Iowans love to read, and our state has a long history of being a retreat for many of the most famous American poets and novelists. One bookstore, located in sleepy Iowa City, pays tribute to the book culture of the Hawkeye State in the best way possible. With four floors full of books and a historic coffee shop, Prairie Lights Bookstore is absolute heaven for any bookworm.
Prairie Lights opened as a small independent bookstore in Iowa City, on South Linn Street.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore The tiny store quickly gained a reputation for carrying a great variety of titles, both from established names and newer voices.
By 1982, the bookstore had outgrown its tiny shop, and moved to a four story building on South Dubuque Street.
Flickr / Alan Light
Half of one floor was dedicated to a cozy coffee shop, set in a spot that was once home to an important literary club.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore The space where you can now drink espresso or hot cocoa while you test out new titles was once a spot where Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings and other legendary writers met.
Today, Prairie Lights Bookstore is considered one of the most historic, impressive bookstores in the country.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
Frequently, local and national authors host book signings and sold-out release parties within these historic walls.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
If you’re looking for a new book to read, you’ll have thousands and thousands of titles to choose from, written by the best names in literature from Iowa City to New York City.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
Their poetry section is famous throughout the state - if there’s a poet you love, you’ll find their works on the shelves of Prairie Lights Bookstore.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
The store even has plenty of secondhand and discount books, and you can find some real treasures by digging through.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
Whatever you’re looking for - whether it’s a good book, a chance to meet a famous author, or just a great cup of coffee, you’ll find it at Prairie Lights Bookstore.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
Prairie Lights Bookstore is located at 15 South Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, and on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Seven days a week, the cafe opens at 9:00 AM.
Facebook / Prairie Lights Bookstore
The tiny store quickly gained a reputation for carrying a great variety of titles, both from established names and newer voices.
Flickr / Alan Light
The space where you can now drink espresso or hot cocoa while you test out new titles was once a spot where Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings and other legendary writers met.
Iowa City is such a charming city worth exploring – if you can pull yourself away from the town’s most amazing bookstore. Just one day checking out the restaurants, shops, and parks of Iowa City will show you exactly why we think it might just be the best city in America.
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