Portland Museums

(Portland, Oregon - OR, USA)

From oceans to earthquakes and art, Portland's prolific museums provide a wealth of information pertaining to cultural, historical, scientific and geographical aspects of the city, state, country and globe.

The extensive selection of museums in Portland really do offer something for everyone, regardless of age and ethnicity, and are situated both in and around downtown. Families should not miss out on spending time at the outstanding Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), while others may like to learn about Portland's nautical past at the Oregon Maritime Centre, which is based at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Address: 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97214, USA
Tel: +1 503 797 4000
Showcasing over 200 interactive exhibits and billed as one of America's top ten science museums, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) provides a wealth of scientific information and experiential material, covering facets as diverse as earthquakes, the Internet, space and submarines. Located on Portland's waterfront, this attraction also encompasses an IMAX theater, a planetarium and a café with superb views of the city.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors and under 13s

Children's Museum

Address: 4015 SW Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97221, USA
Tel: +1 503 223 6500
Situated in Washington Park opposite the Oregon Zoo, the Children's Museum is a brilliant blend of fun and educational activities designed to keep kids entertained for hours. There's a magical forest, water works room, fairy tale creation room and hands-on exhibits galore in this enchanting attraction.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Oregon Jewish Museum

Address: 1953 NW Kearney Street, Portland, Oregon (OR), USA
Tel: +1 503 226 3600
The city's only Jewish museum houses displays relating to Jewish art and history, and showcases itinerant Jewish exhibits. Founded in 1974 and recently relocated from NW Davis Street, this attraction now enjoys much more space and an ever changing selection of Jewish-related exhibits.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 10:30 to 16:00, Friday - 10:30 to 15:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors and children, members free

Oregon Maritime Centre and Museum

Address: Tom McCall Waterfront Park (terminus of SW Pine Street), Portland, Oregon (OR), USA
Tel: +1 503 224 7724
Housed within an authentic sternwheeler tugboat, the Oregon Maritime Centre and Museum contains many ship models, navigational instruments, photographs and artifacts pertaining to the ocean and maritime exploration. The various exhibits are grouped into different categories, such as early models and ships in bottles. Particularly notable is the Sternwheeler 'Portland', the 'Russell' barge and the riverboat named 'Mom's Boat', all of which reside at the base of SW Oak Street, on the seawall of the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Open hours: Friday to Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

3D Centre of Art and Photography

Address: 1928 NW Lovejoy Street, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97209, USA
Tel: +1 503 227 6667
Located within the historic Old Town District, the 3D Centre of Art and Photography is a non profit museum and gallery, focusing on three-dimensional imagery through the ages, incorporating a variety of photography, anaglyphs, computer-generated 3D art and much more besides.
Open hours: Thursday to Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free