Two full-time cats run the floor at this bookstore, and one of them might nap on you. Her name is Camila, and she’s the outgoing one.
Her coworker Jamie is shyer but loves to play.
The cats share the space with deep shelves of new, used, and out-of-print books. A calico has even been known to escort shoppers from the door to their section.
I can’t imagine a better welcome for a kid who’s lukewarm about reading.
This spot sits in Washington, and it’s open seven days a week. It’s an easy, low-key outing for parents and grandparents who want a slow afternoon.
Nobody needs special gear, tickets, or skills here.
I like how a simple book run can turn into a whole adventure. So which would win your family over first: the stacks or the cats?
A Downtown Bookshop Where The Staff Includes Whiskers
Good bookstores feel like a friend’s living room, and King’s Books leans hard into that idea. It’s an independent shop in downtown Tacoma selling new, used, and out-of-print titles.
The store is locally owned, which matters if you like keeping your book money close to home. It also means the shelves reflect real people making real choices, not a corporate algorithm.
Then there are the cats. Two full-time resident cats, Camila and Jamie, share the space with the books.
Cats come up again and again when people talk about this place, and honestly, that tracks.
For families in Washington, the appeal is pretty simple. You get a cozy indoor outing that costs nothing to enter and runs at whatever pace you choose.
Kids can browse, grown-ups can hunt for treasures, and everyone can say hello to a cat.
The shop has earned a strong 4.7-star rating across more than 550 Google reviews. That’s a lot of happy readers for one bookstore.
It also suggests the experience holds up whether you visit once or make it a monthly habit.
Think of it as part bookstore, part community hub, and part cat lounge. That combination doesn’t show up every day.
Meet The Two Cats Who Actually Run The Place
Camila is the extrovert. She’s always ready for attention, and she may decide your lap is her next nap spot.
Plan your schedule accordingly, because leaving gets awkward once a cat settles in.
Jamie is the introvert of the pair. When she does come out, though, she’s usually looking to play.
That’s a fun contrast for kids learning that every animal has its own personality.
One shopper described being escorted from the front door to their subject area by a lovely calico. Tell me that wouldn’t thrill a seven-year-old.
It’s like having a tiny, furry store guide who works for chin scratches.
The cats are clearly a huge part of the shop’s charm. People mention them constantly, often right alongside the book selection.
Some visitors even admit the promise of cats was the main reason they walked over.
A quick word for families, though. Cats choose their own adventures, so there’s no guarantee they’ll be out and social every visit.
Teaching kids to let the cats come to them is a good move.
Gentle hands and quiet voices go a long way. Patience usually earns a head bump eventually.
Shelves That Reward The Wanderers In Your Family
Labyrinth is a word that gets used for this layout, and it fits nicely. The space rewards anyone in the mood to roam and stumble onto something new.
Shoppers on a strict mission might find that a little tricky. Kids, on the other hand, tend to love a maze.
Every corner could hold a surprise, and that’s half the fun.
New and used books are mixed together by genre here. So you’ll find a shiny new release sitting near a well-loved older copy.
The selection leans slightly more new than used, but both show up across the store.
Plenty of folks praise the organization too. One visitor called the layout one of the best they’d ever seen.
Apparently a maze can still be a tidy maze.
That mix makes the trip feel like a treasure hunt. You might come for one title and leave with three you’d never heard of.
Give yourself extra time if you can. Browsing here tends to stretch out, especially once someone spots a section they love.
Rushing through this place sort of misses the point.
Used Books That Keep The Budget Happy
Value is a big reason families can feel good about this trip. Visitors describe the used books as a good deal, with reasonable prices overall.
That’s welcome news for parents with fast readers. Kids can blaze through a series in a week, and buying everything new adds up quickly.
Used shelves help stretch that book budget.
King’s Books also carries out-of-print titles, which is a fun bonus for grown-ups. Maybe a grandparent spots a favorite they haven’t seen in decades.
That kind of find sparks great stories on the drive home.
A few rare books turn up as well, so collectors have a reason to poke around. You don’t need to be one, though.
Casual browsing works just fine.
Here’s a smart family trick. Give each kid a small spending limit and let them choose their own book.
It turns the visit into a lesson in decision-making and makes the pick feel special.
Exact prices vary by title and condition, so expect a range. Either way, a bookstore visit stays one of the friendlier outings for your wallet.
Entry costs nothing, and browsing is free.
Local Authors, Cookbooks, And Tarot Cards In One Trip
Frank Herbert fans, take note. Work by the Tacoma-born author of Dune can always be found here.
That’s a neat bit of hometown pride sitting right on the shelves.
The cookbook section gets love too, especially for its variety of international and ethnic cuisines. It’s a great spot to grab inspiration for a family cooking night.
Beyond books, you’ll find gift items sprinkled throughout the store. Tarot and oracle card decks show up, along with greeting cards.
It’s handy when someone suddenly remembers a birthday.
The shop also has a well-stocked Pride section. Shoppers often mention finding titles there they’d never seen anywhere else.
