Is Barnes & Noble Open Today?

About Barnes & Noble Hours

Barnes & Noble is the last major bookstore chain standing in America, with around 600 locations across all 50 states. What started as a single New York City bookshop in 1886 has grown into a destination for book lovers, students, gift shoppers, and anyone who wants to browse shelves without a screen in their face. Most stores include a cafe (often Starbucks-operated), a kids' section, and a growing selection of vinyl records, board games, puzzles, and gifts. Barnes & Noble is open every day of the week.

What Time Does Barnes & Noble Open and Close?

Most Barnes & Noble stores open at 10:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are typically 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM. Hours vary by location - stores in busy shopping malls may stay open later to match mall hours, while standalone locations in smaller towns sometimes close at 8:00 PM on weekdays. The in-store cafe usually follows the same hours as the main store, though some Starbucks-operated cafes open 30 minutes earlier. Always check your local store's hours on barnesandnoble.com, especially if you're making a special trip.

Barnes & Noble Holiday Hours

Barnes & Noble stays open on most holidays with adjusted hours. You can count on them being open on Black Friday (often with early morning hours starting at 8:00 AM), the day after Christmas, New Year's Eve, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. They typically close on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During the holiday shopping season from late November through December, many locations extend their hours until 10:00 PM or later. The week before Christmas is usually their longest stretch of extended hours.

What Can You Find at Barnes & Noble?

The obvious answer is books - and lots of them. A typical Barnes & Noble carries tens of thousands of titles across every genre you can think of: fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, romance, mystery, biography, history, cooking, self-help, business, and more. The kids' section is usually one of the biggest areas in the store, with picture books, middle-grade novels, young adult fiction, and educational toys. But Barnes & Noble has expanded well beyond books in recent years. You'll find vinyl records, turntables, board games, puzzles, journals, stationery, candles, bookish gifts, and a solid selection of LEGO sets. Many stores carry the Barnes & Noble exclusive editions of popular books - special covers, sprayed edges, or bonus content you can't get anywhere else.

The NOOK e-reader section has shrunk over the years, but you can still find NOOK devices and accessories at most locations. They also carry a range of headphones, phone accessories, and tech gifts near the front of the store.

The Barnes & Noble Cafe Experience

Almost every Barnes & Noble has a cafe, and most are now operated by Starbucks. You can grab a latte, frappuccino, pastry, or sandwich while you browse. The cafe seating area is one of the things that sets Barnes & Noble apart from online shopping - it's a place to sit down, flip through a book, and decide if you actually want to buy it. Students use the cafe as a study spot, remote workers camp out with laptops, and parents grab coffee while their kids explore the children's section. It's not uncommon to spend an hour or two in a Barnes & Noble without even realizing it.

Barnes & Noble Membership

The Barnes & Noble Membership costs $39.99 per year (as of 2025) and gives you 10% off most in-store and online purchases, free shipping on online orders, and exclusive member deals throughout the year. If you buy more than $400 worth of books annually, the membership pays for itself. Members also get early access to signed editions and special releases. There's a free tier as well - the basic Barnes & Noble account lets you earn stamps toward rewards, though the discounts are smaller.

Barnes & Noble vs. Amazon: Why People Still Shop In-Store

Amazon sells more books than anyone, but Barnes & Noble offers something a website can't: the experience of browsing. Walking through a bookstore, picking up a cover that catches your eye, reading the first page, and discovering something you never would have searched for online - that's why Barnes & Noble still has loyal customers. The staff picks and recommendation shelves are curated by actual booksellers who read the books, not algorithms. For gifts, nothing beats walking into a store and finding the right book wrapped in a beautiful exclusive edition. And if you need a book today - for a school project, a book club meeting, or a last-minute gift - Barnes & Noble has it in your hands within minutes, not days.

That said, Target and Walmart both carry bestsellers at competitive prices if you're just looking for the latest popular title. For a wider selection and the full bookstore experience, Barnes & Noble is hard to beat.

Tips for Shopping at Barnes & Noble

Check the bargain section near the front of the store - it has hardcovers and coffee table books at steep discounts, sometimes 50-75% off. Sign up for the free rewards program even if you don't buy the membership - you'll earn stamps toward $5 rewards. If you're looking for a specific book, use the store's in-store kiosk or ask a bookseller - they can check stock instantly and order anything they don't have on the shelf. Barnes & Noble hosts regular events including author signings, book clubs, storytime for kids, and game nights. Check your local store's event calendar on the website. And if you're shopping for gifts, the exclusive editions and gift-wrapped options make Barnes & Noble one of the best places to find a thoughtful, personal present.