Powell's City of Books
Bookstore and Art Gallery
Portland
The experts at Travel + Leisure and The Wall Street Journal recommend this place
"largest independent chain of bookstores in the world"(17 Tips)
"many books in any place"(12 Tips)
"One of the best places to get lost in for a book lover!"(12 Tips)
"Rare Book Room & Art Gallery to the left."(17 Tips)
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Roy BrittonDecember 2, 2016Great place. Get lost, I mean it. If you love books there isn't a better place on earth. Wall to wall, floor to floor, section to subsection. Get lost inside, you'll be happy you did.
Upvoted Feb 29
Design*SpongeAugust 3, 2014If you’re into rare books, the Powell’s collection is one of the best in the country – stop in and check out a first edition of The Hobbit, signed Hemingway novels, and a wealth of other goodies Read more
Amy GraffDecember 5, 2012Immense downtown bookstore that puts New York City's Strand to shame. Follow the signs or end up lost for hours. Lovely mix of new and used; mass-market and small press. Great coffee shop too.Upvoted 4 days ago
NatalieJune 4, 2017As a book lover you cannot help but fall in love with this place. There are different themed rooms to help make searching easier and the people who work here love their job and it shows.
WolfieAugust 13, 2019Amazing! A book lover would happily spend hours in this place. Literally, city of Books & old fashioned note cards and board games. And a very good cafe in the Gold Section. 10/10
Valerie HuffmanMarch 24, 2015Whatever you could possibly want ....new and used. best bookstore ... great people work here. helpful but not annoying.. coffee shop is great.take books in and read. don't necessarily have to buy them
Alejandro RojoOctober 25, 2016Books Books and more Books, even if you don't like them, it's a whole experience. you can read the books in here with a cup of coffee and the selection is huge, you can find either a Novel or a Manga
GNTLMNFebruary 19, 2014The world's largest independent book store in the world. You could get lost in here for days if you love books. Even if you don't like books, it's worth seeing. It's quite impressive.
Jessica Torrez-RileySeptember 21, 2014When you find a book you like, be sure to check a few copies to find the best deal. Used and new mixed in, usually one will be a could dollars cheaper. Use that savings to buy even more books!!
Jenna AndersonOctober 11, 2015They call it city of books for good reason. It's easy to get lost amongst the shelves full of adventure, cooking, travel, history... You name it. It's truly a metropolis.
KaitlinNovember 6, 2017Two years later, it’s still as overwhelming in the best possible way as before. Rooms upon rooms, floors upon floors of books—new, used, obscure, bestsellers, rare, paperback, hardback, it’s all here!
Peter BoyceApril 13, 2019Book store that occupies an entire city block = heaven for bibliophiles. Visit the Pearl Room (rare books).
The Wall Street JournalAugust 3, 2014Powell's workers probably have more attitude than any Portlander. Which is nice because everyone in Portland is so damned nice. Read more
Travel + LeisureJune 5, 2014A bibliophile’s mecca, this 68,000-square-foot bookstore is filled with new and used titles and hosts frequent author readings. In the rare-book room, you’ll find two 1814 volumes by Lewis and Clark.
Michael DonovanOctober 23, 2016The Powell family of Portland is in a 150 year family feud with the Strand's in New York. 112 years ago they decided to solve their family issues by competing in a "creakiest wooden floors" contest.
Caroline JanasAugust 27, 2015So many books and so many people which is uplifting to see in this digital age. Old and new books together sit well and you'll be sure to find something you want. Good coffee too.
Joey PillowJuly 28, 2017If I get to heaven and it isn't a free version of Powell's, I'll be deeply disappointed. There are maps at the info desks; they're great for finding where all the goodness is stored.
Spencer DubJanuary 7, 2016If you plan to sell books, either enter at the Orange Room, or snag an escort when you enter via the Green Room. Staff might get a little cranky otherwise.
Justin McKissickMarch 19, 2018Words cannot describe this bookstore, it doesn’t matter what you’re into, there is something on every conceivable topic inside. Plan on spending at least an hour or two!
NathanOctober 16, 2016Best bookstore I've ever been to in the US. Hands down. Incredibly well-stocked and laid out. Be careful: once you enter you will lose all track of time.
Rachael DiasSeptember 8, 2013I absolutely love this place and is a must stop for my family and me anytime I'm near Portland. You can spend hours getting lost and roaming the shelves of this huge new/used bookstore.
