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Katrina Yentch
Katrina Yentch is a freelance journalist, editor, and copywriter living in Portland. When she isn't writing, she's either napping and cooking in the winter or paddling and backpacking during the summer.
OMSI: Portland’s Interactive Science Museum
Visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for hands-on exhibits, planetarium laser shows, events and a real submarine.
Katrina Yentch
Katrina Yentch is a freelance journalist, editor, and copywriter living in Portland. When she isn't writing, she's either napping and cooking in the winter or paddling and backpacking during the summer.
Just across the river from downtown lies an epicenter of science and exploration. With over 219,000 square feet (20,346 sq m) of space, it’s not hard to spot the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s multi-building complex along the city’s Eastbank Esplanade, endearingly referred to by locals as OMSI (om-zee). This impressive structure is a cornerstone of Portland’s museum culture and a must-see for families, hosting several exhibition halls, a planetarium, a movie theater and even a former U.S. Navy submarine.
History of OMSI
Opening in 1944 as a well-regarded grassroots organization called the Oregon Museum Foundation, the initially simple set of exhibits in the 1950s quickly transcended into a planetarium, structural museum and national exhibition host by the 1970s. OMSI gradually outgrew its original bustling Washington Park headquarters and moved to its present facility in the Central Eastside in 1986.
Today, OMSI is more than a science center; it is also a research advocate, a program facilitator, and a favorite for families and kids of all ages, any time of year.
Today, OMSI is more than a science center; it is also a research advocate, a program facilitator, and a favorite for families and kids of all ages, any time of year. From leading summer learning camps and traveling education programs to curating regionally focused lecture series, OMSI has never strayed from its dedication to sharing the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and providing kids with opportunities to experience science firsthand.
What to See at OMSI
Stepping into OMSI’s massive lobby is awe-inducing; with dramatic views of the Willamette River, the glass-walled building invites visitors to bathe in the abundance of natural light and relaxing scenescapes. Kick off the day with the rotating exhibit, then let the kids conquer the science playground or dive into the Natural Sciences Hall for hands-on fun. Refuel at Theory café before a quick documentary at Empirical Theater, a planetarium show or a submarine tour. Wrap up by experimenting in the Chemistry and Physics Labs or exploring Turbine Hall’s Curium. Plan wisely — there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained!
The Ground Floor
On the ground floor, explore Turbine Hall, a former power station transformed into a multi-level hub for hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning. Discover practical insights in the Chemistry and Physics Labs — feel magnetic pulses or mix liquids to explore artificial sweeteners. The family-friendly Curium, a playful interactive science space, is popular with kids ages four to eight. Bring the whole family and experience earthquake simulations and learn preparedness tips in the Epicenter. Older kiddos should head to the Tech Center, where they can explore their creativity through music, textiles and digital design.
Sharing space with the Turbine Hall, the Space Science Hall holds the Kendall Planetarium. This 52-foot (16 m) dome theater takes viewers out of this world and into the solar system. A rotating set of screenings relay stories about the countless elements of our celestial universe, from Navajo astronomy tales to live-narrated star gazing in the Oregon sky. At night, the 200-seat planetarium becomes a site for laser shows set to popular music like Billie Eilish, Pink Floyd and more.
The Empirical Theater embraces the spirit of a classic movie theater screening but from a scientific perspective — think whale documentaries, dinosaur musings and close-up observations on the fascinating life of fungi. Evening shows widen the scope to Hollywood blockbusters and Studio Ghibli film festivals, popular with kids young and old. (Get your tickets in advance!)
The Featured Exhibition Hall completes the ground floor at OMSI, where thoughtfully curated shows often merge the worlds of art, nature and science. Exhibits run the gamut from Christopher Marley’s Exquisite Creatures Revealed, to Dr. Angelina Whalley and Dr. Gunter Von Hagen’s Body Worlds. Check back every three to six months to see what new exhibits OMSI pulls in next!
Outside the museum lies the partially submerged USS Blueback, a real-life Barbel-class submarine that served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1990. For an additional cost, museumgoers can enjoy a 45-minute tour of this 219-foot (67 m) vessel full of marvelous period artifacts; peer through a periscope, touch a torpedo, tuck into a bunk and get a glimpse of how the sub’s 85-person crew lived.
The Second Floor
While the second floor continues the rotating featured exhibit, it also holds secondary interactive exhibits, Natural Science Labs, and a playground for children ages 6 and under. Take a peek at the Paleontology Lab, where trained professionals uncover the mysteries of fossils. Or check out terrariums and aquariums that house living animals like geckos, exotic fish and terrifyingly beautiful snakes. The second floor is also chock-full of interactive exhibits about everything from infrared light to animals’ sensory skills, where everyone can learn something new about the inner workings of nature and science.
Events at the Museum
OMSI After Dark invites adult-only audiences to check out the museum after hours, hosting themed nights filled with science demos, vendor markets and artisanal food and beverages, against the backdrop of live DJs. Science Pub takes lectures to the next level, inviting local thought leaders in the Pacific Northwest to give expert opinions on real-life influences on our immediate surroundings. Other events include Native American culture nights, planetarium concerts and an annual grown-up prom (“PROMSI”).
Upcoming Science & Tech Events
Find science and tech events happening soon at OMSI or elsewhere in Portland.
Accessibility
OMSI offers free motorized scooters and wheelchairs, van-accessible parking, and wheelchair-friendly restrooms and elevators. Companions accompanying visitors with disabilities get in free, and service animals are welcome (though not emotional support animals). For sensory-friendly visits, check out their Sensory Guide, visit the quiet rooms, and borrow a kit with fidget toys and child-sized sound-reducing earmuffs to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked OMSI Questions
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