• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
the tour guy travel blog
  • Destinations
    • Amalfi Coast
    • Amsterdam
    • Athens
    • Barcelona
    • Capri
    • Florence
    • Granada
    • Iceland
    • Las Vegas
    • London
    • Madrid
    • Milan
    • New York City
    • Paris
    • Rome
    • San Francisco
    • Segovia
    • Sicily
    • Tuscany
    • Vatican City
    • Venice
  • Attractions
    • 9/11 Memorial
    • Accademia Gallery
    • Acropolis
    • Alcázar of Segovia
    • Alhambra
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Buckingham Palace
    • Colosseum
    • Doge’s Palace
    • Eiffel Tower
    • Louvre Museum
    • The Met
    • Montserrat Monastery
    • Pantheon
    • Paris Catacombs
    • Sagrada Familia
    • Sistine Chapel
    • St. Mark’s Basilica
    • St. Peter’s Basilica
    • Statue of Liberty
    • Stonehenge
    • The Last Supper
    • Tower of London
    • Uffizi Gallery
    • Vatican Museum
    • Versailles
    • Westminster Abbey
    • Windsor Castle
  • Shop Tours
  • Sign In
Home > travel-blog > USA > Napa > The Top 13 Things To Do in Napa Valley in 2025
top things to do in napa valley

The Top 13 Things To Do in Napa Valley in 2025

Malia Artsitas Last Updated: December 19, 2024

Many refer to the Napa Valley as “Disneyland for adults.” Between countless wineries and world-class restaurants, there is no shortage of things to do. Along with food and wine, Napa Valley has an abundance of unique activities and adventures that are sure to create lifelong memories for all who visit. Here are our favorite things to do in Napa Valley to enjoy all that this incredible valley has to offer.


The Best 13 Things To See And Do in Napa Valley

Whether you’re a totally experienced wine nerd or a first time visitor to the Valley, Napa has no shortage of new, memorable adventures for all visitors who are looking to escape the bustling city life or just enjoy a weekend of wining and dining. Keep reading for inspiration and ideas on how to best bask in the magic of wine country with the top things to do in Napa Valley.

13. Hop Aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train 

Photo courtesy of the Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train, established in 1864, is made up of vintage 20th-century Pullman train cars. It’s a romantic and relaxing way to see the valley, plus it features a handful of different journeys that visitors can embark on. You can book an all day winery tour or just enjoy a mid-day cup of tea on the train while rolling through the vineyards.

If you have a few days in Napa, the Wine Train is definitely a fun and unique way to experience the valley. They also often have fun specials, such as a murder mystery dinner. Check their website for availability and more details.

Address: 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA
Cost: $150-550 (depending on the tour)

12. Enjoy Lunch With a View at The Restaurant

top things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of The Restaurant at Auberge di Soleil

Auberge di Soleil might just have the best view in all of Napa Valley, which means it’s an excellent setting for some of the best food in Napa Valley. But that’s not the only claim to fame. The Restaurant (yes, that’s its official name) at Auberge di Soleil has been awarded Michelin star awards for 14 consecutive years.

You can dine here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or tasting menus. You’ll find duck, lamb, lobster, octopus, and many more delicious dishes here. For a more affordable experience, the Bistro is also available for lunch. Call in advance as you will most likely need reservations.

Address: 180 Rutherford Hill, Rutherford, CA
Cost: $30-500

11. Taste Local Wine & Olive Oil at Round Pond Estate

Photo courtesy of Round Pond Estate

Round Pond Estate is known for its world-class wines and olive oils. With a driveway lined by palm trees and acres of gorgeous vineyards, each visitor truly gets a beautiful California wine country experience as they make there way to the estate. They also make their own local olive oil, cheese plates, and offer incredible farm-to-table dining experiences.

It is located smack dab in the middle of Napa Valley, which makes it an easy stop on your day of wine tasting around other vineyards. Call ahead for reservations.

Address: 875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA
Cost: From $40

10. Sleep in a Luxurious Victorian Mansion

Photo courtesy of The George

Originally built in 1891, The George E. Goodman Mansion is a classic Queen Anne Victorian estate that’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After 5 years of renovations, The George has been reborn into the premier luxury boutique hotel in downtown Napa.

