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This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, however all opinions expressed are my own.
10 Tips For Planning The Perfect Brunch
Who doesn’t love a good brunch? I mean all the delicious eats, drinks, and time with family and friends…what more could you possibly ask for? We love getting together with our friends on the weekend, and since weekends are made for sleeping in and spending time having fun, planning a brunch is always perfect.
The most important thing for your brunch is the FOOD. I mean, folks are coming to have fun and chat, yes, but the main reason they are coming is the FOOD. I love to serve fresh produce at brunch, not only is it delicious (and healthy!) but it adds a nice pop of color to your tablescape. I recommend looking for produce that is in season, here is a list of when all your favorite Florida fruits and vegetables are in season…there’s a free printable too!
Right now Fresh From Florida watermelon is in season, and there is nothing quite like biting into a juicy piece of watermelon on a hot summer day, so watermelon is a given at my planned brunch parties. Fresh From Florida Sweet Corn is also a family favorite, and while corn on the cob isn’t necessarily the perfect brunch menu item, my Cowboy Caviar is.
Cowboy Caviar is made with Fresh From Florida sweet corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers, plus lots of other produce which makes it not only delicious, but healthy. I served my Cowboy Caviar with fresh celery, bell pepper strips and tortilla chips, but it also a yummy topping for eggs. Again, making Cowboy Caviar another perfect addition to your brunch menu.
Now that we have talked a bit about the importance of good, fresh menu items for your brunch, let’s go over the tips for planning the perfect brunch.
Everyone wants their guests to walk away saying “Man, that was the perfect brunch!”
10 Tips For Planning The Perfect Brunch
Plan a Diverse Menu
You will want sweet, savory and fresh menu items for everyone to enjoy. Fresh produce is a must, I always Fresh From Florida produce on my brunch menu especially since Florida Farmers make it easy for me to get fresh, delicious produce year-round. Do not pick menu items that you turn you into a short-order cook for the whole brunch, stay away from pancakes and omelets.
Prep Ahead
Chop veggies, make casseroles the night before, put the juice in glass containers, cut up the fresh fruit and vegetables. Keep everything in airtight containers until you are ready to use them.
Set Up the Night Before
You want to be as relaxed as possible the morning of your brunch, so that means you are going to have to do a lot the night before. You don’t want to be rushing around, you want to enjoy the party too! Lay out place settings (or arrange the stacks of plates where you want them if doing casual self-serve) hang decorations and put flowers in vases, make sure there are plenty of seats, get the coffee ready to brew, get out the serving platters, put out napkins, arrange the glasses.
Clean
Don’t forget to make sure the bathroom is cleaned and stocked with the essentials. And if you plan on showing anyone the new tile in the laundry room, make sure that’s tidied up too!
Keep Your Food Warm
Turn the oven on to 200 degrees and keep any warm dishes in the oven until your guests are ready to eat. No one really eats the second they walk through the door, everyone likes to chat or grab a drink first. Speaking of drinks…
Have a Few Drink Options
While the first drink that comes to mind for a brunch menu for me is mimosas, not everyone likes them…or even likes to drink. So be sure to have fresh OJ (Florida OJ is the best 😉 ), cold water, coffee, and at least one other juice option.
Get Creative with Your Serving Plates and Glasses
Not everything has to match! Have a variety of color glasses out, put utensils in mason jars, use clear plates, use a cake stand for an item or two for different heights.
Simple Centerpieces
The food is the star of the show at a brunch, but there is nothing wrong with adding fresh simple flowers around the table. I even like to put some scattered flower buds around the serving area for an extra pop of color.
Be Ready To Keep Conversations Going
While your brunch is probably filled with friends and family that already love to chat, there is always the possibility for silence. Have a few questions ready to go to the group just in case…What are your summer plans? What is the best trip you have been on?
Have Fun!
It’s a PARTY, have FUN! The whole purpose for a brunch party is to have fun, and that includes YOU, so relax and enjoy.
What are some of your tips for planning the perfect brunch?
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Cowboy Caviar is filled with healthy foods and tastes amazing! Cowboy Caviar is an easy appetizer recipe that everyone will love.
Deliciously Easy Cowboy Caviar
If you are looking for an easy appetizer recipe that is also healthy and full of flavor, then look no further. Cowboy Caviar is made with lots of your favorite fresh produce and you can serve it with tortilla chips or celery and bell pepper strips. Honestly, no matter how you serve it, you and your guests are going to love it.
I made Cowboy Caviar for our brunch this past weekend, and I have also made it for card nights with our friends. In fact, my husband and I actually had leftovers for lunch the other day 🙂 In fact, as I am thinking about it…Cowboy Caviar would be amazing on top of grilled chicken! Oh, all those fresh flavors, then the heat from the jalapenos and the citrus from the lime…YUM. Ok, I am going to have to try that next!
To make Cowboy Caviar you need:
3 tomatoes seeds removed, diced – I used vine tomatoes
2 ripe avocados, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
1 15 oz can black eyed peas rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups fresh corn, cooked and cut off the cob – approx 3 ears
1 bell pepper, diced
2 jalapeno pepper seeds removed, diced
1/3 cup fresh Cilantro finely chopped
You will also make your own simple dressing to toss all goodness in. You will need a few basic ingredients that you probably have at home right now.
To make the dressing for your Cowboy Caviar you will need:
1/3 cup olive oil
Juice from 2 limes, approx 2 – 3 tablespoons
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
And to make it, you simply mix all your veggies together, drizzle on the dressing and stir well to coat! I like to put mine in the refrigerator for 15 – 30 minutes before serving so that all the flavors get a chance to marinate together before everyone digs in.
Now, here is the Cowboy Caviar Recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.
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Ever wonder how to grill peaches and why so many people do it? I have all the answers you need! And soon, you will be grilling peaches and loving it too!
How To Grill Peaches & Why You Should Try It
Grilled peaches. Little bites of heaven. Sweet. Delicious. I don’t think there is a bad way to enjoy a grilled peach…well, unless you drop it through the grate of the grill and it gets burnt beyond recognition. Then maybe your grilled peach won’t be a sweet bite of deliciousness…it would be a burnt bite of…hmmm…I’m not sure. Let’s not try it. Because honestly, you do not want to waste these things of beauty.
Why do you want to try grilled peaches?
Simply put… they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
You can eat grilled peaches right off the grill. Let em cool down for a second so you don’t burn the roof of your mouth 😉
You can top your grilled peach with vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a sweet treat.
You can sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on your grilled peach.
You can added grilled peaches to your salads.
You can make grilled peaches the star of your salad, like in this Grilled Peach and Bacon (YES, BACON!) Salad.
You can top pork, chicken and steak with grilled peaches.
You can drizzle them with balsamic vinegar.
As you can see, grilled peaches are pretty darn versatile, you can make them sweet treats or add them to your savory dishes.
So, how do you grill peaches?
It’s so easy guys!
Ready for this?
Turn on the grill to medium heat.
Cut your peaches in half and remove the pits. You can cut them into smaller slices if you want, just use a grill topper so your peaches don’t fall through the cracks. That’s what I used when I made my grilled peach salad, I wanted smaller slices and I figured it would be easier to cut the peaches beforehand than when they were cooked.
Place your peach slices/halves into a bowl and drizzle in olive oil, gently stir so that the peaches get covered. You can brush the peaches too (be sure to brush both sides), I just found it easier to put them all in a bowl. Brushing the peaches with olive oil helps prevent sticking and won’t burn.
Place the cut side down on the grill and cook until the fruit has grill marks and starts to soften, approx 4 to 5 minutes depending on the size of your peaches.
If needed, turn them once and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes. Do your best to resist moving them any more than necessary so you can get those pretty grill marks.
Once your peaches are done, they will be more tender, feel free to pull away the skin if desired. Personally, I love peach skin, so if you peel it off, save it for me 🙂
Grilling the peaches has the ability to elevate the sweetness. And it’s so simple!
When you are ready to grill some peaches at home, look for peaches that are still a little firm, if they are too ripe, they will naturally have more sugar in them, which will make them easier to burn.
Ever wonder how to grill peaches and why so many people do it? Soon, you will be grilling peaches and loving it too!
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time8 minutesmins
Total Time13 minutesmins
Keyword: easy recipe, grilled, grilling, peaches
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
Peaches
Olive Oil
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Turn on the grill to medium heat.
Cut your peaches in half and remove the pits. You can cut them into smaller slices if you want, just use a grill topper so your peaches don't fall through the cracks.
Place your peach slices/halves into a bowl and drizzle in olive oil, gently stir so that the peaches get covered. You can brush the peaches too (be sure to brush both sides), I just found it easier to put them all in a bowl.
Place the cut side down on the grill and cook until the fruit has grill marks and starts to soften, approx 4 to 5 minutes depending on the size of your peaches.
If needed, turn them once and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes. Do your best to resist moving them any more than necessary so you can get those pretty grill marks.
Enjoy on a salad, with ice cream, with dinner...or just straight off the grill!
What is your favorite way to enjoy grilled peaches?
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Disney Resort Hopping is a great way to experience the different Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando Florida without being a guest or going to the parks! See the Best Ways To Disney Resort Hop.
