Napa has been on my bucket list of places to visit since long before I had a taste for wine. Growing up, it sounded so romantic, so beautiful, and just like a place where amazing things happened (And this is before you even factor in the wine!). When I was invited by DoNapa to spend three days exploring Downtown Napa with a bunch of other bloggers, I couldn’t pack my bags soon enough.
We had so much fun, drank the best wine, and ate some absolutely delicious food. I left Napa wondering how soon I could return. I know Josh and I would have a blast! Napa is so romantic.
3 Days in Napa
If Napa is on your bucket list, I thought it would be useful to break my trip down into where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. While three days is nowhere near enough time in Napa, we sure did a heck of a lot!
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Napa River Inn in the heart of downtown Napa. You can walk to everything which is perfect if you’re on this trip to get your wine on. (Sidenote: Napa is totally safe for solo travelers. I walked around by myself in the morning, during the day, and at night and always felt 100% comfortable).
Napa River Inn is boutique hotel meets upscale B&B. The rooms are gorgeous, the daily breakfast is delicious, and the bed is so soft I was trying to figure out how to smuggle it home! I loved the little touches, like the nightly turndown service with tea and chocolate, and the wine-infused shampoo and conditioner. It really took my stay up a notch.
If you’re looking for something a little more remote, outside of the downtown, you have to stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa. I didn’t stay here, but some other bloggers did, and we got to tour the property one day. Holy heck you guys, if you want a room among the vineyards, this is it.
I mean this is their pool! I would live here.
You can walk among the vineyards and journey down into the wine cave which is part event space, part spa.
They apparently throw some killer New Years Eve parties here. Sign me up!
The spa cave is a true oasis. What I would give to lounge here for a day!
While we were touring the property we sampled some wines and were treated to a delicious lunch at Crush. It’s part restaurant, part bowling alley!
This deviled avocado dish is genius.
And I cannot rave enough about the s’mores bar. I wanted to take this plate home!
What to do
There are so many fun things to do in Napa. And a lot of them involve wine! 😉
To try some special wines, you need to head to Vintner’s Collective. They curate a selection of wines from a variety of wineries. Make sure to try the wine from Las Bonitas! It’s truly incredible!
The Napa Artwalk is such a great way to explore the downtown area. There are so many fun and unique pieces. This cha cha cha instructional is my favorite.
I love poking around local boutiques and Napa has some fun ones. I couldn’t get over Cake Plate Boutique’s dino topiaries.
For a real treat, you have to do a dinner at Blue Note. The food is great and the atmosphere is so much fun. Our whole group was dancing in our seats along with the band.
The musician’s tiger striped violin was pretty bomb.
There’s nothing like enjoying live music with some delicious food.
You are probably going to eat and drink a lot on your Napa trip (at least I did), but one of the most unexpected but most fun parts of the trip was kayaking the Napa River. It was a great way to see the town from a different perspective and it made me feel good getting to work off some calories. 😉
Napa is so gorgeous. And the wildlife were so welcoming to us on the water. I had so many baby ducks just peep peep peep right by us as they swam after their mommy.
Caitlin was my partner on our banana boat adventure. We had so much fun!
For a little shopping and a little sipping, I recommend checking out Napa General Store. I saw a wine bottle be sabre-ed off right in front of me. And their dark chocolate sea salt bars are not to be missed!
If you want to make an extra-special memory in Napa with your extra-special someone, you have to head over to CRU @ the Annex.
The wonderful ladies of our trip.
Not only do they have a super cute wine tasting area and the best popcorn and wine pairing menu, they also have locks for you to sign and lock on their gate.
Some of the sayings are funny, some are sweet, but they all made me smile.
Me thinking of Josh and wishing I could transport him along for this magical trip.
Napa has so many great artists. We visited the Jessel Gallery to learn more about Jessel Miller and other Napa artists.
I wanted to buy all the paintings.
For a super fun shopping experience, you have to check out Oxbow Public Market. They have so many vendors that are sure to please every taste bud and palette.
Yummy tacos on Cinco de Mayo from C Casa.
Oxbow Market is home to Fieldwork Brewing Company. If you know me, you know I am not a beer fan, like at all. It’s the one freebie sample I turn down at the grocery store. 😉 Since I knew this flight tasting would not be for me, I got a crowler of Fieldwork to bring home to Josh for him to try.
Turns out, my beer Geek of a husband already knew about this brand and was freaking out about getting to try it. They’re a super hot name in the brewing world right now, but don’t distribute because they are obsessed with maintaining the quality of their beers. Thankfully the crowler didn’t explode in my luggage. Josh said it was one of the best beers he’s ever had. #browniepoints
For a winery experience that has it all, I highly recommend Whetstone Wine Cellars. The owner is hilarious, the building is jaw-dropping, and the family dog goes from guest to guest saying hello and asking for belly rubs.
We sat out on the sprawling yard, drank fabulous wine, and at the best crack cheese dip. It was a glorious time.
Where to eat
So many of Napa’s restaurants infuse entertainment and/or wine tasting into their offering that I feel like I already covered a bunch of yummy places, but here are a few more that really stood out for me.
If you want one heck of a breakfast sandwich you have got to go to Model Bakery. It’s the home of Oprah’s favorite English muffins. I got one topped with scrambled eggs, avocado, and cheese, and savored every bite. Go early or be prepared to stand in a line and possibly have them run out right in front of you!
