Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville is a destination that blends history, technology, and human ingenuity. It is a museum that will leave you speechless and stiff-necked!
Evergreen opened in 1991 as more than a collection of aircraft. The museum is a tribute to the spirit of exploration—whether it’s taking to the skies, defending the nation, or reaching beyond Earth’s atmosphere. For aviation enthusiasts, space dreamers, or families looking for an unforgettable day, Evergreen delivers on all fronts.
The museum sits just outside McMinnville, surrounded by rolling vineyards, farmland, and the area’s municipal airport. From the moment you arrive, the architecture makes an impression: massive glass-and-steel buildings showcase the world’s most iconic aircraft. That’s what happens when you buy a monstrous airplane and build a museum around it.
The campus features two main exhibit halls—one dedicated to aviation and the other to space—located at opposite ends of the campus. In between is the IMAX theater. On the far end is a waterpark screaming down from the top of a 747 (yes, you read that right). With that much going on, you’ll be there all day, so of course, there is a café. This museum is an expansive, immersive environment that immediately sets the tone for a day of discovery.
As soon as you step into the aviation side, you’re greeted by the astonishing sight of the “Spruce Goose,” the Hughes H-4 Hercules. This gargantuan flying boat, built almost entirely of wood during World War II, is legendary. Standing beneath its wingspan—the largest of any aircraft in history—you are immediately dwarfed by its size and the ambition behind it. The Spruce Goose was completed near the end of the war, and flew only once, but its legacy endures. Evergreen has preserved it in a way that allows visitors to appreciate the engineering marvel that it is. With an additional ticket, you can also tour the inside of the plane.
More than 150 aircraft surround the Spruce Goose, telling the story of flight from its earliest days to modern times. You will see restored planes from World War I and World War II, sleek Cold War era jets, SR-71 Black Bird, and combat helicopters. The displays aren’t just about machines—they also highlight the people behind them: the pilots, engineers, and dreamers who pushed boundaries. While hearing about one of the choppers from the tour guide, a man in our group shared that he flew one of them in Vietnam, picking up wounded soldiers.
The displays are not limited to American-made models, either. Evergreen displays feature British- and German-manufactured aircraft, offering an unexpected opportunity to inspect these aircraft up close.
On the far side of the campus, the Space Museum pulls you right into mankind’s giant leap into the unknown. Walking through, I found myself tracing the path from Mercury and Gemini, into Apollo, and beyond. There are full-size replicas of capsules, lunar modules, and space suits, and even a full-size replica of NASA’s control center. Standing next to them, I felt that mix of awe and nerves those early astronauts must have carried—the sense that they were stepping into history by way of the unknown. Standing next to a Titan II missile or peering into a lunar lander, you can’t help but imagine what it must have felt like to be part of those pioneering missions.
The museum also connects the dots between past achievements and future possibilities. Exhibits on modern space exploration, private spaceflight, and Mars missions remind visitors that the story of space is still being written—and that the next chapter may be closer than we think.
From the Spruce Goose to “Talk to me, Goose,” Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum has something for everybody.
A visit to Evergreen isn’t complete without catching a film at the IMAX theater. The theater uses a giant screen and immersive sound to bring aviation and space stories to life. The documentaries about the Apollo missions, deep-sea exploration, or Earth’s natural wonders make you feel part of the action. It’s both educational and entertaining—a great way to break up your visit while staying immersed in the theme.
Outside, surrounding the campus, are more aircraft. You will feel dwarfed by the tanker plane, Air Force 1, C-47, and a MIG-15. The airplanes outside are on full display, where you can walk up close for photographs and get an in-person concept of the size of these aircraft.
One of the most unexpected features of the campus is the Wings & Waves Waterpark. Sitting on the roof of the building is a retired Evergreen International Airlines Boeing 747, and yes, you can actually slide out of it. The now-defunct Evergreen Airlines operated a cargo airline between 1975 and 2013.
Four massive water slides begin inside the park and twist their way down to the ground below. It’s a playful nod to aviation that kids (and plenty of adults) absolutely love. Inside, there’s also a wave pool, interactive exhibits, and hands-on learning opportunities about the science of water and flight.
What really stood out to me, though, is that Evergreen isn’t just a place to look at planes and rockets—it’s built to spark curiosity. The programs, summer camps, and hands-on exhibits make you want to touch things and learn. It makes you wish you were a kid so you could go to camp here. I caught myself pushing buttons at an interactive station, and I watched kids light up as they pieced together how flight actually works. It felt more like play than learning, and that’s the kind of knowledge that sticks.
The balance here is what I love most. On one hand, Evergreen houses some of the largest and rarest aircraft and spacecraft in the world—you can’t help but be impressed by their size. But it never feels too big or impersonal. Many of the volunteers are veterans, engineers, or lifelong aviation buffs, and they’re quick to share their stories. I spent time listening to one man describe what it was like working around military planes, and it added a layer of meaning you can’t get from reading a placard.
One of the members of our group pointed out “his” helicopter—the same model he flew during his days in service. Jim Lomonaco, of Chicago, was excited to see this medical chopper, although he said it was NOT in use for medical purposes when he flew it.
Plan to spend at least half a day here—though it’s easy to fill an entire day exploring every corner. Wear comfortable shoes, as the campus is sprawling, and allow yourself time to appreciate the exhibits fully. The on-site café offers snacks and meals, and McMinnville’s charming downtown is just minutes away if you’d like to extend your trip with great dining, local wine, and a place to lay your head for the night.
Fun Fact: Vineyards on land owned by the Stoller Group surround the museum, and Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum hosts the McMinnville Wine & Food Classic. This annual festival celebrates Oregon’s wine, food, breweries, and distilleries, and allows guests to enjoy tastings while viewing historic aircraft.
The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is more than a collection of artifacts—it’s a celebration of human imagination, courage, and the drive to do what once seemed impossible. The only exhibit missing is one about the local couple who captured what experts consider the most credible photograph ever taken of a UFO. Taken in 1950 from a farm just outside McMinnville, the picture landed on the front of TIME magazine.
Whether you’re standing beneath the wings of the Spruce Goose, gazing at the rockets that carried humans into space, or watching kids zoom down a waterslide that begins inside a jumbo jet, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of wonder. In McMinnville, Evergreen has created a place where history, science, and fun come together—and it’s a museum experience unlike any other.
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is open nearly every day of the year, meaning that when you have time off from work, they’ll be open for you. The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Veterans, seniors, and youth under 15 years old receive a reduction on the standard admission price of $26, and children 5 and under are admitted free. There are also two-day “See it All” passes. For Wings and Waves Waterpark (right next door), visit their website to purchase tickets.
Where to Stay Near the Museum:
Where to Eat and Drink Near the Museum:
Wineries are abundant—more than 900—so try any from my article. I visited 24 during my time in the Willamette Valley, and I recommend all of them.
Learn more about this museum and beautiful area by listening to the Jo Goes Everywhere! podcast, and in the accompanying article about Silver Falls State Park.
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Jo Clark is a travel writer, photographer, and podcaster. She calls the Grand Strand of South Carolina home, but enjoys visiting little-known corners of the globe in search of unique spots to share with her readers. It might be a café, winery, safari lodge, museum, or quaint bed and breakfast inn.
You can find links to all her articles on Have Glass, Will Travel, follow her on Instagram, and click this link to listen in to the monthly Jo Goes Everywhere! podcasts.