Guests are welcomed into this nine-room inn with a complimentary welcome glass of champagne and friendly smiles from staff. The charming hotel features top-tier amenities and indisputably some of the most beautiful interior design in Napa Valley. We also love the unique blend of original architectural detailing mixed with California luxury modern design.

The George is within walking distance to downtown Napa and all the wine tasting rooms and restaurants it has to offer. It’s the perfect place to stay on your trip to Napa.

Location, photos, and booking

9. Snap an Obligatory Pic in Front of the Famed Napa Valley Sign

The Napa Valley sign is located in the heart of the valley. It is impossible to miss during your drive into wine country on SR 29 just north of Yountville. Stop by and snap a picture in front of it to round out your collection of memories.

No trip to Napa is complete without it, which is why we put it on this list of top things to do in Napa Valley. What more can we say?

Address: 7602 St. Helena Highway, Napa, CA

Planning your trip to Napa Valley? Here’s where to stay in Napa Valley, plus the top foods to try in Napa!

8. Work Off Those Calories By Biking Through Wine Country

top things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of Napa Valley Bike Tours & Rentals

Feeling guilty about all the wine and cheese you’ve surely scarfed down during your vacation in Napa? Fear not! Do the popular healthy exercise and rent some bikes to get around the valley. You can go on guided or self-guided tours to burn a few calories between wine tastings.

And you don’t have to wander along random streets. The Napa Valley Wine Trail is a 47-mile paved scenic bike route around Napa Valley, with an abundance of wineries along the way for as many pit stops as you want. Biking the wine trail is a one-of-a-kind experience and definitely worth exploring.

Address: 6500 Washington St, Yountville, CA
Cost: From $40


7. Stop for a Burger at Gott’s Roadside in St. Helena

top things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of Gott’s Roadside

No trip to Napa Valley is complete without a stop at Gott’s Roadside—Napa’s most beloved roadside burger stand. Located in St. Helena among countless wineries along the main strip, it is a popular destination for all tourists and locals alike.

Along with their famed, locally-sourced burgers, Gott’s also features specialty items such as ahi poke tacos and impossible burgers, so there is something for everyone on the menu. To top it all off, they offer local wine to wash it all down with. Now that’s a burger joint you know is located in the heart of wine country!

Pro tip: Order ahead online to avoid the line!

Address: 933 Main St, CA-29, St Helena, CA

6. Soak Your Way to Health and Relaxation at Indian Springs Resort

top things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of Indian Springs Resort

After exhausting yourself with all of that incredible stress of wine tasting and fine dining, you can rejuvenate in a mineral bath at Indian Springs resort in Calistoga—about 40 minutes north of downtown Napa.

Along with the natural mineral baths, Indian Springs is a full-service spa complete with mud baths, massages, facials, and more, all housed in a stunning 17-acre, Spanish-Bohemian complex.

The original spa and mud baths were built in 1861, an Olympic mineral water pool was built in 1910, and it has maintained it’s prominent place as a premier wellness destination for Bay Area residents since the 1920s. Best of all, it’s also a hotel, so if you love the idea of staying at a hotel with natural mineral springs on-site, then make sure you book your stay here.

Location, photos, and booking

5. Taste Wine in A Recreated 13th-Century Castle

Photo by Malia Artsitas

The Castelo di Amarosa Winery took over 15 years and $40 million to build, which won’t surprise you once you see this vast, carefully constructed gorgeous castle located at the top of a hill in Calistoga.

This castle is the largest stone building in California, and the architectural masterpiece is complete with all of the intricate details of an authentic 13th-century castle. The Castelo di Amorosa is complete with a drawbridge, moat, five towers, courtyards, and even a torture chamber. There are 107 rooms in the castle (we wish we could stay here!) and no two are alike.

After taking a tour of the castle, you will be able to taste incredible Italian-inspired wines that are only available for purchase at the castle. To book a tasting tour, make a reservation on their website in advance.

Pro tip: Visit the castle during a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA
Cost: $45-95

4. Saber Wine at Domaine Carneros

Photo courtesy of Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is a popular stop on many visitors’ Napa Valley bucket list. This iconic location boasts beautiful gardens, gorgeous views and is known for having some of the best sparkling wine in Napa Valley. You’ll love the French-inspire chateau here and impeccable gardens to explore when you’re not sampling their wine.

