As snail mail tourism makes a charming comeback, American travelers are not only reviving the art of sending postcards they’re seeking out destinations where the experience of writing, collecting, and mailing postcards becomes an adventure of its own. Whether you’re looking to send a handwritten memento from a quirky local post office or collect vintage cards from decades past, these postcard pilgrimages across the U.S. are perfect for those who want to slow down and savor travel, one stamp at a time.
1. Key West, Florida – Home of the Tiny Post Office
Tucked away in Old Town, the Smallest Post Office in the U.S. (official or not) is a postcard lover’s dream. While in Key West, explore Duval Street’s many shops offering vintage Florida postcards, and send one from this charming, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it post office. Bonus: The laid-back island vibe gives you time to sit by the water and write with the breeze in your hair.
Don’t Miss: Peppers of Key West has postcard stands featuring old-school art and maps.
2. New York City, New York – Grand Central Station Postal Magic
New York is a haven for snail mail lovers, especially at the Grand Central Station Post Office, where the historic setting adds flair to your postcard-sending ritual. You’ll also find dozens of indie card shops like Greenwich Letterpress in the West Village, known for its artistic, locally designed postcards.
Don’t Miss: The Strand Bookstore’s postcard collection literary-themed, artistic, and often hilarious.
3. San Francisco, California – Vintage Vibes & Golden Gate Views
San Francisco is a top destination for postcard collectors. Check out Paper Tree in Japantown for origami-themed postcards or visit Haight Street Art Center for postcard-sized prints from local artists. Head to the Marina to send your postcard with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Don’t Miss: The postcard racks outside Fog City News you’ll find everything from panoramic cards to retro designs.
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico – Artistry in the Mail
Known for its artistic soul, Santa Fe blends Southwest charm with creative design. Postcards here are often handmade or letter pressed, with earthy tones and Native American influences. Stop by Collected Works Bookstore or Museum of Indian Arts & Culture for unique cards you won’t find elsewhere.
Don’t Miss: Local art markets, where artists often sell postcard-sized mini prints.
5. Portland, Oregon – The Indie Postcard Capital
Portland embraces everything quirky and handmade perfect for postcard tourists. Visit Powell’s City of Books for literary-themed cards or browse local artist pop-ups for hand-illustrated Oregon nature scenes. Mail your card from the Downtown Main Post Office, where the clerks still smile at postcard senders.
Don’t Miss: Oblation Papers & Press – a letterpress print shop and paperie heaven for stationary fans.
Join a Postcard Club or Exchange
- Postcrossing.com: Participate in global exchanges by sending and receiving real postcards from people around the world.
- American Philatelic Society: If you’re into stamp collecting too, this is the go-to.
- Letter Writers Alliance (now archived, but many groups continue via Meetup): For mail art lovers and snail mail swaps.
- Instagram Hashtags like #postcrossing, #snailmailrevolution, or #postcardexchange to find pen pals and swap partners.
Make Your Own Postcards
Want something truly personal? Some places let you print your own postcards on-site. Tourist centers, museums, and even some libraries in places like Chicago, Austin, and Asheville now offer postcard-printing booths. You can also use services like Post Snap or My Postcard to send a postcard made from your phone photo keeping the spirit of snail mail, with a modern twist.
Whether you’re road-tripping across Route 66 or spending a weekend in a sleepy mountain town, there’s always a postcard waiting to be written. Embrace the nostalgia, share the joy, and let the mailbox be your final travel stop.
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