The 30 Best Things To Do In Solvang (2024)
Want to know all the best things to do in Solvang? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
There are so many things to do in Solvang that it’s hard to squeeze it all in to one weekend.
Did you know JP and I got engaged in Solvang?
Right under one of the famous windmills!
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Best Things To Do In Solvang
Solvang is one of our favorite weekend getaways and we’re excited to share with you all the best things to do in Solvang.
✅ Sample The Local Wines
We recommend splitting these up throughout the day, in-between shopping and dining.
I would be very impressed if you could visit all the wine tasting rooms in one day or even 2 days.
There are so many tasting rooms right in town that it would take several trips to do them all.
Most tasting rooms are open around 11 am – 5 pm, but you’ll have to check each place for their most up to date info.
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1. Dana V Wines
This wine flight had a great variety of whites and reds.
We ended up buying a bottle of wine here for their promotion for Pancreatic Cancer research.
They had a limited edition purple bottle and donated proceeds.
We loved the outdoor setting here in the courtyard.
I wish we could’ve seen it at night through because I noticed there are string lights all around the courtyard.
2. Sanger Family of Wines
This tasting room is located right next door.
They had live music and attracted the younger crowd.
We loved these red wines, but it was much busier than other places we visited during our time there.
However, it was nice to people watch for awhile!
3. Feliz Noche Cellars
The first two times we visited Solvang, we stopped at Feliz Noche Cellars because it’s one of the few wineries where we genuinely enjoy every wine we’ve tried there, though our favorite is their Syrah.
4. Carivintas Winery
JP loves Pinot Noir, so he enjoyed this tasting since 2 of the 5 wines were Pinots.
What we love about Solvang’s wine tastings is that their much more reasonably priced than other bigger wine regions.
Our tasting here was only $15.
5. Cali Love Wines
Cali Love Wines is a cute and modern wine tasting room.
We love their Sangria and will usually get a glass here and share a wine tasting.
When we visited they also had karaoke for anyone that wanted to do it.
6. High Roller Tiki Lounge
High Roller Tiki Lounge is a fan favorite.
It’s a throwback to the tiki themed bars, pin-ups, and Disneyland’s early days.
We enjoy their mulled wine during the holidays.
On a more recent trip, we went and bought a bottle of every Disney themed wine they had to try at home.
7. Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
The Lucas & Lewellen tasting room has my favorite Solvang wine – the Late Harvest Gewurztraminer.
I’ve been back multiple times just to get a bottle of this wine.
8. Casa Cassara Winery & Tasting Room
Casa Cassara was named Solvang’s 2020 winery of the year!
Their first big wine was Pinot Noir, which they have continued to prioritize ever since.
They eventually branched out to include Chardonnay and Syrah too.
In more recent years they’ve expanded to start making Cuvee of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cuvee of Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Grenache, Tempranillo, Roussanne, Sparkline Rose, dessert wines, Italian varietals, Portuguese varietals, and blends.
They’ve had their tasting room in Solvang for over a decade now, so you know their wines are good.
9. Lions Peak
Lions Peak started with their old vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
They now make Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and other Bordeaux and Rhone read and white varietals.
Wine flights of five different wines are $25 and you can also get wine by the glass.
10. The Good Life Cellar
This wine shop offers tastings of wine, California craft beer, cider, and mead.
They carry over 150 craft beer labels and over 40 local boutique wines.
Their shop has been around for over 10 years, so they’ve stood the test of time in Solvang.
11. Toccata Tasting Room
Toccata has the same owners as Lucas & Lewellen.
The Toccata tasting room serves estate-grown classic Piedmontese varietal wines.
The atmosphere here is a mix of Italian, Mediterranean, and old world Tuscan style.
Wine tastings are $20-$25 and include a variety of lists including reds, whites, cellared library selections, and sweet wines.
If you visit Toccata and Lucas & Lewellen, they offer half off the regular tasting fee at the 2nd one you visit (according to their website).
✅ Try Authentic Danish Treats
In-between your wine tastings, there are several places to go to enjoy some of the best Danish desserts and pastries.
12. Aebleskivers at Solvang Restaurant
This is the #1 food I recommend trying when you’re in Solvang and it’s the Aebleskivers from Solvang Restaurant.
