11 Best Museums In Oregon
Oregon isn’t just about the Cascade Range, its 363-mile-long Pacific coastline, and the best craft beer; it’s also home to some of the most fascinating and out-and-out quirky museums in the country. From movie magic in Astoria and eccentric oddities in Portland to ancient fossils in John Day and aviation giants in McMinnville, these museums tell Oregon’s story in ways both unexpected and unforgettable. Whether you’re chasing history, art, science, or just a little weirdness, here are the 11 best museums in Oregon worth visiting in 2025.
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, Hood River
If you're a fan of restored classic aircraft, cars, and motorcycles, then the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) is a standout. The museum’s extensive exhibits include one of the largest collections of still-flying antique airplanes, meticulously restored, as well as over 100 cars from the “Golden Age of Transportation” spanning the 1920s to the 1940s, nearly 30 motorcycles, and various other items related to historical motorized transportation. If a fear of flying isn’t a problem, then book a 20-minute tour in a refurbished 1930 biplane for spectacular views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and the Columbia River.
Stick around and explore the beautiful Hood River area by taking a self-guided driving tour along 35 miles of scenic country roads on the Hood River Fruit Loop. Along the way, stop at any one of 32 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, and endless fields of flowers.
Oregon Film Museum, Astoria
The Oregon Film Museum in Astoria pays homage to the legacy of filmmaking and television production in the state of Oregon. From the disturbing films “The Shining,” famously shot at the Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood, and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” filmed at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, to “Stand By Me,” which used the Willamette Valley as the location, the Beaver State has been the backdrop for some very famous movies.
The museum is housed inside the old Clatsop County Jail, which was a working jail from 1914 to 1976, where you’ll find interactive exhibits on what it takes to be the next Steven Spielberg or James Cameron. You’ll see tons of “Goonies” memorabilia stored inside jail cell number 2, where the gang was held, behind-the-scenes footage of “Kindergarten Cop,” and more in this must-see museum for movie and television fans.
End your day in Astoria by standing at the top of the Astoria Column and shouting your favorite movie line. Dedicated by the Great Northern Railway in 1926, the Astoria Column stands today as a monument to the first inhabitants of the state of Oregon. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Columbia River and the city below.
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon City
This eponymously-named End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City marks the terminus of the Oregon Trail. The center features exhibits on the history of the settlers and Indigenous peoples from the region, along with films available for viewing. There are interactive crafts and activities, including candle dipping, journaling, and doll-making, as well as gardens to explore and historic artifacts to see.
Afterward, head to another area museum, the Museum of the Oregon Territory (MOOT), operated by the Clackamas County Historical Society, which is home to many Native American petroglyphs and artifacts. The museum overlooks Williamette Falls, the second-largest waterfall by volume in the U.S. Enjoy strolling along the paths surrounding the museum, taking in the views of the waterfall. Wind down after a full day of Oregon history at the Highland Stillhouse, an authentic Scottish pub in historic Oregon City, which stocks more than 750 bottles of whiskey behind the bar, attracting whiskey enthusiasts from as far away as Portland.
The Oregon Vortex/House of Mystery, Gold Hill
The strange “spherical force field” known as the Oregon Vortex/House of Mystery first opened to the public in 1930, and is considered the original and probably most well-known of the famous vortex attractions in the U.S., like the Mystery Spot in California, Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and the Cosmos Mystery Area in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Part curious phenomenon, part kitschy roadside attraction, these places all share one thing in common: they seem to defy the laws of nature. Balls roll uphill, brooms stand on end, and visitors appear to grow or shrink, all thanks to clever optical illusions that have been delighting gullible road-trippers for almost a century.
After visiting the quirky vortex, head a little further down the highway for a stop at Ti'lomikh Falls, a sacred site for the Takelma people. For years, it was the site of a Sacred Salmon Ceremony, celebrating the first salmon of the season. Today, a Storytelling Stone is located at the site, accompanied by interpretive panels. There’s also a nice 2.7-mile round-trip hike along the Rogue River if you want to stretch your legs.
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria
You can’t miss the Columbia River Maritime Museum, set right on the Astoria waterfront with sweeping views of the Columbia River and the constant bustle of maritime life. The museum focuses on the vibrant history of the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest region. It includes a collection of watery artifacts and exhibits, such as “Graveyard of the Pacific” and “Cedar and Sea: The Maritime Culture of the Indigenous People of the Pacific Northwest Coast.” One of the shining stars in the museum’s collection is the National Historic Landmark, the Lightship Columbia, a floating lighthouse that once housed a crew of 17 men from 1951 to 1979. You can board to see where the crew lived, worked, and ate.
If you time your museum visit perfectly, you’ll be ready for lunch at the local institution known as Mo’s Seafood & Chowder. The popular chowder house opened its first location in Newport, Oregon, in 1946 under the name “Freddie & Mo’s.” Several locations later, the Astoria spot opened in 2017 and includes a supersized restaurant space, a gift shop where you can buy Mo Merch, and a “Chowder Vault,” which produces the chowder for all of Mo’s locations across Oregon.
