Top 10 Things to Do in Yountville

Yountville is Napa Valley’s culinary playground, but there is much more to do in this picturesque Wine Country town than eat. Art walks, golf, bike tours, and live theater are just a few of the adventures that await in Yountville. Here are our top picks:

Fly Above Napa Valley

Courtesy of Napa Valley Balloons

Napa Valley Balloons
4086 ByWay E.
Napa, CA 94558
(800) 711-2998
TripAdvisor: 5 stars, 1,670 reviews

Soar above the magnificent Napa Valleywith Napa Valley Balloons, voted Trip Advisor’s #1 hot air balloon ride in Napa. Conveniently begin your (early) morning in Yountville at Domain Chandon Winery. Sip coffee or tea and nibble on some morning snacks as the hot air balloons fill with life around you. Then float away to start your journey. Your expert hot air balloon pilot will act as your guide, point out sights along the way, and answer any questions you and your fellow adventurers throw their way. After your buoyantly exhilarating ride, land back at Domain Chandon Winery where you’ll toast to a memorable morning and enjoy an American style breakfast. Insider tip: Be sure to bring layers. You may be in California, but early mornings can be brisk, and fog is also known to make an appearance.

Art & Wine

Image Source: Yelp

Ma(i)sonry Gallery
6711 Washington St.
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-0889
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 115 reviews

Sample from a rotating list of the best small wine producers in Napa Valley while enjoying the world class painting and sculpture gallery assembled at Ma(i)sonry. This historic building, built in 1904, is a bucolic backdrop for the elegant and personal experiences waiting to be found at this acclaimed gallery and tasting room. Insider tip: Start your day right with a Morning Flight: a collection of eight wines paired with breakfast delicacies from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery.

Small Town Museum

Image Source: Yelp

Napa Valley Museum
55 Presidents Circle
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-0500
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 17 reviews

Napa Valley is a tapestry of diverse people, history, and geology, all of which makes it one of the most exciting and beautiful places on Earth. Enhance your time in Napa Valley by learning about all aspects of the region at this small but thoughtfully designed museum. Insider tip: If traveling with children, check the events calendar: they often have events and crafts for kids.

A Hole in One

Image Source: Yelp

Vintner’s Golf Club
7901 Solano Ave.
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-1992
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 11 reviews

Recently named the best up-valley green by Napa Sonoma Magazine, Vintner’s Golf Club is a destination for golf lovers the world over. The nine-hole resort course features three different sets of tees, and was most recently re-designed in 2003 by PGA Superintendent Bob Boldt. And at just two minutes from downtown Yountville, the location couldn’t be any more convenient. Insider tip: Stop by the on-site Lakeside Grill for a bite after a round of golf where the lake views and hearty hamburgers will fortify you for the rest of the day.

Yountville By Bike

Image Source: Yelp

Napa Valley Bike Tours
6500 Washington St.
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 251-8687
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 205 reviews

With more than 40 wineries within 5 miles, Yountville is a great place to start a bike ride. Rent a bike, with or without a guide, from Napa Valley Bike Tours and explore the bucolic vineyards and surrounding wineries on wheels. Insider tip: Check out the “Cycling In The Vineyards” tour, where you’ll ride through vineyards in Carneros and along a wetland preserve with abundant wildlife.

Local Pride on Stage

Image Source: Yelp

Lincoln Theater
100 California Dr.
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 358-6749

Wine, music, theater, and dance lovers all flock to Lincoln Theater for its consistently stellar lineup. Local, national, and international performers take the stage weekly at this state-of-the-art performance center, while TedX Talks and the California Symphony are regularly hosted as well—check the schedule for updates. Insider tip: Visit in March to enjoy CabFest, a three-day celebration of all things Cabernet, from tastings to seminars to conversations with winemakers.

A Self-Guided Art Tour

Image Source: Yelp

Yountville Art Walk
(707) 944-8712

Stroll the quiet streets of Yountville in pursuit of over 40 works of outdoor sculpture that dot the town and make up the Yountville Art Walk; most of the pieces on display are for sale, and a portion of the proceeds go back to local the art community. To learn more about the artists and their work, join one of the docent-led tours, offered on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, May through October. Insider tip: Be sure to check out the adorable stone mushroom forest on Washington Street.

France Meets Napa Valley

Image Source: Yelp

Bouchon Bakery
6528 Washington St.
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-2253
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 2,100 reviews

No visit to Yountville is complete without a stop at acclaimed chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery. This classic French boulangerie was conceived as a source of fresh bread and pastries for Keller’s Yountville restaurants—The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, and Ad Hoc—but it quickly became a celebrated destination in its own right, as the constant line snaking out the door attests. The bakery specializes in breads and pastries inspired by Keller’s life in France, including baguettes, chocolate eclairs, and seasonal tarts. Insider tip: Get a box of macaroons, then, get another to take home with you. You’ll want more, and they sell out quickly.

Wine Tasting in Local Tasting Rooms

Wine tasting is a no-brainer while in Yountville. Tasting rooms sprinkle the main drag of Washington Street, so simply park your car and begin walking. A few favorites include Cornerstone Cellars for their beautiful Cabernet Sauvignons and friendly hospitality, and Hope & Grace for their dog-friendliness and local trinkets selection. Insider tip: Carry the wine tasting into the evening—many of the tasting rooms are open past 5 p.m., when most of the wineries close.

Yountville packs a wealth of culture and activities into its small square mileage, so use this guide to take full advantage of it all on your next trip to Napa Valley.

Cover Image Courtesy of Napa Valley Balloons

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Author

WineCountry Staff