Travel trends may come and go, but Napa Valley remains a perennial favorite for good reason. With its long, sun-drenched days, lush green landscapes, and a vibrant calendar packed with concerts and family-friendly festivals, Napa Valley is an enchanting getaway. This year, the region is buzzing with new restaurants, tasting, music and cultural experiences, and even a touch of high fashion. An irresistible destination for travelers looking for a mix of classic charm and modern flair. Here’s a look at what’s new and noteworthy in Napa Valley.

Dining and tasting experiences in Napa Valley

Napa Valley’s gastronomic scene is sizzling with a host of new dining and tasting experiences adding fresh excitement to the region. In downtown Napa, The Gentleman Farmer Bungalow has opened its doors, offering an elevated home-style dining experience in a beautifully reimagined 1926 California Craftsman bungalow. Created by winemaking duo Jeff Durham and Joey Wolosz, guests can indulge in the six-course Gentleman Farmer’s Lunch, where dishes like roasts, rillettes, and soufflés are inspired by the couple’s cherished family recipes.

Culinary enthusiasts will also want to check out Moro, a Moroccan counter service spot by Michelin Guide-worthy chef Morad Lahlou. Opened at Oxbow Market last spring, the restaurant draws inspiration from Marrakech’s famous Jemaa el-Fnaa night market, offering vibrant and flavorful dishes.

Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant, Stateline Road Smokehouse, opened its permanent location in the Rail Arts District after a successful pop-up at Oxbow Market. This Kansas City-style BBQ spot is sure to be a hit, with its signature baby back ribs, savory burnt ends, and chicken smothered in their sweet-tangy 816 sauce.

Over in Yountville, The Kitchen at Priest Ranch is serving up delicious breakfast options all day. Guests will find unique dishes like breakfast gnocchi and a mouthwatering smashburger on a Bouchon bun. The rooftop dining terrace, complete with a fire pit, is the perfect spot to sip wine and soak in the views.

For a truly Napa dining experience, the Napa Valley Wine Train’s new “Tasting on the Rails” dinner is a must. This seven-course dining experience aboard century-old Pullman train cars allows passengers to enjoy gourmet dishes paired with wines from the AVAs along the route—all while traveling through Napa’s picturesque landscapes. The train, which is set to undergo a fleet-wide refurbishment with eco-friendly engines, offers a delightful blend of history, luxury, and sustainability.

Shopping, art, and culture in Napa Valley

While Napa Valley is famous for vineyards, tasting rooms, and world class restaurants, there’s much more to discover off the beaten path. Art lovers should plan a visit to Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art. Located on 217 acres, this center features one of Northern California’s largest and most eclectic collections of contemporary art. With rotating exhibitions, public programs, and site-wide festivals, there’s always something new to explore.

Head to downtown Napa and spend that afternoon shopping, checking out art galleries and listening to music. New to downtown Napa, Maison Fayard is a bottle shop that doubles as a glassware boutique, artists’ showroom, and tasting lounge. For music lovers, Folklore is a must-visit—a record store with both new and pre-loved vinyls, and a bar that’s home to nonprofit public radio station KCMU 103.3 FM. The station broadcasts directly from the space, creating a unique blend of music, culture, and community.

Spend the afternoon learning at the St. Supéry Estate. Owned by the fashion house Chanel, this estate is a favorite among the fashion-conscious for its Ampelography Master Class, where guests learn to identify grape varieties by their leaf characteristics—a unique and educational wine-tasting experience.

Wellness and recreation in Napa Valley

Napa is filled with some of the world’s best spas. Travelers can take a break from wine tasting and relax at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga. This retro-styled resort is the go-to spot for healing mud baths, spring-fed mineral pools, and wine-powered beauty treatments. Founded in 1952, the resort is a rare slice of Napa Valley’s past, offering indulgent pampering in a historic setting.

Go for a hike in the Petrified Forest of Calistoga. Formed by a volcanic eruption over 3 million years ago, this surreal landscape of stone trees offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. A guided tour through the hilly half-mile loop reveals some of the forest’s most intriguing specimens, including the 65-foot “Queen,” believed to be 2,000 years old at the time of the eruption.

Or head to the Newell Open Space Preserve for an afternoon birding. This 642-acre preserve offers stunning views of rolling hills and wetlands. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the variety of species, including swans, mockingbirds, egrets, and great horned owls, found along the American Canyon Wetlands Trail.

Whether you’re a food lover, wine enthusiast, art aficionado, or fashionista, Napa Valley has something new and exciting to offer all travelers. With its blend of classic charm and fresh experiences, it’s no wonder this destination remains a timeless favorite.

Extend your stay in California, just 45 minutes south of San Francisco is the Canyon Ranch Woodside Resort, perfect for your next wellness retreat.