This is my Powells Books Portland guide, covering everything you need to know about the largest independent bookstore in the world. Rated by CNN as one of the coolest bookstores on the planet, Powell’s (dubbed City of Books) is worth visiting.
Just how large is Powell’s Books? Well, for starters, it covers an entire city block and houses more than one million books (the store sells new and used titles).
If you’re visiting Portland, visiting Powell’s Books is non-negotiable. I hope this quick article will make your visit a bit easier.
History of Powell’s Books
The bookstore was founded in 1971 by Walter Powell, a man inspired by his son’s success managing a profitable bookstore in Chicago. Powell’s established an internet presence in 1993 and created a website in 1994 (before Amazon!).
In 1999, Powell’s expanded to include the entrance facing the Pearl District. A Pillar of Books was also added that depicts the eight greatest books in the world with a Latin inscription that reads, “Buy the book, read the book, enjoy the book, sell the book.”
Good to know before visiting Powell’s
- There is NO seating at Powell’s — visitors are encourage to peruse the aisles but not to sit and read.
- Restrooms are located on the second floor, a code is required (ask a store associate).
- Registers are located at both ends of the bookstore near the entrances.
Layout of Powell’s
Spanning 68,000 square feet and covering more than 3,500 sections, Powell’s Books offers a handy map for visitors (available for pickup throughout the store). I suggest grabbing one because there’s four floors (sectioned off into ten color-coded rooms) to explore. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find on each floor.
First Floor
- Orange Room: agriculture, cooking, film + tv, gardening, humor, music
- Rose Room: child care, children’s, education, games, kids’ graphic novels, parenting, pets, trivia, young adult
- Gold Room: fantasy, fiction, games, graphic novels, horror, manga, mystery + thrillers, role playing games, science fiction, true crimes,
- Blue Room: classics, drama, fiction, literature, poetry, small press, westerns
- Green Room: new arrivals, souvenirs.
Second Floor
- Red Room : Americana, animals, anthropology, archaeology, atlases, audio books, automotive, aviation, birds, botany, economics, environmental studies, ethnic studies, feminist studies, gender studies, geology, hiking, history, languages, LGBTQ, maps, meteorology, military, native American studies, nature, nautical, outdoors, pacific northwest, politics, reference, sociology, transportation, travel
- Purple Room: business, careers, child psychology, dance, health, investing, law, management, martial arts, metaphysics, mythology, philosophy, recovery, religions, self-help, sports, test guides, yoga
Third Floor
- Pearl Room: architecture, art, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computing, crafts, engineering, home construction, interior design, math, photography, physics, science, weddings
- Rare Book Room
Must Do: Visit the Rare Book Room
Open daily from 10am to 5pm, the Rare Book Room houses approximately 9,000 valuable books. These range from autographed books, first editions and other collectable volumes. It’s the coolest room at Powell’s, don’t miss it.
Fun fact: The most expensive book in the Rare Book Room is $350,000, it’s the two volume History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark to the Sources of the Missouri.
Events at Powell’s Books
- Kids story time occurs every Saturday at 11am in the Rose Room.
- Powell’s hosts frequent readings and events in the Pearl Room — click here for the event calendar.
- I once met President Jimmy Carter at a book signing at Powell’s, so cool!
How to sell books at Powell’s
Powell’s is happy to purchase used books based on the needs of the store at time of purchase.
- To sell your books, use the entrance at Couch and 11th.
- Valid photo ID is required.
- Books are bought daily from 9am to 8pm.
- Powell’s does not accept outdated textbooks or old encyclopedia sets.
- Powell’s offers approximately 50% more in Powell’s credit (redeemable in store or online) than in cash.
Fun fact: Powell’s buys around 3,000 books a day.
Powell’s City of Books Hours
- Powell’s is open daily from 9am to 10pm, 365 days a year.
Parking at Powell’s Books
Street Parking: Street parking reigns supreme but is tough to find in this popular area. Street parking is $2 per hour, 2 hour max. Parking enforced Monday through Saturday from 8am to 7pm and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm.
SmartPark Garage at SW 10th & Yamhill: This is my preferred parking option but it’s a little further away ($5 max Saturday & Sunday).
Powell’s Café
The Guilder Café is located on the first floor of Powell’s Books. Enjoy a hot cup of tea (or coffee) while perusing a book. The café offers a full drinks menu in addition to pastries and light meals (salads and sandwiches). The cafe is open daily from 10am to 8pm.
Location, location, location
In addition to the flagship store on Burnside, Powell’s has 3 satellite locations:
- Southeast Hawthorne Blvd: General bookstore plus focus on garden and cookbooks.
- Beaverton: Large bookstore offering a wide selection of books.
- Portland International Airport (PDX): Before security, close to Blue Star Donuts.
Where is Powell’s Book Store?
Powell’s Books is right on the border of the Pearl District and Downtown. There are two entrances: Couch & 11th (pictured below) and Burnside & 10th. The entrance on Burnside & 10th is considered the main entrance.
Official address: 1005 W Burnside St.
Acclaim
- 2002 | USA Today cited Powell’s as one of America’s 10 best bookstores.
- 2015 | CNN dubs Powell’s as one of the best bookstores in the world.
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon. We currently reside 6 blocks from the bookstore and swing by every chance we get.
Finally, Powell’s Books and then Powell’s book store, as a result Powell’s City of Books.
Until next time,
Antonina
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