Charlestown might not be the first place you think of when "amazing shopping destinations" pop into…read moreyour mind, but listen close, because Books on the Pond is here to change all of that! This adorable little bookshop gives a new meaning to the phrase "shop small" - it's one simple, gorgeously designed, and meticulously curated room full of some of the best titles for kids, teens, and young adults. However, what the space lacks in vastness, it makes up for in charm and heart. We visited here tonight because my boyfriend, who is a horror author, did a reading of some of his spooky short stories for Halloween. The event was wonderful, complete with a generous array of snacks, cozy seating, and twisted tales told by candlelight. This is the first of many of these events, which will not only include local author readings, but also book discussion groups and writing workshops. The owner, Alexandra, is super friendly and dedicated to sharing her love of literature with the community and beyond, and if you're a bibliophile, you'll find yourself at home in this bookish haven of her creation! While this was my first visit, I can safely say that Books on the Pond is now going to be a wonderful excuse to visit this part of Rhode Island more often! They have a wonderful outdoor area with a fire pit, which was unusable tonight due to inclement weather (sad trombone), but I am excited to come back another night to enjoy reading under the stars by the warmth of the fire! If you're looking for a fabulously unique shop that's truly off the beaten path, Books on the Pond is the place to go!

Saw an article in a local magazine and had to stop by. It was totally worth it, as the owner says…read more"Charlestown needed a book store" and she filled the bill. Cute, welcoming and had all the current titles and plenty of classics. I only wish I had gotten to go to an event because they are all set up for them. #COVID ‍ 100% worth the stop!

Very cute bookstore! If you Love books this place is for…read moreyou! Many great book finds for all ages! Fair prices. Friendly atmosphere from staff. Great place!

Was obsessed with this haunted little bookshop from the moment I saw their window display (see…read morepicture). Inside, curated sections of adult horror old and new, novelty books, and my favorite: ghost books (etc.) for kids! We walked out with one of my favorites, Gustavo the Shy Ghost, but I could have purchased the entire store. It's small but the employee was super nice and I'm sure everyone loves working there. The Gustavo book, hardcover and gorgeous, cost an expected 20 dollars. I'd be happy to spend all my money there, really, please stay open. This shop really adds to the already high charm of Mystic.

I'm sure the bookstore itself is fine as a business but the second we stepped in the owner's dog…read moreflew at our dog and bit her. If you're going to advertise your business as pet friendly and you know your pet is territorial, then it seems obvious to introduce precautions. There was a sign outside saying dogs were inside but that's hardly a proper warning for an aggressive animal who shouldn't be around other pets. Thankfully we grabbed our dog before she got too injured but she was badly shaken after.

We loved it. 10/10 will come back! Great selection of old and rare books at reasonable prices…read more Thoughtfully curated and alphabetized. For a frame of reference, the prices are not as low as an estate sale but definitely lower than antique store prices. Colleen was super friendly, and gave us a deal because we bought a lot of books. The dogs were super cute and made us smile! For people with allergies or sensitivities, be prepared for a tiny bit of a pet smell and lots of old book dust! Similar to the Book Barn with their cats and old books. By our standards, all the best used bookstores have pets to greet you.

I was in the area and decided to pop on by to see what this place is all about. Upon entering the…read morespace, you walk into beautifully curated collection of retail items, from cards to books to clothing items and coffee mugs. Each purchase seems like it is either helping some cause or helps the local community. They offer services and support to the community around them and help as best as they can. The have a room devoted for anyone in the community who is in need. Filled with housewares, clothing and other essentials and the best part is, its free! I recommend stopping by and checking them out. What they are doing for the community is incredible.

This is a very great addition to the Peace Dale neighborhood. Grab a coffee from across the street…read moreat Sweet Cakes and grab a book to enjoy. The Collective has a lot of community events, from Souper Sundays to Arabic lessons. They also encourage donations to local schools for books, and have a community library, full of interesting DIY books and gems. I'd recommend any event here, and hope you enjoy this sunny, welcoming environment as much as I do.

A group of eclectic, boho, and somewhat kitschy shops with some farm animals, a bamboo grove, and…read moreareas to walk and benches to sit on. I was visiting Ninigret for the trolls (3 mins away) and highly recommend visiting the Umbrella Factory if you're in the mood for some whimsy and exploration. I do wished there were some more Ninigret/troll/Rhode Island-themed souvenirs, trinkets, or postcards at the shops. That said, I did purchase beaded earrings for $20, some glass mini figurines at $6/each, and a hair clip for $14. I felt that all the prices were comparable to what I'd find at pop-up markets in RI.