Disney Resort Hopping
There is so much fun to be had at Disney World here in Orlando Florida, and while it might seem that all of that fun comes with a high price tag that simply isn’t true. There are many ways that you can have a day filled with Disney family fun without breaking the bank! You don’t even need park passes to have fun at Disney. What?! Well, of course you can spend a day at Disney Springs, there is so much to see and do! Disney Springs has more than 50 stores and boutiques, many restaurants and food vendors, and a lot of fun activities to enjoy. Check out what Coca Cola tastes like around the world on the 2nd floor of the Coca Cola store, build with Lego’s at the Lego store and check out all of the cool Lego sculptures. Head over to the toy store Once Upon a Toy and spend some time building a Mr. Potato head. If your little ones need a ride for it to be a Disney day let them ride the miniature train or the carousel for a small fee. You can ride a ferry boat for free, or for a small fee, you can take a tour of the area in an amphicar. If Disney Springs is not up your alley you can always go resort hopping, this is the perfect way to experience Disney’s beautifully themed hotels.
Did you know that you can visit Disney hotels and experience all the Disney magic they have to offer without actually being a resort guest? Just walking into each hotel is like walking into a new world! No one better about creating magical places than Disney. Swimming is reserved for the resort guests though, so no need to bring along your swimsuits.
We love to “Hotel Hop” when we are over in Disney World, the kids love to ride the different forms of free Disney transportation and check all different shops and decorations at each hotel. There are several different ways you can “hotel hop”, but I figured I would share two scenarios for you below. Check em out and then plan your day of Disney Hotel Hopping fun!
Disney Resort Hopping Scenario One:
Park at the Polynesian Village Resort, this is a Magic Kingdom resort so just follow the signs to the parking area.
The parking guards will ask why you are here and ask to see identification so be prepared to show them. Just tell them you are coming for the day to eat, visit, and shop. If you are staying at one of the Disney hotels just show them your pass. There is also valet parking available here.
The Polynesian Village Resort recently went through a renovation, both inside and out! So, if you haven’t been there in awhile, be sure to add it to your agenda. The Polynesian Village Resort has several clothing and souvenir shops and they also have a variety of restaurants including a food court setting. If you enjoy sushi, there is a reasonable priced sushi restaurant upstairs, and the kid’s meals are relatively inexpensive. There usually isn’t a long wait which is not always the case with some of the other restaurants nearby.
Every night except for Sunday and Monday there is a brief performance at 6 pm with a flame thrower at the front of the hotel. Kids are sure to love it and it’s free.
When you are ready to leave the Polynesian and go explore hop onto the monorail, it’s on the second floor right next to the sushi place. The monorail from this hotel goes to the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, the Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center and then back to the Polynesian in one big circle.
Hop off the monorail at The Grand Floridian. Which is a beautiful hotel with a gorgeous 5 story lobby. There are many shops to window shop in, a vintage car and carriage to explore and an arcade if you are so inclined. Inside the lobby there is an orchestra, and concert pianist that alternate playing in the lobby after 3 pm. Sit and listen or join others in taking a spin around the room. The last time we were here, we grabbed a yummy pastry and a coffee from Grand Floridian Cafe and then sat and enjoyed the concert pianist.
When you are ready to cruise, jump back on the monorail and head to The Contemporary Resort. The Contemporary has an great balcony to watch the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks show from. The monorail actually goes directly through this hotel which is really fun for the kids to see…I mean you are driving right into a hotel!
Remember each resort is unique with its own themes, pools, activities, food courts, and restaurants.
After you have checked out everything that The Contemporary has to offer, you can jump back on the monorail to the Polynesian, where you parked your car, or extend your Disney Day by getting on one of the boats that leave from the Contemporary and go to the Fort Wilderness Campground or the Wilderness Lodge.
Disney Resort Hopping Scenario Two:
You can park at the Wilderness Lodge, remember there will be guards and they will ask for your id and the reason for your visit. If you are looking for a meal while you are at the Wilderness Lodge, we always have fun and get great food at the Whispering Canyon restaurant, if you go, be sure that you ask for ketchup 😉
There is also fun arcade in this hotel right by the store, my kiddos love to play in there and my husband and I enjoy a glass of wine at Territory Lounge. The Geyser Point Bar and Grill is relatively new and it provides a gorgeous view of the lake, it is an outside restaurant, so it is a little toasty in the summer months, but the view may be worth it! Speaking of geysers, the Wilderness Lodge has it’s own geyser, so be sure to check that out too! Where else can you see a geyser going off regularly?!
From the Wilderness Lodge you can hop onto a boat and go for a relaxing ride.
You can take the boat to the Fort Wilderness Campground or the Contemporary Resort. Since we already chatted about the fun stuff at the Contemporary Resort, I’ll tell you a bit about the Fort Wilderness Campground. We actually stay at the Fort Wilderness Campground with our RV several times a year, if you happen to visit around ANY holiday, you will see that many of the campers decorate and decorate in true Disney style! We honestly try to go over the Christmas holidays just to see all the campers decorations, it’s really rather incredible! Fort Wilderness Campground has Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which is filled with beautiful horses and little ones can even get a horseback ride! There is also the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and fun places to grab a bit to eat and a drink, all not far from the boat launch. There is also a beach that is perfect for watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
When you leave the campground, you can jump back on the boat and head to the Contemporary. Once you are at the Contemporary you can jump on the monorail and visit The Grand Floridan and the Polynesian Village Resort.
If you want to experience more magical Disney Hotels:
Animal Kingdom Lodge is accessible by car or bus. You can see animals in the back of the resort like giraffes, zebras, and flamingos. Depending on what time you are there they offer face painting and cookie and cake decorating. These activities are free and you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to participate.
Disney’s Boardwalk is just that, a Boardwalk. Disney’s Boardwalk is filled with shops and eateries, as well as the ESPN zone if you have any sports fans in your group. There are street performers and magicians as well as classic arcade games. The Boardwalk is on a circle that also leads to the Yacht Club where you can walk through as well.
Before you head out for a road trip to Orlando for a day full of resort hopping make sure that you pack up your snacks. Fill a cooler or backpack with all of you and your kid’s favorite snacks and drinks. Some good examples of traveling snacks are small bags of chips, crackers, cookies, cheese sticks, yogurt in the tubes (these can be frozen to help keep your other snacks and drinks cold too), pretzels, and juice boxes. You don’t have to make a special trip to the store just raid your pantry before you leave the house. All of the parks allow you to take in a cooler or snacks in your bag as long as you can carry it or put it in a stroller. There are no alcoholic beverages allowed in the parks and no coolers with wheels are allowed.
While there are tons of restaurants, shops, and vendors to purchase food from at all Disney resorts and parks, they can be pretty expensive, especially when you are talking about feeding a family. Pack your own treats and have a full day of fun on a frugal budget.
Disney has a LOT of hotels, 33 to be exact! That’s a lot of Disney Resort Hopping you can do! You can see the full list of Disney Hotels here. If you are looking to stay at a resort Disney has different “levels” of resorts as they strive to be a destination for families of all income levels. You may also want to consider staying off-site for less expensive accommodations, or if you have hotel points you can use.
Want to head to the Disney Theme Parks?
If you are a Florida resident you can choose from a variety of yearly passes at different price points depending on what your family’s needs are. Check out the current Florida resident pass rates here. There are Epcot after 4 pm passes, yearly water park passes, and other options that allow you to visit one park per day most days throughout the year. If you live close to Disney the yearly passes are sure to be your best bet and a lot of fun for your family. These will allow you to visit the park as often as you like and you and your family can enjoy the different seasons, decorations, and festivities all year long!
What are your favorite ways to Disney Resort Hop? What are your tips and tricks to resort hopping at Walt Disney World?
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If you are a wine lover, then you are familiar with the beauty of Napa Valley and Napa Valley wines. Be sure to read on to see the best Wineries in Napa Valley to Visit when planning your trip to Wine Country.
The Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit
Napa Valley is filled beautiful countryside scenery and award-winning wines, Napa Valley is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway or vacation. Napa Valley is a narrow valley a mere 5 miles wide and 30 miles long, produces some of the best wines in the world. Blessed with abundant sunshine, flanked by the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mayacama Mountains to the west, Napa is a picturesque and agreeable excursion from San Francisco, just about an hour away by car.
Due to the micro-climates formed as a result of the varied terrain and effects from the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, Napa Valley is known for producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon from the warmer, northern parts of the Valley, and varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which benefit from the cooling effects of the marine-generated fog from Bay, in the southern part of the valley.
If there’s an Eden among wine regions, could this be it?
Of all the world’s great wine regions, Napa Valley is unique. Not only does it yield some of the world’s finest wines, but it defies the common paradigm of specific regions that suit specific winegrape varieties.
Wine Terroirs Defined
Now a familiar term, terroir refers to the aggregate of soil, climate, slope, and exposure that provides the conditions for vine growth. The French have always held—and continue to hold—that terroir is the most fundamental factor in successful winegrowing. In contrast, many New World winemakers tend to favor the importance of viticulture and winemaking while giving a positive nod to terroir.
