For the book and music lovers on your list, nothing beats these six true standbys of independent community counter-culture.

The Tattered CoverDenver

Known colloquially as LoDo, Denver’s warehouse district is famous for its lofty lifestyle, upscale eateries and the magnetic pull of hometown favorite Larimer Square. But the heart of this historic district is still The Tattered Cover, just across from the soaring façade of Union Station. Be careful—lured by the cozy fireplace, intellectual ambiance and ceiling-high shelves of books, you’re likely to miss your train. A second location on Colfax gives Denver’s east-siders equal playing time. www.tatteredcover.com

Powell's BooksPortland

Frustrated bibliophiles, make Powell’s your new Mecca. Just ask any one of the über-informed staffers about that obscure memoir you haven’t been able to find—it’s certain to be somewhere in the 68,000 square feet of books that makes Powell’s so justifiably famous. By the time you’ve searched the store’s 30-something color-coded rooms and aisles, you’ll have an armload or more; good thing there’s a great café on the second floor where you can read at your leisure before making a selection. www.powells.com

StrandNew York

It’s no accident that actor Penn Badgley, arbiter of all things cool on TV’s Gossip Girl, wore a t-shirt sporting the highly recognizable logo of Strand in an episode last season—prompting the store’s phone lines to be overwhelmed with requests for the tee. With its muchvaunted “18 miles of books,” Strand has been a hallmark of hip since the 1950s, when it established its iconic location at Broadway and 12th. www.strandbooks.com

Waterloo Records & VideoAustin

Thanks to in-store performances from every blues, rock and country legend who passes through “the musical capital of the world,” Waterloo’s status is secure in the halls of music history—which leaves the store’s staff free to concentrate on turning you on to all manner of the new. A quick perusal of the thick strata of posters on the front wall is the perfect way to home in on Austin’s vibrant music scene; there’s almost certainly a show on 6th Street that you’ll want to check out. www.waterloorecords.com

Wuxtry RecordsAthens and Decatur

REM’s Peter Buck used to work behind the counter—need I say more? In fact, between its two locations, Wuxtry has seen more name-brand musicians come and go than Sun Studios. Known internationally by collectors of rare vinyl, Wuxtry started out primarily as a used record store, but now specializes in all things alternative. The Athens location is also home to Bizarro-Wuxtry, a favorite with the comic book and ’zine crowd. www.myspace.com/wuxtryrecords

Amoeba MusicBerkeley, Los Angeles and San Francisco

No need to pry apart sticky jewel cases or thumb through stacks of musty vinyl; Amoeba Music’s massive collection of new and used material is obsessively organized into specific genres and sub-genres, the artists catalogued so knowingly that you’ll almost never have to search for a beloved ’80s ska band in the “E’s.” Each of the three locations boasts more than 100,000 titles, including hard-to-find imports. www.amoeba.com

Melanie Haiken, who can’t resist the lure of a record store with old albums on the ceiling, writes about travel and health from the San Francisco Bay Area.