Skip to content
visitorfun
BusinessesGrow
MuseumsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

1945 SE Water Ave · Portland, OR

Why you should go…

OMSI fills a former power plant on the east bank of the Willamette River with hands-on exhibit halls, an Empirical Theater, and a domed planetarium. Outside, visitors can tour the USS Blueback, a decommissioned Navy submarine that appeared in The Hunt for Red October.

  • #science museum
  • #planetarium
  • #kids
  • #riverfront

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Willamette Jetboat Excursions

    $25–$50

    Narrated jetboat tours on the Willamette River departing from downtown Portland.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Portland Spirit

    $25–$50

    Willamette River sightseeing and dining cruises departing downtown Portland year round.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design

    Free

    Shop a friendly Portland yarn and fiber arts store stocked for knitting, weaving, and felting.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Oregon Historical Society

    Under $25

    A downtown Portland museum with three floors of exhibits and more than 85,000 artifacts spanning Oregon history.

    1.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Portland Art Museum

    $25–$50

    The Pacific Northwest's oldest art museum, spanning Native American art to contemporary photography.

    1.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Skeleton Key Odditorium

    Under $25

    An oddity museum and curiosity shop showcasing macabre antiques, sideshow history and gothic art in downtown Portland.

    1.1 mi awayMore like this