Great International Terroirs
Many superlative wine terroirs have proven their uniqueness over centuries: Hungary’s Tokaji for Tokaji Aszu; France’s Bordeaux for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; France’s Loire for Chenin Blanc; Champagne for the undisputed reigning queen of sparkling wines; Burgundy for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Beaujolais for Gamay; Italy’s Montepulciano for superb Sangiovese (Brunello); Italy’s Lange Hills for Nebbiolo; Germany’s Mosel River for Riesling; Australia’s Eden Valley for Shiraz. And the list continues on. The one factor that unifies these great terroirs is that they all are specific to one or two winegrape varieties that perform better there than anywhere else in the world. No international region can claim to provide a superb terroir for just about every winegrape variety that one cares to plant there, except for California’s Napa Valley.
Napa Valley’s Superb Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship variety here, and it’s grown with outstanding success all over the valley floor and in both mountain ranges that rim the valley. It finds its ultimate expression in two of Napa Valley’s AVAs: Oakville/Rutherford and Stags Leap District, where typical prices soar to $200 a bottle and above. Other Napa Valley AVA Cabernets range from around $40 to over $100. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon fruit prices soared to $4,728 per ton. Other varieties proved much less profitable. Sauvignon Blanc, for example, garnered only $1,908 in spite of superb fruit. So why isn’t the entire Napa Valley carpeted with highly profitable Cabernet Sauvignon? If Napa Valley were in France, the government would surely eliminate competing varieties since this exquisite terroir is so profoundly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Uniqueness of Napa Valley
Since Napa Valley is in California, fewer restrictions apply, and wine estates are free to grow whatever they please. In the beginning, it was mostly nut trees and Mission grapes. But as the Napa Valley wine industry developed, it was discovered that nearly every winegrape variety performed extremely well here.
Some of California’s finest Syrahs also hail from Napa Valley.
The uniqueness of Napa Valley is that it lends a Midas touch to everything grown there. Of course, it’s all about world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, but it’s also about Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. White Zinfandel was born here and California’s finest Chenin Blanc carries a Napa Valley appellation.
If you are planning that Wine Country getaway, you will want to know what are the top wineries in Napa Valley. Napa Valley is known for for producing magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon, and almost every single one of the 400+ wineries (95% of which are family owned) in Napa offer at least one for you to try.
My husband and I have been to Napa a few times now and I know that planning a trip to Wine Country can pretty overwhelming. From trying to decide what time of year to visit to what are the best wineries in Napa Valley to go to and where to stay, there are so many things to consider when planning a visit to this wine lovers paradise. The busy times, of course, are during the Fall Harvest and in the summer when it’s warm and inviting. However, we visited in the “slow season” which was in January and we loved it. In January in Napa Valley, the weather is cooler and the crowds are much less, so when you go on that winery tour, you may be with one or two other people instead of 15.
Trying to narrow down which best wineries in Napa Valley to visit can seem like an impossible task. It’s very important that you want to make sure you have enough time at each one as well, because visiting a winery in Napa (or anywhere!) is about the experience, not just tasting a bunch of wines. Wine is made to be swirled, sipped, and savored. In other words, don’t plan to see 10 wineries in a day in hopes to just drink a lot. Forget the visits, and just buy a bottle if that’s what you want to do! Instead, plan your day based on what you want to see and enjoy, because drinking wine and enjoying the moment is what a trip to Napa Valley is all about. I know that once you start planning a trip, you can get excited and want to plan 3 or 4 tastings in a day, but trust me, you won’t enjoy your wine tastings as much if you feel rushed and constantly looking at your watch to see when your next appointment is.
Not sure where to start? This list will definitely help you, but while you are out wine tasting idea consider asking for recommendations from other wineries. Strike up a conversation with the friendly and knowledgeable tasting room staff, as they often have friends and relatives in the local wine scene as well. Wineries know you are not going to visit only one place that day, and many of them have partnerships with or purchase grapes from other vineyards, so it is a great way to get some recommendations for places you may never have heard of.
The first time visited Napa, we stayed and started our wine tasting tour in St. Helena, which was great as St. Helena is a quaint little town that is overflowing with wine-making history. The second time we stayed in Yountville, which I have to say we will definitely do again. Yountville is a hip little town that you can walk to many wineries, eateries, bistros, and shops. We loved being able to walk out the front door of our hotel, and walk to get just about anything we needed. Check out the best places to stay in Yountville before planning your trip to Napa Valley. And the restaurants right in Yountville were incredible! But this article is about the wineries, so I will get back to those…but for more information and details on Yountville, see my post here on Top Things To Do In Yountville.
To help you in making your wine tasting choices, below you will find my favorite Napa Valley wineries to visit. I must note however, that this list might change from time to time. Why? Because I have not visited all 400+ wineries in Napa yet, but it is my goal to make it to a few more 😉 Cheers!
We visited the St. Helena location, there is also the HALL Rutherford, and WALT Sonoma Square locations. HALL Wines St. Helena is located at the historic Bergfeld Vineyard at the base of the Mayacama Mountains. The moment you pull in you will see a huge Bunny. Bunny Foo-Foo is an unique art piece that instantly let’s you know that you are in for a one-of-a kind wine tasting experience. You will find over 35 other pieces of contemporary art at HALL Wines, and they are extraordinary pieces! You will even find artwork on some of the wine labels. HALL Wines is unlike any other winery we have visited, you will find wine, art, history, architecture, technology, incredible views and lots of places to sit, relax and enjoy. We sat on the balcony for a few hours!
Here is a little bit of information on HALL Wines: Owned by Craig & Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features five Certified Organic estates producing classic Bordeaux varietals. HALL’s highly rated wines include the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, selected as Wine Spectator’s #18 of the ‘Top 100’ in 2010, the 2008 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon that earned #2 Wine Spectator “Top 100” Wines, its 2010 Exzellenz earned 100 points by Robert Parker, and its 2013 and 2014 Rainin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon earned 100 points from Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck respectively. Collectively, over 250 HALL Wines have been rated 90 points and above. As you can see, HALL Wines is definitely one of the top rated wineries in Napa Valley.
I can definitely see how they have received so many high ratings, we were able to taste several wines and fell in love with each one. So much so, we decided to join the Wine Club. We have been members for several years now and always visit the winery when we are in Napa.
We added HALL Wines to our winery list to visit because we enjoy the white label wine at one of our favorite restaurants here in Tampa, we had no idea how many different varietals they had or the extent of their Cabernet collection. So, if there is a wine that you enjoy at home, be sure to look them up while you are in Wine Country, you may just be pleasantly surprised by their additional wines and winery.
HALL Wines is open for tastings daily from 10am – 5:30pm. Tastings are $50 per person, tours also start at $50. We did the HALLmark tour, Eric was our “tour guide” and he was fantastic. Wine Tasting Reservations for HALL St Helena, HALL Rutherford, and WALT Sonoma Square are required for groups of 6 or more, and recommended for all visitors.
The Brasswood Vineyard is located on roughly ten acres of land nestled against the foothills of the Mayacamas mountain range. Angela Mondavi, a 4th generation winemaker, who has been involved in the process since she was ten years old, is the consulting winemaker. The vineyard here has a mostly northeastern exposure allowing the fruit to ripen slowly all the while developing complex tannins and aromatics.
The winery itself features 17,000 square feet of caves where this boutique small production wine is made.
Brasswood specializes in Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines are elegant with rich fruit flavors and other tasting notes that are designed to be savored as they age. There are several different wine tasting options available here and all but the signature tasting experience require advance reservations.
You won’t just find wine at the Brasswood Winery, they also have the Brasswood Bar and Bakery, and the Brasswood Bar and Kitchen. The Bakery serves handmade baked goods, sandwiches, salads, coffees, and sweets. You can order a lunch box to go here, but orders must be placed 48 hours in advance. The Brasswood Bar and Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner with a seasonally curated menu. You can have a lunch pairing experience that includes a four course meal and a flight of wines designed to compliment them for $125 per person.
Brasswood Vineyard is open for tastings daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and tastings in the tasting room are $65 per person, tastings in the Caves are $125, and the private sommelier experience is $155 per guest. Reservations are required for all but the tasting room.
The Brasswood Bar and Bakery is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the Brasswood Bar and Kitchen is open daily from 11:30 am until 9:00 pm.
The Elusa Winery and vineyards are located on the Four Seasons property in Calistoga, California. The Four Seasons is the only hotel in the Napa Valley with a Michelin starred restaurant AND a winery and vineyard on site.
The Elusa vineyard is just under 5 acres and protected by both the Palisades mountains and oak trees. The vineyard is all organic and hand-farmed under the watchful eye of winemakers Thomas Rivers Brown and Jonathan Walden.
The vineyard is located in the warmest microclimate in the Napa Valley, making it particularly welcoming for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The winemakers have planted and replanted the vineyard to give their grapes an even more intense flavor. Once you taste their wines I think you’ll agree they have perfected their craft.
Don’t miss their Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon made with grapes from a selection of vineyards in the area. The Petit Sirah is fruit forward and dense with a dark, deep flavor. The Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crisp with a zesty lemon flavor and is partially aged in French oak barrels.
Elusa has a high reputation for quality and the selections being produced here by Thomas Rivers Brown, renowned winemaker are very well worth being part of your next Napa Valley visit itinerary.
The Elusa Winery is open everyday for tastings from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the final tasting of the day starting at 3:30 pm.
Elusa does accept walk-ins and same day tasting, but they highly recommend reservations. The Exploration of Elusa tasting is $85 per guest, and the Exploration of Elusa tasting with a charcuterie and cheese board included is $150 per guest. The Cabernet and Caviar tasting is $300 per guest.
