Things to Do in Portland: OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

One of the great things about having kids in Portland, Oregon is that when it's nice out, Portland has countless parks and activities outside. And when it's raining (which happens every so often in Portland) or it's cold out, there are also quite a few activities and attractions that are available to kids and parents ranging from the Portland Children's Museum to OMSI - The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (located at 1945 SE Water, Portland, OR 97214).

Travel to OMSI on the weekend or a rainy day and you are sure to be swimming in a sea of little people carrying sippy cups and eating sandwiches with the crust removed. There's a reason why OMSI is so popular with the parents. There are so many exhibits and activities for kids (and parents!) that the kids will be occupied for hours.

OMSI also features an IMAX theatre which shows various IMAX movies and which has a 'see through' projection room. On the way into the huge theatre, the kids can see the projection room which has a gigantic projector that moves up and down 2 stories and runs the giant IMAX film.

Docked right outside of OMSI in the Willamette river, is the USS Blueback, the US navy's last non-nuclear submarine which was in the movie "The Hunt for Red October." Guided tours are available daily where the kids can explore the submarine, check out the crew's bunks, look through the periscope, and touch torpedo chutes.

On the second floor of OMSI is the 'Science Playground' for kids ages 0 to 6. There are 'build it' activities, a large playbox with lots of digging toys, a water exhibit (smocks and boots provided), and various other stations that let kids play and learn while the parents can sit back and relax, laugh at the kids, and talk. There's also a nature room that features various bones and exhibits, as well as a number of tanks featuring small animals and insects that the kids can even hold and touch with the help of an OMSI volunteer. It's not very often that you get the chance to hold on to a real walking stick.

The planetarium is a permanent exhibit that features everything you would hope a planetarium would feature. Not only are there starry sky exhibits and lessons - but they regularly feature laser light shows with music that are enjoyable for all ages.

The Turbine Room on the first floor of the museum features a number of engineering exhibits that lets kids use blocks and lincoln logs to try to build 'earthquake proof' buildings, efficient paper airplanes, and learn how sailboats harness wind energy to move across water. Even though the exhibits are geared towards kids, you'll see a lot of parents sitting at the exhibits trying there hand at building various blocks and contraptions - sometimes engrossed even more than their kids.

OMSI is a great place to check out if you're looking for something different to do in Portland, with or without kids. It's open most days, and is located on the east bank of the river right next to a number of waterfront hiking and biking trails.