Washington RSD FAQ
Washington has 96 brick-and-mortar record stores spread across 42 cities, making it one of the strongest vinyl states in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle leads with 24 shops, followed by Spokane with nine, Bellingham and Tacoma with four each, and clusters in Olympia, Bainbridge Island, Burien, and Vancouver. Beyond the metros, you will find shops in coastal towns, mountain communities, island ferries, and agricultural hubs across the state. Use our directory above to search, filter by town, and start planning your route. You can also browse the full Record Store Directory to explore shops in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Seattle has 24 record stores, and the best are spread across several iconic neighborhoods. In the Capitol Hill area, Wall of Sound and Spin Cycle Records anchor the neighborhood’s music scene. In Ballard, Sonic Boom Records has been a Seattle institution since 1997 with a huge selection of new and used vinyl. Easy Street Records & Cafe in West Seattle, open since 1988, combines a full record store with a cafe and is one of the most beloved shops in the state. Georgetown Records in the Georgetown neighborhood specializes in underground and experimental sounds. Jive Time Records is a longtime used-vinyl staple. Silver Platters in SoDo carries a massive inventory across formats. Holy Cow Records sits inside Pike Place Market itself. And Golden Oldies Records in Wallingford is a classic neighborhood shop. Seattle rewards neighborhood hopping, and you can easily spend two or three days working through the city’s shops by bus, bike, or on foot.
A few Seattle shops have earned status beyond the city. Easy Street Records & Cafe in West Seattle, open since 1988, is famous for hosting in-store performances from major artists and has become a cultural landmark. Sonic Boom Records in Ballard is synonymous with Seattle’s indie music identity and carries one of the deepest new vinyl selections in the Pacific Northwest. Georgetown Records has carved out a niche as a haven for noise, experimental, and underground music. Singles Going Steady specializes in punk, reggae, and ska and has a devoted following. Jive Time Records is a go-to for used vinyl across all genres. And Wall of Sound on Capitol Hill is a collector’s shop with a reputation for curation. These stores are the ones that shaped Seattle’s reputation as a vinyl city, and each one offers a distinctly different digging experience.
Spokane has nine record stores, making it Eastern Washington’s vinyl capital. 4000 Holes, established in 1989, specializes in Beatles and classic rock collectibles and is a destination shop for serious collectors. Resurrection Records and Go! Records are both popular with the local community for broad selections of new and used vinyl. Total Trash Records & Sound leans into punk, garage, and underground sounds. Bigfoot Records moved into the former Groove Merchants space and serves the north side of town. Recorded Memories has been in business since 1987. FinnBoy Records, Books & Curioand Entropy (which doubles as a vintage shop and art gallery) add character to the scene. Boulevard Mercantile combines vintage goods with vinyl. Spokane’s shops are spread across the city but are all reachable in a day of driving.
Tacoma has four record stores and a history of vinyl that runs deep. Drastic Plastic Records has been open since 1976, making it one of the oldest record stores in the state. Hi-Voltage Records & Books carries more than 40,000 LPs and CDs, making it one of the largest selections in the South Sound. Turntable Treasures, in business since 1996, is another longtime favorite. Janku Land rounds out the city’s offerings. Tacoma’s shops carry a blue-collar grit and deep used sections that reflect the city’s character. If you are in the Seattle metro area, Tacoma is an easy day trip south on I-5 and well worth the drive.
Bellingham, near the Canadian border, has four record stores serving the college town and surrounding community. Ritual Records and Black Noise Records are the go-to shops for new and used vinyl in a city fueled by Western Washington University’s student population. Aladdin’s Antiques and Records has been in business since 1984, pairing antiques with a strong vinyl selection. Legendary Vinyl Records rounds out the scene. Bellingham’s shops benefit from the energy of a college town and a community that takes independent music seriously. If you are driving between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, Bellingham is a natural stopping point for a dig.
Olympia has three record stores, and the scene punches above its weight thanks to the city’s deep roots in DIY music culture. Rainy Day Records has been open since 1973, making it the longest-running independent record store in Western Washington. It is a true institution and carries a wide selection of new and used vinyl across genres. Lantern Records is the only woman-owned independent record shop in Washington and brings a curated, personal touch to its selection. Mossy Bottom Records adds another option in a city that has always punched above its weight musically. Olympia’s connection to the riot grrrl movement, K Records, and decades of Pacific Northwest indie music makes every visit feel like a piece of history.
Washington’s islands and peninsulas have a surprising number of vinyl stops. Bainbridge Island, a quick ferry ride from downtown Seattle, has three shops: Backstreet Beat, Big Dawg Records (specializing in rare and hard-to-find vinyl), and Rockin’ Ruby’s Records. On Vashon Island, Treasure Island carries vinyl alongside antiques. Over on the Kitsap Peninsula, Rockin’ Ruby’s Records has a second location in Poulsbo, and Port Orchard has two shops. Quimper Sound Records and Guitars in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula has been open since 1974 and is one of the oldest independent record stores in Western Washington. These island and peninsula shops carry the kind of character you only find in communities connected by ferries and two-lane roads.
