You may be an avid reader, and you may not. If you do enjoy getting lost in a good book, you may prefer doing so with a digital copy within your grasp. No matter your preferences, a visit to Powell’s City of Books is something you should consider the next time that you visit Portland, Oregon. Even if you don’t purchase a printed book because you prefer a digital copy, it’s the experience of being here that you’ll likely cherish. This is an independent book store that fills 3 full floors, is larger than some public libraries, and offers more than 1 million print selections. With that much square footage of books to consider, the directional signage they provide is quite helpful (and reminds us a little of what is found within a metropolitan subway system). All manner of reading material is available here, including entire collections such as the 36 volume set of “The Works of Charles Dickens.” Not only is this a great place to shop for books, it also creates an environment that makes you want to read another good book as soon as possible. If you do choose to visit, make sure to do at least two things: First, visit the Rare Book Room on the top floor. You’ll need a pass to enter it, but they are readily available at the Information Booth just outside it. The offerings in this room are surprising and include such works as the 1887 publication of “Home Gymnastics, The Art of Swimming.” Second, trace the path of the manual typewriters displayed through numerous floors and rooms within the store. Count how many you find and be sure to let us know how many that you spotted. And that’s…Henry’s Take. #portlandbookstores

Powell's City of Books in Portland, OR, is aptly named as it covers one whole city block in the Pearl District. I mean, it has Murkowski info booths inside where you can pickup up a folding map of the store! It is the largest used and new bookstore in the world and houses approximately one million books. My young kids were whining when i first said that we were going to a store for a while. Three hours later, we were dragging them out. They loved sitting in the children's section looking through all of the series books that they are getting into. It was neat spending time in the Rare Book Room. On sight, the most valuable item is a journal from Lewis & Clark. Grab a coffee and sit to read in their Guilder Cafe. After spending a few hours browsing in awe, head across the street to lunch at the Screen Door.

Literally so fun! It was a whole experience visiting this bookstore. I love how everything is organized with lots of unique shelves with different recommendations. Lots of good deals, and obviously an amazing selection! It's so fun exploring the different sections, books, and other fun items. I love all the merch and Portland souvenirs you can get such as postcards, the store map, and their reusable bag! Definitely a Portland must visit!!

My husband and I spent 2.5 hours in this store. Because it was so amazing to see all of the collections of the knowledge of the world. You literally can read about anything. It is a casual book store that is large and has a library feel to it, and a coffee shop. You can go in here, be at peace, read a book on a cozy bench, if you really like it then you can buy it. If not then you can read it and put it back, no one will say anything to you. I found that most people do spend some time reading the books that they recently purchased there. Then go grab a cup of coffee and read some more. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Its amazing in there.

What a huge and amazing book store. Staff are helpful and friendly, there are more books then you can browse in a day, and the atmosphere is amazing. Keep in mind with the size of the store over multiple levels bathrooms can be a good walk to get to. Also staff can be hard to find at times, best to wait for one to show up at the help desks!

I adore this bookstore. Maybe one of the best I've ever visited. It's impeccably organized, clean, and very very large. I was able to find all sorts of amazing books, and some funny ones too. Lots of incredible trinkets, tshirts, stickers, socks you name it they have it. A trip to Portland without a visit to Powell's would be a wasted opportunity to delight your inner child.

I could purposefully get lost in here every time I visit! This place is huge ~ be prepared to wonder for a bit. Things you should know: I. PARKING Paid street parking II. SERVICE The staff is really helpful in guiding you towards what you're looking for. III. QUALITY They sell not only new books but also used. All of the used books I have bought from here are in good condition and very reasonably priced. IV. CAPACITY This place is quite busy. I'm very happy for the business owners! If there's a line, it moves quickly.

