The Best Napa Wine Tours | Silly or Sober

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HopRocket Travel

6 min readOct 6, 2016

Napa Valley is known for its wine and all the many ways you can enjoy it. At some point you might need a break from all the wine tasting (keyword is ‘might’).

It may shock you, but Napa Valley does have other things to do besides quench your wine thirst.

While on a Napa Valley vacation you should explore the museums, theaters, live music, art, and all the other things that add to the culture. Plus, while experiencing all of these cultural experiences you will be nearby some of the best Napa wine tours.

So in order to fully take advantage of a Napa Valley vacation we compiled a list of the top five things to do in Napa… that also include wine. All you need to do is plan your Napa Valley vacation around this list to make sure you balance your wine tastings with some sobering activities.

1. Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train

With a name like the Napa Valley Wine Train, this activity should be self-explanatory. What sounds better than riding on a vintage train on a beautiful rail line while drinking some of the world’s finest wines?

I have the answer, nothing sounds better!

With over 100-year-old train cars, the nostalgia brings you back to the early nineteen hundreds. This 150-year-old rail corridor is viewed as one of the last American landscapes, which are slowly disappearing in our new modern age.

So if you are wanting to do a little time travel, while also drinking some of finest wine, the Napa Valley Wine Train is for you.

Take a ride in the chic Cabernet Sauvignon Lounge Car, which was originally built in 1915 and was used for the Northern Pacific Railway. This is one of the four original rail cars that ran on the Napa Valley Wine Tour in 1989, and it looks just as good as the first day it ran.

The view as you ride along the historical rail line will only be enhanced by the amazing wine tasting you will receive. You will be welcomed onto the train with a taste of the Private Label wine that is bottled by Raymond Vineyards from their Reserve Selection.

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As you sit down to dine in the Champagne Vista Dome Car, you will of course start your dinner with a toast of California sparkling wine. Think of it as the perfect way to start your relaxing trip through time on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

2. Compliment your wine at Spice Islands

Everyone knows that a glass of wine with dinner is good for you right?

I did read that on the internet so it has to be true.

Since that is the case, you need to make sure you stop by the Culinary Institute of America — Spice Islands Marketplace to pair your wine with some fine food.

The Spice Island Marketplace is an old historic stone winery that is located in St. Helena. This famous Culinary Institute of America provides visitors with a whole bunch of activities and delights.

You can take a cooking or wine class to get a feel for the daily life of the students. If you prefer to be catered to, then you can sample delicacies from the student-ran café and chocolate shop. Then, to finish the day off you must stop by the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant for a dinner to remember. Make sure to make a reservation as spots go fast.

Don’t worry, if you decide to have a three glasses of wine your secret is safe with me.

If you happen to be on a Napa Valley vacation in March, then consider yourself lucky. In March you can experience the ultimate foody festival called Flavor. While you are enjoying the best Napa Valley wine tours, you can enjoy this full week of food parties, classes, demonstrations and yes you guessed it… more wine.

3. Enjoy a show at the quant Uptown Theatre Napa

This historical theatre has been restored throughout the years, but it still has an old-school feel that hosts national and local acts.

Located in downtown Napa, the Uptown Theatre features comedians, singers, and bands to entertain you all night. The theatre is half of the show as it has a nostalgic feel from its last restoration in 1937.

There is not a bad seat in this art deco romantic space, as even the last row is only 100 feet from the stage. So make sure you get your fill of Napa Valley wine tours during the day and then come in for a great show.

If you are in need of a post-show snack, I recommend a delicious shake across the street at Nation’s Giant Hamburgers. There classic burgers also match the classic Uptown Theatre across the street.

4. Explore the 217 acres of di Rosa

If you are planning a Napa Valley vacation it is imperative that you make time for the di Rosa art museum and outdoor sculpture garden. It is arguably the biggest hidden gem in all of Napa Valley, and is the perfect combination of natural and man-made art.

The indoor museum is cool, featuring mainly local artists, but the outdoor gardens is where you are blown away by the beauty.

217 acres, featuring over 800 artists and even more artists; di Rosa is an absolute spectacle.

Explore the tranquil gardens by foot on a three-mile guided hike or hop on the tram for a guided tour through the rolling hills to discover the hidden works of art.

This place is so secret I can’t even tell you anymore! Make sure to go check it out for yourself.

5. Bottle Rock n roll all day

The last thing most people would associate Napa Valley with is a music festival, but this town is full of surprises. The Bottle Rock outdoor music festival is an annual festival put on every may and takes over downtown Napa.

With acts like Snoop Dogg, Imagine Dragons, and Gwen Stefani over the years, the festival is a guaranteed goodtime for those looking to jam out. Those planning a Napa Valley Vacation in May should expect a party that will start to take over town as this festival only grows.

Plus, since you are in Napa, local wineries set up tents and lounges throughout the festival so you don’t have to suffer a minute without wine in your glass. If music is your thing, and you’ve never been to Napa Valley, this needs to be on your list to get the music you love and also enjoy the local indulges.

A Napa Valley vacation should mean a lot more than just wine tours to you now. Museums, theaters, live music, art, and all the other things that add to the culture are a big reason why Napa is known as a great vacation spot. It doesn’t hurt that while experiencing all of these cultural experiences you will be near some of the best Napa wine tours too.