Kelowna is a ravishing metropolis positioned proper on the shores of Lake Okanagan. Surrounded by mountains, forests, orchards and vineyards, town affords a lot to see and do within the surrounding valley.
Town affords a good escape for out of doors lovers and nature lovers. There are many mountain climbing and bike driving trails, kayaking on the lake and thrilling actions corresponding to zip-lining and canyoning. Within the winter, Kelowna can be identified for snowboarding.
Even should you’re searching for a extra stress-free keep, you possibly can simply spend days trying out a metropolis park, one of many seashores, the numerous close by wineries or perhaps a Kelowna artwork gallery. It doesn’t matter what your pursuits are, you’ll discover Kelowna fits a spread of travellers.
This information to the greatest issues to do in Kelowna BC, will enable you to plan the right journey to this lakeside vacation spot.
Overlooking Kelowna, BC
Methods to Get to Kelowna
Being a significant metropolis in Canada’s British Columbia province, Kelowna is kind of straightforward to achieve regardless of how you favor to journey.
By airplane
Kelowna has a busy airport positioned 14km outdoors of Downtown Kelowna. Regardless of being labelled a world airport, Kelowna Worldwide Airport serves largely Canada and an occasional flight from Seattle and to/from solar locations over the winter. There are common flights between Kelowna different main cities in Canada.
By automotive
Situated virtually 400km northeast of Vancouver, Kelowna can simply be reached in an extended 4 hour drive from town. It’s additionally a worthwhile place to cease should you’re slowly making your means over to Banff Nationwide Park or to BC from Calgary.
By practice/bus
When you choose to make use of public transport, then there’s a direct bus from Vancouver to Kelowna with Ebus, in addition to scheduled providers connecting Kelowna to different locations in British Columbia and Alberta.
Methods to get round Kelowna
Getting round Kelowna is made fairly straightforward by public transport. The compact downtown space may also be explored on foot.
BC Transit operates a frequent schedule round Kelowna, getting you from one aspect of town to the opposite. All of their buses additionally accommodate wheelchairs, bicycles and scooters, if it is advisable to get across the metropolis with ease.
Greatest Time to Go to Kelowna
Kelowna is blessed with some fairly gentle climate in comparison with different elements of Canada. This makes it a lovely vacation spot at any time of the 12 months. Nevertheless, should you’re planning on doing any out of doors actions, you would possibly need to plan your go to across the seasons.
Summer time months in Kelowna are very heat with a prime temperature of round 28° Celsius and a low of 11° Celsius. This makes it good for any water-based actions and spending the day on the seashore.
Fall is a ravishing time to go to Kelowna, with the farm-to-table scene blossoming with scrumptious contemporary produce. The climate can be milder, making it good for out of doors actions like mountain climbing.
Winter is usually a bit extra reasonable than different locations in BC or Alberta, but it surely’s nonetheless cool with a low of -6° Celsius and a excessive of 1° Celsius. There are nonetheless loads of issues to do in Kelowna within the winter, with snow sports activities within the surrounding mountains.
Spring is a pleasant shoulder season to go to Kelowna. Town is way quieter presently of 12 months, however the climate remains to be good, significantly later within the season because it begins to heat up.
High Issues To Do in Kelowna
When you’re questioning what’s there to do in Kelowna, listed below are our favorite issues to do in Kelowna, Canada, so you possibly can make sure you don’t miss a factor in your journey!
1. See Kelowna from Above at Knox Mountain
Knox Mountain Park is without doubt one of the highlights of any Kelowna sightseeing tour. The scenic park is the biggest pure space within the metropolis providing loads of area for out of doors actions together with mountain climbing and mountain biking.
You’ll be able to both drive, hike or bike as much as the highest of Knox Mountain to take pleasure in panoramic views throughout the Okanagan Valley and Downtown Kelowna. The height rises about 300 metres above the water stage of Okanagan Lake.
There are many different trails as properly, together with the favored Paul’s Tomb path which is round 1.5km from the bottom of the mountain to the northern fringe of the park boundary.
The park is open from 6am to 10pm and is certainly top-of-the-line free issues to do in Kelowna.
Aerial view of Knox Mountain. Picture courtesy of tourismkelowna.com/Nic Collar Movies
2. Go to Myra Canyon Park
Myra Canyon is an unbelievable pure function to the south of town and one of the vital well-liked Kelowna vacationer sights. There are many other ways to discover the realm.
A well-liked approach to see the canyon is on the restored Myra Canyon Trestles which is a part of the previous Kettle Valley Railway. The Myra Canyon path takes you over 18 trestle bridges and thru two tunnels, stretching for over 12km. You’ll be able to both hike it or discover this space on a motorcycle. You may as well hire bikes from the automotive park in the course of the summer time months. The Kettle Valley trestles are simply 35 minutes from Downtown Kelowna.
