The best book, hobby & craft shops in Hartford

15 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 Hartford’s best · Restaurants · Entertainment · Nightlife · Bakeries & Sweets · Beauty · Shopping · Arts & Culture · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Cafes · Sporting Goods · Health & Wellness · Parks & Outdoors

Pinned in Hartford today

This spot is open today.

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

Paid placements are always marked.

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · 15 places · showing the latest additions first

Mondazzi Book, Bead & Crystal

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Relaxed shop carrying crystals and books for spiritual needs, plus jewelry, incense, and candles.

570 Hayden Station Rd Ste E&F (Windsor)

“Relaxed shop carrying crystals and books for spiritual needs, plus jewelry, incense, and candles.”

Website ↗

Barnes & Noble

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Bookseller chain stocking housebrand eReader, plus a broad selection of titles for adults & kids.

270 Buckland Hills Dr Ste 1024 (Manchester)

“Bookseller chain stocking housebrand eReader, plus a broad selection of titles for adults & kids.”

Website ↗

Tabletop Gaming Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Large gaming retailer, stocking board and card games, with space to play.

741 New Britain Ave (Newington)

“Large gaming retailer, stocking board and card games, with space to play.”

Website ↗

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 ↗

Run a Hartford 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).

600 Hartford Rd, W Farms Mall (New Britain)

“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.

315 W Main St (Avon)

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

Website ↗

Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

Putnam Bridge Plaza, 5 Main St #5B (East Hartford)

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

Website ↗

RANDELL REID MASTER VIOLINS

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Friendly, personable luthier who makes violins, restores them and repairs bows and cellos too.

125 Warrenton Ave

“Friendly, personable luthier who makes violins, restores them and repairs bows and cellos too.”

Website ↗

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

378 Kelly Rd (Vernon)

“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.

120 Hale Rd (Manchester)

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

Website ↗

Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Vast musical gear store, including amps, drums, pianos, keyboards and more, with helpful staff.

120 Hale Rd (Manchester)

“Vast musical gear store, including amps, drums, pianos, keyboards and more, with helpful staff.”

Website ↗

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

50 Main St (East Hartford)

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

Website ↗

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

989 Farmington Ave (West Hartford)

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

Website ↗

Jerry's Artarama of CT

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retailer selling an extensive selection of art supplies, from paints to paper to portfolios.

1109 New Britain Ave (West Hartford)

“Retailer selling an extensive selection of art supplies, from paints to paper to portfolios.”

Website ↗

Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

Plaza at, 1520 Pleasant Valley Rd, Buckland Hills Dr (Manchester)

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

Website ↗

Listed here?

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