3 Local Bookstores in Orlando That Every Reader Should Visit

Orlando is full of surprises—and its local bookstores are one of them. These shops don’t just sell books. They build communities, highlight voices you might not find elsewhere, and create space for curiosity, reflection, and connection.

At Orlando Bike Tours, we love exploring the corners of the city where creativity lives. Whether you’re a local or visiting, these four local bookstores in Orlando are absolutely worth a stop.

The New Romantics (Audubon Park Garden District)

Address: 3018 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

Hours: Tues–Sat: 11 AM – 7 PM | Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM | Closed Mondays

What Makes It Special: Opened in late 2024, The New Romantics is the first romance-only bookstore in Orlando. Latina-owned and rooted in inclusion, it celebrates every kind of love story—spicy, sweet, queer, historical, or fantasy. The shop was created to offer a safe and joyful space for romance readers, free of judgment and full of heart.

What to Expect When You Visit: The space is warm and inviting, with color-coded shelves, personal staff recommendations, and a genuine sense of welcome. Events like author signings, book club meetups, and themed nights give readers a chance to connect beyond the page.

Authentic Books (Ivanhoe Village)

Address: 1815 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32804

Hours: Thurs: 11 AM – 6 PM | Fri & Sat: 10 AM – 6 PM | Sun: 10 AM – 2 PM | Closed Mon–Wed

What Makes It Special: Founded by Natisha Asbell, Authentic Books began as a subscription box business that paired books with candles, teas, snacks, and playlists. In 2024, they opened their first storefront in Ivanhoe Village. The idea? To make reading a full-sensory experience—and encourage people to slow down and savor it.

What to Expect When You Visit: Inside, you’ll find beautifully displayed books and curated pairings to go with them—designed to help you build your own immersive reading ritual. There are also occasional events and workshops that focus on self-care, storytelling, and connection.

Spiral Circle Books and More (Mills 50 District)

Address: 750 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803

Hours: Mon–Sat: 10 AM – 6 PM | Sun: 12 PM – 5 PM

What Makes It Special: One of the oldest independent bookstores in Orlando, Spiral Circle has been around since 1975. Originally founded by Beverly Ford and now owned by Julie Wilder, the shop focuses on spirituality, healing, personal growth, and social consciousness.

What to Expect When You Visit: The atmosphere is peaceful and welcoming. Shelves are filled with books on mindfulness, holistic health, activism, and wisdom traditions from around the world. There’s also a wide selection of crystals, tarot decks, incense, journals, and locally made gifts. It’s a place where people come to learn, reflect, and find tools for their own path.

Why Local Bookstores Matter

Supporting local bookstores in Orlando isn’t just about buying books—it’s about discovering stories you might not hear elsewhere. It’s about connecting with the people who care deeply about what they put on the shelves. Each of these shops brings something different to the table, and together, they show just how thoughtful and engaged Orlando’s literary community really is.

Want to experience Orlando through a different lens?

Join one of our bike tours—we’ll show you the neighborhoods, murals, and places where Orlando’s creativity lives. And after the ride, drop into one of these bookstores. You might just leave with your new favorite read.

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