Yvette Brown Taking children to Napa? Learn about 11 family-friendly activities.
While in California, making a trip to Highly suggested is Napa. Along with having some of the best wine in the US produced there, the region is home to beautiful scenery and a variety of fun attractions.
You can still visit this location if you are traveling with family. There are lots of entertaining activities for kids in Napa. You can go biking and hiking, visit museums, ride a hot air balloon over Napa Valley, and visit some kid-friendly wineries.
You may be interested in things to do in Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Northern Beaches with your family and friends.
Old Faithful & Petting Zoo
One of my personal favorites will be the first item on this list of entertaining activities for kids in Napa. On the northern edge of the area, close to Calistoga, is the Old Faithful Geyser.
Every 15 to 30 minutes, this natural spring geyser faithfully erupts. In the meantime, you can stroll through the gardens or pack a picnic lunch.
Kids will enjoy stopping here because there is a petting zoo on the grounds. Jacob’s Four-Horn Sheep, Tennessee Fainting Goats, Guard Llamas, and Cameroon Pygmy Goats are just a few of the creatures that call it home.
Make sure to visit their tiny geology museum as well before leaving. You can discover more about the geyser and the rest of Napa Valley.
Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa
The Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa is among the best places to stay when traveling to Napa with children. The whole family will enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience.
They offer more than 40 camper van-inspired rooms that give you the impression that you’re sleeping in one but have all the amenities of a hotel. On the second floor, they also have more than a dozen rooms with views of the valley.
After a day of sightseeing, there are three on the property, and they are truly soothing. Their largest and coolest pool has temperatures around 80 degrees. Following that is their wading pool, which is only 2 feet deep and has a temperature range of 90 to 96 degrees. The Mineral Spa Whirlpool is the hottest option, with temperatures ranging from 100 to 104 degrees. It is a small, but nice and hot, option.
Being here to stay is more like being with a group of friends. Numerous traditional board games can be found, as well as games like bocce ball, corn hole, and hula hooping.
Go Kayaking on the Napa River
One of the best family activities in Napa is kayaking on the Napa River because it is both entertaining and tranquil. The river has a lot of rural and small-town feel to it. You’ll probably see children fishing. Additionally, you’ll undoubtedly gain a new perspective on Napa itself.
Enjoy Napa Valley, which is situated at the Marina just below the Napa Riverfront Promenade in the heart of Napa, not only rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes but also provides a variety of river experiences.
A history tour will teach you some local lore and tell you about the valley’s early settlers and the history of its renowned wineries. Most tours last between 90 and two hours.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can just go alone and explore the river. My family and I started our two-hour boat ride, which took us past the CIA at Copia.
Hop Aboard the Wine Train
One of the family-friendly activities in Napa will have you convinced that time travel is possible thanks to the vintage railcars of the Napa Valley Wine Train. Doesn’t taking the train bring back such memories of a bygone era?
Children are also CRAZY about trains! For a family lunch, the Silverado car works well. The train’s most relaxed car offers panoramic views of the passing landscape as it passes through the valley through open-air windows.
The Napa Valley Wine Train, which is currently celebrating 30 years of operation, is an antique train that is fully functional and is powered by two modified engines from the 1950s that utilize an environmentally friendly blend of natural gas and diesel fuel.
The locomotives pull antique carriages that have been restored to their former splendor, complete with opulent details like polished brass trim, mahogany paneling, and etched glass dividers.
During the winter holiday season, the train transforms into the Santa Train, welcoming young riders to enjoy games, singing, and live entertainment while en route to the “North Pole.” A stop for hot cocoa, freshly baked cookies, and of course a visit from Santa Claus round out the adventure.
Bike the Napa Vine Trail
Biking through Napa’s lush green hills and breathtaking scenery is one of the most beautiful things to do with kids there. The Napa Valley Vine Trail is one of the best places to do that with children.
This system’s ultimate goal is to link the entire Napa Valley, from the ferry terminal in Vallejo all the way to Calistoga, via cycling and walking. Presently, the trail goes from About 15 miles separate from Kennedy Park in south Napa from Yountville’s northernmost point.
In time, more than 300 recently planted trees will provide trail users with shade. Interpretive signs highlight noteworthy locations along the route. Maps and other information are available in the rest stop shelters that have bike racks and bike workstations. Additionally, there are mileage markers for those who like to keep track of their progress.
There’s no need for you to carry your bikes up there! Shops for Napa Valley Bike Tours can be found in downtown Napa (950 Pearl Street) and Yountville (6500 Washington Street). In addition to having electric bikes available for rent, they have a $10 one-way relocation fee.
Hang Out at Lake Berryessa
Visits to Lake Berryessa are among the most entertaining family-friendly Napa activities that let you and your loved ones take advantage of the great outdoors. With 20,000 square feet of surface area, the artificial lake is one of Northern California’s biggest. You can go boating on the lake or just relax on the shore.
The lake is surrounded by a forest, which is a great place to go for a short hike. Additionally, the area has a lot of wildlife. Eagles, wild turkeys, hawks, and deer are a few animals you might see.
When visiting Napa, you must bring a picnic and spend the day by the lake.
Dine at Boon Fly Café
The Boon Fly Cafe is one of Napa’s top eateries for families. There are many delicious options on the extensive menu at this quirky and relaxed diner.
Flatbreads, chicken and waffles, and fish tacos with beer batter are a few dishes to try. The Boon Fly Cafe also serves a variety of sweet foods like donuts, banana bread, and griddle cakes with maple syrup.
Going there in the morning is advised because the diner is renowned for serving delicious breakfast food. Although they typically stay open until 9:00 PM, they also serve lunch and dinner.
Explore Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Visiting Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is another entertaining activity for kids in Napa. There is a substantial forest of coastal redwood trees in the 1,991-acre park in the Napa wine region.
You and your family can engage in a variety of outdoor activities at the park. On a number of picturesque trails, you can go biking or hiking. There are many locations where you can have a picnic while surrounded by nature.
You are welcome to camp overnight in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park if you want to extend your visit. Being surrounded by forests at night under a starry sky is an unforgettable experience!
Immerse Yourself in Farm Life at Connolly Ranch Education Center
The Connolly Ranch Education Center is among the top family-friendly destinations in Napa. Children will learn about agricultural methods and rural life in the past through the many interactive activities offered at this vintage ranch.
Learn about local wildlife, small-scale agriculture, and food production. A harvest festival, bird watching, and dinners at the ranch are among the annual events that take place.
Goats, donkeys, and chickens are just a few of the adorable farm animals you can see at the ranch.
Shop at the Napa Farmers Market
Taking a stroll through the Napa Farmers Market is one of the kid-friendly, leisurely activities in Napa. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, and freshly brewed cider are just a few of the locally produced goods that can be found here.
Additionally, there are some specialty stalls that sell items like macarons, fine olive oil, and freshly prepared international cuisine. Your kids will undoubtedly enjoy exploring the market and sampling some delectable snacks.
Stroll through a Culinary Garden
Wander through more than 50 organically farmed garden plots at the French Laundry Culinary Garden. The three-acre culinary garden is direct across the street from the three-star Michelin restaurant and provides food for all four of Chef Thomas Keller’s Yountville restaurants. A superb chicken coop and numerous bee hives are also present in the garden.
