The best book, hobby & craft shops in Waltham

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

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Pinned in Waltham today

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

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

The Outer Limits

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Relaxed, 1980s-established shop featuring new and vintage comic books, toys and collectibles.

437 Moody St

Relaxed, 1980s-established shop featuring new and vintage comic books, toys and collectibles.

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Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Indie bookstore & cafe with a big all-day breakfast menu, veggie options & a relaxed vibe.

338 Newbury St (Boston)

Indie bookstore & cafe with a big all-day breakfast menu, veggie options & a relaxed vibe.

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Emmanuel College Bookstore

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Campus bookstore chain offering new, used & digital textbooks, plus school-branded merchandise.

400 Fenway (Boston)

Campus bookstore chain offering new, used & digital textbooks, plus school-branded merchandise.

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Belmont Books

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Cozy option for books - including children's titles - along with a cafe.

79 Leonard St (Belmont)

Cozy option for books - including children's titles - along with a cafe.

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Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Quick-visit book shop where visitors also can enjoy coffee, quiche, and afternoon tea, or watch toy trains run around.

71 Charles St (Boston)

Quick-visit book shop where visitors also can enjoy coffee, quiche, and afternoon tea, or watch toy trains run around.

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Porter Square Books: Boston Edition

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Bright independent bookshop featuring a cafe that serves tea and coffee. Staffed by friendly helpful people.

50 Liberty Drive (Boston)

Bright independent bookshop featuring a cafe that serves tea and coffee. Staffed by friendly helpful people.

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Brattle Book Shop

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Enduring shop with 3 stories of used books & magazines, including rare 1st editions.

9 West St (Boston)

Enduring shop with 3 stories of used books & magazines, including rare 1st editions.

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I AM Books

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Popular bookshop featuring Italian books, as well as souvenir items.

124 Salem St (Boston)

Popular bookshop featuring Italian books, as well as souvenir items.

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Newtonville Books

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Independent bookstore hosting readings & release parties, plus events for young readers.

10 Langley Rd (Newton)

Independent bookstore hosting readings & release parties, plus events for young readers.

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Posman Books

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Charming store offering books for adults and kids (including classics), plus toys, cards, games, and stationery.

127 Newbury St (Boston)

Charming store offering books for adults and kids (including classics), plus toys, cards, games, and stationery.

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Virtuosity Musical Instruments

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Virtuosity Musical Instruments is New England's premier wind and brass pro shop, with new and used saxes, trumpets, trombones, clarinets,…

234 Huntington Ave (Boston)

Virtuosity Musical Instruments is New England's premier wind and brass pro shop, with new and used saxes, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes, and more plus a legit repair shop. Stock up on reeds, mouthpieces, mutes, and cleaning supplies this week, then pretend your tone was always this dialed.

From the Boston newsletter, August 6, 2026

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The Music Emporium

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Instrument shop specializing in high-end acoustic & electric guitars.

165 Massachusetts Ave (Lexington)

Instrument shop specializing in high-end acoustic & electric guitars.

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Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Music store offering a selection of guitars, keyboards, and other instruments, plus lessons and repairs.

1255 Boylston St (Boston)

Music store offering a selection of guitars, keyboards, and other instruments, plus lessons and repairs.

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Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

839 Beacon St (Newton Centre)

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

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Karma Fine Crafts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Artisanal gift shop in support of fair trade boasting global jewelry, art, carpets & home decor.

57 Union St (Newton Centre)

Artisanal gift shop in support of fair trade boasting global jewelry, art, carpets & home decor.

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