Tucked away in the historic tobacco warehouse district of Viroqua, Wisconsin, Driftless Books and Music is the kind of place that makes book lovers forget about the outside world entirely. Spread across a massive, character-filled building at 518 Walnut St, this used bookstore holds thousands of titles spanning every genre imaginable, plus vinyl records, CDs, artwork, and live music.
Visitors regularly drive two to three hours just to spend an afternoon wandering its shelves, and almost everyone leaves with more than they planned to buy. Whether you are a lifelong reader or just curious, this place has a way of pulling you in and never quite letting go.
A Historic Tobacco Warehouse Turned Book Lover’s Paradise
Some buildings carry stories in their very walls, and the old tobacco warehouse that houses Driftless Books and Music is no exception. Built during Viroqua’s tobacco industry heyday, this sprawling structure once stored bales of leaf tobacco before it found a new calling as one of Wisconsin’s most beloved bookstores.
Walking through the front door, you immediately sense the weight of history around you. The high ceilings, worn wooden floors, and exposed brick all whisper of a different era while welcoming you into something entirely new.
That contrast — old bones, new purpose — gives the store a character that modern retail spaces simply cannot replicate. Reviewers consistently describe stepping inside as crossing into another world altogether.
The building itself is half the experience, so take your time soaking it all in before you even glance at a single shelf.
Thousands Upon Thousands of Books Covering Every Genre
Forget browsing a few hundred titles on a tidy shelf. At Driftless Books and Music, the sheer volume of books is genuinely staggering — customers regularly describe it as thousands upon thousands of volumes packed into every corner of the building.
Cookbooks sit near travel guides, young adult fiction neighbors ancient history, and Amish romance (yes, that is a real genre) shares space with classic literature. One reviewer laughed that they did not even know Amish romance existed until spotting it on a shelf here.
The collection spans both used and some new titles, so you never quite know what era or condition your next find will be in — and that unpredictability is a huge part of the fun. Serious collectors and casual browsers alike walk away with armloads of books they never expected to find.
The Treasure Hunt Feeling That Keeps Visitors Coming Back
There is something deeply satisfying about not knowing what you will find — and that uncertainty is exactly what makes shopping at Driftless Books and Music feel like a genuine treasure hunt. One customer put it perfectly: it is not about what you find, it is about what finds you.
People arrive hoping to complete a book series or track down a childhood favorite, and while they do not always find that exact title, they almost never leave empty-handed. The unexpected discovery — a rare map, a vintage cookbook, a long-forgotten novel — is practically guaranteed.
That unpredictable magic is why so many visitors make the long drive back again and again. One reviewer mentioned forgetting to explore an entire section during their visit and using it as a reason to return someday.
When a store gives you homework like that, you know it is special.
Art, Sculptures, and Eclectic Decor Around Every Corner
Plenty of bookstores sell books. Far fewer turn their entire space into an art gallery at the same time.
At Driftless Books and Music, paintings, sculptures, and all manner of eclectic decor are woven throughout the shelves, making every aisle feel like a mini-exhibition.
One reviewer admitted they almost enjoyed the artwork on the walls more than the books themselves — quite a statement in a store with this many books. A particular fan favorite is a chipmunk painting created by Mary Solberg, a talented artist from Winona, Minnesota.
The owner even mentioned it in a review response, clearly proud of the whimsical piece.
Sculptures pop up in unexpected spots, and the overall visual energy of the space is layered and surprising. You might round a corner looking for a mystery novel and instead find yourself standing in front of a painting that stops you cold.
Live Music That Transforms the Space Into Something Magical
Books and music have always had a natural kinship, and Driftless Books and Music leans fully into that connection. The store regularly hosts live music events that completely change the atmosphere of the already-enchanting space.
Imagine wandering through stacks of old novels while jazz drifts through the air from somewhere nearby — that is a real experience customers have described here. One reviewer called the combination of live music and towering bookshelves an otherworldly gathering, like something out of a dream.
Even on days without live performances, the store keeps music playing throughout, adding to the warm, immersive mood. The name says it all: this is not just a bookstore but a celebration of two of humanity’s oldest creative outlets.
If you time your visit around a live music event, you are in for something genuinely unforgettable.
Vinyl Records and CDs for the Music Collectors in the Crowd
Book people and music people have more overlap than you might think, and Driftless Books and Music was built with both in mind. Alongside its massive book inventory, the store carries a solid selection of vinyl records and CDs that music collectors genuinely get excited about.
Whether you are hunting for a specific jazz album, a classic rock staple, or something wonderfully obscure, the music section is worth dedicating real time to. Reviewers who came purely for books often mention being pleasantly surprised by the depth of the music offerings.
Finding a beloved record you have not seen in years carries the same electric feeling as spotting a long-lost favorite book — and at Driftless, you can experience both in a single afternoon. It is the kind of double-threat shopping experience that makes the long drive from anywhere in Wisconsin feel completely worthwhile.