Members can schedule a complimentary tasting at their convenience.
I probably had one of the most incredible experiences of my blogging career (or wine tasting life) at Charles Krug Winery. Before I get into that, let me tell you a bit about the winery. Charles Krug is the oldest winery in Napa Valley, and it is also the home of the first tasting room. The tasting room first opened in 1882 and has evolved into a stunning hospitality center and tasting room that pours exceptional wines. You could say that since this is one of the first wineries opened, it is definitely one of the famous wineries in Napa Valley.
Now that you know a piece of the Charles Krug history, let me tell you about our visit. My husband and I made an appointment for a wine tasting that was later in the day because we wanted to go to dinner right after. Shortly after we arrived, Marc Mondavi (YES, THE MARC MONDAVI) sat down at our table and joined us on our tasting tour of Charles Krug wines. We talked about wine-making, parenting, hunting and traveling until the employees started to shut off the lights in the winery (we missed our dinner reservation by hours).
He was so easy to talk to, and getting his perspective and thoughts on the wines was an experience I will never forget. He told us a family story about the wine Generations, and I will tell you that I always have a bottle of Charles Krug Generations in my house, and not just because the wine is amazing, but because of that story. 95% of Napa wineries are family-owned and I feel it’s the family that makes the wine. I’m not just talking about the actual wine-making process, but the love behind the scenes is what makes a wine so incredible, and you can tell that the Mondavi family loves their family and their wines.
Since that visit to Charles Krug Winery, I have had the opportunity to dine with Janice and Angelina Mondavi, and I can tell you that they are wonderful people as well. So pour a glass of Charles Krug with me and say CHEERS to the oldest winery in Napa! This is a spot you will not want to miss on your Napa Valley wine tour, I promise you.
As for what to taste, well we are Wine Club Members, so I have tasted almost all of the wines by now except the Zin Dessert Wine I believe. I highly recommend all the Limited Release Cabs, because you can’t get them anywhere else and they are incredible. I also enjoy the Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc. There is not much better than a cool, crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc on a hot summer day.
Charles Krug Winery is open for tastings daily from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm. There are two tasting options and prices are $45 and $75. Tastings are free for Wine Club members. Reservations are requested.
Freemark Abbey is another piece of wine-making history. Freemark Abbey has over 130 years of wine-making experience, and is also the home of the first female Napa winery owner on record. Cheers to the women in wine-making! Here after we toured the winery and learned a bit of the history, we did a Cabernet Sauvignon tasting that ended with the 2004. We bought a bottle of the 2004, it was AH-MAZING. We have been holding onto it for a special occasion, but I have learned that sometimes the special occasion is just the fact that it’s Tuesday and our family is all sitting at the table together. So, we have to open that bottle, and soon.
Freemark Abbey Winery is open for tastings daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. There are several tasting options, prices start at $45. Tastings are free for Wine Club members. Reservations are requested.
Duckhorn Vineyards, Freemark Abbey and Chrales Krug are actually all really close to each other, so if you are looking to do a few wineries in a day, these three are great options. Duckhorn was a name that we were familiar with before going to Napa, it’s a wine that we have seen in stores and on the menus of our favorite restaurants. So, we knew we wanted to visit the winery. Duckhorn Vineyards was co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, which was one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries. They are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the Sauvignon Blanc is also a must-try. The winery sits on 10-acres and offers stunning views of the vineyards and garden.
Duckhorn Vineyards Winery is open for tastings daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. There are several tasting options and prices start at $40 per person. The $40 tasting option is free for Wine Club Members. Reservations are required for all tasting options.
Another household favorite wine! St. Supéry Winery is located in Rutherford, the grounds are surrounded by greens and gardens, I honestly just wanted to sit on the porch all day! But there was no way I was missing my wine-tasting experience. St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery produces 100% estate grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals. My favorite St. Supéry white wines are the Dollarhide Sauvignon Blanc and the Semillion.
I will admit that there isn’t a red wine from St. Supéry that we don’t love, but I will say that we always have ELU, Dollarhide Elevation, and the Rutherford Cab in the wine cooler. And if you are looking for a Cab that is great and at a great price point, pick up the St. Supéry Napa Cab the next time you are at the grocery, you can’t go wrong with it! Plus, it is priced under $40! After our visit to the St. Supéry Winery we became Wine Club members.
Their grounds are beautiful, so we sure to allow yourself some time to walk around and enjoy them.
St. Supéry Winery is open for tastings daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. There are several tasting options and prices start at $40 per person. Reservations are preferred but not required.
When planning our trip, we had several people tell us that Quintessa should be added to our list of the best Napa Valley wineries to visit, and that we had to do the tour that took us to the caves where the wine was stored. Well, we did exactly what our friends recommended and it was a winery visit that was unlike any other. Be sure to book your tour in advance, as they only do so many a day and you wouldn’t want to get there and not experience the grounds, caves and the wines.
A total of 160 acres are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carménère on 26 vineyard blocks. Each block is farmed—organically and biodynamically—harvested, and vinified individually to preserve and enhance the nuances of the land. Quintessa offers three different tasting options, but I say if you are going, go with the Quintessential Experience. You won’t regret it. Quintessa wines, just like their property, is complex and elegant.
Quintessa Winery is open for tastings daily from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. There are several tasting options and prices start at $70 per person. Reservations are required.
Have you seen the movie Bottle Shock? Yep, this is that wine. That winery. The 1973 Chardonnay that rocked the world in 1976. Actually, Chateau Montelena still makes incredible wines today, but it was the grounds that I really enjoyed walking through the Chinese-inspired gardens and looking at the French-inspired Chateau.
Chateau Montelena Winery is open for tastings daily from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Tasting prices are $40 per person, and there are upgrades available. Reservations are not required.
Caymus Cabernet has been a favorite of ours for years, so we were really excited to see that the winery is just as exquisite as the wines. Caymus Vineyards offers a relaxed, intimate tasting experience on their beautifully landscaped grounds, with exemplary service from very knowledgeable staff.
We sampled five wines made by the Wagner family – Caymus, Mer Soleil, Emmolo and Conundrum while enjoying that breath-taking view. In fact, we sat there for over 2 hours chatting, sipping, learning about the Wagner Family of wines and just enjoying the moment. They even gave me a blanket to stay warm! We went in January, so it was a bit chilly (but not too bad!) so the blanket was perfect way to stay warm and still enjoy those incredible mountain views.
We also learned about being farmers and winemakers in Napa Valley, and a bit of the Wagner family history dating back more than 150 years.
The Caymus Napa Valley has a taste unlike any other Cabernet Sauvignon we have had. You can always tell when you are enjoying a Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. Caymus Cabernets offer a wide array of aromas and flavors including cocoa and vanilla, but for me, it’s the vanilla that the most memorable. We were excited to try the Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon when we were there, it was so good we even bought a bottle! But you don’t have to take my word for it, it is the only wine that has won Wine Of The Year twice by Wine Spectator. This Special Selection Cab is silky perfection. We actually bought more than a case overall, this was our first time trying some of the Wagner family wines and after tasting them, we had to bring them home.
Mer Soleil gets it’s name from the sea and sun, and the wine is a true representation of them both. Sourced from Santa Lucia Highlands, the Reserve Chardonnay and Pinot Noir powerful and flavorful. Both wines spend time in oak barrels, the Chardonnay spends the longest time giving it buttery notes while still being light and the Pinot Noir spends 9 months in French Oak giving it that depth of flavor.
Emmolo is from Jenny Wagner, she loves the crisp bright taste of a Sauvignon Blanc and she created one that you must try. Emmolo also produces a beautiful Merlot (that has a bit of spice and it fruit forward) with grapes sourced from the Oak Knoll District and a Sparkling Wine.
I love the name Conundrum, doesn’t it just sound fun? And that is exactly what the wine is, bright, fun and a mix of beautiful grapes from the Caymus Vineyards. I love the Conundrum Rosé, and for the price of just $18 it’s definitely a Rosé that will be a staple in my house. There are other varietals, they are all extraordinary blends made with from finest of vineyards.
Caymus Vineyards is open for tastings daily from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. Tastings are $50 per person. Reservations are preferred and encouraged. Caymus does not have a Wine Club, they work very hard with their distributors so that you can find their family of wines wherever you are, you can also buy them online.
The winery is housed in the former Post Office building, built-in 1872. The charming, historic building makes an amazing backdrop for tasting some heavenly wines. Appointments are currently requested.
Elizabeth Spencer Wines is located at 1165 Rutherford Road (Hwy 128) in Rutherford. The tasting room is open Thursday – Monday 10 – 5 PM. Tastings start at $40 per person.
Darioush Winery, reflecting the heritage of Darioush Khaledi’s Persian ancestry, resembles the palaces of the ancient city of Persepolis, near the cradle of wine-making in Iran, thought to originate as long ago as 5,000 BCE. The imposing structure of hand-hewn stone from Iran and formal gardens graciously welcome the visitor to Napa.
The impeccable service by the staff at Darioush ensures that every visitor feels special, from the valet to the tasting room staff. They are usually puring five wines the Signature Chardonnay, crisp and balanced, and the Signature Cabernet Franc, robust and fruity.
Darioush Winery is located at 4240 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558 and is open daily from 10:30 – 5:00 PM. Tastings start at $85 per person.
