You are not a wine lover (or are forbidden to drink wine), but would still love to visit a winery or two along with other fun things to do in Napa. If you’ve tagged along with your wine-drinking friends on a trip to Napa Valley, there is still plenty for you to enjoy on the trip.
While Napa is known as California’s wine country, you will be surprised to discover that it is so much more than the wines! Find out some of the many ways you will be able to enjoy your Napa holiday without involving wine, or any alcoholic drink for that matter:
1. Eat, eat, and eat some more!
From luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants to more affordable street side cafes to the gourmet markets and delis, Napa Valley is a foodie’s paradise! While everyone else is enjoying their wine, enjoy the food that is available to you. If you are serious about taking being a foodie to the next level, you might consider taking classes at the Culinary Institute of America or signing up for a Cooking with Julie class and eat whatever you’ve cooked and prepared.
2. Relax, refresh, and re-energize!
After all the activities you may want to lie down, relax, have a soothing massage, or look for something that detoxifies and cleanses your body. Or you want to have a moment of meditation. Spas and wellness centers are a perfect way to relax and unwind. The Spa at the Silverado Trail boasts a full service spa (from massages to mud treatments) inspired by the ancient Roman spa, and features beautiful gardens that will set the tone for tranquility. You can also sign up for yoga classes in the area — the best among them are Yoga Passion and Rev Yoga. Some facilities offer a combination of yoga, massage, and physical therapy like Ekam Yoga and Wellness.
3. Get cultured!
Napa Valley is not only rich in wines and lush vineyards, but it is also rich in arts and culture. Some wineries, like the Hess Collection and Cliff Lede Vineyards, do a fantastic job of doubling up as an art gallery. This means that even if your friends are off in the wine cellar or a tasting room, you’ll be okay with being left alone for a while so you can admire the amazing collection of art by local artists.
There are also other art galleries, exhibits, plays, and performance art in the wine region. You can even see street art displayed in downtown Napa by way of the Napa ARTwalk program.
5. Explore!
One practical but enjoyable way to explore Napa Valley is to take a train. Take one of the fabulously restored vintage rail cars of the Napa Valley Wine Train, and explore the beautiful sights of the fields through the window while the train is running on its tracks. There’s a “wine” word in the “wine train” but it’s only because it’s located in the Wine Country.
The train also serves as a fine-dining moving restaurant where you can enjoy gourmet meals prepared from scratch. And the good news is that it also serves non-alcoholic drinks along with wines.
You could also try a bike tour. You can bike on your own and explore off-the-beaten-path attractions, shaded trails, and vistas of the amazing fields of vineyards. Alternately, you can sign up for a guided bike tour in the area. Some hotels, inns, and other lodgings even offer bike rentals.
How about going up in the sky by riding a hot air balloon? Others who have tried it swear that there is no better way to see the region than from the sky. If you want to do it, pick the hot air ballooning company that will make your whole experience safe as well as enjoyable.
Balloons Above the Valley (BATV) will literally take your Napa Valley experience to a higher level! Be amazed by the incredible, 360-degree views of breathtaking, perfectly neat vineyards, the deep valleys, the angular roofs of the estates in the midst of the fields, and the rolling hills while you’re flying thousands of feet over the ground. Our highly experienced and seasoned flight crew knows that your life is literally in their hands, so you don’t have to worry. They’ll keep you safe. All you have to do is just to enjoy the incredible views of the fields and the valley.
Before the early morning flight, wake up to the smell of our hot and freshly made breakfast meal of baked goodies and brewed coffee.
After a successful hour long flight, you’ll be treated to a champagne brunch celebration. Champagne? Don’t worry! There are non-alcoholic beverages available at the buffet-style brunch and you’ll still be able to raise a toast along with your wine-drinking buddies!
If you’re not a wine drinker it doesn’t mean you’ll only be able to sulk inside your suite all day while your friends are having a wine-tasting party at the wineries in Napa. You will still be able to have fun things to do in Napa without having to drink wine. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the wide range of fun activities that the region offers.