One other approach to discover the canyon is by visiting Myra Canyon Journey Park. It’s positively one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Kelowna. The park affords a wide range of actions which might be good for the entire household, together with zip-lining programs, segway excursions and twine programs.
And lastly, the Kelowna Stables Myra Canyon Ranch affords guided horse rides for all ages by way of the canyon.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Vacation spot BC – Andrew Pressure
3. Go Wine Tasting
The Okanagan Valley is famend as Canada’s prime wine area. There are over 200 wineries within the space and many inside only a quick drive from city, making wine tasting an ideal exercise any time of the day.
The Okanagan Valley is thought for its dry crimson and white varieties, though some wineries in Kelowna even have incredible crimson blends. You’ll be able to pattern wines by visiting wineries by yourself self-drive wine tour.
Summerhill Pyramid Vineyard is without doubt one of the prettiest wineries to go to. All of their choices are natural and biodynamic, plus their onsite restaurant serves native produce with some incredible vegan choices.
Tantalus Vineyards is one other very trendy place south of Downtown Kelowna, providing lake views from their tasting room. They’re identified for unbelievable Riesling.
Mission Hill Household Property Vineyard is one other of our favorite locations within the wine nation. Situated in West Kelowna, the structure of the buildings is nearly as spectacular because the wine. Plus, they’ve a locavore restaurant and their very own wine excursions showcasing their cellars and vineyards.
Okanagan wine tasting at Summerhill Vineyard Kelowna
4. Go to Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market
Kelowna Farmers Market, positioned simply to the east of Downtown Kelowna, is a bustling vacation spot all 12 months spherical. Open Wednesday and Saturday mornings, it’s the most effective place to choose up some native meals, together with contemporary fruit and greens, flowers, vegetation, cheeses, honey and different artisanal goodies.
Situated simply throughout from the Orchard Park Procuring Centre and close to Mission Creek Regional Park, the Farmers Market is a good Saturday morning exercise. There’s all the time a full of life ambiance and it’s a great spot for breakfast, with espresso, crepes and pies bought by a number of the pleasant stallholders.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Seekers Media & Nancy Shields
5. Discover Kasugai Japanese Backyard
Situated proper within the coronary heart of town centre, the Kasugai Japanese Gardens are a peaceable metropolis park to take a break from the crowds. This historically landscaped inexperienced area options strolling paths, ponds with koi fish and stone lanterns.
It’s positively one of the vital uncommon Kelowna sights. The Kasugai Backyard was accomplished to acknowledge the friendship between Kelowna and its sister metropolis, Kasugai in Japan. It’s open from 9am to 5pm daily, and till 8pm in summer time.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Seekers Media & Nancy Shields
6. Hang around at Boyce-Gyro Seaside Park
Whereas there are such a lot of seashores in Kelowna, Boyce-Gyro Seaside Park is a selected favorite due to its playground, picnic spots, volleyball courts, washrooms and snack store alongside the sandy strip. It’s positively one of the vital family-friendly locations to go to in Kelowna and is ideal for younger children.
When you’re searching for a sandy seashore on the shores of Okanagan Lake, head to Sizzling Sands Seaside Kelowna which is without doubt one of the hottest within the metropolis for absorbing the summer time warmth.
Stroll on the seashore. Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Matt Ferguson
7. Discover Kelowna Waterfront Park
When you’re questioning what to do in Kelowna in summer time, the Kelowna Waterfront Park is a well-liked spot to relax out. Situated on the jap shore of Lake Okanagan, it’s one of many prettiest water parks in British Columbia. The park has inexperienced landscaped gardens, a seashore and swimming space and exquisite metropolis views.
A go to to the park is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Kelowna with children! You’ll be able to head down there to chill off in summer time and luxuriate in a picnic on the grass. You may as well hire kayaks, boats and different water tools for some summer time actions.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Matt Ferguson Pictures
8. Go to a Farm
Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley is a fertile fruit-growing area with the right local weather for rising scrumptious produce. You’ll discover numerous farms across the metropolis and lots of of them are open to guests for farm gate gross sales and fruit choosing.
It’s greatest to go to the area’s fruit orchards in mid to late summer time, as that is when you’ll find ripe cherries, apples, plums, peaches and nectarines. Simply east of Downtown Kelowna, Kempf Orchards is a well-liked cherry farm the place you possibly can decide your personal fruit throughout the 14-acre farm.
9. Go to Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
For a calming afternoon whereas visiting Kelowna, head to Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery. Spanning over 20 years of operations, this distillery is an award-winning place, named as Distillery of the Yr 3 times lately.
Recognized for a vary of whiskies, gins and vodkas, the Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery affords tastings and a storefront. The workers are very welcoming and blissful to elucidate the processes behind the oldest distillery in Western Canada. The distillery is open from 10am to 6pm daily of the week.