Owned by the Leonardini Family, Whitehall Lane is known for its outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. But they also have an impressive Sauvignon Blanc, it is exhibiting bright and non-grassy flavors. Their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is also excellent, with full, fruity flavors expressed.
Whitehall Lane is taking a leadership role in exploring closure systems as vintners continue to struggle with balancing the many positive aspects of natural cork with the problems resulting from a small percentage of cork taint. Whitehall Lane uses screw-top closures, natural cork, and an innovative glass cork, which they use for their reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Whitehall Lane is located at 1563 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574. is open daily 10 – 5:30 PM. Tastings start at $60 per person
The McDonald family owns land that has been producing grapes for generations but only recently established the Round Pond winery. The tasting room takes advantage of their site in the middle of the valley, with an open, airy covered deck overlooking a wide expanse of vineyards backed by the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and St. Helena Mountain to the north.
Tastings can pair three wines with morsels of foods showcasing their other products, olive oil, citrus syrups, and vinegar. The Sauvignon Blanc, with its bright citrus flavors and the Cabernet Sauvignon was rich berry flavors and well-balanced tannin.
Round Pond is located at 875 Rutherford Rd. Rutherford, CA 94573 and is open daily from 10 – 4 PM.
Vincent Arroyo Winery is located in Calistoga and is open for tasting by appointment only now. One of the specialties here is the Petite Syrah. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting as Vincent’s dogs are even part of the winemaking process, complete with their own blends! JJ and Bodega are regular fixtures at the winery and even share in the fame after their appearance in the Winery Dogs Calendar.
While these are some of my favorite places to visit in Napa, there are well over 500 wineries in the region. Not everyone is always going to like the same wines, but by choosing wineries like these that offer a great selection of both white and red wines at varying price points, you’ll be sure to find something you will like!
You may want to add some of them to your next visit to wine country!
One another related note, if you plan on going to one or more wineries in Napa Valley, I do recommend hiring a driver or have a DD 😉 Nothing ruins a day of wine tasting faster than getting pulled over. Please drink responsibly.
So, if you have ever wondered what is the best winery in Napa Valley, I hope this list helps you narrow it down some.
Have you been to Napa Valley? What is your top Napa Valley Winery to visit? What would you say are the top wines in Napa Valley?
Photo credit: Alex Rubin
I told you that Napa is filled with wine-making history, and if you want to learn more about the history and Napa itself, be sure to stop at 1881 Napa. 1881 Napa is Napa Valley’s first wine history museum and tasting salon. At the museum you can explore Napa’s rich wine history, an extensive collection of historic wine relics from Europe and the United States and original artifacts from the Early California Wine Trade Archive. 1881 Napa is located in a historic Victorian home built in 1874 next to Oakville Grocery (founded in 1881, it is the oldest operating grocery in California). The wine museum in 1881 Napa is open to the public with complimentary visitation. A self-guided tour up to and along the museum’s second-floor mezzanine tells the history of Napa Valley, introduces the founders and influential early pioneers.
1881 Napa is located at 7856 St. Helena Highway in Oakville and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are interested in doing any wine tastings, reservations are recommended. You can make wine-tasting reservations (which are not complimentary 😉 ) here.
Is your favorite Napa Valley Winery not on this list? Be sure to email me your favorites so I can be sure to check it out, and perhaps add it to my list of the Best Napa Valley wineries to visit.
This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.
Tampa is filled with outstanding restaurants, here are the Best Date Night Tampa Restaurants. Your favorite date night spot in Tampa not on the list? Be sure to let me know what it is.
Best Date Night Restaurants in Tampa Bay
Everyone needs a night out now and then. And whether it’s because you don’t want to cook that night, or because you are celebrating something special, a nice date night is always welcome. My husband and I have dined at quite a few restaurants in Tampa, but definitely not them all, so if you have a favorite date night restaurant in the Tampa Bay that you think should be on this list, be sure to reach out to me and I can get it added!
Looking for a taste of Southern Italy here in Tampa? Well, you found it! Che Vita is located inside the Hilton in downtown Tampa. My husband and I were there recently for a date night and we enjoyed every sip and bite! We started our meal off with introductions from the Executive Chef, James and Chef Fabio who explained their passion for Southern Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The result is a menu filled with fresh and flavorful ingredients that you won’t find elsewhere!
Authentic with a fresh twist. Well done Che Vita – What a life!
There are actually three restaurants inside the Karol Hotel that I recommend checking out on your next date night. Each one has a very different experience.
The Vantage Rooftop is…well, you guessed it…on the rooftop of the Karol Hotel. The views are absolutely incredible. We went here on a Saturday night and got a table on the balcony, it was shaded and offered views of water and the downtown skyline. It was the perfect place to sit, relax and catch up on all the happenings of week. I highly recommend having a handcrafted cocktail (Karol Bliss was delish) and the Seafood Platter. The watermelon granita on top of the fresh oysters was the perfect pairing. Here you can enjoy tapas, cocktails, local craft beers and wine. It is a beautiful location to unwind and dine.
You can eat in the Bistro area or the Bar area. Both are beautiful and uniquely decorated. We ate in the Bistro and enjoyed the view of the water and ambience of the lights on the deck. The menu offers local seafood, the highest quality steaks, chicken, pasta and tapas. You can order one of the signature cocktails, craft brews or enjoy a glass of wine. Our server recommended the Orin Swift Papillon Red Blend and we were very pleased! While the steaks are promised to be some of the best in the Tampa Bay area, my husband and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have local Black Grouper. He enjoyed his piccata style and I had it as the fish & chips. It was by far the best fish & chips I have ever had…and those rosemary fries…Next time we will definitely try the steak!
The Karol Hotel is located at 2675 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater Florida 33762.
Vantage Rooftop Bar is open Tuesday – Thursday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Friday – Saturday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Happy Hour specials are available Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 6:00.
K Club Bar & Bistro is open Tuesday – Thursday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Friday – Saturday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. You can make reservations via phone at (727) 273-8760 or on OpenTable.
Located right on the Tampa Riverwalk with unbeatable views, a fun outside area, a stellar wine list and an outstanding menu, you can’t go wrong having a night out at Ulele. Be sure to try the charbroiled oysters! The Caymus Cabernet is reasonably priced here as well, so be sure to grab a bottle. Our favorite entrees here are usually the Juan Snapper, Shrimp N’ Grits, and Barry’s Tomahawk Pork Chop. And while all the desserts are extraordinary, we always come back to the house-made ice cream…the maple duck bacon is…wow.
Ulele is located at 1810 North Highland Avenue Tampa, FL 33602 and is open for lunch and dinner daily.
Located in the heart of Tampa on Kennedy Blvd. Mise En Place isn’t worried about trends, they are focused on classic food with a French twist. Mixed in with a bit of a contemporary flair. They also have an outstanding wine list. Entrees include everything from rice noodles to duck breast, and be sure to save room for dessert.
Mise En Place is located at 442 West Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606 and is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday.
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor is a piece of Tampa history. I’m sure it will always be on my list of best date night Tampa restaurants for that reason alone! Go for the incredible sangria, the homemade bread and the 1905 salad, but be sure to take in a piece of the history while you are there too, you will feel like you stepped back in time.
Columbia Restaurant is located at 2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 and is open everyday for lunch and dinner.
Donatello Tampa serves up authentic Italian cuisine and will make you feel special the moment you walk through the door. And when you walk out actually, as each lady receives rose. Their menu is mainly derived from Italy, consisting of handmade pasta that is made daily and much more. We almost always get a pasta dish when we are at Donatello’s, but we have loved everything we had tried, a few favorites are: Cannelloni Donatello ( Rolled fresh pasta stuffed with veal, mozzarella, glazed with besciamella and tomato sauce), Linguini Al Granchio ( Linguini with jumbo crab meat in a white wine or tomato sauce) and the Scalopinni Di Vitello Pulcinella (Veal scaloppini sautéed with prosciutto and fontina cheese). The waitstaff here is impeccable, always making you feel like you are first-class. They also have an impressive wine list, but be prepared for first class prices.
Donatello Tampa is located at 232 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Tampa Florida 33609 and is open nightly for dinner.
This one is not too far from our house, so we end up at Sacred Pepper frequently. The food is delicious. I definitely recommend the blackened steak bites for an appetizer, and the short rib pasta is a family favorite. For dessert, the bread pudding is remarkable. If your wine tastes are a bit higher end, just ask for the Reserve Wine List, I recommend the Hall Cabernet. If you happen to go on a Sunday, be sure to look at the Sacred Sunday Special, not only is it a great deal, but it includes a lot of our favorites; you get your choice of pizzette, pasta, entree and a bowl of homemade ice cream for dessert all for under $20 per person. They also have a Ciao Monday Special.
Sacred Pepper is located at 15405 N Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, FL 33618 and is open nightly for dinner.
Because sometimes you just need comfort food. Located on West Bay to Bay in Tampa, Counter Culture serves up all your favorite comfort foods but not in the way your mom did. However, my mom never served up octopus, but you will find an incredible octopus dish served here 😉 Modern plates are available in this casual, yet upscale dining experience with bay views.
Counter Culture is located at 2909 W Bay to Bay #100 Tampa, FL 33629 and is open Monday – Friday for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner.
