Best Bookstores to Explore in Portland on Rainy Days

Portland, Oregon, is a city known for its love of books and rain, making it the perfect place to explore some of the most unique and inviting bookstores in the U.S. Whether you're a local or just visiting, spending a rainy day browsing through shelves filled with books is a quintessential Portland experience. Here are some of the top bookstores in Portland that you should not miss, each with its own charm and a vast selection of books.

Powell's City of Books

• Location & Directions: Located in the Pearl District, Powell's City of Books is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Portland. It's accessible via W Burnside St and is hard to miss due to its size and iconic signage.
• Highlights: Powell's is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block. The store's color-coded rooms house over a million books in every genre imaginable. Visitors should check out the Rare Book Room, which holds many first editions and signed copies.
• Visitor Tips: Give yourself plenty of time to explore; it's easy to spend hours here. There's also a café inside, perfect for a rainy day coffee and book browsing session.

Broadway Books

• Location & Directions: Located on NE Broadway, this store is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Portland. It’s nestled in a vibrant neighborhood that’s also worth exploring.
• Highlights: Broadway Books is a smaller, more intimate bookstore with a curated selection of new and used books. They are known for their excellent fiction and non-fiction selections, as well as their support of local authors.
• Visitor Tips: Check their calendar for readings and events with authors, which are always a treat and offer a deeper connection to the Portland literary scene.

Annie Bloom's Books

• Location & Directions: Situated in the heart of Multnomah Village, Annie Bloom's is approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland. The village itself offers a charming small-town feel within the city.
• Highlights: Annie Bloom's Books is a cozy neighborhood bookstore with a carefully selected inventory. They have a fantastic children's section and a wide array of literary fiction, making it a great spot for family visits.
• Visitor Tips: After visiting the bookstore, take a stroll around Multnomah Village. The area has several cafes and shops that are perfect for a rainy day exploration.

Green Bean Books

• Location & Directions: Located in the Alberta Arts District, Green Bean Books is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland via NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
• Highlights: This children's bookstore is a wonderland for young readers and families, featuring a diverse selection of books, interactive story times, and a whimsical, inviting atmosphere.
• Visitor Tips: The Alberta Arts District is full of colorful murals, art galleries, and unique eateries, making it a fun area to explore before or after your bookstore visit.

Summary

Portland's bookstores offer something for every type of reader, and visiting these stores is a perfect rainy-day activity. Each bookstore mentioned provides a unique experience, from the vast aisles of Powell's to the intimate spaces of Broadway Books and Annie Bloom's, down to the whimsical children's paradise at Green Bean Books. Don't forget your umbrella, and prepare to lose track of time in these literary havens.