|
|||
|
|
||
| | California | Wine Country | Napa Valley | |||
| Napa | |||
 |
 |
Napa Fire Fighters Museum – This small museum is a gem, stuffed to the gills with old fashioned fired trucks, hand drawn hose carts, a horse drawn fire truck, whole collection of toy fire trucks, hats, uniforms, hoses, nozzles, fire alarm boxes, model fire house, and two huge stuffed dalmatian dogs. Kids will have a great time. | |
|
Fuller Park – Right in the historic part of town, Fuller Park is a big old shady park, with plenty of picnic tables, a large playground with climbing structures, and a great place for kids and parents alike to relax. | ||
|
Downtown Trolley – Ride the free Downtown Trolley around town. It runs every day except Tues. and goes right by Fuller Park, out First Street, across the river to COPIA. Look for the green signs that say "Trolley Stop." |
||
|
Napa Valley High School Community Pool (Jefferson St.) – At Napa Valley High School, there is public swimming mid June - mid August, Tues. - Fri. 2:00-5:00pm, Sat. 1:00- 4:00pm. | ||
 |
|
COPIA – COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, is a pretty sophisticated spot, but it does have some things kids will enjoy. In the "Fork in the Road" exhibit, find out fun food facts, such as potato chips were invented in 1853, peanut butter in 1890, Pepsi, Coke and Dr. Pepper were originally "medicinal soft drinks." In "kitchens of the future" watch hilarious 50ties videos where ovens double as "fridges" and computers tell you what's in your pantry. In the gardens across from COPIA, check out the kids garden, filled with plants to smell, fruit trees, rabbits and chickens, and all about the seasons in a garden. |
|
|
Napa Valley Wine Train – Take a three hour train ride from Napa to St. Helena and back. In the Silverado Car, (leaves at 11:30am on weekdays, 12:30pm on weekends), food can be ordered from the a la carte menu (which includes hamburgers, chicken and ribs etc.). This is definitely a splurge experience, but this old-fashioned train has a great ambiance and it's a luxurious feeling "drifting" through the Napa Valley. Also, twice a month, there's "Family Fun Night." Adults dine in style, while the kids (3 and up) are entertained in a separate car (and the menu has kid-friendly food). Call (707) 253-2111 for reservations. | ||
|
Westwood Hills Park and Carolyn Par Nature Center (Browns Valley Rd.) – Westwood Hills Park has picnic tables and easy trails for a hike through the oak trees (get out and run around). At the Nature Center, open on weekends 1:00 - 4:00pm, there are dioramas of plants and animals of the Napa Valley, and exhibits of rocks and minerals, an insect display, plus a touch corner of skins and skulls. | ||
|
Connolly Ranch (Browns Valley Rd.) – Little ones will be charmed with a visit to the Connolly Ranch, a little farm with a barn and pond. Bring bread and crackers to feed the ducks and geese, or lettuce for the goats, furry alpaca, pig, donkey, and chickens. Saturdays in the summer. Call ahead to let them know you're coming: (707) 224 1894. | ||
|
John F. Kennedy Memorial Park (Highway 29) – On the edge of town, Kennedy Park has huge grassy areas, enough picnic tables for a family reunion, large playgrounds and climbing structures, swings and slides. You can also take the paths along the wetlands (look for and wide, smooth flowing Napa River. | ||
|
Skyline Wilderness Park (Imola Ave.) – Get out and hike in the rolling hills east of Napa. The easiest hike is on Lake Marie Road, 2 miles to Lake Marie (bring your fishing rods, no swimming in the lake). One of our favorite trails is the Marie Creek Trail, which follows a bubbling creek lined with leafy ferns, under the shade of the oak and laurel trees. Skyline Wilderness Park is the perfect place to bring a picnic, there are plenty of tables in the shade, right next to the parking lot and native plant garden. |
|
Fun food – |
||
Chef's Market (First St.) – A popular summer activity, every night Friday night 5:00pm - 8:30pm is the Chef's Market. Lots of fruits and vegetables from local farms, cooking demonstrations, live music, wine tasting. May - late August. |
 |