World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum
World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum
4
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located in Portland’s forested Washington Park just steps from the MAX Light Rail, World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum invites visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they impact our lives. The dramatic 20,000-square-foot wooden building has been a Portland icon since 1971. Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of a northwest forest, explore society’s connection to the woods, and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing this critical natural resource.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.0
114 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
45
Average
17
Poor
5
Terrible
3
azroyalsfan
Phoenix, AZ350 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Stopped in here while I was wondering Washington Park! They were having a free admission day so I checked it out. Lots of hands on displays and vignettes. Kids will love it. Not sure what the actual admission is but I'd say a good value at $10-15. Not sure I'd pay anything higher than that.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chaitra K
Beaverton, OR37 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Day well spent. It was a perfect outing on a cold rainy day. It is t huge but just right for younger kids. Entrance is cheap ($5) & free entry on Sundays. Only negative is no cafeteria on site & u can eat or drink inside too.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brett P
Chino Hills, CA62 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
They’ve done a great job of making each exhibit fun and educational. Everything is interactive and well thought out. You learn about plants, animals, ecology, Fire, weather, technology and more. My 4 year old granddaughter had a blast bouncing through the exhibited. The scavenger hunt is a really good way to get kids involved, so I recommend it. Ask at the front counter.
I did note that several exhibits were not fully operational, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It will take a minimum of 1 hour to see most things.
I did note that several exhibits were not fully operational, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It will take a minimum of 1 hour to see most things.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bammybam
27 contributions
Sept 2019 • Family
Was really disappointed with this one, particularly at $10 per person entry. Many of the interactive exhibitions were out of service. Everything seemed quite dated. And it was there, not to educate about the ecosystem, but about the productivity of forests for industry.
Some may love it but we didn’t. Went with a two year old, and there wasn’t much for him to appreciate.
Some may love it but we didn’t. Went with a two year old, and there wasn’t much for him to appreciate.
Written 18 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Portland, OR153 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
One of several attractions at Washington Park, Portland OR (Portland Zoo and Children's Museum are next door). Moderate entrance fee. Comprehensive exhibits describing forestry practices in Oregon and world wide. Interactive exhibits (including videos and movies), mostly educational, many geared to children, but always interesting. Regarding the children's exhibits, many are "hands on" and seem to be little people magnets.
For big people, one highlight is driving a mock harvester.
Worth a trip by itself, with or without children. An hour or two for adults. Lot's longer if you bring the little ones.
For big people, one highlight is driving a mock harvester.
Worth a trip by itself, with or without children. An hour or two for adults. Lot's longer if you bring the little ones.
Written 1 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fnqfamily
Australia424 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
Weekend trip to Portland and we chose this due to the reviews and the fact that we have done enough zoo's this year. Boy was it a big let down.Small museum and there really isn't much to do. Lots of attractions not working, so happy it was free admission day not worth paying for, we were in and out within 30 mins.
Written 25 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sweholst
Gothenburg, Sweden18 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Visited with three kids, 6, 11 & 14.
The place felt very dated, with malfunctioning and dusty displays. All screens suffered from either bad focus or old projector lamps and the more interactive parts have all seen better days.
Not worth the money.
The place felt very dated, with malfunctioning and dusty displays. All screens suffered from either bad focus or old projector lamps and the more interactive parts have all seen better days.
Not worth the money.
Written 11 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SouthernAtHeart2014
West Caldwell, NJ11 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
I recently visited Oregon with my parents and 9 year old daughter. This was a wonderful hands on place. My 9 year old and I both loved the parachutte guiding and the exhibits were all great! There was a Dr. Suess exhibit at the time we went which was wonderful.
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Macgruber M
Indio, CA54 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Poor video and audio quality in the exhibits. Some interactive displays need repairs. Clean but outdated. The brochure touts the "virtural raft ride" which is nothing more than a raft sitting on the carpet with a flat screen behind it. $40 for a family of four; an annual family membership is $50 but there is unfortunately no reason to go back. This "center" is wedged between the Portland Zoo and Children's Museum. The other two had lots of cars parked in front of them but not this one and now we know why. We visited the Tillamook State Forest Center this fall and thoroughly enjoyed it...and admission is donation based.
Written 27 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
Dade City, FL19 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Though I was looking forward to this museum on my final day in Portland, and paid $20 to get there, there was a sign out front saying CLOSED on Tuesday & Wednesday. Bummer.
Written 23 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so sorry that you arrived when the Discovery Museum was closed. We're open five days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During the rest of the year we close on Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll do our best to make sure this information is more prominently displayed online.
Discovery Museum Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Monday - 10am - 5pm
Tuesday - 10am - 5pm
Wednesday - 10am - 5pm
Thursday - 10am - 5pm
Friday - 10am - 5pm
Saturday - 10am - 5pm
Sunday - 10am - 5pm
Discovery Museum Hours (September through May)
Monday - 10am - 5pm
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 10am - 5pm
Friday - 10am - 5pm
Saturday - 10am - 5pm
Sunday - 10am - 5pm
Written 25 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
r there inexpensive hotels within walking distance?
Written 4 August 2016
No. It is in a whole complex with the zoo and Children's center. There is a subway station in the park though, so if you stay near a station you can get off at the Washington Park stop.
Written 30 August 2016
Hi
I am looking for a reasonably price nearby or on the MAX line close to the Forestry Center. Dates I am looking at are Aug 15 - 22nd. Any suggestions?
Thank you
Written 3 March 2016
Judy C
Fairview, Oregon
If I purchase a family membership, will it also get us into other venues? Like, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Historical Society, Washington County Museum, Rice Northwest Museum of Parks & Minerals, Portland Children's Museum, the Oregon Zoo, etc,.?
Written 1 March 2015
Yes it will for a program this year that allows entry to a different place each month (only up to 4 people though). cant post links but if you goto japanesegarden slash reciprocal-membership it provides the details
Written 2 March 2015
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