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Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

Once upon a time, the aristocratic upper classes of Italy enjoyed a rarefied existence of opulence on the western side of Lake Como.

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Dallas

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Lifestyle

Spa days while vacationing are always at the top of our to-do list, especially over an extended getaway with lots of walking and activity.

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Chicago

The Kimpton Gray Hotel

After another brutal Chicago second-winter, spring is finally, thankfully, on our doorstep, and with its arrival comes a whole slew of bespoke, limited-time, pop-up experiences designed to get you out of your house and into a limited-time experience.

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Green Travel

This Earth Day on April 22, here are a few ways you can to minimize your impact and join the millions of people doing their part to make preserving the planet priority No. 1.

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Wildlife tourism sure seems wonderful in theory.

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Analogue Initiative

A decade ago, traveling as a vegan meant sourcing dinner from the nearest tropical fruit vendor, making rice and beans in a hotel microwave, and missing out on compulsory cultural experiences—street meat, chocolate tastings, wine tours, and all.

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Washington DC

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Events

Best known for its bizarre shape and charmingly-garish state flag, Maryland has made waves across the nation thanks to its rich history and spectacular seafood scene—and few destinations so perfectly encapsulate its best qualities as Baltimore.

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Miami

Photo courtesy of Valmont for The Spa at The Setai, Miami Beach

Picture this: you’re away from your phone and computer, wrapped in a plush robe, sipping warm tea as you wait for your massage therapist to retrieve you from a zen-filled relaxation lounge.

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If you visit the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, chances are you’re there to explore Ranthambore National Park.

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Atlanta

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After arriving at Atlanta’s massive Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, visitors may be overwhelmed by all this “city in a forest” has to offer.

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Austin

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Drink

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

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Some say there are only two seasons in Iceland: winter and mild winter.

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Denver

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Not to rip on any of Colorado’s better-known ski towns (we’re looking at you Vail, Breck, and Aspen), but Crested Butte is kind of the best.

Colorado's Wildflower Capital Is Secretly Its Best Ski Town

In 2007, we celebrated 30 years of independent bookselling, a huge milestone for this brick-and-mortar independent bookstore, which continues to expand its programming throughout the community including author events, school bookfairs, and cultural events throughout the city.

In 2007, we celebrated 30 years of independent bookselling, a huge milestone for this brick-and-mortar independent bookstore, which continues to expand its programming throughout the community including author events, school bookfairs, and cultural events throughout the city.

United States

Secret Garden Books

If you’re looking for new or used books in Seattle, look no further than these local standbys and support these indie shops.

Seattle

Photo courtesy of Phinney Books

Books (and bookstores) sometimes feel like a relic from a bygone era, but in the age of e-readers, audio books, and streaming platforms, there’s something inherently satisfying about the feeling of a real-life book. In Seattle, readers are likely well acquainted with the bigger mainstays (think Third Place Books and The Elliot Bay Book Company, for instance), but sometimes the more obscure, hole-in-the-wall spots are harder to pin down. They may be off the beaten path, anti-technology, or just plain small, but here’s the thing: They’re often the best places to stumble upon the books, pamphlets, zines, and other forms of the written word that you simply won’t find elsewhere. So grab your most bookworm-y tote bag and take note: ahead, a non-exhaustive list of some of the very best brick and mortar indie bookstores in Seattle.

Books (and bookstores) sometimes feel like a relic from a bygone era, but in the age of e-readers, audio books, and streaming platforms, there’s something inherently satisfying about the feeling of a real-life book. In Seattle, readers are likely well acquainted with the bigger mainstays (think Third Place Books and The Elliot Bay Book Company, for instance), but sometimes the more obscure, hole-in-the-wall spots are harder to pin down. They may be off the beaten path, anti-technology, or just plain small, but here’s the thing: They’re often the best places to stumble upon the books, pamphlets, zines, and other forms of the written word that you simply won’t find elsewhere. So grab your most bookworm-y tote bag and take note: ahead, a non-exhaustive list of some of the very best brick and mortar indie bookstores in Seattle.