This is the epitome of paradise for book lovers. What's truly remarkable is that it has the power to convert even the non-readers into avid bookworms. As soon as you step inside, you'll be greeted by an impressive three-story tall space filled with shelves upon shelves of books. It's a bibliophile's dream come true! But it's not just books that make this place special. They have an extensive selection of knickknacks and tons of unique souvenirs that you can take back for your family or friends. It's the perfect spot to find something truly special and memorable. The attention to detail is exceptional. They provide free bookmarks and stickers, adding a delightful touch to the whole experience. The staff members are not only friendly but also incredibly knowledgeable. This store truly feels like book heaven. Whether you're searching for a new release, a classic novel, or a hidden gem, you'll find it here. Perfect for book enthusiasts, and the inviting atmosphere will make you want to spend hours exploring the vast collection.

This place is amazing!! The staff are helpful and it has basically everything you could ever want. I could spend my annual salary in a week. The store has a crazy layout, I felt like I was in an Escher painting, but there are store maps and signs everywhere. I especially loved the rare book room, pictured here.

Powell's City of Books in Portland is a book lover's paradise. If you're in search of a book, chances are you'll discover it here. Powell's boasts the distinction of being one of the world's largest bookstores, spanning across four enchanting floors. Their extensive collection covers nearly every conceivable topic, ensuring there's something for every reader. Getting lost in this literary wonderland is all too easy, so it's wise to be generous with your meter time since your visit might extend beyond your initial plans. And in the back, you'll find a delightful little coffee shop, perfect for sipping on your favorite brew and enjoying some tasty snacks while you immerse yourself in the world of books. 📚☕🍪

Oh my gosh!!! This place is amazing. I am so glad I can say I have visited the worlds largest indie bookstore. I know we didn’t see every inch, it can be quite overwhelming for a first time visitor. You know a book store is awesome when they have their own maps so you can find our way. We made a point to go to the rare book room which is full of awesome treasures and left with a couple of souvenirs.

Better than imagined. Independent store that sells new and used books side by side. Sales people were very helpful. This place is huge. Be prepared to browse for quite a while. There is a cafe if you need a sustenance break or are with someone who has a lot of genres to browse. I loved that you could get new books and fill in gaps in your series or find past books from authors. The prices were also great. It can be quite crowded at times which makes me feel like the world can be a good place.

Got a whole day to spend downtown? Well you can plan for the half part of it and leave the other half at Powell's Bookstore. With the rich and wide variety of books, you can wander through the pages and get into an instant adventure with all the book selections! A cup of coffee at the cafe can be a great break from all the relaxation you get from browsing through the great walls (or shelves) of fantasy, knowledge, adventures and hobbies at Powell's Bookstore.

Amazing bookstore! I've never imagined there could be a single brick and mortar store that has every book by my favorite author (Jim Butcher) in stock, with both used and new copies of each available. We could have spent days here looking through the aisles of books and still have felt like we had missed stuff. Incredible selection and great prices. Powell's is basically the ultimate bookstore. If you love books plan a couple hours for this place. I took a picture of their column of author signatures (Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson!) So fun!

I was blown away by this bookstore. I didnt know about before hand and I thought it was just a small store. My goodness, a whole block and 3 stories of books in the digital era. I mean they must have every book in there. Found some pretty cool books for my baby. Staff was great. Great place. Very cool place to visit when in Portland.

Who can walk into this gigantic bookstore and be disappointed!? They have EVERYTHING and a book for everyone. I love that they have a book buying program! Wonderful recommendations and computer lookup stations throughout. I will never be bored on a trip to Powell’s City of Books!

This is a massive bookstore that is a tad overwhelming. Definitely a touristy spot, so a lot of people wandering and just looking. Lots of neat souvenir type items. Most of the staff I encountered was friendly and helpful, a few you could tell were just over it. This place is NOT on the quiet side like most bookstores, but I mean...books.

As a casual reader, I'm glad I checked this place out! I don't read a whole lot but I ended up buying a book before I left. The place is huge and the books are categorized by rooms and sections. They have puzzles, board games, comic books, and mangas available for sale as well. The staff is friendly and helpful! I also like how they have "staff picks" which are books that are highly recommended by the staff. I think it helps a casual reader like me as far as what books to read and not get lost too much in the thousands of books at Powell's! This place is a must-visit!

