Major city · United States
McMinnvilleMcMinnville, Oregon
Give McMinnville one full day: the Evergreen air and space museums plus a walkable downtown. Two nights if you are tasting Willamette Valley wine.
McMinnville is a small Willamette Valley city, the Yamhill County seat, about an hour southwest of Portland by car. It earns a stop for two things: the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, home of the Spruce Goose, and a compact historic downtown of tasting rooms, restaurants and the McMenamins Hotel Oregon. Most visitors pass through in a day or use it as a wine-country base for a night or two.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (wet, grey)
- Airports
- PDX · MMV
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for McMinnville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- McMinnville Police (non-emergency)503-434-7307
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about McMinnville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMcMinnville is a low-crime small city and generally safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 503-434-7307 McMinnville Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDX Portland International (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h 15 min by car via Hwy 99W or I-5/Hwy 18; rent a car or take a shuttle.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way to reach McMinnville and the museum, which sits south of town across Hwy 18.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and Oregon sales tax is not charged on most goods.$18–32
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or casual lunch$12–18
- BeerCraft beer or glass of wine downtown$7–14
- Museum or sight ticketEvergreen museum admissioncheck; both museums and one movie$27
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDX Portland International (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h 15 min by car via Hwy 99W or I-5/Hwy 18; rent a car or take a shuttle.) · MMV McMinnville Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled airline service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (18 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
McMinnville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical way to reach McMinnville and the museum, which sits south of town across Hwy 18. Downtown is compact and walkable once you park. Yamhill Transit runs local routes in town and intercity buses from the Yamhill Transit Center on NE 2nd; connections to Portland and Salem require a change.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive north on Hwy 99W, about 25 min
More tasting rooms and the drive-through coffee strip; easy half-day add-on.
Door to door: About 45 min by car
Drive Hwy 99W and Hwy 22, or Yamhill Transit route 11 to West Salem
State capital with museums and riverfront parks; a full day if you add the gardens.
Corvallis, Oregon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive south via Hwy 99W and Hwy 34
College town on the Willamette; pair with a vineyard stop on the way.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive south via Hwy 99W and I-5
Historic downtown and covered bridges; better as a stop en route to Eugene.
Mt. Angel
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive east via Hwy 99W and Hwy 214
Bavarian-style village; busiest during its autumn festival.
Door to door: About 2 h
Drive south via Hwy 99W and I-5
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / NE Evans and 3rd
Walk to tasting rooms, restaurants and Hotel Oregon; best for a short stay without a car in the evening.
Hwy 99W southwest (near Hwy 18)
Chain motels with parking, close to the Evergreen museum and the highway; best if you are driving onward.
Hwy 99W north
Budget motels on the north edge of town; a short drive from downtown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Evergreen museum admission, both museums and a movie2 × US$27 · check; discounts for youth, seniors and veterans | US$54 |
| Rental car from PDX, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Wine tasting fee per winery2 × US$25 · check; often waived with a bottle purchase | US$50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$67 |
| Trip total≈ US$371 per person per day, bed included | US$741 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are before sales tax and exclude flights. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or casual lunch | $12–18 |
| Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and Oregon sales tax is not charged on most goods. | $18–32 |
| Craft beer or glass of wine downtown | $7–14 |
| Wine tasting feecheck; often waived with a purchase | $20–35 |
| Evergreen museum admissioncheck; both museums and one movie | $27 |
| Rideshare across towncheck | $10–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Evergreen museum is across Hwy 18 from downtown: drive or take a taxi, do not walk the highway.
- Winter is wet and grey; many wineries and some downtown spots cut hours Nov–Mar.
- Rural roads are dark and deer are common at dusk: drive carefully after sunset.
- Summer afternoons can reach the 30s °C; carry water at the museum and vineyards.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- McMinnville Police (non-emergency)
- 503-434-7307
Pocket card
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McMinnvilleMcMinnville, Oregon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- McMinnville Police (non-emergency)503-434-7307
Embassy
No embassies in McMinnville; consulates are in Portland and embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PDX to McMinnville by rental car: about 1 h 15 min, fuel and tolls extra (check)
- Yamhill Transit local ride: low fare, exact change helpful (check)
- Wine tasting fee: $20–35 per winery (check)
Say or show
- Where is the Evergreen museum? — Where is the museum?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for McMinnville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (wet, grey) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PDX: shuttle and rental-car options field-checked, plus a late-arrival motel rung.
- Walking cluster for downtown: tasting rooms, restaurants and Hotel Oregon rooftop with last-call times.
- Place pages for the Evergreen museum, Wings and Waves Waterpark and the downtown core with verified hours and cutoffs.
- Wine-country fixtures: tasting-room fees, reservation rules and designated-driver options.
Sources
- officialVisit McMinnville
- officialEvergreen Aviation & Space Museum
- officialYamhill Transit
- officialMcMinnville Municipal Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: McMinnville (Oregon), revision 5242096 (CC BY-SA 4.0)