2025.10.03 (Last updated 2025.10.03)Directed by Mathew
New York, a city that leads global trends, is full of profound culture and intellect, as much as it is known for its glamorous skyline. If you want to take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy a moment of contemplation with a book, visit these special bookstores beloved by New Yorkers. Waug has selected the three most beautiful bookstores in New York.
1. Albertine Books: A French-Inspired Secret Garden
Hidden inside a stately Upper East Side mansion, Albertine Books feels like a secret library in Paris. The highlight of this store is its golden-constellation ceiling. It boasts over 14,000 titles in both French and English, specializing in literature and philosophy, making it a perfect sanctuary for book lovers. Start your intellectual journey in this elegant and romantic atmosphere.
2. Rizzoli Bookstore: A Sanctuary of Art and Architecture
Located in the NoMad/Flatiron area, Rizzoli Bookstore is a work of art itself. With its marble floors, magnificent oak shelves, and dramatic chandeliers, it exudes a luxurious ambiance. It's particularly renowned as a haven for art books and photography editions, a beautiful space where you can find inspiration just by looking around.
3. Argosy Book Store: Traces of Time in a Rare Book Shop
This multi-floor independent shop in Midtown feels like a literary museum. Argosy Book Store is packed with precious materials, including rare books, vintage maps, and historical prints. Here, you can feel the analog sentimentality that comes with old books, a feeling that embodies the long history of New York.