Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Located in the heart of the city along the banks of the Willamette River, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)is a place where science and fun combine in one great attraction. Drawing over 750,000 visitors every year this is a fantastic destination for families, science buffs or anyone with an inquisitive mind.With five exhibition halls, an Omnimax theatre, a planetarium and a genuine navy submarine, it’s easy to spend an entire day here. There is a focus on getting children interested in science and technology and this impressive museum has dozens of interactive exhibits designed to teach kids about the world around them.You can watch yourself age 25 years in a matter of minutes in the Life Sciences Hall or mix real chemicals and watch the results in the Chemical Lab. Budding engineers can even try their hand at bridge building in the Engineer IT section.The Science Playground is the perfect place for younger children to enjoy themselves safely in an interactive learning environment while adults learn about fields as diverse as human development and family dynamics in the Discovery Lab, where experts and researchers are on hand to answer questions.The Planetarium is great for a spot of virtual star gazing and there are a number of light and laser shows every day depicting the night sky for an additional fee. Another of the museum’s star attractions is a decommissioned fast-attack submarine, the USS Blueback, docked permanently at the pier adjacent to the site. The sub served the U.S. Navy for 31 years and appeared in the film The Hunt for Red October before being donated to OMSI.Also along the waterfront is a café, with a surprisingly good, seasonal menu. OMSI is closed for Christmas and Thanksgiving and you should give yourself at least 3 or 4 hours for your visit.