Getting to dine at The CIA at Copia was a true treat. Anything The CIA does is going to be incredible, and trying student-chef inspired dishes is so fun because these are the people who are setting the food trends of the future. Like burrata avocado toast. Yes and yes.
I love the dining atmosphere.
And I wanted to take this cow serving tray home. What a fun piece!
The dishes were divine. Fresh, flavorful food is the absolute best.
Speaking of the best, if you are a BBQ fan you have to go to Bounty Hunter. Their BBQ was unreal. And this is coming from a person who has eaten Kansas City BBQ quite a bit!
And what better way to cap off an epic trip than with a sweet treat? Frati Gelato Cafe hits the spot on a warm Napa day.
In case you couldn’t tell, I loved my Napa trip from start to finish. It was truly a trip I will never forget. Aside from the world-renowned wine, gorgeous natural surroundings, and incredible restaurants that call Napa home, it’s the people that make Napa special. Everyone is so nice and friendly, and goes out of their way to strike up a conversation, help answer your questions, or just share their love of wine. Cheers to that!
Questions of the Day: Have you been to Napa? Are you a fan of wine? What part of my trip would you enjoy the most when visiting Napa?
Thanks to DoNapa for sponsoring this post!
You always have the best adventures! That hotel looks amazing and you look fabulous in that red lipstick with the cat eyes!
Huge fan of wine over here! I have been to Sonoma and it was everything I thought it would be. I am interested in heading back to experience the Napa side 🙂 That B&B seems like a perfect place to stay!
Looks like such a pretty place to visit! Thanks for sharing!
wowww look like a really good trip, thousands of good pictures
Maybe not thousands, but definitely close to 100. 😉
What an amazing trip! Everything looks wonderful – especially the food!
WOW – it’s gorgeous! I need a vacation!
Napa has been on my bucket list too and I live in California. I’ve always admired to casual elegance of the town and how much there is to do. Definitely bookmarking this page!!!
It looks like you had a fabulous stay. Napa has really stepped up since I was there 23 years ago. Looks like it’s time to visit again.
You’ve got some amazing photos here to serve as treasured memories. The hotel looks so luxurious and a real treat. This looks and sounds perfect for a vacation of both rest and exploration, and wine of course!
I’ve never been to Napa but it looks amazing! That Inn, wow! Gorgeous.
This blog just made my desire to go to Napa even greater. How beautiful! I love that there is so much to experience!
Oh wow what an incredible 3 days! You saw so many great places and there was a lot of yummy food there too! 🙂
So nice you could bring some beer back for your hubby too so he didn’t feel too bad about not going on the trip! 🙂
Awesome! The toparies are cute. Overall, sounds like a wonderful trip. Beautiful pictures!
One day, I want to do this with my husband. I’m sharing your experience with a friend who lives there…she’ll enjoy this!
So beautiful! I’ve always wanted to go to Napa! I want those tacos too =)
Napa is on my bucket list. Looks like you guys had an amazing trip! I don’t think I would ever leave
I am not planning on going to Napa soon, but I totally enjoyed the pics…Also love your “red lipstick” look <3
I have never been to Napa before but my brother’s girlfriend is OBSESSED and honestly, I NOW SEE WHY!! I actually really want to go after reading this post- mostly because that FOOD looks incredible!
Wow, looks like an absolutely gorgeous trip! What an opportunity!
Napa is on my travel wish list, it looks like you had a blast!
I’ve never been to Napa, but after seeing your pictures, I’m convinced we need to visit ASAP! Bookmarking so I can remember all your recommendations – thank you!
I would really love to go to napa and so would my mom! I will have to share this with her!
Wow this is such a great guide
I would love to visit Napa one day. Thanks for the recap!
This is such an amazing post. I went to Napa last December for my birthday and want to go back asap.
What a gorgeous place! Dying to visit!
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
I have to save this post for when I go to Napa! So many amazing places to try!
How funny that I’m reading a post about Napa while watching a TV show that takes place in Napa right now! Great timing. I hope I get to go there one day. It sounds like an amazing place to visit
I just recently visited Napa too! It really is such a beautiful place- and yummy too! Loved reading about your trip and picking up tips for hopefully a visit back!
Napa is one of my favorite places to visit! There is so much to drink, eat and do there! It is also such a peaceful place to relax.
It looks like such an amazing trip! All your photos make me want to go there! I loved the hotel you stayed in and the glassworks waterfall
Looks like you had an amazing trip! I stayed at the Meritage once and it is so gorgeous there
Napa looks incredible! Definitely high on my list of places to visit!!
we’ve been toying with the idea of coming here! loved this post just what we needed!!
This is an incredible guide with fabulous pictures! I must visit this place!!!
OMG I’ve been dying to go there! This looks like an amazing trip. I love how cute the hotel room is
I recently went to Napa and Sonoma for the first time this year… what an amazing amazing place!! Your trip looked fantastic!! xo, Jaime Sunflowers and Stilettos
Looks so charming! That hotel pool is amazing!
Such a great trip! Headed there in the Fall and bookmarking this!!
Wow. This post is amazing! So many great things to do in Napa! This makes me want to visit asap.
this trip looked amazing!
Such great napa shots!
We are hoping to go to Napa next year! I will definitely reference this post. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Candace
Hey, Napa looks so great! I would love to go there. Maybe this will be my destination for this summer? 😛 Thanks for all those great articles.