You can dine in or just pick them up from the window.
We prefer the window.
You can also get the Aebleskivers with ice cream if you want!
13. Pastries From Mortensen’s Bakery
Another must-do in Solvang is visit one of the local Danish bakeries.
There are a few to choose from, all of which have excellent options.
It all looked so good, it was so hard to choose just a couple to take home with us!
You can usually buy a bucket of Danish shortbread cookies at any of the bakeries and we like to get those every once in awhile.
It’s just like the blue tins you see in stores at Christmas.
14. Shortbread Cookies From Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
Here we like to get the bucket of Danish shortbread cookies.
Their like the blue tin of cookies your grandma always had or you always see in stores around Christmas time.
✅ Browse Solvang’s Shops
Solvang is a great town for shopping.
They have the typical souvenir shops, but they also have a Christmas shop, authentic Danish items, and even antique and thrift shops.
15. Christmas Shopping 365 Days A Year at Jule Hus
It can be Christmas all year long in Solvang if you know where to shop!
There are a couple different Christmas shops, but Jule Hus is the most iconic.
We like to get an ornament everywhere we travel, so we love finding year round Christmas shops.
We already had an ornament from Solvang, so we didn’t buy one on this trip, but we did find the CUTEST Christmas decoration on clearance up in a store’s attic!
I saw it in the window and just had to have it so we searched the whole store.
Just when we were about to go ask for the one in the window I found this tucked away.
Sorry to the person who probably hid it for themselves for later!
16. A Piece Of The Past – Antiques
We love visiting antique shops wherever we travel, especially in historic downtown areas.
A Piece Of The Past is Solvang’s very own antique shop!
17. Elna’s Dress Shop
At Elna’s Dress Shop you can get authentic Danish attire.
Think the dirndls and lederhosen you see in Germany for Oktoberfest.
18. Book Loft
The book loft is a cute, independent bookstore in Solvang that’s been around since 1970.
The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is located inside this bookstore.
✅ Dine at Solvang’s Most Popular Restaurants
Solvang has really nice restaurants with a variety of cuisines.
Everywhere we’ve eaten in Solvang we’ve enjoyed and there are some favorites we go back to each time we visit.
19. peasants FEAST
This new restaurant in Solvang is already making waves by being named a California Michelin Guide restaurant.
They are open Wednesdays through Sundays for lunch and dinner.
The soup we had might have been seasonal to the winter months, but it is so good.
I think it was a butternut squash type soup.
Our sandwich I believe was the Gold Coast Grilled Cheese which comes with aged cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, caramelized onions, and parmesan crisp.
We got that with a side of cheesy polenta.
Lastly, we also tried their carnitas tacos which are served on hand pressed corn tortillas with a side of pinquito beans.
Everything was so well crafted and you could tell it was made with the best ingredients.
20. Copenhagen Sausage Garden
We’ve probably eaten here 3 or 4 times now but it is just that good!
They have a selection of sausages from all over the world and the best deal is when you pick any 3 sausages.
It’s almost like it’s buy 2 get 1 free.
You also get to pick sides and we always go with Potato Salad.
You can load up on Sauerkraut at the toppings bar too.
They have a good assortment of drinks as well.
We like to try different things each time, but also get a couple of our faves.
The Bratwurst, Kielbasa, All Beef Frank, and Bockwurst are great.
I learned this trip that I do not like Currywurst, but I know it’s a popular one.
They also have Polish Sausage, Hot Italian, Chicken Apple Sage, Italian with Goat Milk Cheddar, and Veggie Sausages which we have not tried yet.
This is another place where you order at the window and then they have picnic table where you can sit and eat or take your food to go.
21. Fitzpatrick’s Tavern
We’ve eaten here before for a quick lunch.
It’s an Irish Pub that serves great fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and corned beef and cabbage.
22. Cecco Ristorante
Cecco Ristorante is a fantastic Italian restaurant in the middle of Solvang.
JP and I had dinner here the night he proposed!
23. Bit O’ Denmark
They serve all meals here, offering a smorgaasbord of Danish and American food.
It’s a classic Solvang restaurant that feels the most authentic when embracing the Danish culture of the town.
24. Red Viking Restaurant
The Red Viking Restaurant is also similar to Bit O’ Denmark in that it’s open for all meals and serves a variety of Danish and American food.