Founded by Edwin Lundo and Dr. Estell Williams and named after their daughter Estella, this library-slash-store is a powerful example of what a true commitment to social justice looks like in daily practice. Plus, now that Estelita’s has found a permanent home (they moved from their Beacon Hill rental to the CD in 2021), this shop is all the more poised to establish itself as a backbone of the Central District community for years to come.

Estelita’s Library

Collectively owned and operated by its workers since 1973, Left Bank Books is the destination in Seattle for all things anarchist and radical. Practically speaking, that means you’re just as likely to walk away with a book on building your own furniture as you are one concerning the Cuban Revolution. This is also a good spot to pick up some small press zines, pamphlets, and titles that don’t get distributed to most other bookstores, so come ready to shop.

Left Bank Books

 Left Bank Books Collective

At this point in the pandemic, you’ve either become a semi-professional chef or have given up on cooking altogether. Either way, perhaps it’s time to head to Book Larder for some fresh inspiration in the food department. Here, you’ll find the latest wisdom on cooking, baking, and cocktail mixing; they also host cooking classes, author talks, and other community events (check the calendar <a href="https://emmacbanks.com/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">here</a>).

Photo courtesy of Book Larder

Book Larder

Nestled steps from the water on what is probably Fremont’s most iconic avenue, Ophelia’s is a gold mine of used books and obscure titles split between two jam-packed floors and one very narrow spiral staircase. It also happens to be across the street from very good ice cream (namely Fainting Goat Gelato) and the thrifty shopper’s paradise, otherwise known as Fremont Vintage Mall.

Ophelia's Books

In the bustling neighborhood-within-a-neighborhood that is downtown Ballard, Secret Garden Bookshop feels like a blissful refuge from the chaos. Visit this 45-year-old institution for kids books, adult books, and some really sweet <a href="https://www.secretgardenbooks.com/event/month" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">events</a>, for example the monthly meetup of the formidable Young Readers’ Society.

Secret Garden Bookshop

Phinney Books has been a mainstay of Greenwood Ave (aka Phinney Ridge’s main drag) for years now, and the selection just keeps getting better with time. What’s more, owner Tom Nissley is an author and avid reader himself, and also happens to have won Jeopardy! a whopping eight times (do with that what you will). Thus, trivia night is a common occurrence around here along with a host of other events (check <a href="https://twitter.com/PhinneyBooks" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Twitter</a> for the most up-to-date announcements).

Phinney Books

Pike Place Market has a slew of book-buying opportunities but nothing beats BLMF (aka, books like a motherfucker) Literary Saloon. Stuffed to the gills with hand-picked second hand books, BLMF’s selection is expertly curated by owner J.B. Johnson, who has run the shop for more than 17 years.

Photo courtesy of BLMF Literary Saloon

BLMF Literary Saloon

Steps from the Cap Hill Light Rail station, Twice Sold Tales specializes in rare, collectible, and used books, plus cats. Obviously the cats aren’t for sale but they’re a big part of this shop’s personality and probably the reason you’ll end up staying longer than planned. Not to worry: As the saying goes in this shop, “You can always catch the next bus.”

Photo courtesy of Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales

<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/authors/emma-banks" target="_blank">Emma Banks</a>&nbsp;is a contributor for Thrillist.

Things To Do

Support These Indie Bookstores in Seattle

Best Independent Bookstores in Seattle to Visit This Weekend

Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, self-help, or otherwise these local establishments have got you covered, literally.

Books (and bookstores) sometimes feel like a relic from a bygone era, but in the age of e-readers, audio books, and streaming platforms, there’s something inherently satisfying about the feeling of a real-life book.

Secret Garden Books

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Support These Indie Bookstores in Seattle

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