One of my favorite places to visit, in any town, is a bookstore. I always say "some people have a shoe fetish, but I have a book fetish". I love the whole feel of a place with the latest bestsellers, children's lit, coffee and novelties. It makes me feel safe, warm and that everything will always be ok, as long as there are bookstores to whisk away too and slow down in.
That is why a trip to the soothing shelves of the Montague Bookmill beckoned me to this used bookstore in the Berkshires. The bookmill and a simple country cafe are housed in a 1842 gristmill on the banks of a river. The Lady Killigrew Cafe offers salads, sandwiches, breakfast fare and beer or wine. There is also an art gallery, art studio, Turn It Up music & movie store, and a gourmet restaurant-The Alvah Stone. Although I'm sure this whole place can be peaceful and restful and lend to daydreaming in the sun, on the day we visited this place was hopping and crowded. It is still worth a visit if you are in the area and love the look of bookspines on display or the creative reuse of old buildings :)
The next bookstore is also one of my faves and, when in the Catskills, a great place to relax and give in to quiet discovery. The Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe is smaller than any Barnes & Nobles I've been too but much bigger in the "charming" department. The children's section has a train set, but also blocks, cars and so much more to catch your eye or that of the littles along with you. There is a used book section, chess boards, comfy chairs in little nooks and a perfect little cafe with a great selection. Their is always someone around to offer a hand if needed and the old wood floors and painted ceiling sometimes make me feel like I'm hunting treasure in an old attic. This bookstore is the idyllic way to pass time.
We finished off our bookstore wanderings with some breakfast food at Miss Lucy's Kitchen, across the street in Saugerties, NY. I ordered a tofu scramble with home fries and it was super delicious! The restaurant is dripping with country charm and a feel of having lunch at Gramma's. Homey, warm and yummy-what more could you ask for!