Powell's City of Books
add photosIf you love books you will love Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon. They carry both new and used books and take up the entire city block due to their stock of over 1 million books. It's also a great place to find out of print titles and those that are simply hard to find elsewhere.
7 Reviews for Powell's City of Books
6
20 families found this helpful
"The best!"
Now I have been to my fair share of bookstores in my lifetime, but nothing beats Powell's! My dad had told me how amazing it is when he first moved to Portland, but I just didn't get it until we walked in! My boys were too young when we first went, but they enjoyed looking at everything. Now they are big time readers and will appreciate this bookstore on our next visit! I'm pretty sure we'll be spending a good portion of our day here!
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"can't say i've actually been there..."
can't say i've actually been there - although we do use their online service to sell our used books! what a great concept and an easy transaction! haven't been able to find even a local store that compares!
you type in the BIN - the site determines the value - they send you a prepaid postage stamp, mail your box of books to them and wait for your paypal money to show up (or you can opt to get store credit - which actually gives more dollar value than cash)! great service!
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"Great store; leave kids at home"
I love Powell's, but since we don't live in Oregon, when we go, we have to take our toddler along. As you can imagine, he gets impatient pretty quickly, so he wants to run around, which doesn't help when I'm looking for books. The store has many split levels on a city block, so the only way to get around with a stroller is to go back through multiple rooms to an elevator. Also, it's packed so full of bookshelves that there's no available space to sit and read with small children.
0 families found this helpful
"Powell's City of Books"
Our family loves Powell's and our extended family makes a point of going there whenever they come to visit. You haven't been to a book store until you've been to Powell's. Their selection is the most exhaustive I've ever seen and the prices and customer service are top notch - whether you are in their flagship store, at one of their many other sites, or even online. You gotta go!
'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Browse Powell's"
A well-known Portland landmark, Powell's City of Books is a multi-level, multi-hour affair for the whole family.
The sections are color-coded, and there's a huge amount of reading material for everyone, from babies to grandparents and everyone in-between. Check for story hours, and make sure you have time to check out the sale sections!
Get a map at the front entrance! You'll need it!
After a morning of serious book-buying, you'll be hungry: our favorite area restaurant isRocco's Pizza on 949 SW Oak. If you want to phone in an order instead (might be a good idea on a weekend), their number is: (503) 223-9835.
0 families found this helpful
"The City of Books!"
Among other things, Portland is known for books. In fact, per capita, we have more bookstores in Portland than any other city in the nation. Powells is the mothership for anyone who loves books and has held it's own again all of the major bookstore congloms that have found a home in Portland (in fact Powells is known as the City of Books). This store has grown over the years, and does cover a full block just off the street car line in downtown Portland (they have 6 other locations in the Portland Metro area though, and some of those stores specialize in specific themes, but always have a variety of books).
This 'flagship' store does have an awe-inspiring number of books and you can really get lost walking about. The place makes you fall in love with books and I have always had to argue with myself about how many books I really need to buy every time I go in there. They have every book on every topic, and if you happen to be looking for one they don't have on their shelves, they will go look for it for you.
They have various events and special ones set up for kids. Just check their website for what is on the schedule (it is on the right hand side):
http://www.powells.com/section/Childrens.html?header=Sub:%20Kids%20Books
Like the previous reviewer said, the kid section is wonderful. There are books on every subject, by every author and kids go crazy over them. This is a great place to go if you just aren't sure which books your kids might be interested in at the moment...or if they are totally crazy over 1 subject matter (you won't be able to get them out of there!).
It is great for the 'big kids' too. Mom and dad will find things they can't go home without.
If you have 'outgrown' books, they are always looking to buy books as well (they say they buy over 3000 books a day).
This is definitely a highlight and something unique to the Portland area.
2 families found this helpful
"Biggest and BEST Bookstore Ever"
So yea, you could live to be a 100 years old and never SEE every book in this store, let alone read them. Powell's is an independent bookstore in the Pearl that takes up almost a full city block. The children's department is massive selling books new, used, obscure, vintage, and everything in between. There are child sized tables, a vastly knowledgeable friendly staff, and enough bookstuffs to last your kids a few hours to be sure. There are lit geeks abound more than happy to suggest things to read, and is the perfect spot for a rainy day. There is an inhouse coffee shop, a huge array of great gifting options, and no stuffy library feel. Stop by Henry's 12th Street Tavern right up the street for a great lunch/dinner after (order the Gorgonzola cheese fries, trust me), Mio Gelato is right around the corner for dessert! Pearly isn't all that kid friendly as a whole, but Powell's makes up for it 100 fold.
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