Things To Do In Downtown Napa

Last Updated on October 2, 2025 by Tracy

Discover the best things to do in Downtown Napa! From wine tasting rooms and boutique shopping to art galleries and world-class dining, explore the heart of Napa Valley on foot. Plan your perfect trip with tips on festivals, restaurants, and where to stay.

Do you have an upcoming trip to Napa planned? Are you wondering what there is to do in downtown Napa? Well, I am here to tell you all about what you don’t want to miss in downtown Napa and about what we did on our last trip. 

Downtown Napa has plenty of exciting things to see and do downtown, and it’s an urban oasis so everything is within walking distance. Leave your car at the hotel, if you are staying in Napa, or find a parking spot once and leave the car and walk. 

Best Time to Visit Napa

While Napa is beautiful year-round, certain times of the year offer different experiences. The harvest season, typically from August through October, is a busy but exciting time to visit. You can witness the bustling vineyard activity and even take part in harvest events. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, visiting during the winter months (November to February) will offer a quieter experience, and you can often find off-season rates on accommodations. Spring (March to May) is another wonderful time to visit, as the weather is mild, and the wildflowers are in bloom, creating stunning views along the Napa Valley.

Things To Do In Downtown Napa

Shopping in Downtown Napa 

If you like to shop there are plenty of opportunities to do so in downtown Napa. Besides the Oxbow Market, there are also the shops on First Street, the Riverfront Promenade, the shops on 2nd Street, and Napa Premium Outlets. 

Oxbow Public Market

One thing you shouldn’t miss in downtown Napa is a visit to the Oxbow Public Market. The market is open daily from 7:30 am until 9:00 pm. Inside the market, you will find more than 20 vendors offering everything from oysters to chocolates, cupcakes, spices, and more. 

First and Second Street are where you will find some great boutique shopping with unique finds you won’t see anywhere else as well as some famous brands you know and love. If you are looking for a bargain head over to the Napa Premium Outlet Mall for some good ones. 

Wine Tasting 

As you might expect in Napa, there are many different tasting rooms and wine bars in the downtown area. Most tasting rooms and wine bars are open daily and you can experience amazing wines from local vineyards across the Napa Valley.   

Tasting rooms in downtown Napa are the urban, non-driving alternative to visiting the wineries themselves. You still get to taste an amazing selection of wines from different vineyards, you just don’t visit the facilities where the wine is made or the vineyards where the grapes are grown. There are more than 50 different tasting rooms and wine bars to choose from in Downtown Napa. 

Restaurants

Anywhere that you have good wine, you expect to find good food and downtown Napa does not disappoint. Napa is a foodie lover’s paradise with restaurants that have something for everyone. You’ll find farm-to-table restaurants right alongside Michelin-starred eateries, and quaint cafes.

 As far as types of cuisine go, downtown Napa has it all American fare, authentic Mexican fare, sushi, BBQ restaurants, and bakeries. You won’t have a problem finding a place to eat. The problem will be deciding where to eat. Be sure to read more about Napa Valley restaurants that we loved and what we had. 

Art Galleries

Besides wine and food, Napa is also known for its love of art and culture. There are several different galleries where you can go to observe and purchase art both from local artists and artists around the globe. 

Art isn’t just inside the galleries though, there is also art on display, from the electrical boxes for traffic lights to statue installations scattered throughout the public parks. Art is a big deal and Napa and you can find it everywhere. 

Local Tours

If you’re looking to dive deeper into Downtown Napa’s charm, consider booking a local tour. There are walking tours that focus on the history and architecture of the area, allowing you to learn more about Napa’s fascinating past while enjoying its picturesque streets. For wine lovers, several companies offer guided wine-tasting tours that take you to the best downtown tasting rooms, giving you insider access and stories behind some of Napa’s finest wines. These tours are a great option if you prefer not to worry about navigating from one place to another, so you can fully relax and enjoy the experience. You can also do this self-guided walking tour, which is completely free!

Festivals and Special Events

On our last visit to Napa, we attended the Napa Lighted At Festival, a celebration of technology, lights, and creative arts. Artists from around the globe create works of art that light up the night sky of downtown Napa for five weeks starting at the end of January. They also project art displays onto three historic Napa Valley buildings for the first week of the festival. 

This festival is free to attend and is open daily. You can walk through and observe these amazing works of art from 6 pm until 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 pm until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. 

We were also in town for Restaurant Week, this is a ten-day event, and if you are a foodie, it’s the best time to visit Napa. This is because Napa’s world-class restaurants offer exclusive deals and menus for guests to enjoy. 

The Lighted Art Festival is just one of several special events held in downtown Napa throughout the year. They also host Restaurant Week, the Bottle Rock Festival, the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, The OxBow RiverStage concert series, the BlueNote Jazz Festival, Napa Friday Nights in the Park, Festival Napa Valley, and Holidays In Napa. You can learn more about all of these festivals and when they are held each year here. 

Family Friendly Activities

Napa isn’t just for adults—there are plenty of activities that families can enjoy together. Fuller Park, located just outside downtown, is a great spot to unwind and let the kids play. You can also take a family stroll along the Napa Riverfront, where you’ll find some sweet treats at local ice cream and candy shops. If your family is into hands-on fun, check out the Napa Valley Museum or explore the nearby di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, which offers creative and engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Not sure where to stay during your trip to Napa? There are some great boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from downtown, and if you still can’t decide, check out our favorite places to stay when we visit Napa.

Regardless of where you stay, eat, or visit during your trip to Napa, you are going to have an amazing time and make memories that will last a lifetime. There is so much to see and do, you can’t possibly fit it all in one trip so make sure to take notes for what you want to do on your next trip. Trust me you’ll be back!

What is one of your favorite things to do in Downtown Napa?

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