Datz has a fun atmosphere, eclectic eats and out of the this world desserts. Be sure to come hungry because the portions are HUGE. Datz is the home of comfort food with flair, such as chicken and waffles eggs benedict (which is a family favorite). Datz also serves up craft beers, a large variety of bourbon, house-made breads, and you will not be at a loss of bacon or cheese. If you love a good brunch menu, Datz is your place.
Datz has an eclectic cocktail menu with artisanal liquors found nowhere else in Tampa and has a seasonal menu. And if you have a sweet tooth (like me) you have to visit Dough right next door. Dough is a whimsical, from scratch bakery. Here you will find out-of-this-world doughnuts, cupcakes, coffees and more.
datz is located at 2616 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629 and is open everyday, with all day brunch on Sunday.
Located…you guessed it…on Swann in Tampa, this contemporary restaurant focuses on seasonally-inspired dishes with a local flair. Known for their incredible brunch, they also have a dinner menu that will leave you deciding what to get for awhile…which is okay as they have a fully stocked bar that will serve up your favorite cocktails. Start with on of their Starters, such as the Lamb Meatballs and work your way up to the Blackened Beef Ribeye which is plenty big enough for two. For dessert, may I recommend the seasonal cobbler? Delish.
On Swann is located at 1501 Swann Ave. Tampa, FL 33606 and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Here you will find carefully crafted unique menu items that include hand-selected charcuterie boards, crab hushpuppies, fried brussels sprouts salad, duck confit taco and much more. Haven is located on West Morrison Avenue in Tampa and serves up 300 bourbons and 40 wines by the glass! Cheers to that!
Haven is located at 2208 West Morrison Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 and is open Monday – Saturday for dinner, with Happy Hour Specials from 5:00 – 7:00. They are closed on Sundays.
While taking in 360-degree views of the Tampa, Westshore, and St. Petersburg skylines, guests at Sal Y Mar can experience a mouth-watering collection of tapas, from Citrus Crab Cakes and Vegetable Bruschetta, to more authentic Spanish treats such as Carne Asada Street Tacos and Pan Seared Scallops with mango puree, plantain crisp, and pico de gallo. The menu was created by Executive Chef Stephanie Bisogne and showcases the freshest possible local ingredients in a surprising assortment of salads and entrees, including Filet Mignon, Pan-seared Grouper, Chipotle-charred Chicken and more, along with a small selection of fresh-made desserts to provide a sweet ending to any meal. Sal Y Mar also serves a wide array of classic and artisanal craft cocktails, local craft beers, wines and bubbles for guests to enjoy as they toast another Florida sunset.
Drawing on Mayan influences from the Mexican coastal town of Tulum, the space is dressed in earth tones and coastal organic finishes, with fresh crisp linens, bamboo ceiling and comfortable hanging hammock chairs. Whether gathered for happy hour, special events, or a fun evening out with friends, guests can enjoy panoramic skyline views of the Bay area through floor-to-ceiling windows or the open air.
Sal Y Mar is located at 3650 Midtown Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Sal Y Mar is open 7 days a week from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM, until 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.
I had to add this one because it’s such a fun place to go on a date. Not sure what kind of food you want but you know you want a fun atmosphere? Head to Sparkman’s Wharf! There are a lot of options, but no assigned seating, so keep a look out for an open table. They also have entertainment at night, and it’s on the water! We really like the empanadas at Montados. The pizza at The Corners was also a delicious, I mean, the corners are the best part of the pizza!
Sparkman’s Wharf is located at 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 and is open daily. There are two parking lots/garages that are very close for your convenience.
If your date night allows you to stay overnight be sure to check out Epicurean Hotel. Experience the best of South Tampa at the boutique, food-focused Epicurean Hotel, a member of the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International. This 137-room property is not far from beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and Hyde Park Village. Overnight guests may enjoy dinner at the hotel’s signature Élevage restaurant, or take advantage of takeout from the award-winning Bern’s Steak House, right next door, which is on my list for best dessert spots in Tampa.
What is your top choice for the best date night Tampa restaurants? Let me know so I can get it added to my list!
Looking for more than just date night restaurants? Check out these 32 Unique Date Night Ideas.
This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.
Northern Michigan is filled with wineries and stunning views that you don’t want to miss. Here are the Best Michigan Wineries to Visit.
10 Best Northern Michigan Wineries to Visit
Yes, I said Michigan wine. For all my fellow wine drinkers out there, I am guessing you didn’t even know wineries in Michigan existed. Well, Michigan wine does exist, and the state features some of the most gorgeous wineries and views that I think I have ever seen. Now, I may be a bit biased, as I grew up in Michigan and I go up to the Traverse City area every year. But even to the newcomer, you will see that you can’t help but be in awe. And while I like to think that the beauty of Northern Michigan is a secret, there are quite a few celebrities that call it home (or at least their summer home), like Tim Allen and Carter Oosterhouse.
My husband and I were married in Northern Michigan, and both of our children were baptized in the small town of Suttons Bay. I have lived in Florida for over 15 years, but we still drive up every year so that we can experience the beauty of Northern Michigan and spend time with friends and family.
Now, I will openly admit, that I haven’t found a “true” red wine in Michigan. They definitely try though! I just haven’t found that one that can even come close to a complex Napa Cabernet. But, the whites are crisp and easy drinking and again, the views at the wineries are just unreal.
So, if you happen to be traveling in Northern Michigan, I thought I would share with you my picks for the best Michigan wineries to visit. These are the same wineries that we visit every year. They are the Michigan wineries that you will not want to miss. And to me, they are the wineries that are worth the long 28 hour drive it takes to get there.
Here are the 10 Best Michigan Wineries to Visit. Cheers!
You will walk into a gorgeous tasting room, but I recommend heading right out the door to the right and going up to the balcony. Here you can order a glass of wine or one of their famous Frose cocktails and small plates. Take a few pictures of the bay then put your phone away and just enjoy the views. My favorite wines here are the Naked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the Rose…we actually bought two bottles of each this year.
Brys Estate is located at 3309 Blue Water Road Traverse City, MI 49686. Brys Estate Winery hours are 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and they do vary slightly by season, so be sure to double check before heading out to do some wine tasting. No reservations are required, but they are recommended.
This is our honeymoon spot! We actually stay here every year for a night to celebrate our anniversary, so it will always be on my list of the best Michigan wineries to visit. The staff is beyond friendly, and the owners really make you feel like you are a part of the family. If you choose to stay the night at the B&B too, just a word of advice…do not be late for breakfast. They aren’t kidding when they say “You snooze, you lose.”
The winery has an incredible deck that has plenty of seating, and their prices for tastings are very reasonable. If you get the chance to be there on a Thursday, I highly recommend staying for a Jazz at Sunset performance. I usually end up buying a couple of their bottles just for the labels, I mean, how can I resist the Naughty Red? Like I mentioned, I don’t really enjoy Michigan Reds, but the bottle is definitely a conversational piece on my wine wall. I do enjoy a glass or two of the bubbly here, Tonight and Celebrate are my usual go-tos.
Chateau Chantal is located at 15900 Rue de Vin Traverse City, MI 49686. Chateau Chantal Tasting Room hours are Sunday – Wednesday: 11am – 5pm and Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm. No reservations are required for tastings, but reservations are required for their Jazz at Sunset Events.
Chateau Chantal’s phone number is: (231) 223-4110
While on Old Mission Peninsula, we always have dinner at the Jolly Pumpkin. Now, if you are reading this, you are a wine lover, but if you happen to have someone in your group that prefers beer, the Jolly Pumpkin has plenty to choose from! If you would like a bottle of wine with dinner, I strongly recommend the Bonafide Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a tad on the pricey side, but it’s worth it.
Even if you don’t taste the wine here, you have to walk in! It’s like walking up to a beautiful old castle with a view that will make you forget about just about everything else.
Mari Vineyards is founded Marty Lagina, who planted exotic varieties like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and others that normally don’t grow in Michigan. Combined with a little creative grape growing and a lot of attention, they have created a wide variety of red wines unlike anything else produced in Michigan.
Mari Vineyards is located at 8175 Center Rd. Traverse City, MI 49686. Mari Vineyards Tasting Room hours are Monday – Thursday 12pm – 7pm, Friday and Saturday 11am – 7pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm. Reservations are not required.
This is one of the newer wineries up on Old Mission Peninsula, and I will be honest, we drove right past it the first time we saw it because the front facade isn’t much to look at. Don’t make the same mistake we did. When you walk in you are greeted by window after window and a view of the vineyards. The inside is a modern twist of Michigan beauty. They sell small plates here too, so if you need a bite of food to go along with all the wine you have been tasting, this is a good stop. Grab a small plate and a glass of wine and head out to one of the picnic tables on the deck. Our favorite the last few years has been the Rosé.
The tastings here are a bit on the pricier side, so we usually just go with a glass. If you ask the server if you can have a small taste of the wine you are going to buy a glass of, they usually do that without any issues. I usually get the Pinot Blanc here.
Bonobo Winery is located at 12011 Center Road Traverse City, MI 49686. The Bonobo Winery Tasting Room is open Sunday – Thursday 12pm -6pm and Friday and Saturday 12pm -9pm. No reservations are required. They do have live music, so be sure to check out Bonobo Winery Events to stay up to date with all the fun happenings.