A Children’s Play Area That Makes Family Visits Easy
Bringing kids to a bookstore can feel like a gamble — will they be bored while you browse, or will they find something that sparks a lifelong love of reading? At Driftless Books and Music, the store thoughtfully includes a play area for children, making it genuinely family-friendly.
Parents can browse nearby shelves with a little peace of mind while younger visitors stay entertained. The children’s book section itself is stocked with a wonderful variety of titles, from board books for babies to chapter books for older kids.
One reviewer visited specifically to find books for their first baby and raved about the selection. Another came with family and described the staff as so welcoming it immediately put everyone at ease.
Bookstores that welcome the next generation of readers are doing something right, and Driftless clearly understands that investment matters.
An Outdoor Art Garden Worth Exploring Before You Leave
Most people come to Driftless Books and Music for what is inside, but stepping outside reveals another layer of the experience entirely. The store features an outdoor art garden that several reviewers specifically flagged as a highlight not to skip.
Sculptures and creative installations are arranged in the outdoor space, extending the artistic spirit of the interior into the open air. It is a refreshing way to take a breather between browsing sessions, especially on a beautiful Wisconsin day when the surrounding Driftless Region landscape is looking its finest.
The art garden pairs naturally with the other historic buildings nearby, making the whole block feel like a small cultural destination. Reviewers recommend checking it out before heading back to your car — partly because it is genuinely worth seeing, and partly because it gives you one more excuse to linger a little longer.
Rare Maps and Historic Finds for the Serious Collector
Not every used bookstore stocks historic maps alongside its novels, but Driftless Books and Music is not every used bookstore. Serious collectors have pulled genuine finds from these shelves — one reviewer came expecting a modest store and left with two books and two historic maps that genuinely surprised them.
The store’s inventory extends well beyond standard fiction and nonfiction categories. Rare and out-of-print titles, vintage periodicals, and specialty items turn up regularly, rewarding the patient browser who takes the time to look carefully.
If you have a specific collecting interest — whether it is antique cartography, first editions, or obscure regional history — it is worth asking the staff. They are described by multiple visitors as knowledgeable and genuinely helpful, the kind of people who remember what came in recently and can point you toward something you never knew you needed.
Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff Who Truly Love What They Do
A great bookstore needs great people behind the counter, and Driftless Books and Music has that covered. Across dozens of reviews, the staff consistently earn praise for being warm, welcoming, and genuinely knowledgeable about the store’s enormous inventory.
One reviewer spent over two hours browsing and specifically called out the lovely woman who checked them out as a highlight of the visit. Another described the employees as rare in their kindness — a quality that is easy to feel but hard to fake.
The staff have even been known to take visitors upstairs to the overstock area, where books awaiting pricing are stored. That kind of behind-the-scenes access feels like a gift to a true book lover.
When the people running a place care as much as the customers do, the whole experience gets elevated into something genuinely memorable.
An Upstairs Overstock Area Full of Unsorted Surprises
Beyond the well-organized main floor lies one of the store’s most exciting secrets — an upstairs overstock area where books awaiting pricing are stored in gloriously chaotic stacks. Getting up there feels like being let in on something special, and the staff have been known to welcome curious visitors who ask.
Unlike the tidier sections below, this area has a wonderfully raw energy. Books are piled in ways that demand patience and reward the adventurous browser willing to dig around.
One reviewer described spending two hours on the main floor, laughing and exploring with their spouse, and still not getting to everything. Knowing there is an entire upstairs filled with more undiscovered titles makes the experience feel practically limitless.
If you visit and have the time, ask about heading up — because the best find of your day might be sitting in an unsorted pile just waiting for you.
A Destination Worth the Drive From Anywhere in Wisconsin
Some places earn the label destination, and Driftless Books and Music has earned it honestly. Visitors regularly make drives of two to three hours specifically to spend an afternoon here, and almost universally report that the trip was worth every mile.
Part of the appeal is the setting itself. The Driftless Region of Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful corners of the state, with rolling hills, winding valleys, and charming small towns that make the drive an experience on its own.
Viroqua, the town where the store sits, holds its own collection of gems worth exploring before or after your visit.
Planning a full day around the trip is the recommended approach — drive through the countryside, spend a few hours at the store, grab lunch in town, then head back with a bag full of books. Reviewers who did exactly that describe it as close to a perfect day.
Hours, Location, and Tips for Planning Your Visit
Ready to plan your trip? Driftless Books and Music is located at 518 Walnut St in Viroqua, Wisconsin, right in the historic tobacco warehouse district.
The store holds a 4.7-star rating across hundreds of reviews, which tells you everything you need to know about how much people love it.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM. The store is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
It is also worth noting that in earlier years the store closed for winter, so checking current hours at driftlessbooks.com before your visit is a smart move.
Reviewers strongly suggest blocking off at least two to four hours for your visit — and signing the guest book when you arrive. You can also reach the store by phone at 608-638-2665 if you have questions before making the drive.
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