‘Rice’ Museum of Rocks & Minerals

(last updated July 15, 2017)

https://ricenorthwestmuseum.org/

This is truly a hidden gem in Portland. Located near Hwy 26 in Hillsboro, is a world class museum displaying amazing rocks, minerals, gems, meteorites & fossil collections. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon with kids & family.

Originally a private collection of the Rice family, the two buildings have over 20,000 items from India, China and across the United States

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My favorites are:

  • The prized Alma-Rose – one of the rare rhodochrosite (Rice family once owned the original Alma King – one of the finest & most valuable mineral specimen ever mined in North America, sold to the Coors Brewing Company)

  • Rainbow gallery – minerals that glow when lit by UV light – one of the most popular galleries

  • Tucker, the dinosaur baby from China

  • Dinosaur eggs – petrified nest with dino eggs

  • Crystal needles found during the digging of a well in India

 

Open: Wed – Sun (closed on Mon & Tue)

Fees: $10 (kids 5-15 years: $7; seniors 60+: $9)