Where to Travel If You Want to Be the Kind of Person Who Owns a Typewriter and Writes in Coffee Shops

Got a vintage typewriter collecting dust on your shelf? Dream of tapping away at the keys while sipping an artisanal pour-over as strangers wonder if you’re crafting your breakout novel? You’re not alone! The typewriter-toting, coffee-shop-dwelling creative has become a whole identity unto itself—part aesthetic, part lifestyle, and yes, part performance art.

Some cities feel this vibe better than others. They’ve got the perfect mix of indie cafés with good lighting and even better wifi, used bookstores with hardwood floors, and enough fellow creative types that you won’t feel like a cliché when you pull out your Olivetti Valentine at the communal table.

Let’s tour a few destinations where your typewriter dreams can flourish alongside your caffeine addiction!

Portland, Oregon

Portland has not only embraced the typewriter aesthetic; it practically perfected it. This Pacific Northwest hub is first on our list for a few reasons.

The Literary Scene: Powell’s City of Books (an entire city block of new and used books) acts as the unofficial headquarters for the literary-minded. Their rare book room might even have a first edition of your favorite beat poet!

The Caffeine Situation: With shops like Heart Coffee Roasters, Stumptown, and Coava, Portland takes coffee VERY seriously. Many cafés feature long wooden tables, plenty of outlets, and baristas who won’t judge you too harshly for camping out all day with your manual typewriter.

Typewriter Resources: Tom Hanks would approve of Portland’s dedication to keeping typewriters alive. The city is home to multiple typewriter repair shops and vintage stores selling refurbished machines. Check out Ace Typewriter for repairs or Blue Moon Camera for beautifully restored classics.

The Perfect Spot: Try Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, a late-night café in an old house with quirky décor and classical music. The slightly spooky vibe pairs perfectly with the click-clack of typewriter keys if you’re working on something moody.

Bonus Points: Rent a bike to carry your typewriter between coffee shops—the city’s eco-friendly transportation system fits the whole sustainability aesthetic that goes hand-in-hand with analog technologies.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis might not be the first city that comes to mind, but its combination of brutal winters (perfect for indoor writing sessions) and thriving arts scene makes it a typewriter paradise.

The Literary Scene: Home to Graywolf Press, Coffee House Press, and Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis punches way above its weight in publishing. The area also gave us literary giants like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Caffeine Situation: Spyhouse Coffee Roasters offers multiple locations with the perfect mix of serious coffee and a writing-friendly atmosphere. Five Watt Coffee adds craft cocktail sensibilities to their coffee creations—just the thing to shake up your writing routine.

Typewriter Resources: If you have a typewriter and are looking for repairs or supplies, head to Spectrum. If you’re willing to travel further afield to check out vintage typewriters, Ticka Ticka Ding is a fabulous spot.

The Perfect Spot: Hard Times Café, a worker-owned collective with mismatched furniture and a punk rock attitude, welcomes writers at all hours. Your typewriter will fit right in with the anti-establishment vibe.

Bonus Points: The city’s skyway system lets you travel between buildings without going outside during winter, meaning you can typewriter-hop even when it’s minus 20 degrees!

Austin, Texas

Austin combines Southern charm with hipster sensibilities, creating the perfect environment for typewriter aficionados who prefer their coffee shops with a side of live music.

The Literary Scene: Home to the Texas Book Festival and independent bookstores like BookPeople, Austin attracts literary types from across the Southwest. The University of Texas’s Harry Ransom Center houses a significant collection of literary artifacts as well.

The Caffeine Situation: Jo’s Coffee (home of the “I love you so much” wall), Epoch Coffee (open 24/7), and Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors provide the perfect mix of good beans and creative atmosphere.

Typewriter Resources: Typewriter enthusiasts can find vintage machines at Austin Typewriter, Ink.

The Perfect Spot: Cosmic offers a truly Austin experience with its sprawling outdoor space filled with native plants, a chicken coop, and a fish pond. The indoor-outdoor setup provides plenty of typing spots where you can set up your typewriter while enjoying both craft coffee and local beers.

Bonus Points: Austin’s food truck scene means you never have to pack up your typewriter when hunger strikes—just wander to the nearest cluster of trucks without losing your creative flow.

Key West, Florida

This tiny island at the southernmost point of the continental US has literary credentials that far outweigh its small size, making it a natural pilgrimage site for typewriter enthusiasts.

The Literary Scene: Ernest Hemingway’s ghost looms large here—his former home (complete with descendants of his six-toed cats) is now a museum where visitors can see his writing studio. Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Shel Silverstein, and Robert Frost also called Key West home at various points, establishing a rich literary tradition that continues with the annual Key West Literary Seminar.

The Caffeine Situation: Cuban Coffee Queen serves strong Cuban-style coffee that might fuel your next short story, while 5 Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop offers authentic café con leche in a no-frills setting. For something more modern, try Coffee Plantation or Baby’s Coffee for third-wave offerings with island flair.

Typewriter Resources: Key West Island Books can point you to resources, while several antique shops on Duval Street occasionally feature working machines with stories of their own.

