"Where the Spruce Goose Nests" Top 5 Page for this destination McMinnville by SteveOSF

McMinnville Travel Guide: 27 reviews and 93 photos

Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville

Small Town, Big Plane

On a road trip to Portland, we took a brief detour to McMinnville, Oregon. Although it is situated in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country, we came to see historic airplanes. One plane in particular was of interest, Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose." This piece of history has found its way to this small Oregon town. It resides within the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum along with many other interesting aircraft. After visiting the museum, we were short on time and had to forego wine tasting. But the aviation museum was well worth the visit and wine tasting in the Willamette Valley will have to wait for another day.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Home of a great aviation museum.
Cons:A very small town.
In a nutshell:Small town with an excellent aviation museum.

Last visit to McMinnville: Jun 2005
Intro Updated Dec 24, 2007
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Reviews (12)

Circa 1943 Instrument Trainer - McMinnville

Instrument Trainer Favorites (10)

This circa 1943 instrument trainer is displayed at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. In an age of high-tech... more travel advice

Avenger Torpedo Bomber Favorites (10)

A rare flyable Avenger World War II torpedo bomber is kept by the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. This was a... more travel advice

P-38 Lightning Favorites (10)

A sleek, twin engine P-38 Lightning resides within the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. This World War II era... more travel advice

De Havilland D.H.-100 Vampire Mk.52 - McMinnville

De Havilland D.H.-100 Vampire Mk.52 Favorites (10)

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum has a flyable British de Havilland D.H.-100 Vampire Mk.52. This is one of the... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum...

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Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 8, 2008

8 photos

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Comments (10)

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Bwana_Brown Feb 13, 2010 at 2:28 PM

Wow, what an amazing aircraft museum for such a small town! The Spruce Goose and an SR-71 under one roof! Thanks for the excellent photos and tour. Those old Avengers were being used for water-bombing New Brunswick's forests up until just a few years ago!
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MD2nd Feb 13, 2010 at 2:43 AM

Very interesting tip also on historic military vehicles, old tanks and armored reconnaissance vehicles! - Thank you for leaving me a birthday note.
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Yaqui Sep 28, 2009 at 2:59 PM

Great aviation museum! So many moons ago, I got to see the Spruce Goose when it was in Long Beach. They use to let you look in it. Glad I got too. Nice page!
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atufft Feb 23, 2009 at 9:02 PM

Wow! I've picked up in McMinnville, so I guess I blew an opportunity to see a great aviation museum. I agree with Maria--General Tips are really well researched and written...alan
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risse73 Oct 13, 2008 at 7:25 PM

Steve, GREAT McMinnville tips! Good to know you're into aviation. I knew that the Spruce Goose was in So. Cal. (Long Bch) before because I had seen it years ago. Started to question myself there for a minute since I never knew it was relocated to Oregon.
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Maria250 Oct 7, 2008 at 7:02 AM

The General Tips are truly impressive, providing so much history-information! Wish I had visit in McMinnville when I was in OR. Great shot of Corsair's front.
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mtncorg May 11, 2008 at 7:39 AM

A very nice museum indeed and there is some very nice wine to be found on your next trip around here, as well.
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yooperprof Apr 21, 2008 at 5:23 PM

So the Spruce Goose ended up in McMinnville? Who'd'a thunk it!
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Ewingjr98 Mar 6, 2008 at 10:22 PM

Great tips on the various aircraft displays!
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Tugboatguy Jan 7, 2008 at 9:58 PM

Steve: Superb tips, photos & text. The museum is just as impressive with glossy white spotless floors, floor 2 ceiling windows-gr8 light & incredibly restored historically important aircraft. Who would have thought this in a small Oregon town! Doug