The store has a reputation as a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ readers.
Many visitors say they found books here they couldn’t track down at other stores. That’s the beauty of thoughtful curation.
Somebody clearly puts real care into what earns shelf space.
Art, classics, and philosophy sections round things out for older readers. Teens might enjoy exploring those corners.
A curious kid could easily wander from cookbooks to poetry in five minutes flat, and nobody would blink.
Comfy Seats For Grandparents And Slow Readers
Tired legs get a break here. The store offers ample seating spread throughout, so you can sit down and actually sample a book before buying.
That’s a real plus for grandparents. Nobody wants a family outing that turns into a long standing marathon.
A chair between the shelves makes the whole visit more relaxed.
One shopper called it the exact kind of store you bring grandkids to for books. I love that image.
A grandparent reading the first chapter aloud while a cat wanders past sounds pretty perfect.
The atmosphere earns words like homey, cozy, and old-fashioned. It has that small-town bookstore feel, even though it’s right in the city.
Kids get to experience something a little nostalgic.
Seating also helps younger kids who need a quick reset. A short sit-down can save a whole afternoon from meltdown territory.
And honestly, adults deserve a sit too. Flipping through a novel in a comfy spot is a small luxury that costs nothing.
Just be warned that Camila may claim the lap you planned to use for a book. That’s a risk worth taking.
Friendly Booksellers Who Love A Good Recommendation
Friendly staff is the single most mentioned topic about this shop. That’s saying something in a store with cats.
Employees here have a knack for recommendations. When a requested book isn’t in stock, staff have suggested several similar titles instead.
One shopper loved a recommendation enough to buy it on the spot.
That kind of help is gold for parents. Kids often know what they liked last time but not what to read next.
A bookseller who can bridge that gap saves everyone a lot of guessing.
Shoppers describe the team as warm, welcoming, and willing to share what they know. That tone makes asking questions easy, even for shy kids.
Encourage your young reader to do the asking. It’s a small confidence builder, and booksellers usually enjoy talking to excited kids.
As with any shop, experiences can vary. A rare visitor didn’t feel the same warmth, so it’s fair to mention.
Still, the overwhelming pattern points to helpful people who clearly love books and enjoy matching them to readers. That’s the heart of a good indie bookstore, and it shows up here often.
Book Clubs, Zine Fest, And After-Hours Fun
Monthly book clubs keep this shop buzzing between visits. Themes have ranged from Feminist Utopia to Tacoma Sister Cities to Buddhism Today.
That variety means there’s probably a club for someone in your household. It’s also a nice way for older teens or adults to connect with other Washington readers.
Events go well beyond book clubs. King’s Books has hosted Zine Fest and Tacoma Is For Lovers, plus author readings.
Seating works well for those more intimate gatherings.
There’s even an After Hours series. One event featured a small music show in the back room that left the audience laughing.
Who knew a bookstore could double as a tiny stage?
Events change throughout the year, so check the store’s schedule before you go. Some may suit families better than others.
Zine Fest could be especially fun for creative kids. Zines are small, homemade magazines, and they’re a great gateway to making your own art.
A kid who leaves inspired to staple together a comic book has had a pretty great day. Community events like these help explain why so many people treat the shop as a local anchor.
Plan Your Visit Around These Easy Hours
Seven days a week, the doors open at 11 AM and close at 7 PM. That steady schedule makes planning simple, even on a weekend whim.
You’ll find the store at 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402. It sits in downtown Tacoma, close enough that some hotel guests walk over.
Parking gets mixed but mostly positive notes. Some shoppers call it easy, while others say it can get busier at certain times.
Arriving earlier in the day may help.
Curbside pickup has been available too, which is handy if you’ve already picked out a title. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm current options.
Here’s a fun bonus on clear days. One visitor stepped out the door and caught a view of Mount Rainier.
That’s a pretty great souvenir that costs nothing.
Because the shop is indoors, it makes a dependable rainy-day plan in Washington. Gray skies?
No problem. Pair the visit with a stroll around downtown, and you’ve built an easy afternoon.
Bring a tote bag, since the book pile tends to grow faster than expected.
Why This Bookstore Deserves A Spot On Your Family Calendar
Cats, stacks, and a free front door make a pretty winning combo. King’s Books checks a lot of boxes for families looking for an easy day out.
Kids get novelty in the form of resident cats and maze-like aisles. Parents get affordable used books and helpful booksellers.
Grandparents get comfy chairs and a dose of old-school bookstore charm.
No skills, tickets, or gear are needed. You just show up, wander, and see where the shelves take you.
Is it a perfect fit for every single shopper? No place is.
But the strong rating and steady praise for its people, books, and cats tell a clear story.
I believe the best family outings are the ones kids keep talking about later. A cat-guided book hunt has real staying power in that department.
It might even spark a reading habit that sticks.
So next time the weather turns gray or the weekend feels empty, keep this Tacoma shop in mind. Grab a small book budget, gather the crew, and go.
Just leave a little extra time in case Camila decides your lap is hers for the afternoon.
