The North Carolina Literary Road Trip Leads to 5 Incredible Bookstores

I love reading, and despite the fact that it feels like my to-read list will never stop growing, I also love visiting bookstores. Something about the way they smell, the cozy comfort, the colorful spines all on the shelves: it all combines to make a great atmosphere that has you feeling right at home even if you're in a city you've never been to before. If you feel the same way, I think you'll love the North Carolina road trip I've curated for you today. This literary adventure only takes an afternoon and will show off five of the best bookstores in the Research Triangle area.

The route isn't too far from the Durham and Raleigh area. The entire trip only requires about two hours on the road, perfect for playing an audiobook collection of short stories. There's less than 80 miles on the itinerary, which is fully customizable. If you'd like to add or rearrange stops, take a peek at the route on Google Maps.

We'll start our journey off at Persnickety Books, a staple of downtown Burlington that's just as charming as its quirky name suggests. The three-story shop sells new and used titles and also has a coffee bar, the perfect place to grab some caffeine before you hit the road again. The prices here are quite reasonable, and it's a great spot to stock up on titles for young readers without breaking the bank. You'll find co-working areas here as well as a kids' play space, and it's the type of store you'll never want to leave.

Next up, we'll head to The Regulator Bookshop, which has been selling new books in Durham since 1976. For a smaller store, this place has an excellent array of titles, and you'll find plenty of new top sellers, plus hidden gems among the stacks. There's a very well-curated children's section that's perfect for young readers. Students and teachers get a 10% discount on most items sold here, so bring your ID if you're eligible.

Our next stop is Chapel Hill's wonderful Flyleaf Books. Book signings, musical performances, and poetry readings are all regularly scheduled here, so check out the calendar before heading out if you're interested in attending an event. There's a lot to enjoy at this shop, and I love the focus on local authors. You'll find plenty of places to sit and read for a spell, and there's a great variety of genres available.

The small town of Pittsboro only has a population of about 4,500, but it's home to one of the state's best bookstores in McIntyre's Books. This little shop has been around since 1989 and hosts around 150 author events each year. Even on a day when nothing's scheduled, there's a lot to see here, with a particularly wide selection of mystery novels.

We'll end this fun road trip in Cary at Mr. Mike's Used Books. This place has been in business since 2003 and carries a wide variety of books, particularly if you love fiction. I love shopping at used bookstores: not only is it better for the environment, it is also much better for your wallet! Many of the books here are under $5, so you can stock up on titles without blowing the budget. The stock is always changing, giving you a new experience each time you visit.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to head out and find my next read!

Want to support local bookstores but not able to visit one in person right now? Check out Bookshop.org, where every purchase made supports independent bookstores.