The best book, hobby & craft shops in Bristol

9 book, hobby & craft shops we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Bristol’s best · Restaurants · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Nightlife · Entertainment · Arts & Culture · Parks & Outdoors · Shopping · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Pets · Home & Garden

Pinned in Bristol today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Bristol — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · 9 places · showing the latest additions first

Martel Music Store

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Martel Music Store is the go-to spot this week for Hartford players, with walls of guitars and basses, a selection of keys and drums, and…

1 Whiting St (Plainville)

“Martel Music Store is the go-to spot this week for Hartford players, with walls of guitars and basses, a selection of keys and drums, and pedals from Strymon and Walrus Audio to JHS and Universal Audio. They also handle rentals, lessons, repair, and solid pre-owned finds.”

From the Hartford newsletter, August 7, 2026

Website ↗

WorthWhile Reads

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Used-book store featuring great prices and a welcoming atmosphere.

1 Richmond Pl

“Used-book store featuring great prices and a welcoming atmosphere.”

Website ↗

Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

600 Hartford Rd, W Farms Mall (New Britain)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

Website ↗

The Music Lab, LLC

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Music store at Rochambeau Mall specializes in repair of musical instruments such as clarinets, horns, and saxophones.

Rochambeau Mall, 1783 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike Unit 1 (Milldale)

“Music store at Rochambeau Mall specializes in repair of musical instruments such as clarinets, horns, and saxophones.”

Website ↗

Run a Bristol business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

The Village Shops, 99 Executive Blvd N Ste 25 (Southington)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

Website ↗

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.

99 Executive Blvd S (Southington)

“Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.”

Website ↗

Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain carrying a variety of arts & crafts materials, plus party supplies, fabric & home-decor items.

1235 Farmington Ave

“Chain carrying a variety of arts & crafts materials, plus party supplies, fabric & home-decor items.”

Website ↗

Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retailer of guitars, keyboards, drums, and other musical instruments, as well as sound equipment.

839 Queen St (Southington)

“Retailer of guitars, keyboards, drums, and other musical instruments, as well as sound equipment.”

Website ↗

The Music Shop

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Instruments include guitars, drums, saxophones and trumpets, plus lessons, repairs and sales.

405 Queen St (Southington)

“Instruments include guitars, drums, saxophones and trumpets, plus lessons, repairs and sales.”

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →