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Are you planning a visit to Napa Valley’s “wine country?” If so, there are plenty of attractions to entertain and keep you busy. Check out these spots that you need to be sure to visit.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Located in Calistoga, the Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is named after the famous American author. You can enjoy hiking and the lure of nature as you get glimpses of the Pacific in the distance and appreciate the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Napa Valley Wine Train
If you want an all inclusive tour of the Napa Valley, you might want to hop on the Wine Train. This train tour takes you on a round-trip journey over 36 miles. It takes about three hours to do the trip which starts in Napa and heads north to St. Helena then returns to Napa. During the trip, you can enjoy a meal aboard one of the restored train cars — either a 1915-17 era dining car or a 1952 Vista Dome Car. You have the option of purchasing winery tour tickets for stops along the way or simply stay on the train and enjoy the views.
Castello di Amorosa
A visit to the Napa Valley needs to include a trip to the 13th century Tuscan castle, Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. This unique winery offers wine tours, food, educational tours of the vineyards and of course atmosphere! The 21,000 square foot castle is an attraction all on its own — with or without the wine.
Bale Grist Mill — An Awesome State Park
You may be expecting to only find wine in wine country, but the Napa Valley has plenty of history to offer. Be sure to pay a visit to the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park in St. Helena. The Bale Grist Mill is a aqua powered mill that was built way back in the 1800s. Farmers were able to bring their grains (wheat and dried corn) to the mill to have it ground for use. The grist mill still works and actually features one of the most sizable waterwheels in the entire country. If you visit, you can take home your own bag of freshly ground wheat flour, or perhaps a bag of cornmeal.
Sharpsteen Museum
Another Calistoga attraction to visit is the Sharpsteen Museum. If you’re interested in the history of the Napa Valley, a trip to the Sharpsteen Museum is a must so you can see the numerous displays that reminisce about yesteryear and the settling of the area.
Petrified Forest
Napa Valley isn’t just about wine, it’s also about geology. Feed your interest in the unique formations on our planet with a visit to the Petrified Forest in Calistoga. Located near Mt. St. Helena, the Petrified Forest features giant redwoods and can be enjoyed with a self-guided tour through this gorgeous scenery.
A trip to Napa Valley offers plenty of history, nature, and wine. Enjoy one or more of these great attractions if you visit wine country.
Have you visited Napa Valley in the past? Is Napa Valley on your travel bucket list?
I’ve been to the Petrified Forest, but I didn’t realize it was in Napa Valley vicinity. This is so exciting to know!
Napa Valley Wine Train is definitely something I would like to do. Of course the Petrified Forest and the Castle also has my total attention!
This is on my bucket list. I would love to visit the Napa Valley.
Thank you for including us in your great blog post, Maria.
Jim Sullivan
Vice President, Public Relations and Marketing
Castello di Amorosa
707-967-6272
I’ve driven through the area several times though out my life. Sadly I was always on business so I never took the opportunity to stop along the way. I would like to return for a complete tour of the area and sample a few wines new to me. The scenery is always a bonus in that area.
This would be so much fun to do indeed. I would love to take the train tour I have never been to wine country before but have wanted to go forever. Thanks for sharing.