When you’re visiting Napa Valley, you could spend the entire vacation sipping on wine and champagne. But even that might get a little old if you don’t have other activities sprinkled into the mix.
Fortunately, there’s a lot more to do in Napa Valley than drinking wine (not that anyone is discouraging it).
Here are 8 of the best ideas for uncommon things to do in Napa Valley.
- Enjoy the architecture
You may want to combine your architecture viewing with winery tours – because there are some breathtaking wineries in Napa Valley. And you’ll get to enjoy the architecture, rolling hills and an epic glass of wine all at the same time.
Here are a few wineries to consider for architecture viewing:
- Odette Estate Winery
- Castello Di Amorosa
- Clos Pegase
- Lokoya
- Bike the Silverado Trail
Work off those extra calories you’ll consume in the tasting rooms by biking the Silverado Trail. This trail connects many wineries in Napa Valley, making this trail the most economical and convenient way to get from one winery to another. The best part? You’ll never have to worry about a designated driver. Just watch out for pedestrians on the trail. Even on a bike, it’s important to drive responsibly!
- Go hot air ballooning
You may not have planned your trip for the scenery, but it’s one of the first things you’ll notice about Napa Valley. Rolling hills spotted with vineyards and chateaus will take your breath away. And there’s no better way to see it all than in a hot air balloon. What a romantic way to spend a day in Napa.
- Visit Anette’s Chocolates
With all that wine, you’re going to want something to satisfy your sweet tooth. And boy can Anette’s Chocolates deliver. Here, you’ll find an assortment of artisan truffles, brittles, caramel sauces… and virtually anything made of chocolate that you could imagine. They even combine wines and chocolates for the best of both worlds.
You’ll find Anette’s Chocolates in the heart of downtown Napa.
- Have breakfast at Alexis Baking Company
This downtown Napa bakery is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. This is the type of experience where you just sit back and enjoy quality food in a charming setting. It’s not over-the-top or gimmicky. It’s just plain good.
- Take a glider plane ride
A glider plane is also sometimes called a sailplane because it sails or glides in the air. As long as you’re not afraid of heights, this is an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s about as close as you’ll get to flying like a bird. That’s right – glider planes don’t have engines. But they are surprisingly easy to maneuver. It uses the naturally-occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain in the air. These planes are sleek and cool looking, and a glider plane ride also comes with the bragging rights of doing something most people are too scared to do.
- Take the Napa Art Walk
The Art Walk is sponsored by the city of Napa Valley to upgrade the area’s quality of life and support tourism. Here, you’ll find original sculptures and other works of art from local artists. And the artwork rotates, so you can visit every two years to see something new.
Here’s how it works…
Artists loan their works to the city for two years. During this time, the art is available for purchase by the public. Artists price their own works, and if they’re sold, 10 percent of the proceeds go back into the program.
So not only can you enjoy the art, but you can also contribute to keeping the program going.
- See a show at the Napa Valley Opera House
The Napa Valley Opera House first opened its doors on February 13, 1880. At the time, Napa’s population was only about 5,000 people. Today, this historic location is an important part of the Napa experience – and it has nothing to do with wine. You can visit the main floor for live jazz and gourmet food, or you can see a show in the Jam Cellars Ballroom.
There’s so much to see and do in Napa Valley that you aren’t likely to get bored during your stay. Even if you don’t enjoy wine, you can plan a fun-filled vacation with enough memories to last a lifetime.
To read more on topics like this, check out the travel tips category.
