When it comes to living in Portland, there are lots of things to do. Although I mostly talk about food, I also LOVE museums as well. It’s fair to say that PDX has its fair share of history and culture, which I find fascinating. If you’re a tourist then I think you will find them fascinating too. As a result, I have listed my top 9 museums in Portland and outlined what to expect. Enjoy.

1. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
2. Portland Art Museum
3. Oregon Historical Society Museum
4. Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
5. Portland Children’s Museum
6. Oregon Rail Heritage Center
7. Oregon Maritime Museum
8. Pacific Northwest College of Art Museum
9. Portland Japanese Garden Museum

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) – 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a science museum located in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1944 and has been a staple in the city’s cultural scene ever since. OMSI is one of the largest science centers in the country and offers a wide range of interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

The museum covers a wide range of scientific subjects, including biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, and technology. Its exhibits include a submarine that visitors can explore, a planetarium, and hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to learn about science by doing.

OMSI also has a variety of programs and classes, ranging from science camps for kids to lectures and workshops for adults. The museum is dedicated to promoting scientific literacy and encouraging people of all ages to engage with science in a fun and interactive way.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just looking for a fun and educational experience, OMSI is a must-visit destination in Portland.

Portland Art Museum – 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

The Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the western United States, located in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1892 and has a collection of over 42,000 works of art, spanning a wide range of periods, styles, and mediums.

The museum’s collection is especially strong in American art, including works by contemporary American artists, and American and European paintings, sculptures, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum also has significant holdings of Native American art, as well as Asian, African, and Oceanic art.

In addition to its permanent collections, the Portland Art Museum regularly mounts special exhibitions that bring together works of art from around the world. These exhibitions offer visitors the opportunity to see unique and thought-provoking works of art that are not always on view in the museum’s galleries.

The museum is housed in a beautiful building in downtown Portland and is surrounded by lush gardens and outdoor sculptures.

Oregon Historical Society Museum – 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a museum located in Portland, Oregon that is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the state of Oregon. The museum has been in operation since 1898 and has a large collection of artifacts, photographs, and other items related to the history of Oregon and its people.

The museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including the state’s Native American history, the Oregon Trail, the development of the state’s cities and industries, and the cultural and social history of Oregon. The museum also has an extensive collection of artifacts related to the state’s maritime history, including ship models, navigational instruments, and other items.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Oregon Historical Society Museum also offers a variety of special exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs. The museum also has a research library that is open to the public and contains a wealth of historical information and resources.

Visitors to the Oregon Historical Society Museum can expect to learn about the rich history of Oregon and gain a deeper understanding of the state and its people. The museum is a great resource for anyone interested in Oregon history, as well as for students, educators, and researchers.

Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education – 724 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is a museum located in Portland, Oregon that is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Jewish people in Oregon and to educating the public about the Holocaust. The museum was established in 1994 and has since become a leading institution for Holocaust education in the state of Oregon.

The museum’s exhibits explore the rich history of the Jewish community in Oregon and its contributions to the state. The museum also has an extensive collection of artifacts and other items related to the Holocaust, including survivor testimonies, photographs, and other items.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education also offers a variety of educational programs and events, including lectures, workshops, and teacher training programs. The museum also has a research library that is open to the public and contains a wealth of information and resources related to the Holocaust and Jewish history.

Visitors to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education can expect to learn about the history of the Jewish people in Oregon, the experiences of Holocaust survivors, and the broader history of the Holocaust.

Portland Children’s Museum – Southwest Canyon Road 4015, Portland

The Portland Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences for children. The museum was founded in 1946 and has since become a leading institution for children’s education and play in the state of Oregon.

The museum’s exhibits are designed to encourage children to explore and learn through play. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM/STEAM), as well as culture, history, and the environment. The museum also offers a variety of programs and events, including workshops, classes, and field trips.

Visitors to the Portland Children’s Museum can expect a fun and educational experience that is designed specifically for children. The museum is a great resource for families and caregivers, as well as for schools and other groups that are interested in providing educational experiences for children. The museum’s hands-on approach to learning helps children develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

Oregon Rail Heritage Center – 2250 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

The Oregon rail heritage center museum was established in 2012 and is home to a collection of historic locomotives and railcars, as well as a variety of other artifacts and exhibits related to the history of rail transportation in Oregon.

The museum’s collection includes a number of historic steam and diesel locomotives, as well as passenger and freight railcars. Visitors to the museum can learn about the history of rail transportation in Oregon, as well as the technology and engineering behind these remarkable machines. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events, including guided tours, workshops, and special exhibitions.

Oregon Maritime Museum – 198 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

The Oregon maritime museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics related to maritime history in Oregon, including the history of the Columbia River, the state’s shipping and fishing industries, and the technology and engineering behind maritime transportation. The museum also has an extensive collection of artifacts and other items related to the maritime history of Oregon, including ship models, navigational instruments, and other items.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Oregon Maritime Museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events, including guided tours, workshops, and special exhibitions. The museum is also home to the Steamship Portland, a historic steam-powered tugboat that is moored on the Willamette River near the museum and is open for tours.

Pacific Northwest College of Art Museum – 511 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209

The Pacific Northwest College of Art was founded in 1909 and is one of the oldest art schools in the Pacific Northwest region. The PNCA campus includes several galleries, including the Pacific Northwest College of Art Museum, which showcases a variety of contemporary and modern art exhibitions.

The museum at PNCA is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art through exhibitions, education, and public programs. It serves as a resource for students, faculty, and the wider community and offers a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work.

Exhibitions at the PNCA Museum often feature works by PNCA faculty, alumni, and students, as well as visiting artists from around the world. In addition to exhibitions, the museum also hosts workshops, lectures, and other educational events for students and the public.

Overall, the Pacific Northwest College of Art Museum is an important cultural institution in Portland and a valuable resource for artists, students, and art enthusiasts.

Portland Japanese Garden Museum – 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

The Portland Japanese Garden is a traditional Japanese garden located in Washington Park. It is widely considered to be one of the most authentic and beautiful Japanese gardens outside of Japan. The garden features a number of unique elements, including a tea garden, a sand and stone garden, a natural garden, and an inner garden, each of which showcases different aspects of Japanese culture and design.

In addition to the garden itself, the Portland Japanese Garden also has a museum, which is dedicated to the history and culture of Japanese gardens and the art and design that goes into creating them. The museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the history and symbolism of Japanese gardens, as well as the cultural and artistic elements that make them unique.

The museum collections include a wide range of artifacts and objects related to Japanese gardens, such as scrolls, prints, photographs, and other works of art. Visitors can also learn about the traditional techniques used to design and maintain Japanese gardens, as well as the cultural and spiritual significance of these beautiful and serene spaces.