Napa Valley without wine??!! While the Napa Valley is one of the great wine destinations of the world, there are plenty of things you can do in Napa Valley besides drink wine. Perhaps you are not drinking in Napa due to health, pregnancy, or spiritual reasons, or perhaps you are traveling with people under the age of 21.
Whatever the reason, there are a number of people who visit the Napa Valley without hitting up all the tasting rooms and wineries that fill up most people’s Napa Valley itineraries. I often visited the Napa Valley with someone who did not drink due to both health and personal reasons. So although we have visited a number of wineries and tasting rooms, we always sought out a lot of other wine-free activities as well.
Here is our guide to things to do in Napa Valley besides drink wine. We’ll share loads of things you can do in Napa without wine that include hiking, going hot air ballooning, exploring local art, doing fun factory tours, eating at world-class restaurants, and even relaxing in hot springs.
Table of Contents:
10 Things to Do in Napa Valley Besides Drink Wine
Here is our list of the top 10 things to do in Napa Valley without wine (listed in no particular order):
1. Attend A Performance
One of the best venues to check out a performance is the historic Napa Valley Opera House, which hosts plays, dance, and musical performances throughout the year. Another historic venue for a variety of live performances is the Uptown Theatre which is also located in Napa.
There are also a number of concerts, festivals, outdoor movies, and other events held at wineries and parks throughout the Napa Valley that are generally open to the public. There are also several cinemas in the Napa Valley if you have a hankering for a new release movie.
To figure out what is going on during your visit, check out weekly event schedules online (such as at the Visit Napa Valley or Napa Tourist Info websites) or in the printed weekly guides available at hotels, tourist information, and tourist sites throughout Napa.
2. Visit Wineries that Offer More Than Wine.
Let’s face it, most wine tasting rooms are generally cramped and not very interesting if you are not tasting or purchasing wine. So instead, especially if you have a mixed group with some wanting to drink and other not, visit wineries that have a little something extra to entertain those who are not drinking.
For instance, tour an Italian-style castle at Castello di Amorosa, take in panoramic views from an aerial tram at Sterling Vineyards, or enjoy a taste of Persia at Darioush.
Love art? Artesa, Clos Pegase, HALL, Hess Collection, Ma(i)sonry, and Mumm Napa Valley are among the wineries that include public art. Go to Coppola for film memorabilia, Chateau Montelena to see the featured winery of the film Bottle Shock, Sattui for an Italian deli lunch on their shaded picnic grounds, or Spring Mountain Vineyards or Beringer for a look at Victorian mansions.
Other wineries have restaurants, food and wine pairings, or intensive educational tours about aspects of winemaking that might appeal to non-drinkers.
3. View Napa Valley from the Air
You can view the subtly dramatic views of the valley from the thrilling heights of a helicopter, hot air balloon, or even a glider. Just recently I took my first hot air balloon in Napa Valley as part of a bridal shower celebration and while pricey, it was a really fun morning and afforded some great photography opportunities. You can book a balloon ride online here.
Just note that weather can really affect whether balloons can go up so it is best to have a back-up day so you can reschedule if there are weather cancellations (this happened to us and we had to reschedule for another date).
There are a number of companies that operate helicopters (Viator, Golden Gate Helicopters, Wine and Dine, Wine County Helicopters), plane flights, hot air balloons (Napa Valley Drifters, Viator), and paragliding (Crazy Creek Air Adventures & Gliding) in the area so compare prices and value. You can also sometimes get good online deals, especially outside of peak season.
4. Take a Train Ride.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a popular way to eat while seeing the area from restored antique train cars. While rides on the train can be combined with winery visits, they don’t need to be. But the wine train isn’t the only train in the area.
The Western Railway Museum, located off Highway 20 between Fairfield and Rio Vista, is home to a collection of authentic historic streetcars and interurban electric trains from all over the Western United States. In addition to the collection, visitors can take an electric train trip through the Montezuma Hills over the original main line of the Sacramento Northern Railway.
5. Eat your Way Through the Napa Valley
Second only to being a wine destination, the Napa Valley is a world-class foodie destination. As of 2018, there were 6 Michelin-starred restaurants in Napa Valley. There are also dozens of wonderful restaurants and eateries not mentioned in the guide.
If you are on a tight budget and still want to eat well in Napa, try stocking up on some gourmet goodies at the Oxbow Market or Dean & DeLuca and have yourself an upscale picnic at one of the public parks.
