Visitors to McMinnville often come here to enjoy the splendor and serenity found in Willamette Valley wine country; to enjoy the flavors of fine Oregon wine, and the exquisite culinary delights that accompany their favorite glass.  However, there is so much more to McMinnville than our Willamette Valley wines.  With the green rolling hills of wine country as the backdrop, this historic city offers visitors the grand experience you’d expect out of a larger city, while still holding on to its historic small-town charm.  Tucked in the hills of McMinnville, you’ll find world class experiences, such as the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is a gem to locals and visitors alike, and is definitely a must-see opportunity while in McMinnville.  Children the world-over have dreamt of flight for centuries.  Book your stay with us at the Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn now, and let your imagination run wild in the Evergreen Aviation Museum.

At this fantastic museum, there is something for everyone to enjoy–even if you don’t think a flight museum is for you!  Once at the Evergreen Aviation Museum, you’ll be able to see planes across the whole spectrum of aeronautical design; from Orville & Wright’s early elegant designs, to a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird that can fly at over 2,000 MPH.  The Evergreen Aviation Museum is perhaps best known for its famous wooden flying plane, the Spruce Goose.  The Spruce Goose, which was built of wood thanks to a war-time shortage metals, is the largest plane ever built at 6 times the size of other aircraft of its time.  This remarkable feat is representative of American Industry during World War II.  The Spruce Goose, designed and built by Howard Hughes, was only flown one time, on November 2, 1947.  In addition to this remarkable piece of history, you’ll be able to explore the general aviation exhibit that showcases a range of planes from the earliest days, right up through samples of private, sport, and commercial aircraft.  If you’re a military aircraft fan, then don’t miss the military exhibit, full of military aircraft and helicopters that have served an important role in U.S. military history.  See the growth of American Space exploration in the Space Flight Exhibit, explore the amazing history of helicopters, or admire the extensive collection of firearms from every era of American history. In total, The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is home to more than 150 historic aircraft, spacecraft and exhibits on display, along with artwork, traveling displays, the Spruce Goose Café, the Cosmo Café, the Rotors, Wings & Things store, the Right Stuff Store and Oregon’s largest IMAX theater.

If the amazing aeronautical history held within the walls of the Evergreen Aviation Museum aren’t enough to get you in the door, then maybe the new waterpark will be.  The newly built Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark is an educational waterpark featuring 10 slides, a wave pool, and a children’s museum dedicated to teaching children all about the power of water and its effects on society.  As you can see, there truly is something for everyone at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  We can’t wait to share this McMinnville gem with you when you visit us in Willamette Valley wine country.