MereMay 21, 2015I did not give myself enough time to spend here. Loved the atmosphere, the books, the games, and the merchandise! And of you look long enough, you can find some great deals.
The biggest bookstore you’ll ever see! Has used, new, and rare books. Prepare to wander and explore for hours.- Design*SpongeAugust 3, 2014The main store covers an entire city block, and is three stories tall – and the whole thing is packed to the rafters with every book you could ever hope to read – more than a million books. Read more
Jacob RosenbergJune 16, 2015The mother of all book stores, Powells has everything. And often times it has it used, saving you money. Nice places to sit and read, drink coffee, and enjoy.
Beth BondJuly 13, 2018There's a reason this is the #1 independent book store in America! 1 step in the door and you are filled with joy! Used and new books are on the shelves next to each other because all books are equal!
Anne SmithJuly 18, 2013I could get lost in this bookstore all day. You can bring up to 5 books into the coffee shop to peruse before buying. Sat and enjoyed my books for a while over a delicious cappuccino
This place is amazing. If you don't see want you want immediately, there's a good chance you will the next day. The friendly staff is very helpful as well.
meganJuly 30, 2017Head straight for the Powell's best sellers shelves and don't be discouraged by the line - it moves quickly.
Jim ContardiMarch 8, 2015Even if you don't need a book, don't miss this place when you are in Pearl district. I spent 90 fascinating minute just browsing and walked out with 2 great books
Books on hold is insanely quick for in-stock books. Usually same-day service and you can call the store to request books for hold. Head on up to the top floor when you arrive.- Give Portland's first (and currently only) pedestrian scramble a try at the NW entrance (the one on 11th).
Arun SudhindraNovember 30, 2015One of the best places to visit in lovely PDX. Tons of great books, keep an eye out for new and used ones if you're looking for a steal
Nichole BaumgardnerApril 12, 2017Amazing selection of books. I love that the vintage books are mixed in with the new ones.
Geoff ReinhardtAugust 25, 2014Put your name in for brunch at Tasty & Alder then grab a cup of coffee at Courier Coffee and browse Powell's book collection to pass the time.
Brook ShelleyAugust 19, 2014Quite possibly the best bookstore in the country. The selection is immense, and the inclusion of used titles in the same space as new is fantastic.
Connie ChiuAugust 4, 2016Such a great book store! I can spend forever in here. Though the used books are still pricier than other places I've been too.
Jack ReevesAugust 31, 2014This bookstore is huge but very easy to navigate. Tons of separate rooms with specific genres and subjects. I guarantee you will find what you're looking for.
Kate StoneJuly 29, 2018Oh happy happy joy joy such a great place for used and new books and book-related items. Book-lovers, expect to spend hours here. Everyone else, there's a coffee shop!
Liz DSeptember 28, 2015May be dangerous to note that they will ship. Also, the staff recommendations are usually spot on.
Achraf JemniMarch 15, 2018Its huge, calm , and there is a small coffee shop with glass windows where you can sit there, read, drink and stare through the window.😍- Home to not one, but three Manga sections. You'll find them by the cafe, by the elevator that doesn't serve all floors, and by the stairs to the upper level registers.
Natalia BakerOctober 21, 2014Expansive book metropolis! The gifts and stationery are as good as the books. Nice coffee shop too.
Emily CreasyNovember 14, 2015Fantastic! Books for every person. I love exploring the newer section but also going upstairs where it's quieter and less crowded.- KaitlinSeptember 9, 2015The Mecca of books. This place is so huge, you probably need days to appreciate it. I'm jealous of Portlanders who have continuous access to this place.
Yas AbJune 29, 2016Amazing huge bookstore. It seems as if it was tailored to my taste! GREAT SELECTION!
Richard BowersJanuary 21, 2016Love the used and new books shelved together, and the little note cards with staff suggestions. Found several new authors that way.
Roshel AghassiMarch 2, 2018If you love bookstores this place is a must go. It’s a 3 story used and new bookstore that still has book tours and author meet and greets.
Get yourself lost on the multiple floors with thousands of books! Don't forget to pick up a few goodies that they sell too!
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Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside St (at NW 10th Ave.)
Portland, OR 97209
United States
Portland, OR 97209
United States
Powell's City of Books is a book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world.
Open until 9:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
(503) 228-4651
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Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
Yes
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