Such a cool place. All kinds of great art, nice grassy areas with chickens walking around. A great…read moreplace to take photos. The best part is all of the little shops. They've got it all, from kitschy doodads to clothing to huge beautiful hanging plants. They have a store that primarily sells odd sodas and candy. We got a bacon flavored soda, it was terrible but you gotta try a bacon soda if the opportunity is there. They have a bamboo forest to walk through, there is art everywhere, just really cool. The service is great. Not a huge surprise because the vibe is so chill. Another amazing thing here are the prices. If we lived anywhere near Rhode Island, we would get the majority of our plants from here and a bunch of outdoor art pieces. It's a great way to spend a few hours.

My husband and I were in Old Saybrook for an overnight stay. We stayed at a local B and B, had…read moredinner at Penny Lane Pub on Saturday night and attended a wonderful blues concert at The Kate. Sunday morning we had breakfast at Mirsina's which was delicious. We then took a walk on Main Street. We were talking about what a sweet town this is and the friendliness of all the people we interacted with. We enjoy book stores and decided to explore Harbor Books. When we walked in, we greeted the woman at the desk. She was the wife/ owner I believe. We made small talk and looked around for books we might want to buy. During this time, a male patron came in and was talking about a 20th century European history book he had read and asked for help finding 2 other out of print books by the same author. I was preparing to make a purchase of at least 1 or 2 hardcover novels and my husband was interested in local history. A conversation took place between the owner and patron and was pointedly opinionated political talk that was very disturbing and inappropriate. Needless to say, we abruptly left. I am sorry our wonderful overnight was marred by hateful this experience. I will never go there again.

I LOVE this bookstore. It's not very wide, but it is long and tall. If I didn't stop myself at…read morethree books and postcards, I'd still be there looking at their fiction and cozy mysteries. The books are used, and their prices are written on the inside cover. They have a huge selection, every genre you can think of, and except for more popular titles, have one copy of each book to (I assume) allow for even more selection. I cannot recommend this bookstore enough. They also have a display of scouting materials in the back.

Nico Scout is one of my favorite stores in the entire universe. A visit to the store is like the…read morebest treat ever. I was long overdue for a treat, so I paid Amber a visit this past weekend & my heart grew three sizes that day. I heart Amber, her energy, her taste, her philosophies, her creativity, & her genuine, infectious laugh. Every bit of Nico Scout reflects Amber & every bit of Amber is reflected in Nico Scout. What a selection of products! When I don't know what to get someone as a gift, I go to Nico Scout. Amber has done the hard work of thinking & collecting & curating, so that I can just show up & get inspired. I always find something for someone, & it's usually something I never knew existed. Last year I found an incredible book in the store about Black American musicians & the conception of jazz. I didn't know this book existed & didn't know I needed it until I saw it. It came home with me, of course, & was a perfect gift for a good friend of mine. Books, clothes, knick knacks, art, pottery, plants, homewares, etc. There is so much goodness here, running the entire gamut of price. There's something for every person & every budget here. I am so glad this little paradise exists & I can't wait to see what Amber has in store for 2025 - I hear that workshops might be on the horizon? Sign me up, please.

I recently learned I'm on the Yelp Elite team....I was clueless on what this meant until I decided…read moreto start my journey at Nico Scout by RSVPing to their invitation to see the shop. Absolutely enjoyable experience!! This adorable and thoughtful shop has so much to offer!! Truly unique, hand crafted, fabulous books with varied cultural content-I could have purchased every cookbook there!! So much fun to explore! I had to have their cat mini purse!! I highly recommend shopping here for unique and thoughtful gifts!

Situated in downtown Mystic, on the other side of the river; this is a must see venue…read more You'll find yourself surrounded by beautiful hand blown glassware, wooden kitchen tools and cutting boards, ceramics, and some jewelry; much of it has a nautical theme, Plenty of housewarming ideas at several price points. It's hard to make up your mind; they are all museum quality. There's no hard sell from the staff.

Company of Craftsman is a beautiful store filled with a variety of handmade items. Some of the…read moreitems are made by locals, others are a bit farther, but everything is America made! This store is in the center of the of the cutest town in Connecticut, Mystic. I didn't even know where to look when I walked inside, there were so many beautiful, unique peices. The cutting boards, and other kitchen tools are so tastefully made that I would keep them as decor. They have beautiful sterling silver jewelry, from earrings to bangles. There's some stunning pottery, as well as hand blown glassware. As expected most of the items are a bit pricey, but not outrageous. Their packaging is gift ready! You're sure to impress who ever is lucky enough to receive a gift from such a charming little store.