Napa Activities to Enjoy After Wine Tastings » BALLOONS ABOVE THE VALLEY

There are many Napa activities to fill your time in the area, whether it’s a holiday or a short weekend getaway! You will never be bored when you visit the Wine Country.

Napa Valley is more than visiting vineyards and wineries. With its breathtaking landscape and bucolic charm, you can do many other things in Napa besides tasting wines.

Wine and art seem to flow seamlessly here in Napa. Did you know that can also see art at some of the wineries themselves? Some Napa wineries also double as art galleries which feature amazing artworks and valuable photographic works — even the buildings themselves are a work of art!

Artesa Winery features sculptures and other art installations by its resident artist Gordon Huether, who is famous the world over for his glass artworks. Mumm Napa features the works of the photography legend Ansel Adams, which were lent by the Adams family themselves. Cliff Lede Vineyards boasts a full gallery as well as a garden dotted with sculptures.

Of course, Napa also has standalone museums. If you want to see the best of the Bay Area art, go to di Rosa where you’ll also admire its meticulously landscaped grounds. The Napa Valley Museum blends art, nature, history, and culture of the region through its art and artifacts.

Even as you go out of the wineries and museums you can still see art all around you! Stroll around the Napa Art Walk in downtown Napa features street sculptures and art installations by several artists coming from different states.

Men cannot live by wine alone — even in the Wine Country. You really do need to eat in Napa along with drinking its famous wines. But doing so can put a big dent in your pocket, as the region is usually known for its high-end cuisine, artisanal eats, and Michelin-starred restaurants. But if you don’t mind the cost, you can dine at fine dining restaurants such as the Restaurant at Meadowood with its custom menus and wine pairings, enjoy the inventive Japanese cuisine at Morimoto, new French cuisine at La Toque, or the elegant Italian fare at Allegria.

But if you’re short on funds and need to fill your belly in Napa, don’t worry because you can still find comparatively affordable eats, if you’re smart and creative enough with your limited budget. You will be able to get the best value with still-amazing menus from the street side cafes such as Alexis Baking Company, cheap and no-frills Mexican fare at Ana’s Cantina, and Gott’s Roadside for fun communal dining and its delicious burger with toasted egg.

Having some adventure will also make your Napa activities extra special and memorable — as long as you don’t get too tipsy, or better yet, you have yet to visit the wineries. There are ways to enjoy Napa’s countryside charm in many ways: biking, hiking, swimming and doing water sports at Lake Berryessa or Napa River, or hiring a chopper to see the landscape from up the sky. Of course, a hot air balloon ride might be the culmination of your trip as it gives the view from sky in an experience like no other.

Balloons Above the Valley (BATV) will help you have that special experience. For over four decades it has satisfied guests with their safe, thrilling, and memorable sunrise hot air balloon rides over the gorgeous Napa landscape. You cannot get these uninterrupted views from riding in a helicopter, plus in a chopper it can be really noisy when you’re up there. BATV’s hot air balloons quietly and gently float in the air, and our experienced and licensed pilots will make sure that you’ll be in safe hands. No worries! All you have to do is just enjoy the bird’s eye views of Napa’s unbelievably peerless landscape — immaculate rows of lush green vineyards, rolling hills, majestic mountains that cradle Napa’s famous valleys. Apart from the views, bask in the warm rays of the sunrise and relish the peaceful feeling floating above the hubbub on the ground below. Take as many pictures as you like of the beautiful scenery and take them home as a special souvenir.

All good things must come to an end, though. But the end should be sweet too as you will be greeted with a heavenly champagne brunch that follows the hot air balloon flight.

Napa activities are so much more than just visiting vineyards and wineries as well as wine tastings. See and appreciate great art, have a taste of Napa’s world-class cuisine, enjoy a hot air balloon ride, and make new friends and lasting memories along the way.