When visiting Solvang you have to try at least one of these two restaurants to get the real experience.
✅ Feed An Ostrich
This is the only thing on this list that will require you to have a car and leave the main part of town, but it’s not far.
25. Visit Ostrichland, U.S.A.
At Ostrichland, U.S.A. you can get a bucket of food and feed all the ostriches.
It’s a fun and unique activity that you can’t really do in many other places.
✅ Visit A Historic California Mission & Local Museums
Historic sites and museums are actually quite abundant in this area and it’s great to sprinkle in these kinds of experiences with the wine tasting and the food sampling.
26. Tour Santa Ynez (Ines) Mission
California’s historic missions are always interesting to see.
There are 21 still standing today that are spread all throughout the state and each one is different with a different history and level of restoration.
This one is right on the edge of town and is in walking distance of everything.
27. Hans Christian Andersen Museum
Located at the book loft, the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a nice tribute to the author who brought us stories like The Little Mermaid.
It’s just a small museum, but it’s still interesting to check out because he is from Denmark.
28. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art
This museum showcases all things Solvang and Danish culture.
It’s located in a beautifully hand painted and carved building highlighting Scandinavian architecture.
Throughout the year they host various events, classes, and children’s activities too.
✅ Take A Tour Around Town
If you need help getting acquainted with the town, a horse drawn trolley tour is a great idea to familiarize yourself with where everything is.
29. Solvang Trolley Tour
This 1915 replica trolley is pulled by Belgian draft horses take you on a tour of Solvang every 35 minutes.
They operate Friday to Monday during the Summer, Winter, and early Spring from 12 pm – 5 pm.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $9 for children ages 3-11 years old.
30. The Haunt
The Haunt is Solvang’s premier ghost tour, taking you into the haunted history of the Danish village.
With local folklore, spine-chilling tales, and genuine ghost hunting, this after-dark exploration plunges you deep into the town’s ghostly past.
You’ll use specialized ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF meters, dowsing rods and an S Box, seeking to uncover traces of the supernatural.
You might experience the eerie energy of former inhabitants, as the tour visits locations associated with Solvang’s most haunted sites and eerie incidents.
Where To Stay In Solvang
Solvang has so many quaint and cozy inns and hotels.
It’s one of our favorite places for overnight stays because everything is right in the middle of town and their all high quality properties.
✓ Wine Valley Inn & Cottages
Wine Valley Inn & Cottages is our go-to place to stay in Solvang.
Each room is different from the next and they even have lofts.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Wine Valley Inn & Cottages Today!
✓ Royal Copenhagen Inn
You can see the full walk-through in this video on our YouTube Channel.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Royal Copenhagen Inn Today!
More Fun Things To Do Near Solvang
Solvang is located just to the north of Santa Barbara, so it’s pretty close to a lot of other popular tourism destinations.
Here are some other cool things to do near Solvang.
✔️ Santa Barbara To Solvang: A Weekend Getaway Guide
This fun weekend getaway itinerary splits the weekend between seeing the highlights of Santa Barbara and the highlights of Solvang.
✔️ Camp At Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is just outside of Solvang and it’s a great place to go camping whether you want to camp in a tent, an RV, or even in one of their yurts.
✔️ Avila Beach Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Avila Beach is a quiet beach town about an hour north of Solvang.
It’s got a small beach boardwalk area with shops and restaurants overlooking the ocean and it’s just a different side of California that everyone should experience.
✔️ Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park is just off the coast of California.
You can take day trip or overnight camping excursions to various islands out of Oxnard and Ventura.
Santa Rosa Island
This is one of the islands that takes a little longer to get to, so it’s not visited quite as much, but it’s worth the time it takes to get there.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is much closer, so when visiting for the day, you get a lot more time on the island to explore.
It’s one of the more popular islands to visit and even has 2 separate harbors you can choose to use as your disembarkment point.
✔️ Ventura Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Ventura is a popular coastal town south of Solvang.
It’s laid back, has some historic sites, and is popular for surfing.
A weekend getaway here can be so relaxing and so fun.
Conclusion: Best Things To Do In Solvang
We hope you enjoyed this guide through Solvang!
We are looking forward to our next visit to share more new to us places with you!
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