The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the premier interactive science centers, planetariums, and maritime heritage museums in the United States, located along the east bank of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Spanning 219,000 square feet, OMSI features five massive exhibit halls, the Kendall Planetarium, a giant four-story Empirical Theater, hands-on physics and chemistry labs, and the historic submarine USS Blueback (SS-581).
At A Glance: OMSI Portland Overview
| Museum Metric | Operational Specification & Visitor Fact |
|---|---|
| Address & Location | 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States (Eastbank Esplanade on Willamette) |
| Operating Hours | Tue–Sun: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Saturdays until 7:00 PM) | Closed Mondays during school year |
| General Admission | Adults (14+): $19 | Youth (3–13): $14 | Seniors (63+): $16 | Submarine Tour: +$8.50 |
| Featured Venues | 5 Exhibit Halls, Kendall Planetarium, Empirical Theater, Science Playground, Turbine Hall |
| Maritime Attraction | USS Blueback (SS-581) — US Navy’s last operational non-nuclear fast-attack submarine |
| Public Transit | MAX Light Rail Orange Line (OMSI / SE Water Ave Station) & Portland Streetcar CL Line |
Hands-On Discovery on the Willamette River
Founded in 1944 and relocated in 1992 to a dramatic 18-acre industrial riverfront site that once housed Portland General Electric’s historic steam power plant, OMSI is a national pioneer in experiential STEM education. Designed to engage curious minds of all ages, the museum replaces static glass display cases with hundreds of interactive engineering challenges, live scientific demonstrations, and tactile laboratory workbenches.
The vast interior is divided into thematic learning zones: the Turbine Hall, where visitors design earthquake-resistant structures on shake tables and experiment with renewable wind and hydro energy; the Life Science Hall, exploring genetics, evolutionary biology, and paleontology; and the Chemistry Lab, where visitors put on goggles to conduct real titration and chemical reactions under the guidance of staff scientists.
The Historic Submarine USS Blueback (SS-581)
Moored directly in the Willamette River alongside the museum’s boardwalk sits the USS Blueback, a Barbel-class diesel-electric submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Serving for over 30 years during the height of the Cold War, the Blueback was the last non-nuclear combat submarine in active US naval service when decommissioned in 1990, famously appearing in the blockbuster thriller film The Hunt for Red October.
Guided 45-minute tours led by knowledgeable naval veterans take visitors through narrow watertight doors into the authentic, cramped quarters where 85 submariners lived underwater for months at a time. Peer through operational periscopes, explore the torpedo room with vintage Mark 48 torpedoes, inspect the radio room, and marvel at the intricate engineering of the submarine’s diesel engine room.
Kendall Planetarium & Giant Screen Empirical Theater
OMSI boasts some of the most technologically advanced astronomical and cinematic projection facilities in the Pacific Northwest:
- Kendall Planetarium: The Pacific Northwest’s largest planetarium, featuring a 52-foot domed ceiling powered by Evans & Sutherland Digistar digital laser projection. Fly through the rings of Saturn, tour distant exoplanets, and enjoy evening laser light music shows synchronized to Pink Floyd and Daft Punk.
- Empirical Theater: A state-of-the-art giant-screen cinema with a four-story screen and Dolby Atmos surround sound. Showcases breathtaking 3D nature documentaries produced by National Geographic, alongside classic feature films and independent science cinema.
- Science Playground: A dedicated 7,000-square-foot sensory discovery hall designed specifically for toddlers and children aged 0 to 6, featuring water play tables, an animal sandbox, reading corners, and soft building blocks.
OMSI After Dark & Riverfront Dining
For adult visitors, OMSI hosts its hugely popular OMSI After Dark events on the last Wednesday of each month. The entire museum opens exclusively to adults aged 21 and over, featuring craft beer tastings from local Oregon microbreweries, artisanal food trucks, science trivia competitions, live DJ sets, and kid-free exploration of all science exhibits.
The on-site Theory Eatery offers panoramic views of the river and the downtown Portland skyline, serving fresh, locally sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine—including wood-fired pizzas, hearty grain bowls, and Oregon wines.
Transit Directions & Eastbank Esplanade Access
OMSI is one of the most transit-connected cultural attractions in Portland:
By Transit: The MAX Light Rail Orange Line stops directly in front of the museum at the OMSI / SE Water Ave Station, providing direct service from downtown Pioneer Courthouse Square in just 7 minutes. The Portland Streetcar Central Loop (CL Line) also terminates steps from the entrance.
By Bike or Foot: OMSI sits right along the scenic, paved Eastbank Esplanade pedestrian and cycling trail. You can rent a city bikeshare (Biketown) and pedal across the Tilikum Crossing (Bridge of the People)—Portland’s transit-and-pedestrian-only cable-stayed bridge—for an unforgettable river journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About OMSI
Is the USS Blueback submarine tour wheelchair accessible?
Due to the authentic historic naval construction of the submarine, visitors must be able to step over high watertight hatch sills and navigate narrow companionway ladders. The submarine is not wheelchair accessible, but virtual video tours are available in the museum.
How long should I plan to spend at OMSI?
Most families and science enthusiasts spend between 3 and 4 hours exploring the main exhibit halls, Kendall Planetarium, and taking the submarine tour.
Is parking available on site?
Yes. OMSI maintains extensive designated parking lots directly adjacent to the museum for an affordable flat rate (pay-by-plate automated kiosks or mobile app).
A Family Guide: 4-Hour Highlights Itinerary
With more than 200 interactive exhibits spanning five sprawling halls, having a strategy ensures you experience OMSI’s greatest treasures:
- Hour 1: USS Blueback Submarine Tour: Begin by boarding the historic USS Blueback moored in the Willamette River. Guided by naval experts, squeeze through the watertight bulkheads, view the operational sonar room, and peer through the attack periscope to view the downtown Portland skyline.
- Hour 2: Hands-On Science Playgrounds & Physics Lab: Move inside to the Turbine Hall. Challenge your family to design and test earthquake-resistant structures on the shake tables, build aerodynamic craft in the wind tubes, and conduct chemistry experiments in the Chemistry Lab.
- Hour 3: Kendall Planetarium Cosmic Journey: Settle into the planetarium’s high-resolution digital dome for an awe-inspiring show traveling to the outer rings of Saturn, distant nebulae, and exploring the wonders of the Pacific Northwest night sky.
- Hour 4: Theory Waterfront Cafe & Bridge Walk: Recharge at Theory Cafe with local Pacific Northwest cuisine—artisan wood-fired pizza and locally brewed Stumptown coffee—before strolling along the Eastbank Esplanade to view the historic Marquam and Hawthorne bridges.
Transit & Parking Logistics on the Willamette
Located on the central eastside of the Willamette River, OMSI is exceptionally accessible:
- Portland Streetcar: The Portland Streetcar CL Line (Central Loop) stops directly at the OMSI / SE Water Ave station, providing direct, seamless connection to downtown Portland and the Pearl District.
- MAX Light Rail: The MAX Orange Line stops at the nearby OMSI / SE Water Ave MAX Station, connecting north to downtown Portland and south to Milwaukie.
- Biking the Eastbank Esplanade: Portland’s paved, car-free Eastbank Esplanade trail runs directly past OMSI. Dedicated bike racks and BIKETOWN electric bike stations are available at the main entrance plaza.
