Our family of four has made Kelowna, British Columbia, our home town for the past eight years. Giving us plenty of time to check out the local breakfast and brunch scene.

From farm-to-table spots to cozy cafes and trendy downtown diners, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city.

Imagine indulging in locally-sourced ingredients, expertly prepared and plated with care, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Okanagan Valley. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast or a leisurely brunch, Kelowna has it all.

Of course, one person’s list of the best breakfast places in Kelowna is going to be different than another person’s.

For the most part, we focus on places to eat that are open early for breakfast, but we do have a section at the end of the article that goes into the best brunch in Kelowna. Generally, we think of brunch and breakfast as the same thing, but brunch usually starts later, at around 10 or so, and is often an little more fancy (though not always).

We’ll go back and add to this list as we try new brunch and breakfast restaurants that open, and remove ones that close.

Best Breakfast in Kelowna

Breakfast is one of the many fun things to do in Kelowna with the family! Grab your friends, family, significant other, or enjoy a solo break, and head out to explore the many breakfast spots in Kelowna. From classic Canadian fare to international cuisine, you’re sure to find your new favorite spot.

Best Breakfast Places in Kelowna

Do I need breakfast reservations in Kelowna? Yes, you’ll sometimes need to make a reservation, depending on the restaurant, the time of year and whether it’s a Saturday or Sunday (with weekends usually much busier than weekdays). Many of the more popular brunch and breakfast places are also quite busy during the summer tourist season, with July to August especially so.

I use OpenTable Kelowna to make my reservations, as it’s the biggest restaurant reservation booking service in the city. I’ve tried it before to get reservations at busy Vancouver restaurants, and booking was smooth and easy in Kelowna as well.

Porter’s Kelowna

Porter’s is a fairly new, and welcome, addition to Kelowna’s breakfast scene. It’s located next to the Landmark District, in the old MTL building.

There’s a solid breakfast and brunch menu here, packed with classics like fried chicken and waffles, eggs benny, and more. There are also some more adventurous items, like the Japanese style soufflé pancakes, and several vegetarian options.

Charles tried the soufflé pancakes. They’re Japanese style soufflé pancakes, served with vanilla sweet cream, seasonal fruit compote, streusel, and your choice of maple, nut brown syrup or black currant sour syrup.

Charles couldn’t quite decide, so our helpful server brought us four syrups to try which also included a salted maple syrup. Three of those syrups are made in house at the next door Copper Brewing Company however the Black Currant Sour syrup won out as his favorite in the end!

I tried the yogurt bowl, which was delicious with creamy Greek yogurt, house made granola, seeds, seasonal fruit compote (made in house as well), and fresh fruit.

My latte was perfect, made from coffee beans from fair trade local roaster, Craft 42 Roasters.

The Jammery Kelowna

The original The Jammery location was featured on The Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here! The original location is in Lake Country, and just over 20 minutes from Kelowna’s downtown.

They’ve opened a new location in Kelowna proper. While the new Kelowna location (at 2463 Highway 97), has the same great food as the original, the atmosphere couldn’t be more different.

The rambling original Jammery location has a quaint, rustic farmhouse feel, with a large giftshop. The giftshop is overseen by a large, stuffed bear (which children adore!), and has an abundance of jams (made in house), and local foods and gifts.

The new location in Kelowna is modern, with a tiny gift area, so it just doesn’t have that kitschy charm of the Lake Country location however the food’s as good as the original Jammery. That said, for me, it’s worth a few more minutes drive to get to the Lake Country location.

My favorite dish at the Jammery is the All You Can Eat waffles, with their house made topping made from Okanagan fruit. They have six kinds of eggs benedict on the menu, omelets, plus French toast, crepes, a breakfast paella, and traditional breakfasts. There’s even a vegan breakfast hash.

Cora

While Cora is technically a Canada-wide franchise, it has enough personality and originality in the décor and menu that it feels a lot more like a local spot. Cora started in Quebec in 1987, and has since expanded to 125 franchises across Canada.

If you like fruit, Cora is your place.

While there are plenty of traditional omelets, skillets, and egg dishes, there are also crepes, pancakes, and French toast absolutely smothered in fresh fruit.

