Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville

Nestled in the heart of Oregon's wine country, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located in McMinnville, just an hour's drive from Portland, this world-class museum is home to a vast array of aircraft and spacecraft that chart the course of human flight.

One of the museum’s most famous exhibits is the original Spruce Goose, the massive wooden airplane designed by Howard Hughes that stands as a testament to American ingenuity and determination. Built entirely of wood due to wartime restrictions on metals, this behemoth of the skies has an impressive wingspan of 320 feet and remains the largest wooden aircraft ever constructed.

Apart from the Spruce Goose, the museum boasts over 150 aircraft and exhibits, ranging from the Wright brothers' flyers to modern jet fighters and space launch vehicles. The collection includes military aircraft from both World Wars, the Cold War era, and beyond, as well as civilian planes that have shaped commercial aviation.

The Space Museum building, an extension of the main aviation hall, is dedicated to the exploration of the final frontier. Visitors can marvel at artifacts from the space race, learn about the technology that took humans to the moon, and even touch a real rock from the lunar surface.

The museum also offers educational programs and flight simulations that allow guests to experience the thrill of piloting an aircraft. For younger visitors, the museum provides interactive exhibits that make learning about aerospace science and history an engaging adventure.

If you're looking for a break from aircraft, the museum also houses an IMAX theater where you can watch documentaries and films that whisk you away on journeys through the depths of space or the complexities of nature.