The best book, hobby & craft shops in Milwaukee

19 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 Milwaukee’s best · Restaurants · Shopping · Beauty · Entertainment · Nightlife · Bakeries & Sweets · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Arts & Culture · Cafes · Services · Sporting Goods · Health & Wellness

Pinned in Milwaukee today

This spot is open today.

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

Paid placements are always marked.

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · 19 places · showing the latest additions first

Just Between Friends of Milwaukee County

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Twice-yearly event for kids' gear and apparel, including books, shoes and toys.

8200 W Greenfield Ave (West Allis)

“Twice-yearly event for kids' gear and apparel, including books, shoes and toys.”

Website ↗

Thirst Books

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Thirst Books is Milwaukee’s romance bookstore, fluent in every trope from romantasy and small towns & cowboys to LGBTQIA+ favorites and…

5209 W North Ave · ✓ checked Jul 31

“Thirst Books is Milwaukee’s romance bookstore, fluent in every trope from romantasy and small towns & cowboys to LGBTQIA+ favorites and dark delights. Expect signed and special editions, a friendly book club, and Blind Date with a Book when you want your next read picked for you.”

From the Milwaukee newsletter, August 6, 2026

Website ↗

Family Music Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Whether your instrument needs a quick fix, your kid wants to try something new, or you’re finally committing to lessons, Family Music…

5020 W Oklahoma Ave · ✓ checked Jul 31

“Whether your instrument needs a quick fix, your kid wants to try something new, or you’re finally committing to lessons, Family Music Center has you covered with rentals, sales, repairs, and lessons. Serving Milwaukee since 1994, they’ll help you sound good and actually stick with it this time.”

Website ↗

Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Guitar and drum shop featuring music instruments including acoustic pianos, plus lessons and repair services.

17135 W Bluemound Rd Ste A (Brookfield)

“Guitar and drum shop featuring music instruments including acoustic pianos, plus lessons and repair services.”

Website ↗

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

Planet Bead

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Beads, jewelry, watches, and jewelry-making services as well as vintage bead necklaces.

The World on a String, 710 N Milwaukee St

“Beads, jewelry, watches, and jewelry-making services as well as vintage bead necklaces.”

Website ↗

Lincoln Music House

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Familiar, long-running store featuring new instruments and rentals to buy or lease, and quality repairs and maintenance.

3379 South 13th Street

“Familiar, long-running store featuring new instruments and rentals to buy or lease, and quality repairs and maintenance.”

Website ↗

Uncle Bob's Music Center Ltd

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Familiar music store featuring new and used guitars, amps and drums.

10220 W Greenfield Ave

“Familiar music store featuring new and used guitars, amps and drums.”

Website ↗

Cream City Music

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Dealer offering new, used, and vintage guitars, plus amps and repair services.

12505 W Bluemound Rd (Brookfield)

“Dealer offering new, used, and vintage guitars, plus amps and repair services.”

Website ↗

Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

15500 W Beloit Rd Moorland Commons (New Berlin)

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

Website ↗

Rockhaus Guitars & Drums

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Friendly shop offering a mix of new, used and vintage guitars and amps.

820 E Locust St

“Friendly shop offering a mix of new, used and vintage guitars and amps.”

Website ↗

Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

3850 N 124th St (Wauwatosa)

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

Website ↗

Lilliput Records

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Independent record store buying, selling & trading new & pre-owned music (LPs, CDs).

1669 N Farwell Ave

“Independent record store buying, selling & trading new & pre-owned music (LPs, CDs).”

Website ↗

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

12805 W Janesville Rd (Muskego)

“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).

Point Loomis Center, 3545 S 27th St

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

Website ↗

Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

6803 S 27th St (Franklin)

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

Website ↗

Broadway Paper

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Cute shop known for a wide selection of greeting cards and gift-wrap, along with art supplies.

191 N Broadway · ✓ checked Aug 7

“Cute shop known for a wide selection of greeting cards and gift-wrap, along with art supplies.”

Website ↗

Top Shelf Guitar Shop

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Friendly folks perform tuneups, fretboard maintenance and stringing on guitars (electric, acoustic) and other instruments (amps, drums,…

2358 S Kinnickinnic Ave

“Friendly folks perform tuneups, fretboard maintenance and stringing on guitars (electric, acoustic) and other instruments (amps, drums, basses).”

Website ↗

Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

6900 W Greenfield Ave (West Allis)

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

Website ↗

Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

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

18200 W Bluemound Rd (Brookfield)

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

Website ↗

Listed here?

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