Powell's City of Books

Planning a Visit to Powell's

Powell's City of Books takes up an entire city block on the edge of the Pearl District, and first-time visitors are often surprised by its scale. The store is organised into colour-coded rooms, each devoted to broad subject areas, with new and used copies shelved side by side. Picking up a free store map near the entrance, or asking staff at an information desk, saves a lot of wandering. Many regulars head straight for one room, then let themselves get lost on the way back out.

One of the store's best-known features is the Rare Book Room, where collectible and antiquarian titles are kept. It is worth a look even if you are not buying, because it shows how much variety a single bookshop can hold. Powell's also hosts author readings and book events from time to time. Schedules change, so check the store's official website for current events and opening hours before you go. It is not a 24-hour shop, so a late-evening browse is best planned around closing time.

Practical tips for an evening trip

• Give yourself time. An hour disappears quickly. If you have a list, start with it before you browse.
• Travel light. Books get heavy fast. A tote bag helps, and a busy evening is a good reason to keep your load small.
• Plan transport home. Downtown parking can be tight. Streetcar, MAX light rail and bus lines all run near West Burnside, but service thins out late at night. Check TriMet times before you set off.
• Bring cash or card for nearby food. The surrounding streets have plenty of cafés, bars and late-opening spots for a bite after browsing.

If your evening carries on after the store closes, the neighbourhood is an easy starting point for a night out downtown. You can see which parts of the city fall within our delivery zones and check our owl-hour schedule to plan a late meal once you're home with your new stack of books. For other spots worth a detour after dark, browse the rest of our venue guides.