(HuffPost) - When it comes to figuring out what to see and do at any destination, every traveler derives special pleasure from discovering the hidden gems and authentic experiences that uniquely define a place and its people. It can entail tasting new foods, stumbling upon a local with an interesting story, or finding a picturesque trail to hike or take a walk.

Most hard-core travelers find a way to balance time spent seeing the "tried and true" vs. "getting off the beaten path." It may be trendy to disparage any attraction that reeks of mass tourism but who wouldn't want to see the Leaning Tower in Pisa or the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Indeed, there are times when it's worthwhile to follow the millions of tourists who have been there before us each year. At least, that's what we found when we visited the Napa Valley. Here are some of our favorite things to see and do:

1) Get the big picture on the Napa Valley Wine Train

Since there is no hop-on, hop-off bus, you can scope out the terrain by boarding the Napa Valley Wine Train. During the three-hour ride, guests enjoy gourmet lunches or dinners (prepared onboard in the kitchen car) while capturing glimpses of town centers and wineries in Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena through oversized picture windows. The seasonal open-air Silverado car is especially popular with families. There is also a Tasting Car stocked with 30-40 boutique wines, where you can sample a flight of four for $10. The restored 10-car, 140-seat antique Pullman train departs from downtown Napa (the Depot is near the Oxbow Public Market) traveling north to St. Helena before the locomotive is switched to the opposite end for the return.

2) Soak in an expansive view from the terrace of Auberge du Soleil

On a clear day, you can almost see forever from the terrace of Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. The restaurant at the posh resort offers breathtaking views of the valley below while you enjoy Chef Robert Curry's inspired lunch menu incorporating the best traditions of French and Napa Valley cookery. Reservations are a must.

3) Visit the CIA St. Helena campus

A cradle of sustainable farm-to-table cooking, Napa was the site of the country's first agricultural preserve (established in 1968). The sprawling Greystone campus of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in St. Helena has spawned many of the area's talented chefs. This campus of the nation's preeminent not-for-profit culinary college offers tastings, courses for food enthusiasts, public restaurants and a retail store with every kitchen gadget imaginable.

4) Grab a snack at the Oakville Grocery

When you step into the renovated Oakville Grocery that was once a gas station, you feel like you've stepped back in time. Founded in 1881, it is the longest continually operating grocery story in California although it probably didn't stock the same gourmet and artisanal food items it does today. Next door to the grocery is one of the best public bathrooms on Route 29.

5) Experience a winery or two

Every winery has its own personality. Choosing which to visit among the more than 400 in the region depends on where you stay, the length of your stay, and the type of experiences you're seeking (e.g., Are you interested in wine cave tours, barrel tastings, or food and wine pairings, etc.?). It's prudent to do online research (and sometimes make reservations) in advance.

Some are not-to-be-missed simply because they're so quirky. At Raymond Vineyard and Cellar in St. Helena, visit the Crystal Cellar, a stainless steel-walled tasting room with a mirrored bar where Cabernet Sauvignons are poured from Baccarat decanters. The winery also has a Corridor of Senses where visitors can learn about distinct wine aromas. At the Quixote Winery off the Silverado Trail in Napa, known for its Petite Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, you'll be wowed by the winery's Gaudi-like architecture.

One of our favorites is the Robert Mondavi Winery barrel room in Oakville. A 90-minute "experience" features a walk through the vineyards and cellars as well as a sit-down guided wine tasting. Some 95 percent of wineries in the Valley are family-owned. The contemporary tasting room at the Caridean Estate in St. Helena is one of the newest. Owners Edwin and Stacia Williams offer 23 different wines from their small-batch boutique winery.