The Perfect Spot: The garden at Books & Books at The Studios of Key West combines independent bookstore with outdoor café space where your typewriter will feel right at home among fellow writers and readers.

Bonus Points: When writer’s block hits, the sunset celebration at Mallory Square provides the perfect reset button for your creativity. Pack a portable typewriter to the beach for some sand-adjacent writing!

Asheville, North Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville combines natural beauty with a thriving arts scene and enough coffee shops to keep you caffeinated through your entire novel.

The Literary Scene: Thomas Wolfe’s hometown continues its literary tradition with Malaprop’s Bookstore / Café hosting regular readings. The yearly Carolina Mountains Literary Festival draws writers from across the region.

The Caffeine Situation: Rite Rite, High Five Coffee, and PennyCup Coffee Co. offer locally roasted beans in spaces designed for lingering. Many feature local art and host open mic nights.

Typewriter Resources: ABC Office Systems has typewriter repair services, while several antique shops in the River Arts District often have typewriters among their wares.

The Perfect Spot: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar combines books, coffee, and wine in a multi-level space filled with cozy nooks. Your typewriter will look right at home among the thousands of used books lining the walls.

Bonus Points: When writer’s block hits, Asheville’s abundant hiking trails offer the perfect reset. Pack your portable typewriter for some Thoreau-style nature writing at an overlook.

Oakland, California

While San Francisco gets most of the attention, Oakland offers more affordability and a diverse arts scene with plenty of spaces for typewriter enthusiasts.

The Literary Scene: Oakland boasts literary landmarks like Marcus Books (the nation’s oldest Black-owned bookstore) and Gertrude Stein’s childhood home. The city nurtured literary talents like Jack London and Amy Tan.

The Caffeine Situation: Timeless Coffee & Bakery and Bicycle Coffee Co. provide the perfect mix of serious coffee culture and laid-back vibes conducive to writing.

Typewriter Resources: Check out Berkeley Typewriter for resources in the Bay Area.

The Perfect Spot: North Light combines books, records, coffee, and a bar. You won’t feel out of place browsing, writing, and having a fabulous cocktail.

Bonus Points: Lake Merritt offers outdoor typing opportunities with its 3.4-mile shoreline dotted with benches. For the truly committed typewriter performer, this provides an excellent backdrop for public creativity.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal’s European flair, combined with North American coffee culture, creates a unique environment for typewriter enthusiasts who might want to type in multiple languages.

The Literary Scene: Home to major publishers in both English and French, Montreal hosts the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival and numerous independent bookstores like Drawn & Quarterly and Argo Bookshop.

The Caffeine Situation: Café Olimpico, Café Myriade, and Pikolo Espresso Bar exemplify Montreal’s serious coffee credentials with spaces designed for long writing sessions.

Typewriter Resources: Typewriters of all ages and languages can be found at Empire Typewriters, which specializes in vintage machine sales and repairs.

The Perfect Spot: Café Chat l’Heureux combines coffee shop with cat café, offering the ultimate cozy writing environment. Your typewriter might attract attention from both humans and feline editors.

Bonus Points: Montreal’s underground city allows for café-hopping even during the harshest winter weather, ensuring your typewriter never has to brave the snow.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s coffee culture ranks among the world’s best, making it a natural fit for typewriter enthusiasts on the other side of the globe.

The Literary Scene: As a UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne supports writers through institutions like the Wheeler Centre and independent bookstores such as Readings and the Paperback Bookshop.

The Caffeine Situation: Patricia Coffee Brewers, Market Lane Coffee, and Brother Baba Budan take coffee to artistic heights with spaces designed for creativity and conversation.

Typewriter Resources: Check out The Last Typewriter Shop for resources here.

The Perfect Spot: The Nicholas Building houses a collection of artists’ studios, small galleries, and other spots to feed your creative juices.

Bonus Points: Melbourne’s extensive tram system makes it easy to transport your typewriter between different neighborhoods, each with its own coffee shop personality.

Packing Tips for the Traveling Typewriter Enthusiast

If you’re serious about bringing your typewriter on your café-hopping adventures, consider these practical tips:

• Invest in a proper case. Original cases offer the best protection, but if yours is missing, custom cases from leather or hard-sided luggage can work.
• Pack extra ribbons. Nothing worse than running out of ink mid-travel-inspiration!
• Bring small tools. A tiny screwdriver set can handle minor adjustments on the road.
• Consider a travel typewriter. Smaller models like the Hermes Rocket, Olivetti Lettera 22, or Smith-Corona Skyriter were designed for portability.
• Pack earplugs…for others. Your fellow café patrons might not share your love of the typewriter’s percussion section.

There’s something beautifully defiant about choosing a manual typewriter in the age of laptops and tablets. Where will you go next? Share your ideas and advice with the Frayed Passport community!

About the Author

Mike is a writer who researches and shares actionable advice around travel lifestyle, finance, and personal growth. He loves any trip where he can explore the great outdoors, and believes everyone should be able to experience travel for personal development and fulfillment. Read his other articles on Frayed Passport here.

Featured image by Luke Lung on Unsplash