There’s even a fresh fruit section of the menu (which I order from every time). The Samira wake up is a huge plate of beautifully cut fresh fruit, served with toast, and there’s also a tasty kale-mango smoothie bowl, and a fruit yogurt harvest crunch.

My favorite is The Ode to Oatmeal, with fresh fruit, harvest crunch granola, English cream, maple syrup, and fresh fruit.

The kids always go with a fruit crepe, which is a single gigantic crepe stuffed with your choice for fruit, and either custard or a cocoa-hazelnut spread.

Charles goes for the classic French toast, which comes with your choice of bacon, sausages, turkey sausages, ham, or fresh fruit.

I’ve tried to get a photo of one of the kids’ fruit smoothies on our last three visits to Cora, but it’s inevitably half guzzled down before I can bring out my camera.

The Train Station Pub

Charles and I often end up at the Train Station Pub if we’re looking for something that’s just a little bit more upscale, with good food, but still casual and fun.

True to its name, the Train Station Pub is built inside a historic (now defunct) train station in Kelowna’s Downtown.

The brunch menu has everything from traditional chicken and waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and strawberry French toast, to more adventurous items like the Pakora benny (with curry spice), breakfast poutine, or Boom Toast (with avocado, pear, and butternut squash).

Brunch at the Train Station Pub is served until 2 pm every day.

My Neighbourhood Restaurant

We stop by My Neighbourhood Restaurant at least once a year. It’s the kind of place that delivers solid portions, reasonable prices, and good food. It’s not necessarily the most upscale place on our list, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s reliable and good.

Every time we’ve visited, service has been friendly, casual, quick, and helpful.

We come here when we’re craving breakfast later in the day, since it’s an all day breakfast place. There’s a nice selection of benedicts, if that’s your thing, including a crab cake benny, veggie delight benny, pulled pork benny, and a traditional benny, among others.

There’s a tasty sounding banana stuffed French toast, an apple crisp stuffed French toast, as well as huevos rancheros, and a slow cooked pulled pork burrito.

Charles’ to-go here is the French toast, which is dipped in a vanilla and egg batter and finished with icing sugar. Hash browns here are good, crispy and hot, but they’re the cubed style that feels like a chopped up steak fry. Don’t get me wrong, they’re delicious, but both Charles and I prefer shredded or finely chopped hash browns.

They also serve lunch. I’m a huge fan of the portabello burger (no meat, only the portabello mushroom), which comes stacked to the ceiling with marinated and grilled portabello mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and a tasty Dijon mustard.

OEB Kelowna

If Coras is the place for fruit lovers, then OEB is the place for those who love eggs. Like Coras, OEB is a franchise, with locations in Arizona, California, and a few Canadian cities.

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As expected, the menu leans toward farm fresh eggs, omelets, and eggs benedict. There are also sweet treats, like banana cream pie French toast, Belgian waffles and crepes, as well as nine different breakfast poutines.

There are vegetarian and vegan options as well.

We haven’t tried it (yet), but the mimosa flight (with four different mimosas) gets great reviews.

Gulfstream

We haven’t had a chance to try this one personally yet, but Gulfstream (in the Four Points by Sheraton by the Kelowna Airport) gets pretty good reviews and was recommended by friends so it’s made our to try soon list.

The breakfast menu is pretty solid and traditional, with classic eggs/bacon/hash brown/toast on offer, as well as omelets, traditional eggs benedict, a bacon hash and a pulled pork breakfast poutine. There’s a vegan bowl with coconut yogurt, banana, and an Okanagan Greek yogurt bowl with Okanagan dried cherries and apricots.

Diner Deluxe – The Shore

We haven’t tried Diner Deluxe – it’s just a little too far of a drive for us, given all the great options that are closer. That said, it gets great buzz, so we’ve included it.

Diner Deluxe has three locations in Calgary, and the one location in Kelowna, on Lakeshore Boulevard. It’s open 8am to 3pm.

The menu constantly changes, but it offers a big selection, with standards like avocado toast (with eggs), poached eggs and salmon, and a vegan faux egg wrap, as well as breakfast poutine and a big cinnamon bun.

