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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

📍 Portland · USA
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4.5/ 5.0
★★★★★

Introduction

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of Portland's premier science education institutions, located on the east bank of the Willamette River across from downtown. Housed in the former Portland Light and Power turbine plant, the 1992 conversion created an 18-acre science hall that retains the industrial-era red brick facade while filling the interior with modern interactive exhibits. OMSI features over 200 hands-on interactive exhibits spanning physics, chemistry, life science, earth science, and emerging technology, making it the largest science museum in the Pacific Northwest. The facility includes the third-largest planetarium in the US, an eight-story IMAX theater, the last diesel-electric submarine still in service in the US (USS Blueback), and a science lab designed for young children. OMSI is renowned for its edutainment exhibits and active science outreach, a top choice for Portland family weekends, and hosts OMSI After Dark science parties for adults in the evenings.

✨ Highlights

1
200 Interactive Exhibits
2
IMAX and Planetarium
3
USS Blueback Submarine
4
Industrial Building Conversion
5
OMSI After Dark
6
Early Childhood Science Lab

🛈 Practical Info

→Hours：Tuesday-Sunday 9:30-17:30, closed Monday; open daily July-August summer
→Admission：Adults $18, Seniors 65+ $14, Children 3-13 $12, under 3 free; IMAX and planetarium extra
→Location：1945 SE Water Avenue, east bank of Willamette River, SE Portland
→Transportation：About 5 minutes drive from downtown; TriMet bus 4 or 17
→Recommended Duration：3-4 hours; 5-6 hours with IMAX and submarine tour
→Best Time to Visit：Weekday mornings are less crowded; last Wednesday monthly is OMSI After Dark

💡 Tips

• If planning IMAX, planetarium, and submarine, combo tickets save about 30% compared to individual purchases.
• USS Blueback tours have limited capacity; reserve a time slot upon arrival before touring other exhibits to avoid long waits.
• The last Wednesday evening adult science party is very popular; book tickets in advance for the unique blend of drinks and science experiments.
• Families with toddlers should focus on the early childhood lab and interactive exhibits; school-age children can engage more complex physics and chemistry exhibits.
• OMSI is on the east bank; combine with Oregon Rail Heritage Center and the eastside waterfront trail for a half-day trip.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Oregon Museum of Science and Industry?

If planning IMAX, planetarium, and submarine, combo tickets save about 30% compared to individual purchases. USS Blueback tours have limited capacity; reserve a time slot upon arrival before touring other exhibits to avoid long waits.