The winery offers special sabrage demonstrations, caviar pairings, and sparkling wine flights. Tastings start at $60. As with almost everything in Napa Valley, reserve your spot online before you arrive to guarantee a spot.

Address: 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA
Cost: from $60

Don’t miss this! Here’s where to stay in Napa Valley, plus the best luxury hotels around the valley!

3. Ride Horses at Shadybrook Estate Winery

best things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of Shadybrook Estate Winery

Along with having world-class wines and breathtaking views of the surrounding rolling hills, Shadybrook Estate Winery is known for allowing their visitors to take a tour of the Rapp Ranch on horseback. This tour features either a 30- or 50-minute horseback tour of their ranch, then includes a tasting of their delicious estate wines paired with cheese, charcuterie, fruit, and nuts.

This experience is a little off the beaten path (pun intended), but it’s worth booking if you have even a hint of an adventurous bone in your body. It’s designed for any skill level since it’s just a leisurely ride through the vineyard, but the memories will last forever.

Address: 100 Rapp Ln, Napa, CA
Cost: $165-195

2. Stomp Grapes During Harvest Season

Photo courtesy of Grgich Hills Estate

Mike Grgich, who is the oldest winemaker in the valley, is famous for being one of the original Napa winemakers that put Napa wines on the map during the Judgement of Paris in 1976. The Judgement of Paris was a wine competition in which California wines were rated better than French wines in a blind taste test. A proud moment in California history, to be sure!

Thanks to our victory during the Judgement of Paris competition, Napa became widely respected as a world-class wine producing region from that day on. If you happen to be visiting Napa during the fall, check out Grgich Hills Estate for one of their grape stomping experiences.

It’s a fun way to dip your toes (see what we did there?) into a traditional method of preparing wine, that’s still used in many areas today.

Address: 1829 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford, CA
Cost: From $30

1. See Napa Valley from a Unique Perspective

best things to do in napa valley
Photo courtesy of Napa Valley Aloft

With incredible views of rolling vineyards, there is no better place to ride a hot air balloon than in the Napa Valley. Napa Valley Aloft was voted USA Today’s #1 hot air balloon company, and for good reason.

They offer options for semi-private flights as well as private flights with some of the most experienced hot air balloon pilots on the globe. We’re serious that this is one of the absolute best things to do in Napa Valley. There’s nothing more serene than enjoying the birds-eye view of this majestic countryside while perched in your own hot air balloon basket.

You can book a single ride or use the balloon for your exclusive enjoyment for a few hours, along with a post-flight bottle of champagne and breakfast.

Pro tip: Book well in advance on their website, especially if you’re hoping to visit on a weekend.

Address: 6525 Washington St., Yountville, CA
Cost: From $270

where to stay in napa valley
Find the best places to stay

Where to Stay in Napa Valley

There’s more than just downtown Napa to explore here. Choose from among the best places to stay when you come to wine and dine in the Napa Valley.

Best hotels in Napa Valley
  • Exterior of a Winery in Napa.
    The Top 11 Wineries in Napa Valley in 2025
  • Exterior of a hotel in Napa Valley with Winery.
    The 12 Best Luxury Hotels in Napa Valley in 2025
  • where to stay in napa valley
    Where To Stay in Napa Valley in 2025
  • top foods to try in napa valley, food, wine, people
    The Top 11 Foods To Try in Napa in 2025
  • best hotels and places to stay in dowtown napa
    The 10 BEST HOTELS in DOWNTOWN NAPA in 2025
  • best restaurants in napa
    The 11 Best Restaurants in Downtown Napa in 2025

About Malia Artsitas

San Francisco-born Malia Artsitas began her career managing the events, PR, and social media for local Bay Area restaurants. In 2020, she assisted in the launch of a luxury Downtown Napa hotel, and is a purveyor of all things Napa. In her free time, she enjoys rollerskating, playing guitar, and exploring new restaurants.

Reader Interactions

Comment (1)

  1. Merriann

    January 25, 2022

    Great arrival! Makes me want to do all of that!

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Footer

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Travel Blog
  • In The Press
  • Guidebook Sitemap

POLICY & TERMS

  • Cancellation Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

FIND US ON

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

WE ACCEPT

we accept payments

Copyright © 2025 The Tour Guy. All rights reserved.