Washington’s smaller communities have shops worth seeking out. On the coast, Ship Wrecords and Moor in Ilwaco serves the Long Beach Peninsula. Aberdeen, Kurt Cobain’s hometown, has two shops: Boomtown Records and The Tangerine Tree. The Business in Anacortes has been open since 1978. Over in the Cascades foothills, Cashmere Records opened in 2025 inside Side Street Cashmere in the Bavarian-themed town of Cashmere. Hot Poop in Walla Walla is Washington State’s oldest indie record store. Adventures Underground in Richland carries more than 15,000 LPs and 45s alongside books and comics. Small-town Washington stores tend to carry eclectic selections shaped by their owners’ taste and a loyal local following.
Most Washington record stores carry a mix of new and used vinyl, and many stock CDs, cassettes, and other formats. Hi-Voltage Records & Books in Tacoma has more than 40,000 LPs and CDs. Silver Platters at its Seattle, Bellevue, and Lynnwood locations carries massive selections across all formats. Jive Time Records in Seattle and Rainy Day Records in Olympia are known for deep used bins. 4000 Holes in Spokane specializes in collectible vinyl. Everybody’s Music in Vancouver and Adventures Underground in Richland carry strong used inventories. Formats and inventory vary by shop, so it is always worth calling ahead or checking a store’s website if you are hunting something specific. Our directory cards above include phone numbers and website links for every shop.
Washington is a major Record Store Day state, and shops from Seattle to Spokane participate every year. Record Store Day takes place every April, with a second drop on Black Friday in November, and Washington stores celebrate with exclusive limited-edition releases, in-store performances, early-morning lines, and community events. Easy Street Records and Sonic Boom Records in Seattle are among the most prominent RSD participants in the Pacific Northwest and typically draw large crowds. Silver Platters, Georgetown Records, Rainy Day Records in Olympia, and many smaller shops also participate. Check the official Record Store Day store locator to confirm which Washington shops are carrying exclusive releases and plan your visit early. Lines at popular Seattle locations can form hours before doors open, and limited-edition RSD titles sell out fast.
Washington’s record stores span every genre imaginable. Punk and underground collectors should look at Singles Going Steady (punk, reggae, ska), Georgetown Records (noise, experimental), and Total Trash Records & Sound in Spokane (garage, punk). Reggae and dub fans should not miss Zion’s Gate Records in Seattle. Electronic and techno heads will find deep selections at Further Records in Seattle, which specializes in house, techno, and electro. Classic rock and Beatles collectors have a destination in 4000 Holes in Spokane. For broad selections that cover rock, soul, jazz, hip-hop, country, and everything in between, Easy Street Records, Sonic Boom Records, and Silver Platters in Seattle carry some of the deepest inventories in the state. If a genre exists, a Washington record store carries it.
A few practical tips will help. Seattle shops are spread across multiple neighborhoods, but the city’s bus system and light rail make car-free record store hopping realistic. Bring a waterproof bag or backpack for your haul since Washington’s rain can hit without warning. Shops in smaller towns and on the coast may keep limited hours or seasonal schedules, so always check websites or social media before making a special trip. Washington charges sales tax (around 10% in Seattle, varying by county), so factor that into your budget on bigger purchases. Bring cash as a backup since not every shop takes cards. Most importantly, talk to the staff. Washington record store employees tend to be deeply embedded in their local music communities, and a conversation about what you are looking for can lead to discoveries you would never find on your own.
Yes. Holy Cow Records is inside Pike Place Market itself, making it one of the easiest record stores in the country to stumble into as a tourist. Capitol Hill, one of Seattle’s most visited neighborhoods, is home to Wall of Sound and Spin Cycle Records. Bainbridge Island’s three shops are a ferry ride from the Seattle waterfront. If you are visiting the San Juan Islands or driving to the Canadian border, Bellingham and Anacortes both have shops along the way. Olympia’s stores pair with a visit to the state capitol. Hot Poop in Walla Walla pairs with wine country touring. Even Aberdeen, famous as Kurt Cobain’s hometown, has two record stores. Wherever Washington tourism takes you, there is vinyl nearby.
Washington might be one of the best record store road trip states in the country. Start in Seattle and spend two days working through 24 shops across Capitol Hill, Ballard, Georgetown, West Seattle, and the surrounding suburbs. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island for three more stops. Head south on I-5 through Tacoma and Olympia, then continue to Vancouver for three shops near the Oregon border. Loop east through the Columbia Gorge and across to Walla Walla for Hot Poop, then north through Richland and the Tri-Cities. Finish in Spokane with a full day across nine shops. Alternatively, drive north from Seattle through Bellingham and Anacortes, then cut west to the coast for Aberdeen, Ilwaco, and the Olympic Peninsula. Between the no-income-tax advantage, Washington’s natural beauty, and the density of shops, this is a road trip that music lovers will remember.