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Powell's Books

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First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
7
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Reading is Fundamental

  • March 31, 2009
  • Rated 3 of 5 by panda1 from ., California
Powell's Books claims to be the world's largest bookstore occupying a city block and several floors is a vibrant, living place filled with people, thriving, pulsating life, thoughts with kids and adults, a coffee room to buy some drink, eats, browse up to five titles, open daily 9am-11pm.

From journal OR

Great Bookstore, but Not a "To Do"

  • March 7, 2008
  • Rated 1 of 5 by durian_2005 from Portland, Oregon
Powell's is a great bookstore. They offer books for all imaginable subjects. But Powell's is not a "To Do" place for a tourist to see in Portland. If you're coming to Portland to "must see" Powell's, then you need to get a life. Yes, go to the art museum, OMSI, Mt. Hood or other places on this "To Do" list. Once you've done all that, then maybe go to Powell's. There's more to Portland than going to a bookstore.

Powell's City of Books

  • April 14, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by virgoleanne from Sacramento, California
I love bookstores. I love to find books about my interests. Powell's City of Books. has books about any interest you might have. This place is huge and a common tourist attraction.

Here is some of what is on their website:

Powell's City of Books is a book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world. Located in downtown Portland, Oregon and occupying an entire city block, the City stocks more than a million new and used books.

Nine color coded rooms house over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.

With 68,000 square feet packed with books, we buy 3,000 used books over the counter every day.

Approximately 3,000 people walk in and buy something every day. Another 3,000 people just browse and drink coffee.

Our parking garage provides space for 40 cars (ok, so there are bigger parking garages).

We stock 122 major subject areas and more than 3,500 subsections, you'll find more than 1,000,000 volumes on our shelves

Approximately 40,000 book lovers browse the City's shelves every day, in Portland and via the Internet.

From journal Wandering Downtown Portland

POWELL'S CITY OF BOOKS

  • July 14, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Globe from Salt Lake City, Utah
Powell's is so big that they offer maps of the store layout. They have a huge selection of new and used books and magazines, plus a coffee shop where you are welcome to sit and read the merchandise. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Prices for the used books are very affordable. I have a hard time walking out the door without buying an armload of books. Powell's also buys used books, so you could come prepared and wind up with a little extra spending money for your trip. To check out their selection before making a trip, you could look at their website, where they offer online purchasing and delivery. Despite this option, a trip to the store should not be skipped.

From journal Portland, Oregon

Editor Pick

Powell's City of Books

  • February 19, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by reddlaydee from Portland, Oregon
Powell's City of Books is exactly that - like visiting another city entirely, one entirely made up of the written word. They have nine different rooms full of books, and also an Arts and Crafts annex just across the street. All told, the downtown branch of this local chain has become the largest bookstore in the United States. Not only do they carry all the books that you might be looking for, but they almost alway have a used copy as well - which can usually be bought for about half the price of a new one. Looking for something old and ancient? Their Rare Book Room is one of the most complete in the nation, featuring an excellent selection of hard-to-find children's books, such as the Wizard of Oz books, or early Disney pop-ups. If you are looking for Literature and Poetry, visit the Blue Room. If you want Fantasy/Science Fiction, browse through the Gold. And if you need to know how to do something, find the informational books in the Pink Room. When you have located a book that interests you, wander down to their coffee shop - you are more than welcome to bring in the books and browse while sipping a cup of Portland's best java. Being so near to Seattle, Portlanders know how to order a cup of coffee, and Powell's can make the most complex latte you can think to order. The cafe is almost always crowded - but that is a nice change for a bookstore. The store is often overlooked as a tourist attraction, but considering the fact that it brings back hundreds of repeat customers every day, it is well worth the time to stop by on your trip. I stop in almost once a week, and I never fail to find something.

From journal The Thorns and Roses of Portland

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