The Portland area has quite the museum scene. But when you are taking your whole family for a museum outing, things can get a bit expensive. Enter: free and reduced admission days. Below you’ll find ways to save on some of Portland’s most popular kid-friendly museums.
Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum offers free admission and discounts several times a year. Not only are kids 17 and under always free, the whole family can attend for free on the first Thursday of the month. Follow Portland Art Museum on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter to be in the know when the free tickets are available to reserve on other special days, including Miller Family Free Day which is typically on a weekend. Portland Art Museum also offers Arts for All $5 tickets to those who qualify. 1219 SW Park Ave.
World Forestry Center at the Discovery Museum
Portland’s World Forestry Center shares a parking lot with Oregon Zoo, and if you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out on one of the city’s most kid-friendly museums with plenty of hands-on exhibits. They host periodic free days, and you can find them on their events page here. On a typical day, admission is always free for ages 2 and under, and only $5 for youth ages 3-17. 4033 SW Canyon Rd.
The Historic Belmont Firehouse
Slide down a fire pole and “ride along” on an emergency ride in the back of a mock fire truck while learning about fire safety. Free and open to the public on Wednesdays. 900 SE 35th Ave. (at Belmont).
Oregon Historical Society
Admission is always free for Multnomah County residents and anyone 17 and under. The Oregon Historical Society’s permanent History Hub exhibit tells stories of the diverse people and events that have shaped Oregon history. 1200 SW Park Ave.
Oregon Rail Heritage Center
This railroad museum near OMSI now charges admission (historically it has been free to visit), but an adult ticket is only $6, kids get in for $4, and children under age three are free. See three vintage engines and changing exhibits. See website for details on train rides. 2250 SE Water Ave.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Don’t miss one of the best deals in town: $5 Day on the first Sunday of every month at OMSI! There are other ways to save any day of the month: If you qualify for Arts for All, you may buy up to four $5 general admission tickets; OMSI provides up to a 55% discount on any level of individual membership, with an EBT card and matching ID; they also offer educator previews and military discounts. Learn more about Admission Access at OMSI. Children 2 and under are free. 1945 SE Water Ave.
Oregon Zoo
Fall Discount Days at the Oregon Zoo happen annually, typically the first week of November. Discounted admission is also offered for recipients of income assistance programs. Check their website for more periodic general admission deals, such as Second Tuesdays in winter or Twilight Tuesdays in summer. Infants under 2 are always free. 4001 SE Canyon Rd.
Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals
Receive a reduced rate admission of $3 per person (for up to 4 people) with an EBT card and valid form of photo ID. Free admission with military ID between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. Children up to 5 years are always free. The grounds and nature trails are free for all to explore. 26385 NW Groveland Dr., Hillsboro.
Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Enjoy free admission on the first Sunday of each month at this Old Town museum “sharing and preserving Japanese American history and culture.” Don’t forget to visit the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Tom McCall Waterfront Park while you’re there. It’s especially beautiful in March when the cherry blossoms are blooming. Free admission is offered to SNAP recipients, and free admission is offered to active duty military personnel and their families on select days. 411 NW Flanders St.
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
Every first Sunday you can visit the Oregon Jewish Museum for free to learn about the “legacy of the Jewish experience in Oregon,” the Holocaust, and more in the rotating exhibitions and public programming. The outdoor Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park is always free to the public. Free admission is also offered to active military and their families, members of the press, and recipients of SNAP. 724 NW Davis St.
The Lobby at Ellen Browning Building
Please note The Lobby is currently closed as they prepare for relocation. “The Lobby,” a public art space on the ground floor of the Ellen Browning is always free to the public, and offers a new rotating exhibit every six months. On the first Saturday of every month they also offer a free kids art class at noon for children and their families. 2871 SE Division Street.
Already a member somewhere? Check out reciprocal admission perks!
Many of our readers are members at the Oregon Zoo, and if that’s you, we’ve got great news! You’ll be excited to learn that the Northwest Attractions Alliance (formerly the Portland Attractions Marketing Alliance) has expanded its reciprocal admission benefits program. That means through December 2026, being a member of one of the 29 participating organizations will get you and three guests access to different featured attractions throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington each month. That’s a great value and will keep your family learning, exploring, and having fun all year long.
Here’s the 2026 reciprocal admission schedule, valid proof of membership and photo ID required:
January: Albany Regional Museum, Oregon Zoo
February: Clark County Historical Museum, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Leach Botanical Garden
March: Cannon Beach History Center, Cascade Locks Historical Museum, Pittock Mansion
April: Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Willamette Heritage Center
May: Architectural Heritage Center, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Two Rivers Heritage Museum
June: Museum at Warm Springs, Shelton McMurphy Johnson House
July: Benton County Historical Society, Hallie Ford Museum of Art
August: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
September: Portland Chinatown Museum, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island (Purchasers of MAiZE tickets in September 2026 will have access to the reciprocal membership program through August 2027, and must show a receipt at attractions.)
October: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, World Forestry Center
November: Oregon Coast Aquarium, Seaside Museum & Historical Society
December: Clark County Historical Museum, Lan Su Chinese Garden
More ways to save:
Don’t forget your local library’s free passes to Portland-area museums and cultural institutions. And if you are a Bank of America cardholder, you can get free admission to OMSI, Portland Art Museum, and Portland Japanese Garden through their Bank of America Museums on Us Program.
If you made it this far, we’ll assume you’re a museum fan. Here are some of our very favorites.