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There are also several eggs benedict variations on offer, breakfast bowls, omelets and frittatas, pancakes, French toast, and classic breakfast. There’s also a lunch menu, and a kids lunch and breakfast menu.

There are plenty of vegan egg and vegan meat options as well.

Best Affordable Breakfast in Kelowna

Are you a foodie on a budget, looking for delicious and satisfying breakfast options in Kelowna that won’t break the bank? Look no further!

Kelowna has many hidden gems that offer mouth-watering breakfast dishes at affordable prices.

Join us as we explore some of the best cheap eats for breakfast in Kelowna, and discover a whole new world of breakfast delights that are easy on the budget.

Specialty Bakery & Bistro

Specialty Bakery has a few locations in Kelowna, but most are bakery only, and don’t offer breakfast.

To get your breakfast fix, make sure you go to the Specialty Bakery location on Finns Rd, in the industrial section of Kelowna.

We were introduced to Specialty Bakery by Charles’ 80 year old uncle, so that tells you it’s definitely a Kelowna fixture.

The food here is fresh, not fussy, and filling.

On offer are classic breakfasts of bacon and eggs, omelets and eggs benedict, or you can buy something from the attached bakery and eat it in the bistro.

I’m a big fan of the cinnamon buns, and black forest donut.

Don’t come here expecting a cappuccino – the coffee bar has five blends of freshly brewed Van Houtte coffee. There are also soups, sandwiches, and burgers on offer for lunch.

I don’t think there’s anything on the menu that’s specifically designed for vegans, but vegetarians should be able to sort something out.

The Kelowna Farmer’s Market

Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market is a great place to browse, and grab a simple, affordable breakfast.

The summer Market is open April to October, from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays at the corner of Dilworth and Springfield.

There’s a winter market on Saturdays in the Parkinson Rec Center, but food options are a lot more limited.

One of my favorites at the summer Farmer’s Market is the Crepe Bistro, which has a fantastic variety of delicious crepes, including the zesty lemon and sugar, and banana chocolate.

There are always several fresh squeezed lemonade stalls to wash down your crepe.

All four of us are huge fans of the spiral potatoes on a stick – a must try!

There are also several outstanding coffee places in the market, including Anarchy Coffee.

Dosa Crepe Café

Dosa Crepe Café doesn’t open until 11 am, but I’ve included it here in case you’re running a bit late and looking for something really unusual.

They opened just before the pandemic started, but we’re thrilled to say they’re thriving, and have opened a second location downtown. We’ve only been to the original Rutland location, but the menu’s similar at both locations, and the downtown location gets great feedback too.

Dosa Crepe Café offers two kids of crepes: French crepes, or south Indian dosa. An Indian dosa is a thin pancake made of a fermented batter of rice and ground black lentils. The dosa itself is vegan.

The Indian dosas are tasty, with a slight savory tang, and a delicious crispy edges. It’s served with your choice of curries, with vegetable, paneer, chicken or beef curries available.

If their giant savory dosas aren’t your thing, you can try their French crepes, served plain, or with banana chocolate, mixed berry, or mango maple, and topped with a scoop of ice cream.

Our kids always go for the sweet crepes, while Charles and I get a dosa. Both are fantastic – it’s just a matter of choice. The kids also like to load up on a milkshake or lassi.

Dosa Crepe Cafe also offers biriyani (veg, chicken or beef), and kothu roti (veg, chicken or beef), appetizers, and a couple of soup options.

Bliss Bakery

There are plenty of great bakeries in Kelowna, but I included Bliss because 1) it’s fantastic, and 2) it has seating so you can sit down and enjoy your breakfast.

Kelowna’s Bliss Bakery has one location in Kelowna proper, on Ellis Street in the Downtown Arts and Culture District.

The bakery has a funky, industrial feel that somehow manages to be warm and inviting.

In addition to all of the delicious home baked goods, there’s a small all day breakfast menu, with breakfast wraps, a spinach and feta quiche, a Bennywich, and a chipotle sausage biscuit. You can also get lunchtime sandwiches (including a vegan grilled cheese), soups, wraps, and salads.

