Winter in the Willamette Valley is a perennially rainy time of year – and though we think that’s a good thing (and actually sometimes love a good rainy day excuse to curl up by the fire with a great book) – we also know that it can (literally) rain on your parade where a getaway is concerned. Rest assured, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy a rainy day in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. From delicious wine tastings and great meals out to fun adventures at the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville, there’s no reason to be bored this winter in Oregon Wine Country.
The Evergreen Air Museum is just outside downtown McMinnville and less than 10 minutes from our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast. Don’t be so quick to write it off as something you’re not interested in, though. There’s truly something at the Evergreen Air Museum for everyone – from casual observers to dedicated aviation enthusiasts. It’s one of the most popular things to do in McMinnville for a reason!
After you take a stroll through aviation history, return to the cozy comfort of our Willamette Valley bed and Breakfast and enjoy a quiet afternoon with a glass of wine, before venturing into town for dinner at one of the top McMinnville Restaurants. There’s nothing better than a winter retreat to Oregon’s Wine Country. Book your room at our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast today!
Rainy Day Fun at the Evergreen Air Museum
The Evergreen Air Museum – officially called the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum first opened in 1991 and ever since has been delighting visitors. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a fan of aviation history, it’s worth the trip alone to see the famed Spruce Goose sitting inside the Evergreen Air Museum.
The Spruce Goose earned its place in aviation history by becoming the largest wooden airplane ever built. It was born out of the need to transport troops and goods overseas during World War II – though in reality the massive plane only flew one time, on November 2, 1947, over Long Beach, California.
The Spruce Goose was transported to the Evergreen Air Museum in 1992 and has become one of the most beloved and popular attractions at the museum. Of course, it’s just one of the many great exhibits and interactive displays worth seeing at the Evergreen Air Museum. Here are some of the other things you can expect from this rainy-day attraction near our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast.
- One of the newest exhibits at the Evergreen Air Museum is an F-86 Sabre, a relic from the Korean War.
- The SR-71 Blackbird is a reconnaissance aircraft that broke records as the world’s fastest jet until its retirement in 1999.
- The F-117 Nighthawk was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft and is currently undergoing ongoing restoration.
- The Titan II, essential to human space travel, is among the last of its kind and once served as the main vehicle for the Gemini space program.
- Experience the thrill of flying at the Evergreen Air Museum’s flight simulator.
McMinnville Food and Wine Classic at the Museum
Though aviation history is cool, it’s not the only reason to visit the Evergreen Air Museum! The 2024 McMinnville Food and Wine Classic will also be held this March inside the museum. Aside from the 70-plus Oregon wineries, Pacific Northwest nibbles, and educational aspects of the Food and Wine Classic, there’s a wine competition element each year.
A distinguished panel of judges, including winemakers, writers, and industry experts, will swirl, sip, and spit—in a blind taste test—more than 200 Oregon wines. The winners will be announced over the three-day event, and it’s a huge honor to win.
The McMinnville Food and Wine Classic at the Evergreen Air Museum is such a lovely event, especially for wine lovers and those looking to become more familiar with the exquisite wine that we produce in the Willamette Valley AVA and beyond in Oregon.
Unwind at the Top Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast
The Pacific Northwest may be known for its particularly rainy and gray winters, but that’s certainly no reason to keep away from all the adventures you can find here – including sipping wine at the top Willamette Valley wineries in Oregon and discovering fun activities like the Evergreen Air Museum. But there’s another reason to visit us in the winter, and that’s the opportunity to enjoy an elevated getaway at our beautiful Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast.
Our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast offers exquisite accommodations, exceptional hospitality, and an unbeatable place to rest your mind, body, and soul – an especially delightful place to be after the hectic pace of the holiday season. In the main Inn, you’ll find four romantic guest rooms, each outfitted with luxurious amenities like luxury linens and bathrooms, private bathrooms, unbelievably comfortable queen beds, and even a gas fireplace in one of the rooms. We also offer two apartments in our adjacent remodeled 1913 craftsman-style vacation cottages, with fully stocked kitchens, a shared laundry room, and spacious accommodations.
Throughout our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast, you’ll find common areas perfect for cozy rainy afternoons. Relax with a book or conversation by the fire, play a board game, or enjoy a local bottle of wine. The house features upscale touches like original Honduras Mahogany woodwork, oak hardwood floors, gracefully curving banisters, and elegant sliding pocket doors that create an intimate setting when desired. The decor of our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast is the perfect blend of contemporary and old-world, creating the perfect ambiance and just the right touch of “special” for your winter getaway.
Before you head out for whatever adventure you have planned for the day, join us in the dining room at our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast for a sumptuous breakfast. We have a well-earned reputation for delicious breakfasts, which will no doubt leave you full and satisfied. The menu changes daily and with the seasons, but always features house-baked breads, muffins or pastries, house granola parfaits or seasonal fruits and cheeses, and a hot entrée that changes daily.
Just a short walk or drive away from downtown McMinnville, there’s truly no better place to enjoy a winter getaway in Oregon’s wine country. Book your room at our Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast today!
