Portland is one of the best cities in the country for bookstores, and that’s not an exaggeration. We have the largest independent bookstore in the world (Powell’s City of Books, which takes up an entire city block), and we have dozens of smaller shops specializing in everything from rare first editions to zines to romance novels. Bookstores are part of Portland’s identity. In a city that’s famous for coffee, beer, and rain, the natural third thing to pair with those is a good book and a few hours to kill.
My husband and I spend a lot of time in Portland bookstores (probably more than we should admit). Here are the best ones, from the obvious to the ones you’ll only find if someone tells you about them. For more on Portland’s neighborhoods, check my neighborhoods walking guide.
Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s is the bookstore that every other bookstore in the country measures itself against, and none of them come close. It occupies an entire city block in the Pearl District, has over a million books spread across nine color-coded rooms, and mixes new and used books on the same shelves, which means you might find a brand new bestseller next to a $3 used paperback on the same subject. The experience of walking in and realizing the scale of this place is something that doesn’t translate to photos. You need to feel it.
Plan at least an hour (my husband and I have spent three). The rare book room on the top floor is worth visiting even if you’re not buying. The staff picks throughout the store are genuinely good recommendations, not just marketing. And the Pearl District location means you can walk to galleries, restaurants, and coffee shops when you finally drag yourself out. For the full experience, check my Powell’s Books guide.
Powell’s Books on Hawthorne
The Hawthorne outpost is the smaller sibling to the main store, and some locals actually prefer it. It’s less overwhelming (three rooms instead of nine), the selection is well-chosen, and the Hawthorne neighborhood around it is one of the best walking streets in Portland. If the downtown Powell’s feels like too much, Hawthorne gives you the Powell’s experience at a more human scale. It’s especially strong in fiction, travel, and cooking.
Broadway Books
Broadway Books on NE Broadway is a neighborhood bookstore in the best sense. It’s small, warmly lit, and the staff knows the inventory so well that you can walk in, describe what you’re in the mood for, and walk out with exactly the right book. They host regular author events and readings that feel intimate and community-driven. If Powell’s is the destination, Broadway Books is the locals’ living room.
Mother Foucault’s Bookshop
Mother Foucault’s is a used bookshop on SE Stark that specializes in literature, philosophy, art, and the kind of books that make you feel smarter just for browsing. The selection is carefully chosen (this isn’t a junk shop), and the owner has excellent taste. If you’re looking for that obscure novel or out-of-print essay collection, this is where you’ll find it. It’s small, quiet, and the kind of shop where you can spend an hour in a single shelf section.
Wallace Books
Wallace Books on SE Milwaukie is a used bookstore that feels like browsing someone’s incredibly well-organized personal library. The selection is eclectic and affordable, with strong sections in fiction, history, science, and nature writing. Prices are fair (most paperbacks are $3 to $8), and the staff lets you browse in peace. It’s the kind of used bookstore that’s increasingly rare in most cities but still thriving in Portland.
Ampersand Gallery and Fine Books
Ampersand on NE Alberta is half art gallery, half bookshop, and entirely beautiful. They specialize in art books, photography monographs, design books, and the kind of coffee-table books that make you rethink your interior decorating. The gallery side shows contemporary art, and the whole space has a thoughtful, intentional feel. It’s the bookshop for visual people, and even if you don’t buy anything, browsing the collection is inspiring. For more on the neighborhood, check my Alberta guide.
Mississippi Records and Books
Mississippi Records is technically a record shop, but they have a genuinely excellent selection of books mixed in with the vinyl. The focus is on music, counterculture, art, and independent publishing. It’s on N Mississippi Avenue and fits perfectly into the neighborhood’s creative, independent spirit. If you’re into zines, small press publications, and books that exist outside the mainstream, this is your spot.
In Other Words
In Other Words is a feminist bookstore and community space on NE Killingsworth. The selection focuses on feminist literature, queer theory, social justice, and independent publishing. It’s been a Portland institution since 1993 and is one of the few remaining feminist bookstores in the country. They host readings, workshops, and community events. It’s both a bookshop and a piece of Portland’s progressive identity.
Tips for Bookstore Hopping in Portland
Start at Powell’s but don’t stop there. Powell’s is essential, but the smaller shops are where Portland’s bookstore culture really lives. Budget time for at least one or two neighborhood shops.
Combine with neighborhood walks. Every bookshop on this list is in a great walking neighborhood. Powell’s is in the Pearl. Ampersand is on Alberta. Broadway Books is near Lloyd/NE Broadway. Build a bookshop visit into a neighborhood exploration.
Bring a tote bag. You’re going to buy more books than you planned. Portland’s bookstores have a way of doing that to you.
Check for author events. Portland’s literary scene is active, and most bookshops host regular readings and signings. Powell’s alone has events almost every night. Check store websites before your trip.
Quick Tips
- Portland is one of the best cities in the country for bookstores, and that's not an exaggeration.
- Bookstores are part of Portland's identity.
- In a city that's famous for coffee, beer, and rain, the natural third thing to pair with those is a good book and a few hours to kill.
- My husband and I spend a lot of time in Portland bookstores (probably more than we should admit).
- For more on Portland's neighborhoods, check my neighborhoods walking guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Powell’s City of Books really the largest bookstore?
Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world by retail floor space. It occupies an entire city block, has over 1 million books, and is organized into 9 color-coded rooms. It’s genuinely overwhelming in the best way.
How much time should I spend at Powell’s?
Plan at least 1 to 2 hours. Serious book lovers can easily spend 3 or more. The store is open until 9 PM, so an evening visit works well if your days are full of other activities.
Does Portland have used bookstores?
Tons. Powell’s itself mixes new and used. Mother Foucault’s, Wallace Books, and dozens of others specialize in used books. Portland’s used book scene is one of the best in the country, with prices that are generally very fair.
Portland’s bookstores are one of those things that make me proud to live here. A city that supports this many independent bookshops is a city that values the right things. Start at Powell’s, but please don’t stop there. The neighborhood shops are where the real magic happens. What’s your favorite Portland bookstore? Drop it in the comments.
