OMSI
About This Museum
Down here on the industrial east bank of the Willamette, just south of the Marquam Bridge, you'll find OMSI. It's a place that's been sparking curiosity in Portlanders since I was a kid, where the line between learning and having a blast gets wonderfully blurry. You can catch a mind-bending film in the massive Empirical Theater or get hands-on in a real chemistry lab. Don't even get me started on the USS Blueback submarine docked out back—touring that thing never gets old.
Collection Highlights
The permanent exhibits are classics, like the Turbine Hall where you can generate your own electricity. The planetarium shows will have you staring at the ceiling in awe, and they're always cooking up something new with rotating featured exhibitions. For many of us locals, the real highlight is clambering through the tight hatches of the decommissioned Navy submarine.
Visitor Information
It's a popular spot for families on weekends, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on their calendar for 'After Dark' nights—those are monthly events just for the 21+ crowd where you can explore the exhibits with a drink in hand.
Architecture & Building
The main building is a sprawling, no-nonsense concrete structure that fits right into its industrial neighborhood, a former power plant that's been thoroughly repurposed for science.
Contact & Location
Address: 1945, Southeast Water Avenue, Hosford-Abernethy, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-797-4000
Website: Visit Website