In addition to vineyards, the Napa Valley is also home to several olive oil producers, and some are open to the public for tastings, such as Round Pond, St. Helena Olive Oil Co., and Long Meadow Ranch.
6. Learn About the History & Cultural Heritage of the Napa Valley
The Napa Valley Museum provides a perfect place to learn about the geological, historical, and cultural history of the Napa Valley.
A visit to the Hatt and Historic Napa Mill buildings allows you to walk around and get a real feel for the town’s agriculture and mining history. The Historic Napa Mill, located next to the river, is now home to a historic hotel and several retail shops and restaurants.
There is a colorful mosaic fountain by Alan Shepp behind the Napa General Store that depicts the history of Napa, including the bad and controversial history of the Napa Valley (e.g., Ku Klux Klan participation in the area).
A visit to the Bale Grist Mill—built in 1846—offers another peek into the rural heritage of the area and allows one to see a fully restored water-powered grist mill that can still grind grain today. Visitors can hike from the mill on the historic trail to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which features extensive picnic facilities and a number of trails. Other historic sites in the park include the site of the first church in the Napa Valley and the Pioneer Cemetery.
Interested in contemporary art in a historical and bucolic setting? Consider stopping by or booking a tour at di Rosa which includes contemporary art exhibits located both outdoors on their 200-acre property and inside a collection of historic and modern buildings.
7. Go Shopping
The Napa Valley is a great place for those who love specialty shops, as the valley is abound with little treasures. Great areas to check out are Main Street in St. Helena, downtown Napa, the Hatt Market in Napa, the Vintage 1870 shops in Yountville (also known as V Marketplace), and Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga.
For gourmet food items, head to Oxbow Public Market in Napa where a collection of vendors offer a bit of everything (e.g., olive oils, French crepes, cupcakes and ice cream, fresh local produce and cheese).
Napa Valley shopping generally comes along with a pretty price tag; however, Napa also happens to be home to the more wallet-friendly Napa Valley Premium Outlets which include a number of outlet stores, including Adidas, Barneys, Coach, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Gymboree, Kenneth Cole, and Gap.
8. Take a Fun and Educational Factory Tour
Free tours and tastings are available at Jelly Belly (candy), Anheuser-Busch (beer), and SePay Groves Olive Oil in the city of Fairfield. All three factories are conveniently located really close together.
The Jelly Belly factory tour is an especially great activity for children, but be warned that lines can be long. We waited for almost an hour to take the 45-minute tour.
9. Soak in the Hot Springs or See the Famous Geyser
The town of Calistoga sits near natural mineral hot springs and is well-known for its spas and the local specialty of being immersed in hot volcanic ash known as a mud bath. There are a number of spas and resorts that offer massages, mud baths, pools, and relaxing soaks in hot mineral water, making the area a great place for a couples retreat or place to relax with a group of girlfriends.
In addition to the pampering, you can also visit California’s Old Faithful Geyser—the other two geysers with the “old faithful” title are in Wyoming and New Zealand—for a view of the eruption of steam and scalding water that sprays about 60 to 90 feet in the air about every 30 minutes. When we visited the water was erupting about every 15 minutes and the frequency and height of the eruption changes due to climate and precipitation conditions. There is also a small petting zoo area included in entry that includes goats, sheep, and a llama.
However, while interesting to see, we felt it was overpriced per person (we did find $2 off coupons in one of the printed weekly Napa guides). They appear to be doing some construction at the site as there was dirt being moved around while we were there, so hopefully they will improve the experience or reduce the entry price.
10. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Hiking, biking, and scenic driving are all popular activities in the Napa Valley. The Vine Trail is a hiking and bike trail that will eventually . For a list of local hiking and biking trails, biking rental and tour companies, and trail maps, stop by the Napa Tourist Information Center and look up information at the Napa Hiking, Visit Napa Valley, and Napa Life websites, including this guide to 10 bike routes in Napa Valley.
You can also kayak or take a river cruise down the Napa River, such as those provided by Napa Valley Adventure Tours. To see a different part of the Valley, consider fly fishing in nearby Putah Creek to get off the tourist path – Napa Valley Fly Guides provides half day and full day trips that include fishing gear, lessons, and directions to the best fishing spots by a local expert.
For something a bit less active, try taking a scenic drive along the Silverado Trail, picnicking in one of the numerous parks, or taking a walk through the Petrified Forest in Calistoga. Just exercise caution when biking and even driving on the back roads as there have been a number of accidents on the Silverado Trail for example and it’s always good to be cautious.
