4 Places to Visit in Downtown Napa

Downtown Napa is a charming scene with Victorian architecture, upscale lodging and celebrity-chef restaurants. It sits on the banks of the Napa River and includes a number of indulgences, such as wine tastings, wood-fire pizzas, oysters and fine truffles and chocolates. Napa Valley Hotel and Suites is located in the heart of downtown Napa, placing you in a central location for wine tastings, winery tours and other Napa adventures.

Here are four places we recommend visiting in downtown Napa. We hope you enjoy! 

1. Oxbow Public Market 

Oxbow Public Market is the most popular gathering destination in downtown Napa – and for good reason. You can find just about everything here, including great food, wine tastings, live entertainment and friendly company. 

The Market features 40,000 square feet of fun that includes a scenic outdoor deck that overlooks the Napa River. Grab a bite to eat at one of the food vendors or enjoy a tasty pairing of wine and cheese. If you plan on bringing the kids, they’ll love the vendors that have sweet treats like cupcakes, ice cream and chocolates. Of course, you don’t need the kids to enjoy these delicacies! 

2. Vintner’s Collective 

Napa Valley has no shortage of wineries, and most are worth trying out. But, for the purpose of downtown Napa, we highly recommend Vintner’s Collective Napa Valley. It’s located in a historic brothel and saloon that was built in 1875 and serves as the city’s original tasting room. 

You can go for a tasting for just $40 without an appointment, so Vintner’s Collective is great for last-minute trips. If you prefer, you can also book a private tasting. Other downtown Napa wineries that are worth visiting are Brown Estate Vineyards, Krupp Brothers and JaM Cellars. Be sure to schedule a reservation at these locations. 

3. Blue Note Napa 

You can’t beat a relaxing evening with a glass of wine in hand and jazz tunes playing in the background. Blue Note Napa features live music from diverse artists. The building is a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1879 and features a jazz club and gourmet restaurant. The stage is incredibly close to the seating, giving attendees an intimate experience. 

If you spend an evening at Blue Note Napa, you can expect world-class live music, gourmet farm-to-table meals, tasteful wines and beautiful art. Buy your tickets online or contact the club about private events and group packages. 

4. Culinary Institute of America 

Enjoy cooking? The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) offers private and group classes where you can learn to cook new dishes – many which use wine as a staple ingredient. The CIA is worth a visit even if you don’t plan on cooking, as there are exhibits, shopping, art collections and murals. 

Probably one of the most exciting features to dining at the CIA is the Le Petit Chef: 3D Dining Experience. The two-hour expedition takes you on a dining experience inspired by Marco Polo’s travels along the Silk Road. Be prepared to get a full 3D experience with vibrant sights, sounds, scents and tastes. 

When visiting Napa, stay in the heart of it all – downtown Napa! Book your room today with Napa Valley Hotel and Suites.