OMSI Reviews

Lots of fun, informative and interactive displays for both kids and adults.

Disappointed with our visit. We were there to see the Tut exhibit but was sold out. The rest was more for families with kids.

I love OMSI. The exhibits are very well done and informative. I renew my membership every year. Always a great place to go when it's raining, which happens a lot. The IMAX theatre is mind blowing. The hands on area is a great place for the kids to explore and have fun using science. My favorite thing to do is visit the planetarium. Especially the laser light shows at night. Grab a bite to eat before you go, the cafeteria can be a little pricey. OMSI has a special place in my heart. I've been coming here since I was in grade school. I highly recommend it.

Great museum, very interactive and fun. Love the animals! A very nice staff member took one out and allowed us to pet it.

Have been going here since I was a kid and it still entertains me.

This place is so cool! My kids and I love to come here and learn and experience the special exhibits. It could use a bit of an update/fix up on some of it's older exhibits, but they are always adding new, fun experiences! It's also such a beautiful location, right on the river, with a nice walking area along the river.

Great place to take the family and discover some really amazing things.

I'll visit here a few times a year. Great exhibits. Make sure you take the USS Blueback submarine tour.

It's always fun to bring the boys here. There is so much for them to do and see. Plus the food is really good.

One of Portland's best and certainly most educational attraction. IMAX theater, submarine tour, and plenty of hands on exhibits for kids and adults alike to play while learning scientific principles.

Great outing for young kids. For older attendees (especially teens), I'd suggest seeing what the exhibits are before coming. Definitely recommend

OMSI is great, but the static exhibits tend to get old after a while. We've purchased a family membership the last two years, and with the exception of the special exhibits, we've gotten bored of the rest. The staff are always helpful and courteous.

3rd time being here and have loved it every time, only complaint is the parents that can't handle their children and let them touch everything they aren't supposed to! But that's gonna happen anywhere

Expensive for a single admission but worth it for repeat visits.

A bit pricey, but a nice way to spend a few hours, especially if you have kids.

Fun place to learn lots of things science, in fresh ways. Some things for varying ages and interests. Over 5 decades, since grade school

Amazing time with my little one here. So much to do, so much to see.

Had alot of fun here when we visited Portland. Would definitely recommend if you haven't been.

had a ton of fun but it seemed like a few things were broken...

Lots of fun things to do and experience for everyone.

A fantastic place to bring your children and grand children to see their excited faces as they discover the exhibits and learn about the world around them.

Love this place. I've been here for both a daytime visit and an OMSI after dark event. During the day it's a little busy, but still super fun and educational. OMSI after dark is Super crowded though. It was a fun event, but the sheer number of people made it hard to navigate around. Probably would go back during the day, but I don't think I'd attend OMSI after dark again.

Awesome place to spend quality time with your kiddos

Who doesn't love OMSI? It's always fun, entertaining, and educational. A winning combination.

Always educational but sometimes dated feeling spaces.

Love OMSI and great place for kids! Dislike having to pay extra for some exhibits when I have a membership.

Went to see the Pompeii exhibit. I've studied a fair bit about ancient Rome and its neighbors, so I didn't learn much that was new to me, but I really appreciated seeing the artifacts up close. There's no substitute for encountering the real thing.
We ate lunch in the museum's "Theory" cafe. The place is surprisingly good for a concession. They use quality local ingredients.
After seeing the Pompeii artifacts, we ambled around the rest of the exhibits, playing with the puzzles, testing robots, building arches, "operating" utility power grids, etc. etc. Visitors should allow at least 2.5-3 hours.

Cool exhibits and such but not quite as world class as the one in Chicago.

This has gone significantly downhill over the last 40 years. Big expensive new facility, same old falling-apart displays.

Always changing! Balls were gone on my last visit, replaced with a fun cardboard play room. Now that is changing too. A great place for kids to touch and learn!

Not just for kids...not that it every held me back. Check out adult night!

An excellent place to spend the day with your children. Lots of activities for for different ages. A must see. Plan on spending the day.

Great science exhibits and it has an old submarine docked in the back. Great day for kids.

OMSI really needs to update it's permanent exhibits because they are officially becoming dated. As the only large museum devoted to science in Portland, it's really a shame that hasn't happened yet.

OMSI after dark notes: these events are officially not worth the money any more. At the beginning they were great, lively scenes that had many people but were still navigable. However, Mary's and Mimosas was just nuts. $45/ticket and at one point we waited in line for 25 minutes for a single vendor who gave us 2 oz of champagne; other vendors ran out within 20 minutes of the event start because of the massive crowds... It's a hard pill to swallow. I could get a lot more for $45 elsewhere and the atmosphere just isn't matching the price and crowds. Please reduce the number of tickets being sold and consider updating the permanent exhibits because it will be hard to convince myself to come back otherwise.

Really geared toward the under 10 crowd or those with kids. Huge building but a whole floor for administration? And then one gallery closed for remodel sucked paying 20$. Love the planetarium

Went to see the Pompeii exhibit. Long lines but worth it

Great environment, wide selection of activities. Some favorite exhibits are closed long term.

Ton of fun and stuff to keep kids busy for the whole day... join as member if you plan to go often... better deal than going to the zoo if to choose either one.

