The Strand

The Strand is really cool because it isn’t just one bookstore, there are multiple locations throughout Manhattan! I was so glad to find the storefront and explore indoors as it was super cold outside and very cozy inside. The staff were super sweet and helpful. I paroozed around and ended up with some really cool souvenirs. They have a coffee shop inside this location but it wasn’t open at the time. I loved it and had a lot of fun seeing the book stands throughout New York! I bought the most stuff at the location by the Central Park Zoo. Thank you, Book Lovers and everyone at The Strand!

** PLEASE LIKE & SHARE OUR REVIEWS. ** Charming place with tourist items, bestsellers, new editions & an entire basement for children. Looks small and quaint on the outside but never-ending coves.. The modern style displays keep the environment cozy but not over-crowded. Feels like an exploration of all things literary!

I visited this satellite location in Upper West Side of The Strand in New York City on a humid July afternoon, and the collection of books inside provided a lot of respite. The environment inside is quite welcoming—I spent hours perusing the collection of both books and other literary items ranging from totes to cups. The store is spread out on two levels—a ground floor level and a basement level. There’s a large collection of new, used, and rare books along with literary gifts and Strand-branded merch(totes, t-shirts, bookmarks, etc.) spread out across both the floors. They also host community events like weekend story times, for instance. What I especially appreciated was the cozy layout and the calm, neighborhood vibe. It’s a perfect stop before or after a stroll through Central Park or a visit to the Museum of Natural History just a block away. Staff were helpful without hovering, and the whole space feels like it’s meant for slow, unhurried discovery. Definitely worth a visit—whether you’re a local or a tourist looking for that classic NYC bookstore feel.

Some book stores have this calming ambiance and The Strand has that in heaps. An extremely expansive bookstore with a children’s section in the basement.

Lovely bookstore. It’s actually quite large inside with a separate downstairs that is mainly a children’s section. Loads of books of every shape and size and flavor. They also carry some great non-book items as well like, tote bags, magnets, stationery, wrapping paper, and Strand gear. We found some Harry Potter themed magnets and a great unlined journal. We would highly recommend this place!

This is a small version of the classic store downtown. Tiny space with two stores (apartment size and style). Nicely decorated. The selection of book by genres is very limited. However, the area with new books and books from NYC is pretty good. I was looking for a wildlife book and couldn't find it.

the staff were very friendly and helpful when checking out! the atmosphere is perfect for bookstores. unfortunately the store downstairs is very hot to the point where it’s overwhelming. i couldn’t imagine how hot it gets during august. great little store otherwise!

The Strand is a nice neighborhood store. My children enjoyed shopping there. Downstairs was amazing. There were a lot of little gifts ideas for big kids and little ones.

Used books selection - 2/5, it's just a tiny 4x4 room. Service - 0/5, not friendly and kept following me around.

soooo cute. Great place to shop for gifts for friends. There were a ton of cards to choose from for all sorts of occasions, lots of books, and other smaller items, including some NYC souvenirs. I got a card card and a Taylor Swift magnet for my bestie. Loved browsing the shop. Not far from Central Park West and a cute area to walk around. Cashier was friendly it's reasonable / average pricing.

The Strand on Columbus is in the neighborhood I lived in for two years. I love the main historic location and this place is second best when you are nearby. I usually don't have a special book request. I'm easy to please when I purchase a book. I usually browse the shelves until I find something that a friend recommended. Sometimes I spot a book that has been on my to read list for years. Customer Service is typical for a bookstore. I'm asked if I need assistance and then left alone to shop. If you enjoy shopping bookstores check out this location. Support your bookstores or they will become dinosaurs, a thing of the past.

Very cute bookstore near Central Park and American Museum of Natural History! Wide selection of books, as well as other literary knickknacks - bags, cards, bookmarks, journals, etc. They also have Strand branded apparel. There's a downstairs level with kids books, toys, and apparel. I thought they'd have a bigger supply of used books, but most were new and full priced.

Such a great bookstore with a wide variety of books and various subject matters. Four floors of books and an inviting space to let your mind explore. Loved the location and accessibly to Central Park and coffee shops.

It's so sad. This bookshop used to be so lovely and welcoming. I work in travel and used to recommend it to all of my clients and would send groups here. I had to take it off my list, since it changed ownership. There are no more chairs, and they no longer have a restroom (which is an issue when you have a children's section). The staff are surprisingly rude and the shop (The Strand) does not support independent authors like it advertises. Such a sad and unnecessary situation. :(

I love love love the Strand, still have fond memories of the monumental location downtown, no longer there. But this spot is amazing, the selection on the front tables is amazing, the surprise pick is a great option, really great notebooks and stationary, cards, beautiful kids section downstairs replete with a spaceship, that ALL kids love. Just a great, lovely bookshop, not to mention the selection on the shelves outside, at incredible cheap prices, is like a treasure hunt every time. Thank you :)

I am in love with this place. Prices tend to be retail price-- there is, however, the constant rotation of out-of-print books, often at a good price. The selection is excellent. And the books showcased are a good selection. If you like books I'd recommend popping by whenever you are in the area due to rotation of books.

While I really do enjoy the bookstore, I ordered two hoodies from the online store that arrived late and defective with a hole on the back.

