Woodrow Wilson Plaza

Thousands of secondhand books spill across Woodrow Wilson Plaza during Capital Book Fest, turning a downtown lunch break into a leisurely literary hunt. Held on the third Thursday of the month, the open-air sale is stocked by Carpe Librum, a local bookstore that supports the nonprofit Turning the Page, with shelves of gently used books joined by CDs, DVDs, and vinyl priced at $7 or less. The selection ranges from children's stories and contemporary bestsellers to vintage hardbacks, rewarding both casual browsers and determined collectors willing to dig a little deeper. The appeal lies as much in the surprise of the search as the bargains themselves, with every visit offering a different mix of titles. Set against one of downtown's busiest public spaces, the market brings together book lovers, commuters, and curious passersby in an easygoing celebration of reading and reuse.