Picture courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Brandon Boot
10. Pattern Craft Beer
Whereas wine is certainly the extra well-known drink round Kelowna, there are additionally some nice craft breweries to take a look at as. Within the cultural district to the north of town centre, you’ll discover the favored BNA Brewing Co. This brewpub has an onsite tasting room and rustic restaurant and bar for sipping on a spread of their craft beers and feasting on their sharing plates. Plus, a considerably odd addition to the brewery is the bowling alley, which welcomes the entire household.
If you wish to take a look at some extra native breweries, you too can head to Vice & Advantage Brewing Co and Kelowna Beer Institute within the northern finish of city.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – BC Ale Path
11. Go Climbing
Kelowna is surrounded by a wide range of mountain climbing trails, so it’s no surprise that one of the vital well-liked actions to do in Kelowna is to go mountain climbing. There are some nice hikes in Kelowna that vary in distances and are appropriate for all ranges of health. Check out a few of these solutions.
Bear Creek Loop Path: A beautiful stroll on the loop path in Bear Creek Provincial Park north of West Kelowna is a good possibility for the entire household. There are additionally tougher trails within the park together with the Canyon Rim Path if you need one thing more difficult.
Mount Boucherie: A hike up this extinct volcano affords unbelievable panoramic views throughout the whole valley and lake. There are three completely different trails on the mountain. The Boucherie Rush Path is the preferred. It’s round 6 km return and affords a steep climb with gorgeous views as a reward.
Blue Grouse Mountain Loop: One other nice hike to the north of West Kelowna is that this 8km return climb as much as Blue Grouse Mountain. From the highest, there are gorgeous views over Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.
Angel Springs Path: Situated not removed from Myra Canyon, this 11.6km spherical journey takes you thru lush forest within the KLO Creek Park. It affords lovely views of the canyon and pure thermal springs. It’s a sluggish incline and a reasonably graded path
Aerial view of Mount Boucherie. Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Nic Collar Movies
12. Go to Waterfalls
One of many lesser-known issues to see in Kelowna are the gorgeous waterfalls inside straightforward attain of town. Listed below are a number of the greatest falls to catch throughout your time in Kelowna.
Christie Falls: These spectacular falls are positioned north of town close to Fintry. It requires a 2.4km return hike to achieve, however the path is nearly as lovely because the falls themselves. It’s a reasonable hike with unbelievable views of the forested mountains.
Crawford Falls: A brief however steep hike close to Myra Canyon takes you to this peaceable spot with two falls to see. The primary falls are Canyon Falls however should you proceed on, you’ll additionally attain Crawford Falls.
Bear Creek Falls: There’s a well-maintained path for round 1km to achieve Bear Creek Falls. It may be very slippery after heavy rain although, with a steep climb however the thundering falls are definitely worth the stroll in Bear Creek Park.
Crawford Falls. Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Eric Saukarookoff
13. Go Ziplining
When you’re searching for issues to do in Kelowna with children, then look no additional than Oyama Zipline Forest Journey. This unbelievable zip lining expertise, North of Kelowna close to Oyama Lake, is a enjoyable approach to spend a couple of hours.
They provide guided zipline excursions and an aerial park with a excessive ropes course, appropriate for the entire household. Their actions vary from 20 minutes as much as 5 hours with various costs.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com
14. Go Canyoning
The favored journey tour operator, Western Canyoning Journey, affords canyoning excursions in Kelowna. As top-of-the-line issues to do within the Okanagan Valley for thrill-seekers, they will take you rappelling down a waterfall with an skilled information at hand.
It’s one of many prime Kelowna actions to hitch to flee the summer time warmth. Yow will discover some utterly untouched waterfalls and have an thrilling day studying a brand new ability. Half-day canyoning excursions are round CAD $150 per individual.
15. Go Skydiving
If you wish to see the most effective of Kelowna from the sky, a thrill-seeking skydive is a really memorable approach to end off a visit to town. It affords an unbelievable alternative to see Lake Nation from a unique perspective.
Okanagan Skydive affords tandem skydiving journeys between Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake. You’ll be capable to absorb a lot of the unbelievable surroundings of the valley, together with the Monashee Mountain vary, the ski resorts of Massive White, Silverstar and Sunpeaks Ski Hills and town skyline.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Okanagan Skydiving
16. Go to Peachland
Peachland, positioned South of Kelowna on the shores of Okanagan Lake, is without doubt one of the nicest locations to go in Kelowna for a day journey. Much like Kelowna, it affords loads of out of doors actions inside shut proximity.
It’s additionally a pleasant city to go to if you wish to take a look at another wineries and farms within the surrounding area. Peachland is smaller than Kelowna and is usually a good various should you’re searching for a extra laid-back place to discover on Okanagan lake.
