🔬Science Center🏠 Homeschool ProgramsPaid admission

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Portland, Oregon

About

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is Portland's leading science education institution, situated on the east bank of the Willamette River with a distinctive industrial-contemporary building that has become a landmark of Portland's inner eastside. Founded in 1944, OMSI has grown from a small collection to a comprehensive science and technology destination drawing over 700,000 visitors annually. OMSI's most distinctive attraction is the USS Blueback (SS-581), the Navy's last diesel-electric submarine, moored alongside the museum and open for guided tours. Visitors can explore the cramped living quarters, torpedo room, and control room of the submarine that served from 1959 to 1990 — and that appeared in the film The Hunt for Red October. The Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall presents Pacific Northwest geology, biology, and ecology through hands-on exploration. Chemistry Lab, Physics, and Earth Science galleries offer interactive experiments and demonstrations. The Empirical Theater presents large-format documentary and science films, while the Kendall Planetarium offers digital dome shows on astronomy and space exploration. OMSI's education programs are among the most comprehensive in the Pacific Northwest. Camp OMSI offers day and residential programs including Camp Gray on the Oregon coast and Camp Hancock in the painted hills of central Oregon — giving campers immersive experiences in dramatically different ecosystems. School field trips, homeschool days, science nights, and teacher workshops round out OMSI's year-round educational offerings. The museum's location on the river, accessible by water taxi from the west side, adds to its distinctive Portland character.

🏠 Homeschool Programs

This institution offers dedicated programming for homeschooling families. Visit the website for details.

Subject Areas

🔬 Science💻 Technology🌌 Space & Astronomy🪨 Earth & Geology🌿 Nature & Environment

Best For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages👨‍👩‍👧 Families🏫 School Groups🎒 Elementary (6–10)🧑 Tweens & Teens (11–17)

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Hours of Operation

Check website for current hours. Open most days year-round.

Hours change seasonally — verify before visiting.

Admission

Paid admission

General admission required. Submarine tours, Empirical Theater, and Planetarium shows may require additional tickets. Members free.

✓ Membership available

ASTC

ASTC Travel Passport Program

Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers' Travel Passport Program offer free or discounted admission to members of other participating institutions. Over 300 science centers worldwide participate.

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47 other places in our directory accept this membership: