This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Oregon
Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, just a few miles from the Oregon coast, is the vibrant town of McMinnville — home of the largest UFO festival in the country, as well as some of Oregon’s oldest vineyards. This is a quirky, eclectic town that’s always happy to show visitors around.
And there’s lots to see. From art walks to wine tours, and boutique shopping to live entertainment, this is a town where you’re sure to make unforgettable memories. Home to around 30,000 residents, McMinnville has all the energy and attractions of a city while keeping the small town charm that promises visitors a warm welcome.
A Brief History of McMinnville
Located in the Willamette Valley southeast of Portland, McMinnville was named after its founder, William Newby’s hometown in Tennessee, and formally incorporated in 1882. The area was first inhabited by the Kalapooia tribe and, later, by a swarm of immigrants moving from the east in search of more prosperous living. Newby was one of those immigrants swept up in the Great Migration, as it came to be known. A forward-thinking entrepreneur, he got busy building a mill and mapping out the city limits.
From there, McMinnville expanded rapidly, thanks to the establishment of Linfield University and the town’s thriving agricultural industry. Today, McMinnville’s historic downtown boasts dozens of lovingly preserved buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Activities in McMinnville
McMinnville is a historic town with a bustling downtown that was recently voted one of the Top Ten Most Charming Main Streets by the readers of USA Today. As you explore the main thoroughfare of Third Street, you may notice some colorful artwork adorning the walls. These are McMinnville’s community murals, commissioned by the Foundations Mural Project, that tell the city’s story over the centuries. You can see the stylish McMinnville Crest on the Granary Amphitheater, a nod to the region’s wine-making history on the Village Quarter Building, and a bright depiction of the railway on Alpine Avenue.
For more public art, take the Art Walk, a self-guided tour of McMinnville’s galleries and outdoor installations, including bronze sculptures, War Memorials, and decorative fountains. Tour brochures are available from the town’s tourism board, Visit McMinnville.
Situated in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, McMinnville has a long tradition of winemaking which began in the area in the 1970s. Get to know the local grapes with A Vineyard Wine Tour, a wine-tasting experience that takes visitors around the wineries of the Willamette Valley from large producers to boutique vineyards, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
After your tour, finish the day with some live entertainment at the Gallery Theatre. This venue, founded in 1969, is McMinnsville’s hub of community theater and performing arts, with regular performances from music and dance to comedy and drama.
Before you leave McMinnville, be sure to leave time to shop. Downtown is packed with busy boutiques selling something for everyone. Pick up some handmade caramels at Bellevue Country Store, grab a jar of artisanal, small-batch jam at Alchemist’s Jam, or treat the kids to a classic toy at Hopscotch Toys and Games.
McMinnville Events and Festivals
If outer space, aliens, and science fiction is your thing then you’re in luck. Every May, downtown McMinnville is overrun by extraterrestrials as the town hosts the three-day McMenamins UFO Festival. Founded in 1999, the festival celebrates the famous ‘McMinnville Photos’ - photographs taken by locals in 1950 that supposedly show a UFO hovering over a farm on the outskirts of town. The photos appeared on the cover of Life Magazine, sparking a national debate about the existence of life on other planets.
Today, thousands flock to McMinnville in spring to continue the debate, attend lectures from UFO experts, and party at the UFO Parade. The event also includes Alien Costume Contests (including a contest for the best-dressed pet!), live music, a street fair with local vendors, and a Space Alien Fun Run.
In the summer, visitors can wander the Farmers’ Market by the City Hall, which runs on Thursdays from mid-May to mid-October. More than 60 vendors attend, selling a wide range of items, including seasonal produce, meats, plants, and crafts. It’s a great place to grab a fresh lunch or snack and mingle with locals.
The fun doesn’t stop with summer’s end. The town welcomes fall with yet another party, this time the ‘Fall’ Into Historical Minnville festival. Through the month of October, local businesses get creative with Halloween and harvest-themed decorations, host trick-or-treat evenings, and hold family-friendly events.
Take a trip to town during the holiday season, and you’ll be greeted by Merry McMinnville, a Christmas-time festival that includes holiday-themed contests from local businesses and a Santa Parade and Tree Lighting at the end of November, during which Santa sweeps through historic Third Street on his sleigh.
Making Memories in McMinnville
With an inviting climate that’s temperate year-round, McMinnville is a great vacation in any season. Hospitable, welcoming, and very friendly, the town is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or a longer break to unwind, explore, and choose your own adventure. Whether you’re in the mood to sip local wines, enjoy the Pacific Northwest scenery, or simply stroll the cozy streets of a historic Oregon college town where you can browse galleries, family-owned businesses, and unique boutiques, McMinnville offers a variety of experiences to make your visit unforgettable. With art, culture, history, and some visiting UFOs, McMinnville is truly an out-of-this-world destination.
