Restored vintage railcars offer scenic wine country tours & gourmet American fare

























1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559 Get directions
$$
"A holiday-themed journey through Napa Valley unfolds aboard beautifully restored antique rail cars, where you can sip hot chocolate with Santa and Mrs. Claus as the train glides north about 18 miles before turning near the redwoods of Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and returning by 8 p.m. after a carol-filled sendoff from the Napa station with welcome hot cider or cocoa. The seasonal Santa Train (Nov. 28–Dec. 23) offers four ways to ride: Santa’s Cookie Car with hot chocolate and a holiday cookie; the Gourmet Holiday Express in an antique Pullman dining car with a three-course kid-friendly meal and a tableside visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus (plus digital and printed photos); Jingle on the Rails in the Pullman lounge with a three-course Napa Valley–inspired holiday dinner and a visit from Santa; and the Very Merry Vista Dome, whose big picture windows elevate the views and come with the most elaborate three-course Napa-inspired menu and a photo with Santa. On all journeys, wine, beer, and holiday-themed cocktails are available to purchase, there’s a toy donation drop at the station benefiting local children via Napa’s Expressions of Hope program, and a portion of proceeds supports Napa Firewise. To book, call (707) 253-2111 or use the Napa Valley Wine Train reservation page; tickets start at $120 for adults and $97 for children, with prices increasing by experience." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A scenic luxury rail experience that runs through the Napa Valley wine region, offering a curated, high-end journey tailored to travelers who want wine-country views paired with refined onboard service and dining. Readers included it among top trains for combining regional scenery with comfortable, upscale itineraries focused on relaxation and indulgence." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"It's a very nice ride through Napa’s vineyards in vintage railcars, featuring fine dining and exclusive winery stops," says Asilis. The service runs a 36-mile round-trip from downtown Napa to St. Helena and back and offers 14 curated experiences, including lunch and afternoon tea, seven-course tasting-menu dinners, and an immersive murder mystery ride. The consist features 100-year-old Pullman train cars and a Vista Dome—the latter is one of 10 full-dome cars built by Pullman Standard in 1952—allowing travelers to pair meals with expansive vineyard views." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"An old-school, elegant way to explore wine country: bookable rides on an iconic train offering tasting and dining options that let couples experience vineyards from the rails while unpacking only once." - Alex Schechter Alex Schechter Alex Schechter is a Los Angeles-based journalist who covers travel, food, and dining. His work has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, and Afar, among others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A scenic dining and rail experience that combines vineyard views with a curated lunch and wine service, making it a memorable, all-in-one activity for couples visiting wine country." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines