1. Savor Gourmet Meals and Scenic Views Aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train
Many of us wish that we could experience the romance of the past centuries, and the Napa Valley Wine Train gives you just that.
You get served multiple meals of your choice. I found the service to be excellent on this antique train running along a 25-mile track in the Napa Valley.
The train has Pullman rail cars that are accented with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass furnishings, and glass partitions, not to mention the cozy plush armchairs that offer those desirable vintage memories.
You also visit the Napa Valley Love Lock Bridge, which connects the valley’s wine station to the boarding platform. You can buy padlocks inscribed with your names or initials to make your tour even more memorable.
1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559
2. Stroll, Shop, and Sip Your Way Through Charming St. Helena
St Helena is an active community with some of the best wine immersion experiences.
The town is home to some of the top restaurants in California, attracting both local and international guests with their classic meals and outstanding customer service.
Spend an afternoon in Crane Park where you can have a picnic or visit the playground with the kids.
Relax at a day spa, visit an art gallery and explore the area by bike. St Helena is not to be missed on your tour of the valley. I had a lovely time writing about St Helena here.
3. Explore Outdoor Creativity on the Napa Art Walk
I had to dedicate a whole separate page to Napa Art Walk, one of my favorite stops in Napa.
It's right downtown. So you can't miss it. No excuses! And you absolutely have to go, it's FREE. The display of public art pieces is fascinating and inspirational. I really hope you decide to dedicate some time to this beautiful spot.
4. Taste Rare and Exceptional Wines at K. Laz Wine Collection
Offering tastings at two separate Napa Valley locations, the K. Laz Wine Collection can give you a glimpse behind the curtain to sample, savor, and enjoy some of Napa Valley’s greatest ever wines.
There is a great selection of cheeses, charcuterie, wood-oven pizzas, and dim sum can be served alongside the various wines.
6484 Washington St suite c, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 415-5040
5. Step Into a Tuscan Castle Experience at Castello Di Amorosa
Visit this Tuscan-style castle, with its several different and captivating levels, to get a taste of an Italian winery.
This beautiful site includes a stream winding through a valley surrounded by large hills and I've been recommending it to travelers for decades.
A large hall, decorated with hand painted frescoes and furnished with a fireplace from Tuscany and a long Italian table, ideal for business meetings, can host up to 140 people. A Grand Barrel room is used to keep the wines while the French oak trees imbue them with a natural taste and color that is the perfect accompaniment to the delicious food served at Castello di Amorosa.
4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515, Phone: 707-967-6272
Romantic Things to do in Napa Valley:
6. If You Love Local Stories, Dive Into Napa’s Past at the Historical Society
The Napa County Historical Society was established in 1948 with the purpose of preserving local history.
It secured Goodman Library, close to downtown Napa, where diverse topics on Napa Valley history are kept in books, manuscripts, publications, scrapbooks, maps, blueprints, and other ephemera.
You can attend exhibits, lectures, events, and research and educational activities that keep the county’s history live.
Historical tours and sightseeing groups are welcome at the library. You receive a guided tour from professional and experienced historians who take you through diverse topics and answer any question on historical Napa. Perhaps you are a history buff like me. It's a perfect experience for students and researchers who are interested in the history of America and of the Napa County in particular.
1219 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
7. Indulge in Art, Architecture, and Bold Wines at Hall Napa Valley
Hall Napa Valley is one of the most beautiful vineyards in Napa Valley. You'll find it near the slopes of the Mayacama Mountains. It is owned and run by Kathryn and Craig Hall.
The winery is known for its superb cabernet sauvignon made in the old style of the great Bordeaux wines. The tours of the vineyard and the winery start with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a slow stroll around the magnificent grounds.
Let their experienced wine experts tell you the stories about the Hall, its vision, and the history of the property. They will guide you through the meticulously restored historic Bergfeld building and point out some of the special pieces in the extensive art collection.
The tour ends in one of their private salons where the guests can sit down and taste four of their award-winning artisan wines.
Hall Napa Valley , 401 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574, Phone: 707-967-2626
8. Dine Amidst Vineyards and Fresh Gardens at Brix Restaurant
Brix Restaurant and Gardens is one of Napa Valley's most picturesque restaurants and wedding venues.
The restaurant is usually open for Lunch and Dinner Service, as well as Carry Out.
It originally opened in 1996 as a farm-to-table restaurant set on 16 acres of beautiful Napa orchard and winery landscape.
It provides a perfect setting to end your day.
7377 St Helena Hwy, Napa, CA 94558, Phone: 707-944-2749
9. Pedal Through Vineyards and Scenic Roads with Napa Valley Bike Tours
Napa Valley Bike Tours offers a range of experiences to suit different preferences and budgets.
You may start your ride from Napa, St. Helena, or any of the other prescribed start points and then proceed to various destinations, all with varying distances and all along the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Route maps for self-guided riders are provided and expert advice and tour guides are also available to prevent any form of confusion.
There are more than thirty wineries along the trails, ensuring that even casual riders can enjoy the trip. There are custom programs for corporate groups, such as team building activities.
6500 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94559
10. Discover Bold Artworks at the Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art offers a unique setting where visitors can view the art of Northern California.
Sitting on 217 scenic acres in a former vineyard in Napa Valley’s famed Carneros region, the center features a number of galleries, a sculpture park, and a 35-acre lake. My favorite was their sculpture park (and definitely the lake)!
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art started as a vision of the vineyard owner and art collector Rene di Rosa who donated the proceeds from the sale of his vineyard for the development of this world-class art center.
Today di Rosa Center organizes exhibitions of contemporary art by regional artists and offers a range of educational programs for children and adults.
The center also maintains a permanent collection of works by notable artists who lived or worked in the San Francisco Bay Area since the mid-twentieth century. The collection includes a wide range of media, styles, and subject matter.
5200 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559, Phone: 707-226-5991
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