Every baked item I’ve tried here has been fantastic. There’s a reason that Bliss keeps winning the best bakery in Kelowna award with local publications. My current favorites are the almond croissants, and my son adores their individual-sized lemon merengue pies.

I’d come here just for the food, but it’s an added bonus that their coffee is made from my very favorite organic locally roasted Cherry Hill coffee beans.

The Bread Company

The Bread Company has two downtown locations – one on Pandosy and one on Bernard. I’ve been to both, and I think I slightly favor the Bernard location, if just for the downtown vibe.

It’s a busy place, with a lot of small tables, and I’ve always been able to find seating. They have plenty of pastries on offer, plus traditional breakfasts, frittatas, huevos rancheros, pancakes, plus sandwiches, salads, and soups for breakfast.

My daughter loves their chocolate filled croissant, and I’m a fan of the pesto spinach croissant.

Try the fresh squeezed orange juice!

Best Vegan Breakfast and Best Vegetarian Breakfast in Kelowna

Are you a vegetarian or vegan looking for a delicious and satisfying breakfast in Kelowna? Look no further!

Kelowna is home to a growing number of vegetarian and vegan-friendly breakfast spots, where you can enjoy a range of plant-based dishes. From hearty vegan breakfast burritos to gluten-free avocado toast, these restaurants have something for everyone.

Join us as we explore some of the best vegetarian and vegan breakfast restaurants in Kelowna, and get ready to start your day off on a healthy and tasty note!

Naked Café

The Naked Café is an unfussy place, with café style décor, and wooden benches for some seating.

It’s an affordable vegan breakfast option located downtown on Lawrence Avenue.

There’s a wide selection of vegan breakfasts here, with vegan versions of an English breakfast, a vegan bacon benny, a breakfast sandwich and a couple of vegan Just Egg hash options. The food is colorful, tasty, and comes in good portion sizes.

They’re also open for lunch and early suppers, serving vegan bowls, sandwiches and burgers.

Frankie We Salute You

Well rated Frankie’s offers both vegetarian and vegan options. Menu items are clearly marked as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free.

I asked to go to Frankie’s for my birthday dinner last year, and was impressed with the food.

This is a local restaurant, owned by Chef Brian Skinner and Christina Skinner, located in the Landmark District.

There’s an industrial vibe here, but it still manages to feel comfortable and welcoming.

The menu is fun and inventive, and they have plenty of interesting cocktails and desserts. There’s also a good kids menu, and we had several families, with well-behaved kids, sharing the restaurant.

Weekend brunch is on Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 3. It’s pretty popular, so a reservation is a good idea. The brunch menu offers a fairly small selection, with items like a Florentine benny bowl, cinnamon toast waffles, and a plant based chorizo ranchera bowl. There are also fun brunch cocktails like a rum and fig leaf mimosa, or a Pimm’s punch.

Chain Breakfast Places in Kelowna

I’m not going into too much detail for chain breakfast restaurants here, other than to list a few. For the most part, a Denny’s in Kelowna is going to be the same as a Denny’s anywhere else.

Here are a few serviceable chain options:

• iHOP
• Dennys
• The White Spot

The White Spot

Of all the chain breakfast places in the city (Cora’s not counting), The White Spot is probably our favorite. It’s kid friendly, has a nice relaxed vibe and the food is consistently decent.

Best Brunch in Kelowna

Of course, you can visit any breakfast place from our list above for brunch however, if you’re looking for a fancy, more upscale brunch, try one of these options below.

You’ll need to make the drive over the bridge to visit our first two picks: Old Vines Restaurant and Terrace Restaurant.

Quails Gate Old Vines Sunday Brunch

Located in West Kelowna, Old Vines Restaurant is nestled on the edge of the Quails Gate Winery. The restaurant faces Okanagan Lake, with stunning views over a gently sloping vineyard to the water below.

Quails Gate family owned winery is one of my personal favorites in Kelowna, and regarded as one of Kelowna’s best wineries.