There are a lot of activities that can be enjoyed in Napa Valley besides wineries and wine related activities if you seek them out. Even if you are going primarily to visit the many tasting rooms and wineries, I encourage you to spend a little time enjoying the great food, nature, shopping, and history of this region.
Planning a visit to Napa Valley, pin this article to Pinterest for later:
Have you done something you enjoyed in Napa besides drink wine and go wine tasting? Any recommendations other than the ones we shared? Have question or additional tips about enjoying Napa Valley without wine? As always, just leave us your question or comment in the Comments section below!
Sinegal Post author
This is a super rad article. I loveeee Napa for wine, but it is great to see other aspects of this Beautiful region highlighted.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Sinegal,
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, there is a lot more to do in the Napa Valley area other than wine – hope you get a chance to do some of the other things as well 😉
Best,
Jessica
Herman Stevens Post author
I have visited Napa valley for wine tasting several time now after reading your article I think need to visit Napa Valley for non-alcoholic tour. It was an amazing article to read great work.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Herman, Glad you enjoyed it and yes there is a lot to do in Napa Vally other than wine tasting. Best, Jessica
John Post author
Hi there! Napa Valley is one of the best places in producing wine, but it is good to know there is so much else to do for those not interested in wine. We also took a hot air ballon ride here and had a great time! We personally used the company Balloons Above the Valley. Thanks, John
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi John, Thanks so much for your comment and so glad you had a great visit to Napa Valley and a nice hot air balloon ride!! Jessica
nari Post author
No way! First of all, yay for Napa Valley living. So much wine and so much else to do as well!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Nari, Yes, Napa Valley is mainly known for its wine but it offers a lot more as well! If you are planning a trip, feel free to follow-up with any questions! Best, Jessica
ryan J Post author
Oh my, the Jelly Belly factory tour would be awesome!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Ryan, Yes, the Jelly Belly factory tour is really fun! Great for families or just anyone who enjoys candy 😉 A good addition to the many wine-related activities of Napa Valley and perfect for those who don’t or can’t drink alcohol. The other factory tours nearby are worth considering as well. Best, Jessica
Napa Kayak Post author
There is also many great places to Kayak in the Napa Valley! It is so beautiful!
travelcats Post author
Yes, especially when the weather is sunny but not scorching hot! Love Spring in the Napa area:) ~ Jessica
Andy Post author
Thanks for the blog. I was worried and almost decided not to go to Napa. But now it seems we can have fun there as well.
travelcats Post author
Hi Andy, glad this article was helpful. Yes, you can definitely visit Napa even if you don’t want to drink alcohol. There are so many other things to do here and you can even visit some of the wineries without drinking. Have a great trip to Napa Valley! Jessica
Karen Lynn Post author
You can take art workshops at the Calistoga Art Center, too!
travelcats Post author
Thanks for sharing that tip Karen!
Jrod Post author
Hot air balloon ride should be at the top of this list. You can sse Napa Valley Aloft http://www.nvaloft.com
travelcats Post author
Hi Jrod, we actually just went hot air ballooning last weekend in Napa and it was fun. We personally used the company Balloons Above the Valley.
Sandy G. Post author
Great ideas and nicely organized. I live near Fairfield and am always looking for easy things to do with company. I would like to mention the diRosa preserve in the Carneros region, which could also include a drive by of the Domaine Carneros French faux chateau opposite and the fountains at Artesa, which also has art exhibits. The diRosa collection is quite personal and unique.
travelcats Post author
Hi Sandy, diRosa is a great idea which is why we already have it mentioned in #6:)
Fidelma Post author
Thank you f or this list, I’m visiting napa next weekend and had no idea what to do while there as I do not drink, now I have too many ideas!!
travelcats Post author
Glad this was helpful and hope you had a fabulous weekend in Napa!
C3 Post author
Don’t forget the natural hot springs and spas of Calistoga,
travelcats Post author
Yes, we mention those but have not had the chance to visit any yet. We’ve heard positive things though!
Jim Sullivan Post author
What a great article! Thank you so much for including Castello di Amorosa as part of your blog. We are humbled!!
Warm regards,
Jim
Jim Sullivan
Vice President, Public Relations and Marketing
707-967-6278
Jared Post author
Don’t forgot about Yountville! The cutest town in NV. located in Yountville, the best and oldest hot air balloon company in Napa Valley. Napa Valley Aloft. Garden tour of French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery.
travelcats Post author
Hi Jared, Yountville is part of the Napa Valley. Some of the pictures and places mentioned in the post are in and around Yountville. But there are a lot of things to do outside Napa and Yountville too!