Leelanau Wine Cellars is clear on the other side of peninsula from the wineries I listed above. Leelanau Cellars is located in Omena, and it’s definitely worth the drive, it’s a beautiful drive along the water. I recommend stopping at Leelanau Wine Cellars for a few reasons; it has the most affordable wines, the tastings are free and the view of Grand Traverse Bay is absolutely stunning.
I always stop here to bring home wine for my friends back in Florida, if you buy a case, you even get a discount on top of their incredible prices. You can buy a bottle of wine for around $6-$7, some bottles are more and some bottles are less.
Leelanau Wine Cellars is known for their fruit wines (you will find cherry, blueberry, apple and more!), Witches Brew (which isn’t just for Halloween!), but my recent favorites are the bubblys. This year I came home with several bottles and cans of the Great Lakes Bubbly and Summer Sunset Rosé Bubbly. The cans are absolutely perfect for going to the beach, a day on the boat or anywhere you are going.
I recently had the opportunity to tour the actual winery this year and it’s no wonder that Leelanau Wine Cellars produces over 50% of wine in Michigan. They have 35 full time employees that work together to help produce and sell over 270,000 cases of wine a year!
Leelanau Cellars Tasting Room is located at 5019 N West Bay Shore Dr, Omena, MI 49674. Leelanau Wine Cellars Tasting Room is open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 6pm and Sunday from 12pm – 6pm. No reservations are required.
Leelanau Cellars phone number is: 231-386-5201
Leelanau Cellars is also in the same building as the Knot Just a Bar and Restaurant, so walk over and grab some fish and chips. I also love their gourmet grilled cheese and my son highly recommends the pulled pork sandwich.
45 North and Blustone are great to hit on the same afternoon, they are right by each other, but they each offer a different vibe. 45 North is a barn-like atmosphere with lots of seating and outside games to keep everyone in the family happy. Tastings are priced similar to the other wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula, but we like to come for the atmosphere and small plates, so of course you end up doing a tasting or two. This year our favorites were the Chardonnay and Dry Riesling.
45 North was established in 2006 and is a family-owned winery. They have 3 vineyards and over 40 acres planted to bring us amazing products like red wine, white wine, sparkling wines, ice wine, fruit wines, port-style wines and ciders.
45 North is located at 8580 E Horn Rd, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. 45 North Winery Tasting Room is open everyday from 11am – 5pm. These hours may vary slightly by season, so be sure to double check if you are visiting in the Fall. No reservations are required.
Head to the top of the hill and will be rewarded with an intimate setting inside and a simple porch with views of the vineyards. I do buy a red wine here, AD LIB, it’s a casual drinking red and it’s priced great at just $16. I also like the Pinot Grigio (so does my mom), and the ciders are good. My brother really likes the kick of the Ginger Apple Cider.
Blustone Vineyards is located at 780 N. Sylt Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. Blustone Vineyard Tasting Room is open Monday – Thursday 12pm – 6pm, Friday – Saturday 12pm – 8pm and Sunday 12pm – 5pm. No reservations are required, but they are recommended.
Bluestone Vineyards’ phone number is: 231-256-0146
If you like bubbly, then you have to make sure Mawby is on your list. Plus, a bottle of Wild, Detroit and Sex are always fun to buy.
Mawby is located at 4519 Elm Valley Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Mawby Tasting Room hours are Monday – Saturday 12pm – 6pm and Sunday 12pm – 5pm. No reservations are required.
No views to boast of from the windows here, but it is right in one of my favorite towns, Leland. Leland is filled with cute shops and one of my favorite restaurants, The Cove. So, head to Verterra, do some tastings and cruise the town for a few hours. And don’t leave before watching the sun set on Lake Michigan. I do really enjoy the Pinot Grigio here, and if it was a good harvest, I usually buy a case.
Verterra Winery is located at 103 E. River Street Leland MI 49654. The Tasting Room hours are Monday – Saturday 12pm – 7pm and Sunday 12pm – 6 pm. They do vary in the colder months, so be sure to double check before you head into town to do some tastings.
The Boathouse is unique as it’s right on the canal, so all you have to do is walk in, get a glass of wine and head right outside to one of the many lawn chairs and watch the boaters cruise by. They also have live music a few nights a week in the summer, so we usually plan to go on those days. Can you think of anything better than drinking wine with friends, with the water in the background and listening to live music? I can’t!
In fact, the kids even like going to this one because they love the music and watching the boats. Since my husband prefers red wine and we are usually here for awhile, we get a bottle of the Cabernet Franc, it’s not a bad price at $32, but do not expect it to taste like a California wine…it’s not. I also like the Pinot Grigio. I feel like you really can’t go wrong with a Pinot Grigio, well, unless it’s really sweet. They have added two Rosés to their wine list in 2020 and I loved the Cab Franc Rosé. It was a bit dry and not at all sweet. I bought a bottle to bring home with me. New in 2021 is the Dry Dock Riesling which was a favorite, we got a few bottles of that and the Cab Franc while we listened to the live music outside with friends and family.
Boathouse Vineyards is located at 115 St Mary’s St, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. The Tasting Room is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12pm – 6pm, Wednesdays 12pm – 8pm and Sundays 12pm – 7pm. The nights they are open later is when they have live music.
This one isn’t a winery, but I am adding it here as a bonus for you all. You’re welcome. You can actually walk from the Boathouse to Northern Latitudes. Northern Latitudes is a distillery and it offers free tastings, but I recommend skipping the crazy crowds around the tasting area and head straight to the bar. They make some of the most amazing cocktails you will ever have, and I am not over exaggerating.
The prices are reasonable and these cocktails pack a punch! My mom’s favorite is the Pina Colada, I like the Hell Yeah, Cherry Cobbler, Ginger Sunset and the Ginger Mule. The Kentucky Waffle is always a favorite of the guys. The Hell Yeah is the one pictured above.
Have you ever been to the wineries in Northern Michigan? If so, which would you say are the best Michigan wineries to visit?
Overall, there are over 140 wineries in Michigan and that number grows each year. Most of the wineries are located in Northern Michigan. If you would like to see a list of all the wineries in Michigan, you can do that here.
Planning your wine tasting adventure in Northern Michigan, you can view the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail Map here.
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This post was sponsored by RITZ as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Whether you are traveling near or far, these Road Trip Essentials will make sure you have everything you need. Be sure to grab the free road trip must haves printable too!
School’s out for summer! School’s out for-ever! We are counting down the last few days of school and kids have been asking for weeks what our plans are. What can we do, what can we see, who can come with us. It’s prime ROAD TRIP time. Whether is almost summer or middle of the winter, everyone loves a good road trip, but if you want your road trip to be a successful adventure, you need to make sure you have all the road trip essentials. That’s why I made you all this list and free road trip checklist printable…you’re welcome 🙂
A lot of our road trips include camping, whether it’s a quick trip to Disney or a long drive up to Michigan, we love being able to pack up the camper and stay for awhile and enjoy the outdoors. Isn’t that what taking a road trip is all about? A little adventure, a little extra family time, and enjoying the open road! Road trip planning can seem like a daunting task, and that’s why I made the printable, that way you have a checklist to help with your road trip packing and planning.
Here are 20 Road Trip Essentials that you will need for your next adventure:
License, Registration, Insurance Card and contact #s – Obvious, yes, but do NOT leave home without them.
Car Manual – Just in case!
Spare Tire – We hope you don’t have to use it, but if you do, you will want it. And don’t forget to check that it’s in good condition.
Roadside Emergency Kit – Look to make sure it includes a Swiss Army Knife or a multi-tool.
First Aid Kit – You want to make sure you have the basics such a band-aids, antiseptic, etc. Be sure to toss in some Dramamine (motion sickness pills) and pain relievers (ibuprofen etc).
Paper Maps/Maps.Me App – Just in case you lose cell service! Maps.Me is a free app that lets you download detailed maps which can be used offline and without mobile service and acts as GPS.
Phone chargers/USB cord – Again, an obvious, but don’t leave without them!
Money – We all may rely on our phones and credit cards, but money works on tolls, parking meters and other place that doesn’t accept credit cards
Flashlight – Gotta be safe. If you break down at night, a flash light is a must.
Large Water Bottles/Reusable Bottles/Travel Mug – You are going to want something to drink! And be sure to have a few extra bottles of water just in case you get stranded.
Snacks – Road trip snacks are a must. Hunger strikes at any time, and not always when a fast food place is 5 minutes away. We always have some protein (nuts, beef jerky etc) and RITZ Crisp & Thins. Our current favorite varieties are Barbecue and Cheddar. They are so light and crunchy and I can always find them at Walmart when I can grabbing my other road trip essentials.
Boredom Busters – Magazine, mad libs, a good book, road trip games.
Sunglasses – You can totally survive without them, but you will be happier with them.
Travel Pillow – Keep your travel companions comfy.
Hand sanitizer – Well, for everything you touch outside of the car.
Mints – My dad swears that mints help him stay alert while driving. Plus, there is nothing wrong with fresh breath 😉
Wet wipes or Baby wipes – These are perfect to clean your hands after snacks or cleaning up small spills.
Trash Bags – A simple plastic grocery bag will do, you don’t want to have trash all over the car.
Pen and paper – You never know when you will need it.
