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Location
Parking
OMSI parking costs $5 (+ fees) for 2 hours or $8 (+ fees) for all day parking. Evening parking after 5pm is $2 (+ fees). Parking available in North and South lots, payable via Parking Kitty app, front desk, or parking kiosks.
Accessibility
Braille informational panels available. Wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers not permitted on submarine. Canes permitted. Closed-toe shoes recommended. Visitors must be able to self-navigate steep stairs and climb through watertight doors. Carrying children not allowed. Practice door available in OMSI Lobby. Contact staff for additional support.
Visitor tip
Book an Advanced Tech Tour led by a submarine veteran on the 2nd or 4th Sunday of each month for a deeper, more specialized naval history experience beyond standard tours.
About USS Blueback Submarine
Former Navy sub with tours & sleepovers. Decommissioned 1959 Navy submarine at the OMSI museum, available for guided tours & group camp-ins.
Quick Facts
- Venue Type
- Historic Submarine
- Highlights
- Tour 219-foot USS Blueback, periscope, torpedo, bunk beds
- Tour Length
- 40-50 minutes, max 12 guests
- Parking
- $5-$8 per vehicle
What visitors say
Tickets were purchased online for $8.50 per person — absolutely worth it. We came specifically to visit the USS Blueback (SS‑581) submarine, and it exceeded expectations. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and patient, answering all…
Had a spectacular visit led by Kami! We learned so much- our guide was amazing. It is crazy how submariners survived there three months. (Ages 5-81 found interesting)
The was the absolute BEST PART of OMSI! Tickets were only 8 bucks and well worth it. It’s a 45+ tour of the submarine. You can see every part of the ship from top to bottom and front to back. Every room will having you thinking of…
From 271 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- USS Blueback (SS-581) is a 219-foot diesel-electric submarine decommissioned in 1959, offering visitors rare hands-on access with no glass barriers to touch artifacts and explore every compartment from top to bottom
- Advanced Tech Tours are guided by actual submarine veterans on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, providing insider perspectives on submarine operations and naval history
- The attraction offers overnight sleepover experiences (camp-ins) aboard the decommissioned submarine, allowing visitors to experience sleeping quarters where submariners spent up to three months at sea
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