Located on the east bank of the Willamette River across from the south end of Waterfront Park, this modern science museum has six huge halls, and both kids and adults find the exhibits fun and fascinating. This is a hands-on museum, and everyone is urged to get involved with displays, from a discovery space for toddlers to physics and chemistry labs for older children. Simulated earthquakes and tornadoes are perennial favorites. There's plenty of pure entertainment at an OMNIMAX theater and the Murdock Sky Theater, which features laser-light shows and astronomy presentations. The USS Blueback submarine (used in the film The Hunt for Red October) is docked here, and tours are given daily.
Between mid-June and late September, Samtrak (tel. 503/653-2380), a small open-air train, runs between OMSI and Oaks Park Amusement Center. OMSI is also the departure point for several different boat cruises up and down the Willamette River.
1945 SE Water Ave.Phone: 800/955-6674.Open: Mid-June to Labor Day daily 9:30am-7pm; Labor Day to Mid-June Tues-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm.Museum or OMNIMAX $7 adults, $5 seniors and children 4-13; $4 submarine tours, $4 planetarium shows, laser-light shows $4 matinee, $7 evening; discounted combination tickets available. Thurs 2pm until closing all tickets are 2-for-1.Closed Dec 25.Bus: 63.
