Explore Local Napa Hot Spots

Ink-and-watercolor illustration of the Napa River, used as a decorative section divider on Napa River Inn pages.

Action and nightlife abound at the Napa River Inn, your gateway to the wine country. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, or sip and savor the many culinary delights and fine wines our valley is known for, it’s all just steps outside our door.

A World to Explore

At your doorstep you’ll find plenty to explore in the Historic Napa Mill complex, from contemporary cocktails at The Fink, to world-class dining at Celadon and Angele, to stunning works of public art, to a luxury spa experience.

Step beyond and see what Napa and the Napa Valley have to offer.  

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Handpicked Partners

Exclusive offers and experiences from our trusted local partners.

Levendi Winery

1465 1st St, Napa, CA

Special offer for Napa River Inn guests: Levendi Winery welcomes Napa River Inn guests with a 25% full purchase discount in our beautiful downtown Napa tasting room.

The Downtown Napa Tasting Room Located in the heart of the city on First Street, our tasting room is the perfect destination for those looking to indulge in the diverse varietals Levendi has to offer. We provide an elegant, refined setting offering wine flights with exceptional service. For a livelier experience, join us on Friday nights for weekly live music showcasing the best local talent in the Valley.

Kerr Cellars

1463 First St, Napa, CA

Special offer for Napa River Inn guests: Kerr Cellars downtown offers 2 for 1 introductory tastings.

Kerr Cellars specializes in award-winning wines crafted by acclaimed winemaker Helen Keplinger. Located in the heart of downtown Napa, Kerr Cellars offers an intimate tasting experience featuring limited-production wines sourced from some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyard sites.

Continue Exploring

Discover all that Napa has to offer.

Balloons Above the Valley

603 California Avenue, Napa, CA

It is a magical experience to gently float along with the breeze over the vineyards in the breathtaking Napa Valley. You get up before the sun and watch the colorful balloon fill with fire-heated hot air, and then you rise softly into the morning sun. A peaceful journey of a couple of miles down the Valley ends with a champagne brunch. No wonder it is the perfect opportunity to propose, snuggle with your sweetie, or instill your family with wide-eye wonder. Napa Valley is one of the best hot air ballooning corridors in the world.

Napa Valley Wine Train

1275 Mckinstry Street, Napa, CA

This marvelous train is an amazing collection of vintage rolling stock, an outstanding restaurant, a great wine shop and wine bar, and the quintessential Napa experience.

Typically with 9 to 10 cars on the main consist, the Wine Train makes up to two trips a day to St. Helena and back, for lunch and dinner. The trip is three hours and includes a gourmet meal that will surprise even the most discerning foodie. You can choose the traditional rail experience of repose in the lounge car or book the Vista Dome.

St. Clair Brown

850 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA

A unique downtown Napa winery and nano-brewery that makes small lot, hand-crafted wine and beer. The beer is brewed fresh daily and piped directly from the finishing tanks to taps at the bar. 

Located in a greenhouse and garden, they offer organic delicacies prepared to pair perfectly with both the wine and beer offered on the menu that day. The outdoor location is situated amidst a garden that guests are encouraged to explore. Open Thursday through Sunday.

Main Street Boat Dock

100 Riverside Dr, Napa, CA

At Napa’s Main Street Dock, located along the scenic Napa River in the heart of downtown Napa, you can find: relaxing river cruises and romantic gondola rides, as well as adventurous kayak excursions. Every outing is designed to connect you with the beauty, charm, and laid-back luxury of wine country – making it one of the top things to do in Napa Valley.

Morimoto

610 Main St, Napa, CA

Extremely popular, Morimoto Napa features the Iron Chef’s signature cuisine that blends both Western and Japanese ingredients. The decor is spacious and the sushi bar a hive of activity. Napa River Inn guests can dine formally inside, al fresco on the patio overlooking the Napa River, or casually cozied up in one of the fun conversation groupings.

Open for lunch and dinner every day.

Platypus Wine Tours

530 Main St, Napa, CA

Join a group tour to a carefully chosen selection of three smaller, backroads-style wineries. This tour is fun and informative, and the tour guides are known to be exceptional storytellers.

Tour days are serendipitous, but usually include wine caves, barrel rooms, and production facility experiences, as well as opportunities to wander the wine estates and into the vineyards themselves. Tastings and picnic take place outdoors amid picturesque settings.

Napa Valley Gondola

Napa Valley’s only gondola cruise. Gondola sightseeing cruises are perfect for romantic couples or groups up to six passengers. Sip some wine, listen to the songs, and relax and watch the river animals play, and the sights of historic Napa drift by.

Choose between sightseeing and romantic wine tasting tours and prepare to be swept away on a magical Gondola ride along the Napa River. Typically available April through November.

Hiking

With more than 25 miles of hiking trails, Skyline Wilderness Park is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. The main trail leads to Lake Marie and offers sweeping views of Napa Valley vineyards below.

At just about 2.2 miles round trip, Westwood Hills is a perfect hike for all skill levels. Your rewards for this short uphill trek are sweeping views of downtown Napa.

The 3 miles of trails at Alston Park take you along the Redwood creek. Situated at the base of Mount Veeder, this hike takes you winding right past nearby wineries. And it’s dog-friendly!

Lighted Art Festival

Downtown Napa

Experience the enchanting Napa Lighted Art Festival in the heart of downtown Napa Valley. This spectacular light art festival transforms charming buildings into glowing masterpieces, creating an unforgettable Napa Valley experience for visitors and locals alike.

Usually mid-January to mid-February, this free walkable outdoor experience is nothing short of magical. Each year usually showcases more than a dozen installations for the full festival and several large-scale projections only available for the first nine nights.