Still one of the best science museums around; well laid out exhibits with lots of well-presented information, a good rotation of first- rate traveling exhibits (just finished 'Pompeii') and a good slate of movies in the Imax theater. Membership is still reasonable and includes a parking pass for the members-only spaces. OMSI and the Oregon Zoo are both great examples of how to do it right.

OMSI is a hands-on science and tech museum likely targeted for the 8-15 year old audience. However, it still has plenty of interesting exhibits for older audiences to enjoy. Of note is a temporary exhibit called "Exquisite Creatures" which is an art exhibit revolving around the natural beauty in the bugs and animals around the world. That was the true highlight for me on this trip. There is a planetarium and an IMAX theatre but I didn't experience those as they cost a little bit extra. Museums like these are what sparked my interest in the sciences and should be supported. Double check before you visit what the rotating exhibit is as it could make or break your trip! And look out for the OMSI after dark specials if you are 21+!

So much fun no matter what age you are! But they could use some better cleaning spray... All the little kid feet stank is just bad.

My grandson loves to play in the sand, water play is his favorite and of course the gift shop!

Overall family fun! I suggest going on weekdays or early in the day to get the best interaction due to less crowds! Beautiful views of the waterfront. Fun for all ages! Many various tour attractions (king tut is through end of january) from space, history, science and a kids / toddler area! Fun way of teaching and hands on learning

Great museum for elementary school kids, lots of things for them to touch and experiment with.

Liked the Tut exhibit, just a little disappointed it is 100% replicas, but impressive nontheless.

Great place for kids of all ages starting as soon as they can walk.

Some great exhibits and shows. The submarine tour was absolutely amazing with all of the info given. I've been on three other subs but this beat them all out by far. Our guide actually served on the sub in the war so getting an upclose look and personal info made all the difference.

Always a good time is to be had at OMSI. They are always making changes to keep it interesting.

The King Tut exhibit reminds you how thrilling it is to go back in time and visit another time and place in the history of our planet! The tour is just over 90 minutes. Give or take more time if needed. I was enthralled with explanations of all I saw!!!

If you like science stuff, it's really cool. There are a lot if activities that you can spend HOURS on, like the ball room, water rockets, and shake tables. The exhibits they have are usually engrossing and well put together. Best part is they have OMSI After Dark so you can go childless and drink free beer! :D

My kid always loves a few hours here. Today we did the sub tour for the first time and she loved it. We both learned a lot.

It is a good place to learn more about history, science, mental games. After long walk with visual displays personalized commentaries on the centuries old Egyptian culture ,the amazing findings is a treasure to hold.

I only saw the Pompeii exhibit. I wish I had more time for the rest. You can spend most of your day there.

OMSI is so much fun -- there is so much to do. I always have OMSI After Dark on my calendar- a night where they open the museum up for 21+ drinking, learning, merriment until 11pm. I love hanging out in the planetarium for a star show, sampling new beers, local treats, and even getting my hair done (Paul Mitchell has stylists there who will give you a hairdo for free!) It's a night where adults get to play like kids in the ball pit or the space station simulator... prepare to be amazed.

This place is just fantastic. It's so much fun and just a higher interactive facility fin and friendly for all ages. I love the fact that they have a laser light show and even activities for adults to enjoy. If your in town with your family or friends, it's worth making the time to stop in and enjoy everything they have to offer. Be prepared to spend a good 3 to 4 hours in this wonderful place because there's just so much to do, see, learn and experience. I've been to many science center, but none as such as this. Kudos to wonderful staff and an amazing display of what Portland is really about.

A fascinating museum, learning center, and historical site with endless possibilities for adult and child alike. There are several packages to find the price and experience that best suits your needs. I cannot speak highly of the Starry Nights Live show in the planetarium; the instructor s voice, enthusiasm, and the setup of the room was absolutely breathtaking. The games/activities throughout are neat and engaging ways to learn scientific concepts. Compared with other big city museums, I m not so sure it stands up as well; that Starry Nights Live show was simply outstanding, though!

Endless fun! Worth the $50 admissions for everything. I suggest a membership tho.

Lots to do for little ones, we couldn't get them to leave!

Fun like always took kids entertained for hours .. just wish some of the special features were included in membership .

There are lot of science and technology things happens here every day every weekend. There is also Kids science play area am sure Kids will enjoy here. If you are 4 people then a yearly membership is worth and check Groupon for very good deals (40% less). I like the Submarine trip and my kids enjoyed it. We watched Incredible2 movie and enjoyed lot in big screen especially my kids enjoyed a lot. There are lot things to visit and this is re-visit place.

Lot of hands on experience for ages here. They usually have a good visiting exhibit. My kids love going here as do I.

Super fun for all ages! Parents enjoyed it just as much if not more than the kids did! Well deserved thumbs-up! :D

I'll be honest. The reason OMSI doesn't get a five from me is because it's so expensive. And they nickel and dime the heck out of you for all kinds of stuff. It's a great resource and the kids love it but jeez. Priced way out of range for poor kids.

One of my favorite places ever!!! Awesome for all ages. My family have a membership that has paid for its self 100 times over.