Peachland Winter Seaside. Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Meghan Studying
17. Take a Drive to Penticton
Proceed your self-drive tour farther south from Peachland to go to Penticton. It’s uniquely positioned between Lake Okanagan and Skaha Lake and serves as one other well-liked vacation spot on the Okanagan Wine path. Town affords a comparable vibe and sights to different locations in Lake Nation with wine tastings being the preferred factor to do right here.
Blasted Church Vineyard in Penticton
18. Go Snowboarding
Whereas the winters in Kelowna are milder, it’s nonetheless an ideal place to be for winter sports activities with loads of issues to do in Kelowna in winter. There are a couple of well-liked snowboarding locations within the area, together with Massive White Ski Resort and Silver Star Mountain Resort.
Even within the low season, a few of these resorts keep open to guests providing mountain climbing trails and biking actions.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Massive White Ski Resort
Greatest Eating places in Kelowna
Whether or not you’re searching for a calming lunch or bar hopping at night time, there are many good eating places to take a look at.
Basil & Mint: Situated within the southern a part of town on Lakeshore Street, this lovely restaurant affords a mixture of native and worldwide dishes. The reasonably priced restaurant goals to make use of solely the most effective of the native produce from round British Columbia.
Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Basil & Mint Restaurant
Sprout Bread: Situated within the cultural district, this well-liked bakery is thought for home-baked goodies, together with scrumptious bread and pastries. It’s busiest within the early morning when individuals head there for a morning espresso.
Orchard Room: Situated close to Kelowna Metropolis Park, this trendy place lives as much as the hype. Serving scrumptious cocktails and Mexican impressed meals, it’s a best choice in Kelowna.
Terrace Restaurant: For a really particular eating expertise, the Terrace Restaurant is an unbelievable place at Mission Hill Household Property. Providing lake views out of your desk, they serve high-quality meals with the right wine pairing.
Krafty Kitchen & Bar: This place affords an unbelievable farm to desk expertise, specialising in native delicacies and sustainable produce. With out of doors eating and a younger vibe, it’s a preferred place for lunch and dinner.
Krafty Kitchen & Bar. Picture Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com
Salt and Brick: Specializing in artisanal small plates and sharing platters, this intimate area is ideal for a romantic dinner. Their intensive wine record additionally options a number of the greatest native wines.
CRAFT Beer Market Kelowna: Probably the most well-liked native eating places, you possibly can’t go improper with a go to to CRAFT at any time of the day. With an unbelievable patio and rooftop space, it’s particularly well-liked at blissful hour when you possibly can style a number of the greatest craft beers within the metropolis.
Memphis Blues Barbeque Home: Situated within the metropolis centre, this barbecue restaurant affords scrumptious consolation meals, with giant servings and a enjoyable vibe all night. Their stand-out function is a wine choice of bourbon, whiskey and spirits.
The place to Keep in Kelowna
Irrespective of your price range, you’ll be capable to discover some distinctive locations to remain in Kelowna. Listed below are a few of our suggestions:
Finances/Tenting Lodging in Kelowna
When you have tenting tools or travelling in a van, then Bear Creek Provincial Park is a perfect spot in West Kelowna. It’s a ravishing park with strolling trails, a sandy seashore positioned not removed from some well-liked locations to see in Kelowna.
The campground is open to the general public from the tip of March till mid-October. Over summer time it may be extraordinarily busy so reserving forward is crucial. Tenting charges are $35 per night time per automobile, with added charges for energy. There are over 140 websites obtainable, with all of the services together with sizzling showers, bathrooms, picnic areas and a playground.
Different Accommodations in Kelowna
Consolation Suites Kelowna: A well-liked mid-range place to remain, this resort options an indoor pool and sizzling tub and complimentary breakfast together with comfy rooms. They’re a delegated sustainable resort property with outlined commitments to decreasing their environmental impression.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Kelowna: A pleasant mid-range lodging possibility positioned simply east of town centre. They provide free breakfast, high-speed web and pet-friendly rooms, inside shut proximity to all of the sights in Kelowna.
Myra Canyon Lodge Ranch: For a really secluded keep inside the Myra Canyon, this high-end lodge and ranch supply trendy self-catering suites simply half-hour drive from Downtown. The character retreat additionally affords loads of actions together with horse driving and biking.
How Lengthy do you Must Spend in Kelowna
As you see from above, there are such a lot of locations to see and issues to do in Kelowna BC. You can simply spend 3-5 days in and across the metropolis.
When you have much less time to discover, you possibly can merely spend the day within the metropolis centre, discovering the seashores, metropolis parks and scrumptious foodie scene. In any other case, should you’re into out of doors actions, then you possibly can definitely lengthen your keep to longer than every week.