book lists and a huge variety of cookbooks.

Practical Information:

Address: 2706 W 53rd Street, Fairway, Kansas (KS) 66205-1705

Website:

Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5. Wise Blood Booksellers

Image sourced from Wise Blood Books’ .

This is an essential store that is loved by several local bibliophiles. It has been getting great reviews online from its regular customers who highly recommend it.

When the owners thought of opening a bookstore, they had in mind a space that would inspire a diverse and creative community in KC.

Their website has detailed information on the authors. Additionally, they have organized the genres of books alphabetically for easy browsing.

If you need to buy someone a gift, you can check their gift section and also grab a gift certificate. You can also check the staff pick section for great recommendations.

The store is open seven days a week so you can grab new and used books anytime you want.

Practical Information:

Address: 4045 Broadway Blvd Kansas City, MO 64111-2601

Website:

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 am-08:00 pm| Sunday 12:00 pm- 06:00 pm

These bookstores strive to offer you the same diversity and opulence you get from the books in the store. They have and continue to focus on you, their customer. This way they can offer varied viewpoints, free exchange of ideas and foster a community of readers.

So the next time you are in Kansas City, feel free to drop by any of these great bookstores. If you prefer online browsing, check out their websites for a comprehensive list of their books.

Have a great read!