Given the view and the menu, Quails Gate’s Old Vines brunch is fairly well priced. Sure, it’s a pricier choice than many, with higher end appetizers like oysters on the half shell, and mains like croque Madame. Prices change regularly, but in early 2023, the eggs benny was $24, the brioche French toast was $18, and the artisan charcuterie ran $26. Not a fortune, but the bill can go up significantly with wine, as you may want to try the wine pairings suggested by your server.

Make reservations in advance, since it’s a busy place, especially in summer, and brunch hours are short, running every Sunday 11 am to 2:30 pm.

Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill Winery

Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill has one of the best restaurant views in Kelowna. It’s definitely a show stopper, and a fantastic place to bring someone you want to impress.

However, since it’s an outdoor restaurant, it’s only open seasonally from May to October.

This is a farm-to-table experience with produce grown in the estate garden, or locally sourced from farming partners.

Prices can be a bit steep, but this is one of Kelowna’s best restaurants, with excellent service and panoramic views to boot.

We’ve only eaten here once, at lunch, and it was a fantastic experience, with wines paired perfectly to the food. Charles still raves over the duck fat fries three years later!

We’ve never had a issue, but we have heard from a few people that they found the atmosphere at Mission Hill to be a bit cold and exclusive. Our personal experience with everyone, including sommeliers, servers and gift shop personnel has been excellent – they’ve been friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Lakeside Dining Room at the el Dorado Hotel

The food is good here, and service is solid, but sometimes slow, however, the real draw is the location. Located directly on the waterfront, it offers a stunning view of the lake. If you go in the summer, try to get a patio seat for an even more amazing view.

The buffet brunch is only available on select Sundays. Breakfast is available Monday to Sunday, early.

The breakfast menu is fairly small, with favorites like a traditional breakfast, fruit salad, eggs benny, avocado toast, waffles, omelets, and oatmeal.

Krafty Kitchen + Bar

I hesitate to call anything hip or cool (my teenagers would immediately cringe and reflexively mock me), but there’s no getting around it: Krafty Kitchen + Bar is a pretty hip place.

I mean, they have a Hip Hop Brunch every Friday to Sunday, with items like benedicts named Tupac, Baller Mushroom, and Easy-E. They also offer a Notorious BLT, and a Drop it Like it’s Hotcake.

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This is a local place, run by Chef Chris Shaften. It’s a fun, funky, casual farm-to-table restaurant located beside the historic firehall in Downtown Kelowna.

Brunch is only on Saturday and Sunday 9 to 2, but regular hours are Monday to Friday noon to late.
There’s also a Fondue Sunday.

The Curious Café and Bar Norcino

The Curious Café is another cool downtown eatery, but with limited hours.

If you’re looking for brunch, it’s closed Sundays and statutory holidays however it’s open Friday and Saturday at 11 am.

The brunch menu includes vegan field mushrooms on toast, chick and waffles, a breakfast sandwich, eggs benny, French toast, and a veggie power bowl.

There’s also a brunch party that serves four, with classic eggs benny, French toast, bacon, fruit, and coffee.

As someone who loves a good breakfast, I can honestly say that Kelowna does not disappoint when it comes to morning dining. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Canadian breakfast fare or something more innovative and international, Kelowna has plenty of options to load up before hitting one of the best hikes in Kelowna or taking off on one of the best road trips in British Columbia.

Do you have a breakfast spot in Kelowna that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

We’ve made our home base in Kelowna, BC, for over six years now. It’s amazing how time flies.

In that time, we’ve been fortunate enough to spend plenty of time exploring the sunny Okanagan Valley, with its deep, clear lakes, mountains, wineries, and abundant orchards. 

One of our favorite trips is to head south from Kelowna to Okanagan Falls. It’s a beautiful drive, passing through West Kelowna, Summerland, Peachland, and Penticton, along the shores of Okanagan Lake.

Okanagan Falls (also called OK Falls) itself is a smaller town, with a population of only around 2,500 residents. The town of Okanagan Falls is located on the southern tip of Skaha Lake.

The town of Okanagan Falls itself is… how do I say this? Well, the town itself could use a little bit of beautification. We still enjoy heading there, and the surrounding area is absolutely stunningly beautiful (especially the wineries and lake), but the town itself is beginning to look a bit tired. That said, we still adore Okanagan Falls, and love visiting every time.