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Portland Art Museum, Portland
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum (PAM) is the state’s oldest and largest art museum, and the only major arts museum between Seattle and San Francisco. The museum is home to over 50,000 works of art, including excellent collections of Native American, Asian, modern, and contemporary art, as well as Northwest art and rotating special exhibits. Some of the highlights in its collection include the 1908 oil painting by Childe Hassam, “Mount Hood,” Francesco Fidanza’s “Vesuvius Erupting at Night,” and the photograph, “Catherine Creek,” by Minor White. Although the museum is currently undergoing a 100,000-square-foot expansion, it remains open, with the new space scheduled to open to the public on November 20, 2025. Museum admission is free on the first Thursday of every month from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Make it a 2-for-1 museum day, with a visit to the quirky Stark’s Vacuum Museum after exploring the PAM. The museum is actually tucked into Stark’s Vacuums, a long-time vacuum retailer and service shop in downtown Portland that has been in operation since 1932. Clever marketing or simply a company passionate about vacuum cleaners? Who knows. Still, the vacuum museum features over 300 used, donated, or traded-in machines, with highlights including the two-person Busy-Bee (one person pumped, the other vacuumed) and the Duntley Pneumatic.
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville
The Evergreen Aviation & Aerospace Museum is a top aviation museum in the U.S., featuring more than 150 aircraft and space-related exhibits. The museum was founded by the late Delford M. Smith, the former owner of Evergreen International Aviation, in 1991. However, it wasn’t until it acquired the legendary Spruce Goose that it gained significant attention. Built by eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes during World War II, the gigantic wooden “Flying Boat” was designed to carry tanks and troops across the Atlantic. The Spruce Goose, piloted by Hughes, hovered for approximately one minute on its first and last flight ever. Visit the museum to hear more stories about the enormous plane and see lots of others.
It won’t be hard to find other aviation-themed things to do after visiting the museum. Let the kids run off some energy in the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum Playground, then take a 7-minute walk to the nearby Wings & Waves Waterpark.
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, John Day
A one-time Chinese apothecary, general store, community center, and residence in the late 1800s, Kam Wah Chung (meaning “Golden Chinese Outpost”) gives you an unparalleled glimpse into Oregon’s storied past. Kam Wah Chung was the heart of the Chinese immigrant community during the Gold Rush era, owned and operated by Ing “Doc” Hay, an ancient herbalist, and Lung On, a businessman. Today, the site is like stepping into a time capsule, where you can see shelves filled with centuries-old medicine bottles, herbs, and cultural artifacts that seem untouched by time.
A National Historic Landmark, the site is situated in the historic town of John Day, renowned for its proximity to the nearby John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. So, after stepping back 140 years at Kam Wah Chung, travel nearly 40 million years to the monument to see fossils of long-extinct horses, rhinos, camels, and saber-toothed cats set against Oregon’s surreal landscapes of deserts, rivers, and colorful hills.
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro
A gold mine for geology enthusiasts, the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals boasts one of the best collections of rock, mineral, and fossil specimens in the PNW. The former home of Richard and Helen Rice, the mid-century ranch-style house, is the first of its kind to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon. Inside the museum, you’ll discover numerous galleries and special exhibits that showcase geological wonders, including agate, jasper, sunstones, and thousands of rocks and minerals from around the world. Younger members of the group will particularly enjoy the Rainbow Gallery, which features minerals that glow in the dark. Meanwhile, the Northwest Gallery contains minerals from the Pacific Northwest, including a large section of thundereggs, Oregon’s state rock, and sunstones, Oregon’s state gemstone.
From May to November 2025, a limited number of free guided and unguided tours will be available by signing up in advance on the museum’s website. After visiting the museum, head over to the Steeplejack Brewing Company, a 30-minute drive down the road, for a craft beer and a slice of Hawaiian pizza with Canadian bacon.
High Desert Museum, Bend
Discover the natural history, culture, wildlife, and art at the High Desert Museum in Bend. The museum is situated on a 135-acre campus featuring more than 100,000 square feet of galleries and interpretive walking trails through the forest. Learn more about the native wildlife, including river otters, porcupines, and birds of prey, as well as the conservation efforts dedicated to protecting these species. Visit an authentic home and sawmill from 1904 and chat with costumed interpreters. Explore the Indigenous cultures of the people who once inhabited the land. One of the highlights of your visit to the High Desert Museum is the daily Bird of Prey Encounter, where you will meet one of the rescued birds cared for by the staff at the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. Plan to enjoy lunch at the onsite Rimrock Café, where the museum’s changing exhibits inspire the menu.
Follow up your visit to the museum with a stop at the Lava Lands Visitor Center, the interpretive hub of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which preserves a massive volcanic area known as the Newberry Volcano. The nearby Lava River Cave offers self-guided tours of a one-mile lava tube.
The Peculiarium, Portland
The 1,800-square-foot Peculiarium in Portland is a delightfully wacky mix of eclectic art installations, oddities, and interactive exhibits, nearly anything strange enough to be worth collecting. From offbeat curiosities to larger-than-life displays, the museum leans hard into Portland’s subculture, celebrating the city’s “Keep Portland Weird” spirit with humor and imagination.
No visit to Portland would be complete without a stop at Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, just a five-minute car ride away. Powell’s roots started in Chicago in 1970, where then-student Michael Powell managed to secure a $3,000 loan to lease a bookstore with the idea of displaying used and new books on the same shelves. His father copied the concept in Portland, and in 1971, Powell’s was born.
11 Must-See Museums That Define Oregon
What makes Oregon’s museums so much fun is that each one reflects the state’s mix of rugged history, creative spirit, and quirky charm. One moment you’re learning how Hollywood turned Astoria into the set of “The Goonies,” the next you’re walking through lava lands near Bend or browsing collections of ancient medicine bottles in John Day. Whether you’re a history buff, science geek, movie fan, or someone who just loves stumbling across the unexpected, Oregon’s museums turn a simple road trip into a journey full of stories, surprises, and plenty of “only-in-Oregon” moments.
