Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) at 1945 SE Water Avenue in Portland occupies a 219,000-square-foot facility on the east bank of the Willamette River, directly opposite the downtown skyline. OMSI is one of the leading science museums in the Pacific Northwest, attracting more than 800,000 visitors annually with exhibits spanning physics, biology, technology, earth sciences, and human anatomy. Five permanent exhibit halls address distinct themes: Earth Science Hall explores Oregon's volcanic and tectonic past; Life Science Hall examines human biology and genetics; Physics Hall features hands-on mechanical and electrical experiments; Technology Hall covers computing history and innovation; and Turbine Hall houses full-scale industrial equipment and engineering exhibits. The museum's most popular individual attraction is a decommissioned United States Navy submarine, the USS Blueback (SS-581), moored on the Willamette River adjacent to the museum and open for guided tours. The Blueback is one of only a handful of diesel submarines open to the public in the United States and served as a filming location for the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October. OMSI's Empirical Theater seats 220 for science documentary screenings and live presentations, while the Kendall Planetarium projects full-dome shows on astronomy and earth sciences. A dedicated Science Playground is designed for children under 10 with sensory-friendly interactive exhibits. OMSI After Dark events on select Friday evenings transform the museum into an adults-only evening with themed cocktails and interactive exhibits. Parking is available on-site for $8 per vehicle, and TriMet Bus 70 stops on SE Water Ave within walking distance.