What to Know Before Visiting Portand, Oregon's Powell's City of Books

Bookshelves in Powell's City of Books, Portland, Oregon

Welcome to Portland, Oregon, the home of Powell's City of Books - a paradise for bibliophiles and a legendary locale in the picturesque Pacific Northwest. Renowned for its vast collection of over a million books, Powell's is more than just a bookstore, it's an experience. This guide will navigate you through the aisles of this iconic Portland landmark, ensuring you get the most out of your literary adventure. So buckle up bookworms, you're in for a real page-turner!

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Children's section at Powell's City of Books, Portland, Oregon

What makes Powell's City of Books unique?

Powell's City of Books is an iconic landmark in Portland known for its extraordinary collection and famous for being the largest new and used bookstore in the world. The store takes up an entire city block and has nine color-coded rooms containing about a million books. Powell's still maintains a physical bookstore while also adapting to digital markets with an online presence, transforming the store into a cultural hub. It also stands out from other bookstores because of its friendly staff and the atmosphere that welcomes the customers.

When is Powell's City of Books open?

Powell's City of Books is open everyday from 10:00am-9:00pm, the Guilder Cafe is open 10:00am-8:00pm, and the Rare Room is open 10:00am-5:00pm. The store's long hours are perfect for bookworms who want to spend a whole day browsing, sipping coffee, and lost in a world of books.

Front sign at the flagship location of Powell's City of Books, Portland, Oregon

How to get there

Powell's City of Book flagship location is located at 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, in the Pearl District. Visitors can reach the store using public transit, streetcar, bike, walking, or driving. It all depends on what works best for you. If you are coming by car, Powell's City of Books offers underground parking for customers at an affordable rate.

Street parking in the area is ~$2/hr but can br tricky to snag. For about ~$4/hr you can park in one of the many nearby lots. Handicap parking is available across the street from Powell's on NW Couch Street and right next to Powell's on NW 11th Ave.

Powell's City of Books: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 | Google Maps

Man walks past aisles at Powell's City of Books, Portland, Oregon

What to expect at Powell's City of Books

Powell's offers Wi-Fi, excellent coffee, and a place to sit down to read a few pages with snacks at the cafe. Powell's also offers gift wraps that make it easy to pick out books for friends and family.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, Powell's City of Books is a must-visit spot when in Portland, Oregon. It is unique, vast, and contains books from nearly every genre. It provides an excellent shopping experience with its welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff. Moreover, visiting Powell's City of Books has become a cultural habit and an essential part of Portland's lifestyle. Remember to check out the website for the store to get a better idea of what they offer, purchase books online, or make a virtual visit. Start your own Powell's experience now, and let the magic of the world's largest independent bookstore work wonders for you.

Column made of books at Powell's City of Books, Portland, Oregon

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Hi! We're Chris and Sara a husband and wife video making, storytelling, travel loving duo with a passion for sharing travel tips, tricks, and inspiration with others.
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