Water Street Bookstore

Water Street Bookstore has been a cornerstone of downtown Exeter since 1998, drawing readers from the storied prep school campus and the wider seacoast community into a beautifully appointed space that overlooks the gentle Exeter River. The young adult section is among the most comprehensive in New Hampshire, reflecting the tastes and needs of the hundreds of Phillips Exeter Academy students who browse the shelves each week, and the store's coming-of-age fiction collection resonates with readers of all ages. History and biography sections are curated with academic rigor, featuring titles that satisfy both serious scholars and casual readers curious about the past. A riverside cafe with large windows and comfortable seating has become a favored study spot for students and a gathering place for book clubs and casual readers alike. Water Street Bookstore strikes a rare balance between the intellectual demands of its academy neighbors and the accessible warmth that makes any visitor feel welcome, proving that a bookstore can be both rigorous and inviting at the same time.