Things to do in Okanagan Falls, BC

If you’re wondering what to do in Okanagan Falls, here are some of our favorite picks, from wineries to waterfalls.

What are the top attractions to visit in Okanagan Falls, Canada?

Because Okanagan Falls is a smaller town, there aren’t a lot of tourist attractions like amusement parks or water slides. That said, the lack of tourist traps is part of the charm in a town where the biggest attraction is an ice cream parlor called Tickleberries.

Tickleberries

Tickleberries ice cream shop is an absolute must stop in Okanagan Falls.

It’s a family owned business started back in 1990. There’s a lot that’s great here, but with 72 different kinds of ice cream in stock, we usually start with a delicious ice cream cone. If ice cream isn’t your thing, Tickleberry’s makes it’s own chocolates, fudge, candies and kettle corn and has an interesting collection of items for sale.

Christie Park

Christie Memorial Provincial Park has the longest beach park in OK Falls. It’s right in town, on 7th Avenue on the south shore of Skaha Lake.

There’s more to do here than hang out on the well maintained beach, with beach volleyball courts, wide grassy areas, and plenty of benches and picnic tables. Christie Park has washrooms and change areas.

If you’re here with your canine companion, there’s also a dog beach.

Okanagan Falls KVR Kettle Bridge

The OK Falls KVR (Kettle Valley Railway) Bridge is a short walk from the town of Okanagan Falls, and right next to Christie Park. You’ll find the bridge at the South end of Skaha Lake, just as Skaha Lake empties into the five km long channel that connects it to Vaseux Lake.

The bridge itself isn’t very long, but it connects to the Kettle Valley Railway Trail on the North end, which runs along the West shore of Skaha Lake. It’s a great place for a walk, and there’s a good chance you’ll see plenty of waterfowl and wildlife.

More excitingly, during OK Falls hot summer, you’ll see locals and tourists of all ages jumping off the bridge into the clear water below.

Okanagan Falls Wineries

There are 15 wineries around Okanagan Falls. Of these, the most well known are arguably Liquidity Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, and Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars.

Like the rest of the Okanagan Valley, OK Falls is well suited for wine production, with long, dry and sunny summer days, low risk of autumn frost, and rich soil.

The Wineries at OK Falls include: Black Market Wine Co, Blasted Church, Bonamici Cellars, Crescent Hill Winery, Echo Bay Vineyard, Skaha Vineyard, Liquidity, Meyer Family Vineyard, Nighthawk, Noble Ridge Vineyard, Pentage Winery, Play Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Stag’s Hollow and Wild Goose Vineyards.

What are the best outdoor activities in Okanagan Falls?

Okanagan Falls is all about the outdoors. The town is nestled at the southern tip of Skaha Lake, with mountains all around.

The warm climate is perfect for wineries, while the lake and mountains mean there are plenty of opportunities for watersports, hikes and outdoor activities too.

Okanagan Falls Waterfalls

If you’re wondering, ” Are there falls in Okanagan Falls?”, the answer is well… not really.

Unfortunately, the natural waterfalls the town is named after no longer exist. The town was named after small twin waterfalls at the end of Skaha Lake, where it emptied into the Okanagan River. In the 1950s, the falls were lost when a flood control dam was built to control the level of water flowing south into the Okanagan River.

Depending on the time of year, the dam on Green Lake Road, just north of Highway 97, can run fairly strong, creating a fast current and rapids.

Okanagan Falls Camping

The most popular Okanagan Falls campground is the provincial park, aptly named Okanagan Falls Provincial Park. You’ll also see signage for sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ, which is the name for Okanagan Falls in the local indigenous Sylix language. In fact, it’s now now officially named sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Provincial Park.

sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ is pronounced s-wuh-wuneet-kw, means “little falls”.

The park is managed by the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB). Make camping reservations through Discover Camping with the BC government.

Indian Head and Peach Cliff

Indian Head’s ragged cliffs to the southwest of Okanagan Falls are some of the most unusual rock formations in the Okanagan with huge dark ancient volcanic rock as well as a bunch of hiking trails.

