If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live and work on a submarine, you’ll want to visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland. It’s home to the USS Blueback – a former Navy submarine that served from 1959 to 1990.

The USS Blueback was commissioned by the Navy on October 15, 1959. She patrolled the waters around Hawaii, and completed missions all over the world. She was decommissioned in 1990.
By USN - U.S. Navy All Hands magazine December 1990, p. 6., Public Domain/Wikimedia
Today, the USS Blueback makes her home at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, and you can meet her up close when you visit.
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OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214.
Climb aboard for a 45-minute tour!
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Make sure to add the additional submarine tour ticket when you purchase your museum admission. The cost is $8.50 ($7.50 for museum members).
You'll get to see what it was like to live and work aboard this 219-foot vessel. Make your way through narrow passageways and visit the small spaces where 85 sailors worked, dined, and relaxed.
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Tours are limited to just six guests at a time, so you can enjoy a safe, socially-distanced tour.

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You might be surprised at the size of the "spacious" Captain's quarters! This bunk might seem pretty cramped...
HonestIrishToronto/Tripadvisor
...but it's downright luxurious compared to the triple-stacked "racks" where the sailors slept!
RSNN/Tripadvisor
These bunks were used for "hot racking." One bunk was assigned to more than one sailor. As a sailor woke up and started his shift, another would take his bunk to sleep after completing a shift.
You'll also visit the torpedo room, check out the periscope, and learn all kinds of interesting facts from your tour guide.
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Tours of the USS Blueback run seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.
OMSI/Google

Make sure to get your tour tickets online in advance. You can purchase them on the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s website. You’ll also want to give the museum’s Facebook page a follow so you can see all the latest news and exhibits.

Have you toured the USS Blueback? We’d love to read about your tour and see your photos in our Facebook comments!

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1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA