Recently, we took a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon, with a visiting family member. Before our journey, I came across a fantastic resource from Marcie in Mommyland that highlighted great places to visit with young children.
As a self-proclaimed bookworm (and hoping to nurture that same love for reading in my toddler), I was eager to visit Powell's City of Books—a destination I had long been excited about!
Powell's City of Books: A Book Lover's Paradise
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Hi-Lo Hotel, where we stayed, Powell's City of Books was the highlight of our trip!
As a side note, the Hi-Lo Hotel is a charming spot for families. It features a beautifully designed lobby with unique touches like a piano, a giant tic-tac-toe game, and a cozy sofa swing, though it doesn’t have kitchen facilities—so keep that in mind if you plan to stay!
Our Experience at Powell's City of Books
When we arrived, I was immediately struck by how huge and maze-like Powell's is—no exaggeration! This independent bookstore is renowned for being the largest in the world, and it truly lives up to that title.
They even have a dedicated parking lot for visitors, an in-store café, and a helpful information center where friendly staff can assist you in navigating this bookish wonderland.
After asking a staff member for directions to the children’s section, I was led to the "rose" area. The store is organized into nine color-coded rooms with over 3,500 sections, making it essential to have a plan before diving in!
In the "rose" section, I found a fantastic selection of board books for babies and toddlers, along with hardcover and paperback options for preschoolers and older kids.
While I searched for used books in good condition, I was puzzled when all the tags read "new." A helpful staff member clarified that both new and used books are mixed together, distinguished only by their tags.
As I explored, I noticed that used books were typically 20-30% cheaper than new ones. Some titles are available in both formats, while others may only have new copies. This makes for a fun treasure hunt!
I ended up spending over an hour at Powell's and walked away with six books! The selection was extensive, and I found many titles I had considered buying on Amazon—only to discover they were more affordable at Powell's. Plus, it’s tax-free shopping in Portland!
While I browsed, my toddler enjoyed playing a fun game of identifying books she already owned from home.
Why Powell's City of Books Stands Out
Here are a few things I love about Powell's:
-Handwritten "Staff Pick" Recommendations: I was delighted to see charming illustrations and personal notes from staff recommending lesser-known authors alongside popular bestsellers. It added a unique touch to my shopping experience.
Kid-Friendly Reading Area: There’s a cozy reading nook complete with kid-sized tables and chairs where parents can read to their children.
Free Stickers for Kids: Children receive adorable stickers at checkout, which was a delightful surprise for my little one!
Convenient Return Pushcarts: If you change your mind about a book, return carts are readily available, making it easy to drop off any books you decide against without having to return them to the original shelves.
That day, I was one happy shopper! My toddler was excited to see the books I picked out and even offered to help carry them. Here are my happy finds, along with images of the price tags for context on used book pricing.
Visit Details
Powell’s City of Books
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 11 PM daily (how amazing is that?)
Website: Powell's City of Books
Fun Fact: It's the largest used and new bookstore in the world! Powell's occupies an entire city block and is home to approximately one million books. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the free public tours of the flagship store offered every Sunday!
