Rated by CNN as one of the world’s best bookstores, Powell’s Books, known as the City of Books, is the world’s largest independently owned bookstore, selling new and used titles for visitors to enjoy and the locals.
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how big are powell’s books? well, for starters, it covers an entire apple. In addition, it houses more than a million books. bookworms, rejoice!
You are reading: Powells city of books map
It goes without saying that if you visit Portland, you must check out Powell’s books. this short post will make your visit more informed and enjoyable.
where is powell’s bookstore?
- powell’s books is right on the border of the pearl district and downtown. there are two entrances: sofa & 11th (pictured below) and burnside & 10.
- the entrance to burnside & 10 is considered the main entrance (first photo).
- Official address: 1005 w burnside st.
hours of the city of books
- powell’s city of books is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 10 p.m. m.
- the store is surprisingly open 365 days a year (yes, really), you can visit on christmas day.
parking at powell’s books
street parking
street parking reigns supreme but is hard to find in this popular area.
- street parking is $2 per hour, 2 hours max.
- mandatory parking Mon-Sat 8am-5pm. m. to 7 p.m. m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. m. to 7 p.m. m.
intelligent garage | sw 10th & sweet potato
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This is my preferred option but it’s a bit further away.
- $1.80 per hour, up to 4 hours
- $14 daily maximum
- $5 maximum on Saturdays & Sunday
powell’s café (cup of coffee and tea)
- coffee world cup & tea is located on the first floor. enjoy a cup of hot tea (or coffee) while you flip through a book, an interview, or something to determine which one is right for you.
- the cafeteria offers a full menu of beverages in addition to pastries and meals light. (salads and sandwiches).
- the cafeteria is open every day from 9:00 to 22:45.
good to know before visiting
- there are no seats at powell’s; visitors are encouraged to peruse the hallways but not to sit and read.
- restrooms are located on the second floor, a code is required (ask a partner store).
- >registers are located at both ends of the library, next to the entries.
With around 3,000 customers every day, the bookstore is packed. What’s more, that number doesn’t even include the additional 3,000 visitors per day who simply browse the shelves.
design
With over 68,000 square feet and 3,500 sections to peruse, powell’s books offers a very helpful map for visitors (available for pickup throughout the store).
Breakdown of rooms by category
there are 9 color coded rooms in powell’s books. here is a list of the sections found in each room.
first floor
- orange room: agriculture, cooking, cinema + tv, gardening, humour, music
- pink room: childcare, children, Education, Games, Kids Graphic Novels, Parenting, Pets, Trivia, Young Adults
- Golden Room: Fantasy, Fiction, Games, Graphic Novels, Horror, Manga, Mystery + Thrillers , RPGs, Science Fiction, True Crimes,
- Blue Room: Classics, Drama, Fiction, Literature, Poetry, Small Press, Westerns
- green room: novelties, souvenirs.
second floor
- Red Room: Americana, Animals, Anthropology, Archaeology, Atlas, Audiobooks, Automotive, Aviation, Birds, Botany, Economics, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, Gender Studies outdoors, native american studies, geology, hiking, history, languages, lgbtq, maps, meteorology, military, nature, nautical, 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, computer science, crafts, engineering, home building, interior design, math, photography, physics, science, weddings </li
- rare book room
essential: visit the rare book room
- The Rare Book Room houses approximately 9,000 valuable books, ranging from autographed books, first editions, and other collectible volumes. this is my favorite area to explore.
- the rare book room is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
Fun fact: The most expensive book in the rare book room is $350,000, the two-volume history of the expedition under Captains Lewis and Clark to the Missouri Springs.
events in powell’s books
- Children’s story time is held every Saturday at 11am. m. in the rose room.
- powell’s hosts frequent readings and events in the pearl room. click here to see the calendar of events. .
- i once met president jimmy carter at a book signing event at powell’s, great!
how to sell books at powell’s
powell’s is happy to purchase used books as needed by the store at the time of purchase.
- To sell your books, use the entrance at Couch and 11th.
- A valid photo ID is required.
- Books are purchased daily from 9 am to 8 pm.
- powell’s does not accept outdated textbooks or old encyclopedias.
- powell’s offers approximately 50% more in powell’s credit (redeemable in store or online ) than in cash.
Fun fact: Powell’s buys about 3,000 books a day.
location, location, location
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In addition to the main store in Burnside, Powell’s has 3 satellite locations:
- southeast hawthorne blvd: general bookstore with a focus on gardening and cooking books.
- beaverton: large bookstore offering a wide book selection .
- portland international airport (pdx): before security, near blue star donuts.
history of powell’s books
It was started in 1971 by a man named Walter Powell who was inspired by his son’s success in opening and running a profitable bookstore in Chicago. powell’s established an internet presence in 1993 and created a website in 1994 (before amazon!).
later, in 1999, powell’s was expanded to include the entrance to the pearling district. also added a pillar of books representing the eight best books in the world with a Latin inscription that reads: “buy the book, read the book, enjoy the book, sell the book.”
cheer
- 2002 | USA Today cited Powell’s as one of America’s Top 10 Bookstores.
- 2015 | cnn rates powell’s as one of the best bookstores in the world.
hope you enjoyed this quick guide to powell’s books in portland, oregon. we currently reside 6 blocks from the bookstore and spend every chance we get.
finally, powell’s books and then powell’s bookstore, resulting in the city of powell’s books.
until next time,
antonine
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