Very Big and organized book store; good customer service. Cafe inside. They have a great selections of reads; broken down into color rooms. You can find something for anyone. Paid parking; can be a challenge to find parking depending on the time you go. I went mid week and it wasn’t bad, a block over from the entry. You can purchase on site and they have souvenirs. 10/10 recommend!

Awesome book store. If you want a place with a TON of books this is the place to go. They even have a rare book room at the top floor which sounds really neat. It can be hard to really find something with a lot of options but they have the aisles really well labeled.

Such a fun vibe! COVID compliant, they were great about keeping people safe with masks and sanitizing stations. The books themselves are a treat to browse through. I got all of my Christmas shopping done for my friends and family in one trip. There is truly something here for everyone. Was busier than I expected for a Sunday morning, but the trip itself was so worth it!

The city of books is a must-have on a list of things to do in Portland, even if your time in the city is short! I have absolutely loved visiting here and picking up books by local authors as a gift for my friends back home, and this store has hundreds of options! Also a great place to get souvenirs unique to Portland. I will forever love this shop and always return whenever I am back in Portland:)

I absolutely loved visiting this bookstore. I spent 2hrs here and it definitely wasn't enough time. Take the whole day to spend here if you can. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. I would come back if I'm in the area again.

A natural favorite for my family. We are the type of people who look at all the titles within our favorite sections so we spend hours at this store whenever we're in Portland. Great thing we learned recently is that whole foods validates 90 minutes for the underground parking lot so that makes it even more worth it. We tried validating at Anthropologie but it didn't work for some reason, so highly recommend WF.

This place is a book lovers dream! Be prepared to get lost in the 4 stories and spend more money than you thought. The cafe inside is vibrant and fun.

Come here anytime your in Portland for aisles and floors on floors of books! The best part is they have a rare book collection dating as far back as mid 1700’s! Got myself a few books over the years: Rudyard Kipling, Charles dickens and Ernest Hemingway. Def will always keep coming back The day I went on they even had the chamber music northwest students playing classical music and wow just amazing!

I do recommend this place. This is a paradise of anyone who enjoys a good book on any given day. This is a big place so be ready to spend at least one hour of your day. There's way many options but it's worth visiting this bookstore.

If you love books or art or tote bags or plushies or unique gifts or puzzles or...ya know what just go there. Plan to spend at least 2 hours and probably a good portion of your paycheck. A must if you're anywhere near Portland, Oregon

Heaven for bookworms. It is neat and quiet as well as well labeled. You will find very rare books also. Make sure you come with adequate time to explore powell’s because here time flies like an arrow.

One of the biggest bookstores I have visited. I spent 2 hours here and lost track of time. Plenty of new and used books across multiple sections, floors and tall bookshelves. This store was one of our main reasons for visiting Portland and it didn't disappoint. Plenty of souvenirs and momentos to remind you of the visit. The staff were friendly and helpful and the coffee shop well stocked. Will definitely return before we leave as I will need a book for the flight.

If you love books or a good coffee you have to visit Powell's Books, it's truly a classic spot to go to when you visit Portland. In fact, it might be the best location to visit in Portland! They have a great selection of new and used books. Also, they will buy your used books. It's a fun multi-level store that is well signed. They also have a nice coffee shop inside. Great place!

I visited the famous Powell’s City of Books today. For a bibliophile this is heaven. It literally is a city of books. The store fills a whole city block. It has multiple floors. It has a staff that knows and loves books. I asked the woman in the rare book room about a complete works of Emile Zola and she knew what I was talking about. Sadly they didn’t have one. But my god they had nearly anything else you could possibly want. This store has to be seen to be believed. By all means visit here. The store includes a nice coffee shop too.

How do you not give 5 stars? It's a huge independent book store that seems like it was multiple buildings combined into one. It makes for some cool stair and level connections between sections/buildings and allows for various distinct sections. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They even have a coffee shop inside.