OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
4.5(10K)google
KidsIndoorParking AvailableRestrooms AvailableInteractiveHands-OnImmersiveEducationalPlanetariumWarship
Overview
Situated along the east bank of the Willamette River, OMSI is a premier interactive science center featuring hundreds of hands-on exhibits across several themed halls. The museum features an ultra-modern planetarium, a giant-screen cinema, and the USS Blueback, a real retired Navy submarine docked right in the river. Visitors of all ages can engage in design labs, physics experiments, and innovative technology workshops that encourage scientific curiosity. It serves as an educational powerhouse in the community, providing creative spaces where science and technology come alive.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 3-5 hours
Best TimeYear-round attraction. To get the best out of interactive exhibits, aim for weekend mornings or late afternoons on weekdays to avoid school field trip groups that typically visit between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Submarine tours require booking a specific timeslot.
Getting ThereLocated on the east bank of the Willamette River. Take the MAX Orange Line directly to the OMSI/SE Water Ave station, or take the Portland Streetcar (A Loop or B Loop) to the front of the museum. A large paid parking lot is available for drivers.
Travel Tips
- Exhibition Warning: Tours for the submarine USS Blueback, Planetarium shows, and IMAX screenings require separate ticket add-ons. Because the historical submarine compartments are extremely narrow, guests with claustrophobia should skip this tour.
- The on-site open-air parking lot charges a flat fee. You must input your license plate number and pay at the digital ticketing kiosks inside the lobby immediately upon entry to avoid a heavy parking citation.
- The museum hosts a '$5 First Sunday' event monthly. Standard admission drops to $5, bringing extreme family crowds and long lines for interactive labs. Avoid this specific day if you prefer a quiet experience.
Reviews
Positive
- Getting up close to a real submarine docked by the river and the massive IMAX theater brings a strong visual impact. The hands-on science interactive exhibits offer an engaging and fun experience for both adults and kids.
- The facilities and maintenance are top-notch; restrooms are plentiful and clean, with clearly visible trash bins and spacious seating areas everywhere. The directional signs are very well-designed and structured.
- The staff are exceptionally patient with children, and crowd management is tight. Even during school field trips with massive crowds of students, the lines at exhibits remain orderly with great safety oversight.
- Located right on the Willamette River, it is highly accessible via Max light rail or self-driving. The dedicated parking lot has plenty of spaces, and the operating hours are stable and reasonable.
Heads up
- General admission does not include the submarine tour or IMAX theater. Once you add up all these separate upcharges for a family, it becomes incredibly expensive and lowers the overall value.
- The crowd density on weekends and holidays is overwhelming, with kids running everywhere. The museum turns into a packed playground that feels overly commercialized, losing the immersive atmosphere a science center should have.
- Several popular interactive mechanical and electronic exhibits were broken or unresponsive due to high usage, lacking timely maintenance or out-of-order signs, which was quite disappointing.
- The fast food inside the cafeteria, like burgers and pizza, is overpriced, with limited options and mediocre taste. It suffers from a typical tourist trap markup, so bringing your own food is recommended.