I love this bookstore. So much thought goes into picking which books they carry and which books get set on tables. I bought the glass castle by Jeanette wells here. One of my favorite books to read. Everyone was really nice. However, books are on the pricier side, but it's New York City. I love ordering books online as well, their selection is always top notch.

Awesome selection of well curated books and gifts. Easy to find great reads, hard to leave empty-handed ... BUT Incredibly rude checkout staff. If I hadn't been shopping with kids, I would have left my $100 order on the counter. Dismissive, acted too good to be there, answer our questions, etc. Such bad vibes and a poor fit for front-facing work. I see another similar review and would encourage management to look into it. I am guessing it's hard to hire people.

Excellent curation books. Accessories as in tote bags, candles, puzzles and more. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Excellent shop upper west side Manhattan.

Small offshoot of the original (is every store and restaurant on the UWS an offshoot of a downtown store???). Found some nice gifts and a great signed book for myself. Would probably go back if ever in the area and needed time to kill.

Called them up for something I wanted to visit to pick up today. They don't take customer phone inquiries. No I'm not going to write you an email. In 2022, if you're going to be brick and mortar, you have to actually provide the benefits of that. I'm sure they saved a little money on this demonstration of hostility to their customers, but they can reap the bad reviews. Happy to modify the review if this policy changes, please let me know.

Rude staff. Once I had completed my payment today, I patiently awaited my receipt. The cashier simply stared at me, so I asked for my receipt. He had already crumpled my receipt in his hand and handed it over like that without offering any apology. There was another cashier watching all this and she didn't say anything.

The strand is a lovely local gem. They carry tote bags, (which are as popular as the New Yorker bag everyone seems to carry), stationary supplies, candles, buttons and pins, mugs, bookmarks, and of course, books. They have a wide selection in all of their stores. Everything from feminist literature, to manga, to medical books and textbooks, to poetry- they seem to have it all. They carry used books as well as new books, and the prices are reasonable. This is the place to go instead of Barnes & Noble, every time, because their selection is more diverse and their staff is much more helpful and kind. Also, the environment of the store is very welcoming and peaceful. The bathroom is gender neutral and clean. The staff is very well read and knowledgeable about their products. This is my favorite small chain bookstore. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

Good little store - lovely selection of used books; can find titles I like from $4-8 a piece in paperback. Check out the downstairs discount and kids sections

A truly disappointing waste of time. I preferred Book Culture- the previous bookstore that was there many years! I was in search of a diverting , off- beat biography about a musician or an actor. Very little existed here.By contrast, yesterday I spent ten minutes at Barnes & Noble and found at least ten great titles. The travel section is so meager it takes up four thin shelves with no books available on the American Western States. The people at the register are clueless and just take your money By Contrast, they have a ton of books on politically correct subjects and then a section on their favorite current non fiction titles. Did these people study at any a college or is it just a bunch of adolescents who are making the book selections? Sad to see a bookstore with a famous legacy behind it go to such lower depths!

The Strand, the iconic NYC independent bookstore, comes to the UWS. Between the Strand and Westsider Rare & Used Books, you'll find the perfect book for a hot cuppa on a winter day or a sun lounge in Central Park during spring. Unless you're Susan. Yes, Susan, the bookstore is anti-Trump. All bookstores, all books, all intelligence are inherently anti-Trump. You can leave now Susan, literally nobody wants you here. For everyone else, the Strand is a dope shop. Go support them. Also, go VOTE now!

I love The Strand. They have a nice selection of books, especially since the place isn't super big. Our family spends the most amount of time in their lower floor where the children's books are. They have a big selection of young reader's books and even a fun spaceship reading room. We frequent this location quite often and are grateful they're present in the UWS.

A fun bookstore for browsing and buying books. It also has some fun knickknacks and cards that are great when you're shopping for gifts.

Wanted to buy local instead of corporate, so I spent way more time than they deserve calling and guessing at extension #s, just trying to speak to someone to see if they have a book in stock at the Columbus Ave location. Their phone number just disconnects after a recorded message. I guess I will just buy it at b&n instead! FYI, the website says it's in stock but doesn't provide the option of which location. Very helpful.

If you're a reader in New York, this is a must visit. Great selection of books and friendly customer service. Not sure if there's much I can say that hasn't been said but if you're looking at this as a reason to go, you should go.

This is my local bookstore and I wished I loved it. I read at least 20 books a year and I'm also an author who posts and recommends books to others via my social media and newsletter. The selection here is good and the store is super cool, but most of the staff couldn't be less friendly or helpful. It's been like this for years even with turnover. They always seem bothered by any questions. There's one person who works there (from Florida, which I know because she's the only helpful and friendly one there and we've chatted a bit), but other than that, you're on your own. I started walking further to Barnes & Noble on Broadway.

Great book selection! Friendly staff and COVID friendly (e.g. takes necessary precautions). Also, it's very clean inside and organized. Don't trust any 1 star reviews.

Lovely bookstore. It's my neighborhood favorite! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they take COVID safety seriously.

Hit or miss book selection. Staff tends to be unfriendly and short with customers. Subpar cards and gift wrap selection - I don't even bother looking anymore, always leave disappointed. Hopefully inventory will improve over time.

A beautiful and neat space with a nicely curated selection of books. I wish they had more used books, but that's just my preference. I felt like it was a good representation of what's available at the main Strand location.

Great layout and selection and I love that they have staff picks. We have several bookstores in the neighborhood but this is the easiest one for browsing.