(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)