Peach Cliff is just east of Okanagan Falls, with Balancing Rock perched at the top. Mule deer and California bighorn sheep make this their home, so it’s great area for wildlife viewing.

Skaha Lake in British Columbia

Skaha Lake is one of the warmest lakes in Canada. It’s the perfect place to fish, swim, water ski, wake board, sail, paddleboard or just go for a swim.

Visit a Local Okanagan Orchard

With it’s warm summers, Okanagan Falls is home to many roadside fruit stands and u-pick farms. One of our favorite things to do in the Okanagan Valley is take a drive around the countryside, stopping at orchards and fruit stands to enjoy home grown fruits and veggies.

Climb Skaha Bluffs

There are plenty of routes to chose from, but climbing walls include Red Tail, Doctors Wall, Fortress, The Great White Wall and The Grand Canyon, and are mostly under 30 meters tall.

Love the outdoors? Check out our best hikes in Kelowna British Columbia.

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory

The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) is located at Kaleden, British Columbia, Canada, about a 13 minute drive from the town of Okanagan Falls.

It’s an active observatory, known internationally for science and technology research and development into telescopes as well as satellite receivers and electronics. Comprising astrophysicists, astronomers, engineers and technologists, the observatory is well known around the world.

The observatory was closed in 2021 to both self-guided and guided tours because of the pandemic, however during normal times, it’s open for self guided tours Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and special guided tours are available upon request.

Ski or Snowboard at Apex Mountain Resort

Apex Mountain is a 50 minute drive from Okanagan Falls to Hedley, BC, and west of Penticton.

It averages 600 cm (or 20 feet) of snow a year, with groomed and back country trails available. There’s also a skating rink, and nearby Nickel Plate Nordic Centre has snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

It’s smaller than other resorts in the Okanagan, like Big White or Sun Peaks, but the cozy atmosphere is part of the charm here.

Baldy Mountain Resort

In the complete opposite direction of Apex, approximately 55 minutes southwest of Okanagan Falls, lies the Baldy Mountain Ski Resort.

Baldy Mountain is the 3rd highest elevation ski resort in British Columbia and is one of the most affordable skiing and snowboarding resorts in BC, Canada. Activities at Baldy Mountain include skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. There’s even an 18 hole winter disc golf course complete with disc rentals for something a little different.

Okanagan Falls Accommodation

Because it’s a smaller town, there are only a few options for accommodation in OK Falls.

There are only a few options in the town proper of Okanagan Falls itself: La Villa Motel, Okanagan Paradise Resorts, Twilight Motel, and Holiday Beach Resorts.

La Villa Motel. La Villa is a small family motel in the heart of Okanagan Falls. Most rooms have a kitchenette, fridge and air conditioning. See prices and availability here.

Okanagan Paradise Resorts. Okanagan Paradise Resorts is a condo and vacation rental unit beside Skaha Lake. Prices here.

Holiday Beach Resort Motel. Holiday Beach Motel is in the heart of OK Falls, across from Christie Park. Suites have kitchenettes, and there’s outdoor space and barbeques available. See prices at the Holiday Beach Motel.

Twilight Motel. The Twilight Motel is a small motel with only six rooms. Rooms have a sitting area, microwave, a fridge and toaster. See more.

The Chauffeur’s Quarters. The Chauffeur’s Quarters is a short 4 minute drive south of OK Falls, close to Liquidity Wines. See prices an availability.

Bighorn Ridge Resort. Bighorn Ridge Resort Guest House Bed and Breakfast is about a six minute drive south of Okanagan Falls. Prices here.

Accommodations in Kaladen, BC

St. Andrews By The Lake. St. Andrews’ accommodation is part of a nine hole golf course. See availability here.

Casa Colina. Casa Colina is a bed and breakfast just 15 minutes south of Penticton. It’s set on a hilltop with nine acres, great views and plenty of space, and even a heated outdoor pool. There are three suites and a cottage available. See prices.

Ponderosa Point Resort. Ponderosa Resort in Kaleden has 26 privately owned lakeshore cabins on Skaha Lake itself. It’s a gorgeous setting, and popular with nature lovers that want to get away from it all. The resort itself has plenty of activities, with everything from bocce ball to tennis to kayaking.

