Museums are popular tourist attractions because they provide fun ways to learn about history, science, and culture. As stewards of our civilization, they collect and exhibit items of significant importance, typically based around a theme, topic, or place. Many cover areas like art, natural history, or science, but some museums dedicate themselves to highly specific topics like mustard, play, hot air balloons, and even funeral history. Ultimately, museums present a window into different eras of society so people can learn about the past.
Collecting, preserving, and displaying items is not a new idea. The world’s first museum dates to about 530 B.C., a project of Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Babylonian who had a collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. The oldest public museums still in existence are the Capitoline Museums in Rome, a collection of art and archeology museums started in 1471. America’s oldest museum predates our country’s founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history, opened in 1773.
Museums are important not just because they preserve important elements of our history and culture but also because they can improve our well-being. Naturally, museums promote education and learning and can also bring joy. Researchers studying art museums found that they can reduce depression and increase people’s sense of belonging. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits can reduce stress. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.
No wonder they attract nearly 900 million visits a year.
With over 30,000 museums in the country to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in Oregon on Tripadvisor as of Aug. 11, 2025. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see what museums are in your own home state.
#30. Icefire Glassworks
– Rating: 4.7/5 (140 reviews)
– City: Cannon Beach
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Scienceworks Hands-on Museum
– Rating: 4.4/5 (180 reviews)
– City: Ashland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Seaside Inverted Experience
– Rating: 4.7/5 (86 reviews)
– City: Seaside
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals
– Rating: 4.7/5 (189 reviews)
– City: Hillsboro
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
– Rating: 3.4/5 (314 reviews)
– City: Newport
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Hopscotch Portland
– Rating: 4.3/5 (21 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Gilbert House Children’s Museum
– Rating: 4.6/5 (189 reviews)
– City: Salem
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Freakybuttrue Peculiarium
– Rating: 3.8/5 (103 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Klamath County Museum
– Rating: 4.6/5 (170 reviews)
– City: Klamath Falls
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Prehistoric
– Rating: 4.5/5 (319 reviews)
– City: Lincoln City
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. The Albany Historic Carousel and Museum
– Rating: 4.8/5 (257 reviews)
– City: Albany
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Alderhouse Glass Blowers
– Rating: 4.8/5 (131 reviews)
– City: Lincoln City
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Oregon Rail Heritage Center
– Rating: 4.5/5 (138 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. The Glass Forge
– Rating: 4.9/5 (300 reviews)
– City: Grants Pass
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
– Rating: 4.6/5 (428 reviews)
– City: The Dalles
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Oregon Observatory at Sunriver
– Rating: 4.7/5 (218 reviews)
– City: Sunriver Central
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#14. Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum
– Rating: 4.9/5 (438 reviews)
– City: Hood River
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Camp 18 Logging Museum
– Rating: 4.4/5 (344 reviews)
– City: Seaside
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#12. Tillamook Air Museum
– Rating: 4.0/5 (602 reviews)
– City: Tillamook
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Hatfield Marine Science Center
– Rating: 4.6/5 (708 reviews)
– City: Newport
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Oregon Historical Society
– Rating: 4.4/5 (472 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
– Rating: 4.8/5 (622 reviews)
– City: Baker City
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Flavel House Museum
– Rating: 4.5/5 (601 reviews)
– City: Astoria
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#7. Lincoln City Glass Center
– Rating: 4.8/5 (561 reviews)
– City: Lincoln City
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Studio West Glassblowing
– Rating: 5.0/5 (237 reviews)
– City: Eugene
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Columbia River Maritime Museum
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,853 reviews)
– City: Astoria
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Portland Art Museum
– Rating: 4.4/5 (1,183 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,607 reviews)
– City: McMinnville
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
– Rating: 4.3/5 (1,678 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. High Desert Museum
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,997 reviews)
– City: Bend Central
– Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.