Bug Spray & Sunscreen
Ice Scraper if you are traveling somewhere cold, or during the winter in somewhere other than Florida 😉
Now that you have all the road trip essentials, where will your next road trip be? The beach? The mountains? A friend’s house? No matter where we seem to go, the kids always make sure I have RITZ Crisp & Thins in the car. It’s their (and my) favorite snack because they are so light yet full of flavor…no dips needed! Plus, they are always coming out with new flavors to try.
Don’t forget to snag the free road trip essentials checklist printable, in fact, print a few copies now and toss one in each car now so that you can refer to as needed and use the Notes section to jot anything down that I may have missed. Oh, and be sure to tell me too, that way I can add it to my list!
I grabbed our favorite road trip snacks at Walmart, the kids and I love easy snacks and having them on hand not only saves us time from stopping and getting food, but it helps saves money because we aren’t eating out.
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Whether you are traveling to Long Island to visit family or vacation, here are 10 Free Things to Do on Long Island to fill your travel itinerary.
10 Free Things to Do on Long Island
Long Island is made up of four counties in downstate New York, two of which are New York City boroughs. It’s one of the most densely populated regions in the United States, with over 7.5 million people living on the island, 5 million of whom live in Queens or Brooklyn. While the western towns and villages are metropolitan, eastern Long Island communities feature farms and agricultural necessities. No matter where you stay in Nassau or Suffolk counties, you’ll always be close to a public beach.
People don’t typically consider Long Island to be a tourist destination – rather, visitors often come here to visit family or attend the local colleges. However, there is still plenty to do on this 118-mile-long extension of New York. These free things to do on Long Island focus on Nassau and Suffolk counties, which offer more natural attractions and a lower population density. When New York City becomes too expensive, give your wallet a break by taking a road trip and heading east!
Located in Nassau County, this 259-acre park is a favorite among South Shore families. In addition to the large playground area, Cedar Creek Park features a bicycle path to Jones Beach, a popular beachfront that charges for parking. Beat the system by making the 5-mile bike journey to the one beach you need to see in Nassau County!
Cedar Creek Park also has an archery range that is open to the public. You’ll need to bring your own equipment, but you don’t need a permit to use the range.
This Nassau County preserve used to be a landfill. Now, it’s a plant and wildlife sanctuary with land and sea animals. Most people who visit this peaceful park hike along the trails, which peak at an altitude of 115 feet. From here, those who worked their way to the top can see the New York City skyline. Goats and large birds tend to join hikers on the trail, so be on the lookout for them!
The preserve also has 18 exercise stations along the trails, along with a kayak launching site from June-August. Although you can rent a kayak on site, you can bring your own to paddle for free.
After 4:00pm, it’s free to park at Montauk Point State Park. The park sits on the southeastern tip of Long Island, where tides from two bodies of water converge. Visitors can explore nature trails, playgrounds, and the (cold) ocean water by the Montauk Lighthouse. The historical landmark is the oldest lighthouse in the country, commissioned by George Washington in 1792!
Montauk is 115 miles east of New York City, yet it’s accessible by public transportation. Take the Long Island Rail Road from as far west as Penn Station or save some time by driving there.
One of Long Island’s most well-known attractions is the Big Duck, a giant duck-shaped building built in the 1930’s. It’s free to visit the building and take photos with it, though you might want to purchase some duck-inspired memorabilia. On the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving, Long Islanders gather around the Big Duck for a holiday lighting ceremony. If you won’t be in Suffolk County that day, fear not – the Big Duck is open for visitors all year long!
Find the Big Duck in Flanders, NY in eastern Suffolk County. On your way there, you’ll likely pass the spot where Long Island splits, sometimes called “the fork.”
While most gardens and nurseries on Long Island charge an admissions fee, the Clark Botanic Garden operates on an optional donation system. This beautiful site features colorful flowers, tall pine trees, and ponds to explore. Since Long Island experiences four distinct seasons, different plants are in bloom each month. Check out the garden’s map to see what you’ll likely find during your visit!
The Clark Botanic Garden is in Nassau County, just a short drive away from Queens.
Long Island is home to lots of aviation history in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Grumman Memorial Park pays tribute to the Grumman Corporation’s impact on aviation. Check out various warplanes, like an authentic F-14 Tomcat and an A-6E intruder. If you’re spending time in Suffolk County, spend some time at the park to learn about aviation in New York!
Eventually, the Grumman Memorial Park will feature a museum and other sites. In the meantime, a trip to the park will not take up too much of your time.
American Guitar Museum
The American Guitar Museum on the border of Nassau County and Queens is free to enter! It’s located in an old farmhouse, and is home to musical artifacts you may recognize. See the John D’Angelico guitar that was played in the wedding scene of The Godfathers, as well as one of Les Paul’s original Gibsons. You’ll even find a La Cote guitar from 1840!
The museum’s website has not been updated since 1998, so it’s best to call them for more information.
Many parks on Long Island host free concerts in the summertime. Although some of the venues charge for parking, others like the Clark Botanic Garden do not. Long Island has a vibrant music scene, with rock, jazz, and cover bands in nearly every town. No matter where on Long Island you’re staying, you’ll be able to find free music during the warmer months!
Some of the same venues that host free concerts also show outdoor movies for free, like Eisenhower Park and the Town of Babylon.
At the Dolan DNA Learning Center in Nassau County, visitors can check out a museum exhibit for free on the weekdays. In the main gallery space, you’ll meet Otzi the Iceman, the mummified remains of a 5,300-year-old man. Otzi helped scientists make incredible scientific discoveries, like the fact that Lyme disease existed thousands of years ago. You’ll also see a timeline of life on Earth, the evolution of different body parts, and an interactive wall to help visitors explore genetic diversity. Barring a school event that closes off the exhibit, you’re invited to take a self-guided tour!
Other exhibits at the Dolan DNA Learning Center may also be open to the public. Be sure to ask upon arrival!
Suffolk Community Colleges has three campuses on Long Island. On their Ammerman campus, this gallery features artwork from students, faculty, and mid-career artists from New York and beyond. There’s also a gallery on the Eastern campus that focuses on Rasta art. Join growing art enthusiasts as they learn about the discipline!
Long Island earned its name for how large it is. With that in mind, there’s an endless number of things to do throughout the island’s hundreds of communities. Whether you’re interested in visiting parks, museums, or waterfronts, you can do it for free!
Have you been to Long Island? What are your favorite things to do on Long Island?
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One way to explore the beauty of Napa and discover Napa Valley wineries is by train. Check out what you need to know about the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Napa Valley Wine Train Information
California is known for its wines and scenic views. The wineries in Napa, Sonoma and the land here are beautiful to see no matter what manner of travel that you use but some methods of transportation are a little more unique than others. Have you ever wanted to travel by train? Do you like wine? If so, then you need to treat yourself to a trip aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train!
The Napa Valley Wine Train has been in operation for over 30 years and the train itself is a fully operational, but nicely refurbished antique train, powered by two modified-1950’s engines. Stepping into the train cars is like stepping back in time to when train travel was considered very luxurious, about a hundred years ago. No detail has gone unnoticed in the refurbishing of these train cars from the etched glass partitions, brass accents, plush seats, and mahogany panels it all looks and feels authentic.
Historically this train ride would take wealthy patrons to a luxurious spa resort in Calistoga, and now it takes visitors from around the globe on a 36 mile round trip to St. Helena and back. The track corridor taken has been in use for more than 150 years, and along your trip, you will stop at the wineries of some world-renowned vintners.
Not only does the Napa Valley Wine Train take you on a tour through some of the most beautiful wine country in the world, but it is also a gourmet restaurant. The menu on the train changes seasonally and features locally sourced and responsibly farmed ingredients. Not all train rides include a meal but those that do feature a multi-course meal including appetizers, soup or salad, a main course, and dessert. Of course, there is also wine available for purchase with your meal. The wine train has over 40 different types of wines on board and you are welcome to bring your own bottle for a special occasion but a corkage fee may apply.
Napa Valley Train tours start at $249.99 per person, you can choose from two different dining only options where you remain on the train for the entire journey. There are also two different half a day winery tour options that are $269.99 per person, and five different full-day winery tours that start at $299.99 per person. There are also special events on the Napa Valley train such as Murder Mystery nights, Romance on the Rails, and even a Thanksgiving lunch or dinner on the rails!
Napa Valley Train Tours tend to sell out, so it is highly recommended that you book your trip well in advance. Children are welcome on the train, but pets are not unless they are service animals. There is no dress code, but it can get cool in the evenings so you may want to choose a layered look or bring along a jacket. Most lunch tours, ½, and full-day winery tours leave the station between 10:00 and 11:00 am. Dinner train rides check-in around 5:30 and leaves the station about 6 pm. One thing to note about dinner rides is that you will be on board for sunset and what locals refer to as the golden hour with spectacular sunset views.
If you happen to be traveling to Napa in November or December you can take your children on the train for a special visit to the North Pole to see Santa. Tickets are $59.99 and the train departs at 5 pm and 7 pm. This trip includes hot cocoa and cookies! Make sure to reserve your spot in advance as this is a VERY popular event.
If you are interested in taking a tour aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train you can visit their website and learn more about all of their packages. You can also see special events, view the menus for specific packages, and even book your reservations online. If you are just dying to see Napa Valley vineyards up close this is certainly the most unique way to do it.
Have you been on the Napa Valley Wine Train? Is it something you want to do the next time you are in Napa?
