I look to books for travel inspiration. My favorite travel bookstore? Leopold’s in Madison, WI.

One of my favorite parts of travel is planning my trips. This has been the case since I was a little girl paging through my father’s Fodor’s guides. Imagining what a new city or country will be like is, for me, nearly as exciting as actually visiting it.

While I may not be the most spontaneous traveler, I have tons of advice about travel planning. One of my top tips? Immerse yourself in a culture with things like literature and cookbooks, and allow your imagination to take over. It almost always leads to a more creative and exciting itinerary!

One place that agrees with me is Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè in Madison, Wisconsin. I’ve found this independent bookstore to be the best place to spark my imagination—whether I know where I’m going or looking for a new destination.

Leopold’s — The best travel bookstore that isn’t actually a travel bookstore

Leopold’s motto is “Books with a Sense of Place,” and that’s exactly what they offer. 

When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a standard bookstore setup, backgrounded by a bustling café. You’ll see a table of staff picks, a table of journals and small books, and a shelf of books notable for winning awards or being prominent on social media.

But don’t be fooled: this isn’t your average bookstore (even though I love average bookstores!).

Behind this welcoming entrance, you’ll find packed bookshelves. These volumes contain stories and information from around the world. Leopold’s organizes these shelves by region, country, or city. 

Navigating Leopold’s: Choose your destination

One of the most delightful things I’ve found at Leopold’s is that they don’t separate their books by genre. This is true even within each country’s selection. 

So, when looking at the “France” shelf, I found translated novels by Annie Ernaux, one of my all-time favorite French novelists. But I also saw cookbooks (Julia Child, anyone?), a biography of Charles de Gaulle, and memoirs of living in France.

And my personal favorite touch? The bookstore staff selects wines from each region and shelves them next to the books. Yep: you can get an actual taste of the location you’re going to as you read fiction and nonfiction from there. A bottle of local wine combined with a selection of books about an upcoming or favorite destination also makes a great present.

A bonus: as you check out, the staff offers you a postcard to use instead of a traditional bookmark. I’ve been here numerous times and seen a huge variety of designs—but the backs all remind you that you got them as a gift from Leopold’s.

Let Leopold’s surprise you with its books and wines

Beyond the wine and postcard perks, there’s a huge benefit to travelers in visiting a store like this. For example, if someone recommends a novel to me, I usually don’t want any spoilers beyond the basics. So, I often don’t know where novels are set. Leopold’s organization makes this clear without giving anything about the book away.

The bookstore also has a local focus that I love. The closer your destination is to Madison, the more likely you are to find a wide selection of books about that area. They have sections for local books, books set in Wisconsin, and books set in Chicago. And while local wines may not live up to those found in the French or Italian sections, don’t be too sure—the store’s tasters make great recommendations.

My tips for visiting

Despite its small size, Leopold’s is a place you’ll want to wander. Don’t think of it as a bookstore—it’s a destination. You can come in to explore books for a particular area. But you can also come in without any goal at all.

In either case, don’t limit yourself! I’ve bought books about many different countries here, but I’ve also bought books that take place in fantasy worlds. This is where I discovered Rupert Holms’s Murder Your Employer, as well as Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing (I was a little late on that one!). Their children’s, YA, and Fantasy/Sci-Fi selections are small but excellently curated.

The staff is also super helpful and knowledgeable, but they aren’t pushy at all. Feel free to approach the person at the front desk to ask about a particular product—or to get their recommendations.

After you’re done browsing and buying, make time for the café/bar in the back. If you’re really hungry, there’s a restaurant attached to the store that’s open in the evenings. Leopold’s itself is open until midnight every night, serving coffee, wine, and a selection of sweets. On a recent visit, my sister and I had hot drinks and delicious treats: tiramisu and pistachio cake.

The café can get crowded, particularly on weekends. You’ll have a better chance of snagging a spot if you’re willing to sit at the bar or wait a few minutes. But I’ve never had to wait for too long, despite the crowds. A summer patio opens up even more seating.

Help! I don’t live in Wisconsin!

Don’t worry if Madison is a hike (or a flight) from where you live. You don’t have to visit Leopold’s in person to benefit from their incredible set-up. Find them (along with other indie bookstores) on Bookshop.org.

Scrolling down the Bookshop page, you’ll find selections from the bookshop staff. As of publication, these include general travel books. However, you’ll also see book selections chosen for areas as varied as Chicago and Afghanistan.

Leopold’s doesn’t have online wine recommendations posted. But you don’t have to visit them in person to get their ideas about what pairs best with a certain book. After ordering online, you can email the bookshop at [email protected] for wine recommendations.

I do live in Wisconsin! How should I explore?

First of all, come hang out at the bookstore! You can find their events listed online. They vary from tailgate events (we are in Wisconsin, after all!) to more traditional author readings.

Other than shopping, you can also get a book club going if you’re in the area. The store has a private book nook that you can book for a minimum spend at the bar. Your club could focus on general travel, a particular location, bookseller recommendations, or your whims based on what’s in stock. Of course, I’d recommend starting a travel book club!

A final word

I grew up in Wisconsin, and I have tons of favorite places to travel here. From Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on the Rock to Door County’s nature trails, I love this state. 

But whenever I come home, the one thing I make sure not to miss is a trip to Leopold’s. This bookstore focused on the wonders of the world has become one of my favorite wonders in its own right!

📚 Related Reading: Travel Journaling

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Thanks for reading!

Next up, read about my experience traveling from Milwaukee to Minneapolis on Amtrak’s Borealis train.