Amy Post author
Thank you! My friend and I decided to make a random weekend trip and our finger fell on Napa valley. Neither of us are huge drinkers so it is nice to know we will have plenty to see on a day trip!
travelcats Post author
Glad this helped plan your trip! Have a great time in Napa!
Kate Post author
Haven’t been to Napa Valley for 4 years. Going back in 2 weeks, so this post is very helpful. Thank you!
travelcats Post author
Glad these travel tips were helpful! Have a great time in Napa!!
Bonnie Rose Post author
Great list of things to do that do not involve drinking Wine. I really loved the train idea! That would be a great way to see the sights! T
travelcats Post author
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, the trains can be fun. We definitely plan to continue to keep joining Travel Tuesday.
Marilyn S. Post author
Very helpful article, thank you. We are coming from Texas during the America’s Cup finals. We only have 48 hours in Napa Valley. Is there a must see list somewhere? Planning on seeing Castello de Amorosa and Oxbow market. Then we have 60 hours in San Francisco. Both places have so many restaurants and activities to choose from in such a short period of time.
travelcats Post author
Welcome Marilyn, I am glad that this article was helpful planning your quick Napa Valley itinerary. Unfortunately, I don’t have much information up on the blog yet on San Francisco, but I am happy to suggest some places for you to visit, just send me an e-mail (see our Contact Us page) and I can try to suggest some places that might be of interest.
Rachel Brandt Fisher Post author
I have lived in California for the past 19 years and have yet to make it up to Napa. My best friend is my usual travel partner but she doesn’t drink and that makes a wine tour of Napa a little pointless for her. Maybe I’ll show her this and convince her there is plenty to do in Napa that doesn’t involving drinking wine. For her at least, I will be partaking in the wine.
travelcats Post author
Welcome Rachel, thanks for stopping by. Yes, hopefully this article will convince your friend that there are plenty of other things to do in the Napa Valley besides just wine tasting. Some of the winery tours are interesting even for non-drinkers, and there are plenty of other things to do as well.
Christy Post author
I don’t really like wine, so this is helpful. The factory tours, in particular, sound fun. I’d love to visit Napa Valley one day.
travelcats Post author
Thank you for the comment, I am glad you found the article helpful. Yes, while Napa Valley is primarily known as a wine and foodie destination (and rightfully so), there are lots of other things you can do here as well.
Mary G. Post author
My husband and I have never been to Napa Valley, but we are looking forward to our upcoming trip next month. I was a little nervous at the fact that Napa is known as wine country and as much as I love wine I wont be drinking any due to the fact that I am pregnant. I origanally planned and booked this trip about 8 months ago before I was pregnant and found out 2 months ago that i will be expecting. My first thought was just to cancel the trip but after talking to my husband and reasearching all the other things in Napa that you can do without alcohol we decided to go on the trip anyway. I think I am most excited to take a train ride with Dinner. I guess I will be doing a lot of eating and shopping in Napa Valley. Works for me.
travelcats Post author
Hi Mary, welcome to our blog! I am glad you found this article helpful. Yes, there are a lot of things you can do in Napa even when you can’t drink. You can also look into the nearby Sonoma area which offers even more outdoors activities and things to do. I am sure you and your husband will have a great time in Napa. Feel free to report back on your trip as I am sure you’ll discover even more fun activities during your trip.
Jackie H Post author
I have been to Napa several times and have done only a few of these things! That mural looks really interesting. Is the crepe place actually in the Main Oxbow Market building? How would you rate the Fairfield factory tours?
travelcats Post author
Hi Jackie,
Yes, the crepe place is called La Crepe and is located in the main Oxbow Market building. We have tried the citron crepe and it was good.
La Crepe website
Out of the three Fairfield factory tours mentioned, we have only done the Jelly Belly factory tour. But you drive right by the beer and olive oil factory tours so it would be easy to combine them. We had a long wait for the Jelly Belly tour as its quite popular, especially for families. It’s definitely not for everyone, it is probably best for families traveling with kids and those who really like jelly beans. We liked it, but the long wait in line and the large number of people on the tour were definitely cons. During the tour, we didn’t have opportunities to really ask questions and you mainly watch a series of TV monitors. However, we had fun doing it nonetheless and you get a free bag of jelly beans at the end. You can also book small, private more in-depth tours that really allow you to be on the factory floors and learn more the production of jelly beans. These are $47/person but can be scheduled in advance so you can avoid the lines for the free tours.
Jelly Belly Factory website