McMinnville, Oregon travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

McMinnville is a city in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. It is the county seat and largest city of Yamhill County.

1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about McMinnville

Evergreen Aviation Museum

This is really three attractions in one: museums of aviation and space travel, and an IMAX theatre. Howard Hughes' H-4 (HK-1) Flying Boat, better known as the Spruce Goose, is the most well-known, but there are over 60 o…

Wings and Waves Waterpark

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 23 mi away. Directions
PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 39 mi away (major hub). Directions

Private automobile is the easiest way in to McMinnville. State Highway 99W enters from the north and south. State Highway 18 bypasses town along the south from its junction with Hwy 99W southwest of town and ends at Hwy 99W east of town.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

Places to stay listed here: about $60–$60 a night (typical $102), from 2 listed prices.
Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$230.

See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Evergreen Aviation Museum
Lunch Aviator Cafe
Afternoon Wings and Waves Waterpark
Evening Rooftop bar at Hotel Oregon

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Get in

By car

By plane

McMinnville Municipal Airport (MMV) has two runways, one of which is in good repair. There are no scheduled commercial airline services but the airport is open to general aviation. It is located on 4000 SE Cirrus Rd, across Hwy 18 from the Evergreen Aviation Museum south of town.

The nearest airport for commercial airline services is in Portland (PDX). Most travelers rent a car there and drive down to McMinnville.

By bus

The main bus station for Yamhill Transit's local public transportation and intercity buses is at the Yamhill Transit Center on NE 2nd & Irvine St (800 NE 2nd St). They operate intercity and local buses to: * 11 to West Salem via Amity along Hwy 99W & 22. Cherriots #17 bus continues from the W Salem Transit Center into the downtown Transit Center. * 22 to Grand Ronde via Sheridan, Willamina & Spirit Mountain Casino along Hwy 18. Onward connections to Lincoln City or Salem with Tillamook Transit #60x or 70x from the Grand Ronde Community Center or Spirit Mountain Casino. * 33 to Hillsboro via Lafayette, Carlton, Yamhill, Gaston & Forest Grove along Hwy 47 & 8. Onward connections to Portland via the 'MAX Blue Line' train from Hillsboro. * 44/44x to Tigard (nearest point to Portland) via Newberg & Sherwood along Hwy 99W. Tri-Met #12 or 94 bus continues into Portland from Tigard. * 1-4. Local public transportation within the McMinnville area on 4 separate routes.

Connections to Amtrak, Greyhound, Oregon Point and other bus lines are in Portland and Salem.

Go Caravan Shuttle

Regularly scheduled and private shuttle services between Portland International Airport and Newport and points in between.

📍 (Scheduled stop) Best Western at 2035 SW Hwy 99W☎ +1 541 994-9645⚠ Last checked Jul 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See

See Evergreen Aviation Museum

This is really three attractions in one: museums of aviation and space travel, and an IMAX theatre. Howard Hughes' H-4 (HK-1) Flying Boat, better known as the Spruce Goose, is the most well-known, but there are over 60 other aircraft and spacecraft to see. The space museum has a pleasantly even-handed coverage of the international history of space exploration, with unique exhibits such as an ICBM in a simulated silo. There is a good café here. Enough to see that aviation fans will want a whole day.

📍 500 NE Capt. Michael King Smith Way🕒 Daily 9AM-5PM. Closed on major holidays💲 $27 both museums and 1 movie; discounts for youth, seniors, and veterans☎ +1 503-434-4180⚠ Last checked Jul 2017 — confirm before you go

Maps Website