What to do and see in Portland, Oregon (OR): The Best Specialty Museums

Small museum which shares and preserves Japanese American history and culture in Portland's Old Town neighborhood, where Japantown once thrived. Group tours of the museum, speaking engagements for classrooms or other community groups, and research appointments at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center are available. Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center is located in the Merchant Hotel building built 1880-1885, and is of historical interest, being located in the oldest part of Portland in the heart of what was once Portland's Japantown (Nihonmachi) until World War II. The building housed a laundry, bathhouse and barbershop run by Japanese families in the early years.

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.

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.

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!

National Hat Museum is open every day of the week and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Just call 503-232-0433. 200 years of history comes alive with over 1,300 hats beautifully arranged. Men's hats, Hollywood movie hats, military hats, 1,000 women's hats and novelty hats all inside an historic 1910 house.

Puppets of all types are displayed here. Many weekends we also feature shows and workshops for which there is a charge.

To support Oregon’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, World Forestry Center has temporarily closed all public offerings and programs – including our Discovery Museum, Washington Park Campus, and Magness Memorial Tree Farm. The health of our visitors and staff is our number one priority. We look forward to welcoming you back to World Forestry Center.