10 Museums in Willamette Valley That You Shouldn't Miss

Experience the excitement of glass in motion. Learn to blow your own ornament, paperweight, float, bowl, pumpkin or vase. We teach from ages 6 & up and can accommodate large groups. Our classes run Thursdays and Fridays at 10am and 12pm and on Saturdays at 10am,12pm and 2pm. Appointment is required.

Founded in 2004, the Historic Carousel and Museum is creating a world class carousel complex in downtown Albany that will draw visitors from around the world and contribute to the economic revitalization of historic downtown Albany. Our permanent home is completed. We opened our doors to our wonderful carousel on August 15th, 2017. Visit us and you can watch our carvers and painters at work, and enjoy browsing our gift shop. Our facility offers rooms for birthday and party rentals. Fully handicap accessible. Call us today to schedule a tour. Carousel rides are $2.00 a ride. Tours and admission is free.

Pioneer History Museum focusing on Linn county in the 1800's. Main Street style displays bring history to life.

Step into the lives and homes of people affected by crisis around the world. Our Real Life Exhibit Portland gives you the opportunity to see, hear, and feel what people in crisis live through daily. The Real Life Exhibit is open to everyone, regardless of age. We regularly host school groups, civic organizations, retirement communities, individuals, and more. The Real Life Exhibit is most appropriate for visitors ages 10 and up.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a nationally-renowned science center providing science learning to a range of audiences. Our programming is guided by OMSI’s long-term vision to promote a healthy, innovative, and sustainable society where everyone is prepared to participate in civic life. OMSI’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programming helps visitors and program participants master 21st century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration. We achieve this through exhibits, classes, camps, traveling educators, and adult programs around the state, making OMSI a trusted educational resource to all Oregonians.

Gilbert House Children's Museum (formerly known as A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village) is a private nonprofit children's museum connected to downtown Salem's Riverfront Park. Founded in 1989, Gilbert House provides innovative and stimulating educational experiences which spark children's natural curiosity. The Museum's mission is to "inspire children to learn through creative play." This is accomplished through fun and challenging exhibits, camps, birthday parties, membership opportunities and outreach programs in the sciences, arts, and humanities. The Museum is composed of three historic houses; the Rockenfield House, Gilbert House and Parrish House.

One of the oldest art museums on the west coast with an impressive collection of Native American and Asian art, plus a large modern and contemporary wing. Rotating special exhibitions bring the best of the art world to Portland.

Explore Oregon’s past at the Oregon Historical Society! Located on the historic South Park Blocks in downtown Portland, the Oregon Historical Society’s museum is open seven days a week and features original and traveling exhibitions that tell stories of the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon and American history. In February 2019, the Oregon Historical Society unveiled a brand permanent exhibit, Experience Oregon, that chronicles the state’s complex history through rare artifacts, hands-on interactives, and digital displays. The Society’s world-class research library is open Tuesday through Saturday and is the perfect place to research a historic home or find a long-lost pioneer relative. Don’t forget to stop by the museum store for a uniquely Oregon souvenir!

The Oregon Maritime Museum is housed on the historic steam-powered sternwheel ship-assist tugboat, the PORTLAND, which is docked on the foot of Pine St and Naito Parkway. The PORTLAND is a gem of a boat - she has been lovingly restored from pilot house to engine room. Artifacts displayed on the cabin deck represent a small fraction of the deep history of the working river in the Portland/Vancouver region. Guided tours take you through the entire boat, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Include us on your next stop to the Saturday Market. We are a dedicated group who welcome your local support!