| Museums, Parks & Other Attractions | |
 |
Museums in the Valley range from
the established Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga to the avant garde
of the di Rosa Preserve - Art & Nature, in the Carneros District.
The newest institution to arrive, the Napa Valley Museum, situated
between the California Veterans Home and Domaine Chandon, is already
scheduling a full calendar of shows, while the Meadow Walk at the
di Rosa Preserve has proved to be a popular addition. All are worth
a visit, no matter what your personal preferences. Parks in the Napa Valley run from the sprawling, such as Skyline,
to the specific, like Alston Park in Napa which is for dogs and
their owners (and also hikers, cyclists and horseback riders.) From
Veterans Park across from the Yountville Inn with its bocce court
to the small, tucked away spots such as the tiny Washington Street
Park near the French Laundry, with its narrow stream and a solitary
picnic table facing the world-famous restaurant. Creature comforts
are not forgotten either: Pioneer Park in St. Helena, with a gazebo
and picnic tables, has a fountain with a canine-level drinking spot
just for dogs, while the small roadside rest on Solano Avenue across
from the gates of Newlan Winery (where you can pick up a chilled
bottle) is a welcome resting place for Napa Valley cyclists and
joggers. Some wineries combine the vintner's art with the world of fine
art and history, as exemplified by the Hess Collection, a restored
winery showcasing part of owner Donald Hess' world famous collection
of contemporary art. Clos Pegase Winery is a work of art in itself,
with stunning architecture by Michael Graves. Mumm Napa Valley is
permanent home to a collection of Ansel Adams and John Wilson White
photographs, as well as the site for a constantly changing series
of photography exhibits. While the main attractions of the Napa Valley are indisputably the 200 plus wineries and the thirty-plus thousand acres of vineyards, there are a few others as well. The Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga, one of only two such geysers in the country reliable enough to be called "Old Faithful," offers indisputable proof of the existence of the vast network of geothermal hot springs that lies just beneath the surface. The Bale Grist Mill north of St. Helena is a reflection of the Napa of last century. All are enjoyable ways to spend some time during your tour of the Napa Valley.
|