“
”Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is located in Portland, Oregon. It is one of the city’s most popular attractions and a great place to take kids. It features more than 400 exhibits that include hands-on activities such as an aquarium with over 200 species of aquatic life from around the world, a planetarium with regular shows and demonstrations, and Discovery Science Place for little ones. There is also the USS Blueback submarine open for tours and a large IMAX theater.
History of OMSI
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) was founded in 1944 due to a public campaign to “bring science to the people.” The first exhibits were housed in the basement of Portland City Hall, with the museum officially opening its doors on July 16, 1945. In 1948 OMSI moved into its building and began to expand its reach with an aquarium and planetarium in the 1970s. The museum continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They were culminating in constructing its current facility—a 234,000-square-foot complex on the banks of the Willamette River – which opened in 1992.
Facts About OMSI
– OMSI is the largest museum in the Pacific Northwest.
– The museum has four floors of exhibits, including a planetarium and an OMNIMAX theater.
OMSI also offers classes and camps for kids and special events and lectures for adults.
– OMSI is a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of its community to continue providing science education.
What to See in OMSI
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a museum in Portland, Oregon, United States. It contains exhibits on natural history, mathematics, physics, astronomy, energy and the environment, industry and technology, transportation, and more.
OMSI also features the largest OMNIMAX theater in the country. Admission to OMSI is by donation.
We recommend starting your day at the museum by checking out some of their exhibits. These include:
- The ocean exhibit, where you can see what it’s like under the sea
- The energy exhibit, where you’ll learn about all different kinds of energy and how they work together to power everything around us
- The human body exhibit, where you’ll learn about how our insides work and what happens when things go wrong
- The airplane exhibits, showing off some of the most excellent planes around, including an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane
After checking out all their excellent exhibits (and maybe even trying a few experiments on your own), we think it’s time to move on to the next activity: a movie in the Omnimax Theater. The theater has a giant screen and surrounds sound, making you feel like you’re really in the movie!
They usually show different movies every day, so be sure to check out their schedule ahead of time to see what’s playing.
Finally, if you still have some energy left, be sure to check out the rest of the museum. There’s a planetarium, a science discovery area for kids, and even an earthquake simulator!
No matter what your age, there’s something at OMSI for you to enjoy. We highly recommend spending a day here if you’re in Portland!
Activities and Events in OMSI
A few things to do at the OMSI are:
Star Party – This is held on Friday nights, weather permitting. You can still view it through telescopes with their special filters if it’s cloudy! Check out their website for dates and more information. (2017 Dates Coming Soon!) You can also check if there will be a Star Party during your visit.
On the last Thursday of every month, Science Pub – Held is a lecture series that covers different science topics. This event is 21+. For more information and tickets, visit their website!
OMSI After Dark: for adults only! – These are held monthly and have a different theme each time. There’s food, drinks, and live music! This event is also 21+.
Field Trips – Bring your school group to OMSI for a fun and educational day! They offer different packages depending on your needs. Visit their website for more information.
Summer Camps – Keep your kids busy and learning all summer long with OMSI’s camps! They have weeklong camps for different ages, as well as day camps.
There is always something new happening at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, so make sure to check their website before you visit to see what’s going on!
I always loved the museum as a kid, but I appreciate all of its work as an adult. Kids must learn about science because it makes them more competent adults who will create better things in the future. OMSI is essential for this generation and the next!
-The exhibits are very interactive, so kids can learn by playing
-There’s a science discovery area just for them, which has tons of hands-on activities
-The planetarium is perfect for budding astronomers
-Field trips are available for school groups, as well as summer camps
OMSI is a great place to spend the day learning about science. They have something for everyone – from young kids to older adults.
What Not to Do in OMSI
- Don’t touch the exhibits without permission.
- Don’t run in the museum.
- Don’t yell or scream in the museum.
- Don’t bring outside food or drinks into the museum.
What to Bring in OMSI
- A water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray in the summer
- Money for parking and food/drinks
Parking at OMSI
There is a parking garage on-site, and the rates vary depending on how long you park.
There are also several street meters around the museum.
Food and Drink at OMSI
The cafe in the museum has a variety of food options, as well as drinks.
You can also bring in food and drinks from outside, but no alcohol is allowed.
There are several vending machines in the museum with various snacks and drinks.
Admission: $13 for adults and $11 for children aged three to 13
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 am to almost midnight
Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm
Sunday noon-11pm.
Sep-May: Closed,
Jun-Aug: open at noon
Address: 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503-797-4000
Website URL: omsi.edu/omsi/homepage.aspx?nav=about_us&id=generalinfo
If you’re looking for a House Cleaning in Portland, you can book with us!
Next Thing To Do In Portland:
International Rose Test Garden
