Portland's OMSI Reopens with Body Worlds, Submarine

Published 06/29/2020 at 9:43 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Portland, Oregon) – Portland, Oregon’s famed Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) reopened last week with much fanfare, but of course it’s a new experience now with various measures taken to guard against spreading the COVID-19 virus.

OMSI kicked back into life with its new exhibit BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life and some changes throughout the museum. Social distancing, wearing face coverings and limited capacity are key parts of the new OMSI, with the attraction employing Oregon Health Authority guidelines for zoos and museums. OMSI said its top priority is guest and employee health and safety.

Face masks are in fact required in all indoor spaces in Oregon and in the Portland area, as per Gov. Kate Brown’s order.

Among the new safety adjustments are timed entry admissions, heightened cleaning guidelines, and limiting the number of people in the BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life exhibit hall and the USS Blueback submarine.

Erin Graham, OMSI president and CEO, said the museum’s mission is to engage people in science learning and that “evidence-based decisions has never been more important than it is now.” Therefore, they feel they have a key role to play in the economic and cultural recovery of Portland, as well as its future in terms of how science can help us.

“We all need science understanding and data to navigate the times ahead,” Graham said.

While there are extensive protocols and practices for cleaning and other means of keeping guests and employees safe, not everything is open yet at OMSI.

The Body Worlds and the USS Blueback Submarine are open as is the science store.

Other popular parts of OMSI are still waiting to open back up. These include:

● Empirical Theater
● Kendall Planetarium
● Natural Sciences Hall
● Turbine Hall
● Life and Paleo Labs
● Teen Tech Center
● Theory Restaurant
● Empirical Theater Cafe

Since OMSI is a private, non-profit organization it does not receive government funding, relying on public attendance and contributions. What was to be the busiest time of the year has seen a massive slash in revenue because of cancellations. Despite the financial and operational setbacks, the museum education team delivered (and continues to deliver) fun, educational, science content to the Stay Home, Stay Curious digital content page.

BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life has been extended and will remain on exhibit through Oct. 4. Through July, special reopening ticket prices for BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life are $20 for adults, $12 for youth (ages 3-13), and $16 for seniors (ages 63+). Prices for OMSI Members are $12 for adults, $10 for youth, and $11 for seniors. Tickets for USS Blueback tours are $7.50 for OMSI Members and $8.50 for non-members.

Guests can purchase tickets online at omsi.edu or via phone at 503.797.4000. For information on returning to OMSI, visit: omsi.edu/museum-reopening.