THE 10 BEST Portland Museums
Museums in Portland
Category types
Museums
Awards
Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
139 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Rail Services • Educational sites
Open now
Speciality Museums
Northwest District
•
Open now
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Northwest District
•
Open now
Speciality Museums
Old Town - Chinatown
•
Open now
Speciality Museums
Open now
Art Museums • History Museums
Pearl
•
Open now
Art Galleries • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Art Galleries
Downtown
•
Open now
Art Galleries
Old Town - Chinatown
•
Open now
Art Galleries
Pearl
•
Open now
Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
Open now
Art Galleries • Antique Shops
Open now
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Art Galleries • Educational sites
Open now
…
Showing results 1-30 of 139
What travelers are saying
- Jen EVancouver, Canada120 contributionsThe science museum itself is fine - lots of stuff for kids to do, but really not for adults. However, the submarine is fantastic! Highly recommended.
Just be aware that everyone needs to be able to step *unaided* through a couple of small doors onboard. That means little kids have to be able to do it themselves. There's a practice door inside the museum and the staff will check that everyone can handle it. A little girl in our tour group was very close to not being allowed to go, but all the other kids in our group worked together to encourage her.Written August 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jen HVancouver, Canada206 contributionsDon't worry about going to the museum while it's under renovation - it is still open and functional, and has really neat exhibits! We caught the French masters one (I've never seen a Monet or Rodin in person!) and also got a peek at another exhibit behind with all sorts of eclectic art. I really enjoyed my trip here - a great way to spend a few hours downtown!Written August 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Liz BNovato, CA34 contributionsAn excellent museum with exhibits telling the remarkable history of Oregon and of the city of Portland. We really enjoyed our visitWritten August 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ryan H3 contributionsReally fun time. Had a delicious pizza and beer at Tillamook Station beforehand, and then rode the Saturday train on the Springwater. Love the museum and everyone there was so happy to be there. Please support the great work these guys are doing to keep history alive and provide fun affordable train rides to the public.Written August 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- azroyalsfanPhoenix, AZ350 contributionsStopped in here while I was wondering Washington Park! They were having a free admission day so I checked it out. Lots of hands on displays and vignettes. Kids will love it. Not sure what the actual admission is but I'd say a good value at $10-15. Not sure I'd pay anything higher than that.Written December 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PH2003Denver, CO382 contributionsThis was one of the things that came up on the “things to see in Portland” list we saw before traveling. It’s a fun spot to go to if you’re in the city. It’s pretty small so I’m not sure if it’s necessarily worth $10, but I enjoyed it. There are fun things to look at, as well as the gift shop.
Hot tip: if you go into the “museum” there is a bathroom, which is pretty scarce in PortlandWritten February 12, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - alitravels_12London, UK59 contributionsAlthough the museum was officially closed when we visited Portland, the volunteers were busy working on this old paddle steamer which still does the occasional trip on the river and houses a small museum which will soon be open once more. We took a chance, and on finding the bankside gate unlocked went aboard and were greeted with friendly enthusiasm and treated to an informative and thorough tour of the boat. Our guide took the trouble to show us around and explain the workings and history of the boat and also the preservation efforts of the team. It was wonderful to see such dedicated volunteers in action, they deserve to make a success of this project. When the gates open officially, pay them a visit, a unique piece of Oregon history.Written July 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tumbleweedchrisRichland, WA1,013 contributionsThis Puppet Museum is a one room puppet workshop that also furnishes a puppet collection for viewing. It has some great puppets on display from a variety of puppet types. Taken by itself, this is a decent, but short, stop. If the staff are there, this makes the museum a 5 star attraction. They have an incredible knowledge of puppetry and are actively creating for festivals, movies, and TV. Don't come expecting room after room of exhibits. This is a small museum run by passionate people. If that is your thing, be sure to put this on your list of things to do in Portland. If you want to wander a large museum on your own, this one isn't for you.Written October 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PrincermanOtsego, MN1,335 contributionsThis museum is well put together and takes on a tough subject well. There are lots of neat things to look at and listen to. Well doneWritten August 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nicks JEdinburgh, UK46 contributionsIt feels strange rating and reviewing a museum like this, but it really was absolutely fascinating. I particularly liked the Rembrandt exhibition. The section on the Holocaust is very well done and isn’t overwhelming, as is the section on genocide and human rights.
My only disappointment was that while the origins of the term genocide were explored, there was no mention of Hersch Lauterpacht, who also came from Lviv, and who coined the phrase ‘Crimes against humanity’.Written July 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - surfonmtMontana175 contributionsWent to see Robert Frank's "street photos." Limited showing: They will be shredded soon. Also saw some of his cinematography. Excellent unusual works. Don't miss this. Free; donation suggested.Written January 22, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Alan ZTampa, FL1,641 contributionsMy wife LOVES Hats, so when I mentioned to her that in Portland where we planned to visit from Florida, there was an International Hat Museum, she absolutely said YES!!! Not knowing anything about hat history myself (I only wear baseball caps), I called the museum director Lu Ann and made reservations for the tour. We arrived at the tour time during a Friday late morning and as it was, we had a private tour with the museum director. She is knowledgeable, all encompassing, obsessed, and passionate with hats. We spent 1 1/2 hours on a hat tour that even I became intrigued with since some of the hats related to men and their history with hats. There is a massive amount of hats and history in this two story old home that is now the museum. It was a fascinating tour through a few hundred of years of hats.Written September 25, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- deborahtragaszJefferson City, MO453 contributionsI came as a movie junkie intent on seeing all the costumes and props from iconic films. I'm a lifelong Wizard of Oz fan so seeing Professor Marvel's pants was a very big deal for me. Other highlights included Anne Miller's tap shoes, Julie Andrew's dress from The Sound of Music, a knife from Psycho, a suite from Sunset Boulevard, and a chair from Titanic.
I was also impressed by their selection of films. And alcoholWritten October 1, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - J P55 contributionsI've been to a lot of immersive experiences around the country, and was excited to check this one out when I was in Portland. It's set up differently from others- where the rooms are all linked to a common hallway that you can walk back and forth in- which made it nice if a particular room was busy- you could come back to it later. My favorite part was the immersive trampoline room- be sure to bring socks for that one!
The ball pit room was kind of a nightmare- too many children sprawled underneath the balls- it felt like a dangerous situation. As an adult with no kids- I wish there had been a time slot to come for 18+ or something (perhaps there is and I didn't research it well enough?)
The secret garden room is a lot less fun than it sounds...perhaps not a good spot for the kids depending on what secrets are being revealed.
It's a great spot for to get that Instagram-worthy photo or to just play and have fun.Written September 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mary KWinston Salem, NC47 contributionsI can’t say enough good things about this fascinating little museum. Despite its location in a bit of a sketchy neighborhood, it is a must see in Portland. Curated in a unique and artful fashion (the short film shown at the beginning of the permanent collection is a marvel), it tells the history of Chinese immigrants in the Northwest in a compelling and engaging way.Written April 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
