As the physical side of the music industry has continued its steady decline, finding any record store can seem like a challenge, let alone one worth writing home about. However, the good ol' US of A does have quite a few world-class storefronts that will make any cratedigger drool. Below are 5 vinyl shops that are definitely worth a trip.
(Note: At Traveler's Today, we know that your family and friends might not share your obsession with antiquated media formats. So we've included nearby attractions to keep them busy/convince them to take the trip in the first place.)
5. Reckless Records
This Chicago institution was so good they couldn't contain it to one store. The store opened in 1989 and - bucking the trend of shuttered stores across the country- has actually expanded to include two more locations across Chicagoland. Bonus points for being the store that inspired High Fidelity.
Local attractions for fam 'n' friends: Navy Pier, Grant Park, Chicago River Tours, Willis Tower, Wrigley Field
4. Grimey's Records
Grimey's is the most-loved record shop in Nashville, a city that is literally built around the music industry. That has to count for something. Not to mention, the Music City's favorite spot for music keeps a regular stream of in-store events and concerts featuring soon-to-be famous artists.
Local attractions for fam 'n' friends: The Opry, Lane Motor Museum, Country Music Hall Of Fame, Nashville Zoo
3. Other Music
You have to love a store whose very name comes with a heaping side of NYC attitude (Other refers to the fact that they used to be down the street from a Tower Records franchise, and carried the music that you couldn't find there). This indie still specializes in the weird and hard-to-find stuff and is worth a trip just to impress your fellow collectors.
Local attractions for fam 'n' friends: Broadway, World Trade Center, Statue Of Liberty, Empire State Building, MOMA or maybe somewhere off the beaten path.
2. Mississppi Records
Okay, so if you have friends who want to go to Portland, they probably want to hit the record shops with you. Take your hip buds to Mississippi Records and stock up on rare folk and world music.
Local attractions for fam 'n' friends: NATURE- Portland is full of spots to take a hike, climb a tree, walk the dog and pitch a tent. Once you've given your new selections a spin, don't hesitate to go outside.
1. Amoeba Music
Was there really any doubt that this San Francisco stalwart would snag the top spot? Amoeba bills itself as the "world's largest independent record store" and they may well be right. Amoeba's stock is so huge and its influx of used records is so massive that they literally give away boxes of old records that they don't want.
Local attractions for fam 'n' friends: Amoeba is on Haight St. so feel free to wander around the former epicenter of hippie culture. Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Alcatraz.
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