Airbnb in Okanagan Falls

AT this time there are 22 Airbnbs in Okanagan Falls, with everything from single room stays to condos to entire houses set in vineyards.

Looking for a great deal on your next Airbnb? Click here to get a $35 USD credit on a new account!

Accomodations at Vaseux Lake, BC

Vaseux Lakeside Resort. Vaseux Lakeside Resort is a four townhouse complex on the shores of Vaseux Lake. See prices.

Okanagan Falls Restaurants

Kettle Valley Pizza and Donair. In Okanagan Falls town itself, this pizza joint offers thin or thick crust, chicken wings, smoothies and shakes.

Falls Restaurant. Falls Restaurant has Chinese food for dinner and a Western breakfast. It’s well rated, and a local favorite for the good sized portions.

Bullies Pizza. Bullies Pizza offers up pizza with homemade sauce and fresh toppings, as well as pasta.

KJ Coffee Bar. KJ is a locally owned café with a French Canadian twist. The coffee is fresh, the bread is homemade, and locals and tourist alike rave about this place.

Smoke & Oak Bistro. Smoke & Oak is a few kilometers south of town.

Okanagan Falls History

Syilx language speaker and Traditional Ecological Knowledge keeper Richard Armstrong shares the Syilx name, meaning, history and cultural significance behind the area known today as OK Falls.

How far is Okanagan Falls from Kelowna?

It’s a 81 km (50 miles) drive from downtown Kelowna to Okanagan Falls. The drive takes just over 1 hour.

From the Kelowna Airport, it’s a 1 hr and 20 minute drive of about 95 km (59 miles).

How far is it from Penticton to Okanagan Falls?

It’s a short 19 minute, 21 km (13 miles) drive from Penticton to Okanagan Falls.

Kelowna’s reputation as one of Canada’s most scenic and beautiful places is well deserved. The city lies along the deep, clear 135 km (84 mi) long Okanagan Lake, and is bordered by mountains and forest.

In our seven years of living in Kelowna, we’ve had the pleasure of hiking most of Kelowna’s great trails.

The Best Hikes in Kelowna, BC

We usually hike with our kids, so many of these Kelowna trails are family friendly, and are included in some of the top family things to do in Kelowna. Of course, since Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley is a mountainous area, there are a few trails here that are more difficult, and suitable for experienced hikers only.

Apex Trail on Knox Mountain

We take most of our out of town guests to Knox Mountain for a moderate to easy hike. It’s on the outskirts of downtown, making it easily accessible, and it also offers gorgeous views of downtown Kelowna and Okanagan Lake.

The downside here is that Apex Trail is one of Kelowna’s most popular hikes, meaning the trails can be fairly busy during peak times, like summer weekends.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can start Apex Trail at the bottom of Knox Mountain, and hike all the way up to the top. If you’re looking for an easier hike, you can drive on Knox Mountain Drive to the parking lot about half way up, and walk the rest. It’s also possible to drive all the way to the top of Knox for a peek at the view.

Knox Mountain Drive is seasonally closed to traffic during the coldest months of the winter and can be closed in the summer if the danger of forest fires is too high in the region.

2022 Update: To assist with social distancing measures during the pandemic, Knox Mountain drive is currently closed to vehicle traffic.

There are over a dozen other trails on Knox Mountain, if you’d like to explore further. One of our family favorites is the Paul’s Tomb trail, which we talk about below.

If you’re a fan of the water, you can also access Okanagan Lake’s Kelowna Paddle Trail at the base of Knox Mountain.

The Kelowna Paddle Trail is a 27-kilometre water only trail on Okanagan Lake from McKinley Beach to Bertram Creek Regional Park. It passes along bird sanctuaries, 20 beaches and parks, three waterfront resorts, and two bird sanctuaries. It’s a great place to take out that paddleboard or kayak you’ve found.

Dogs are allowed on Apex Trail if they’re on leash, on trail, and licensed. There’s an off leash dog beach nearby, at 589 Poplar Point Dr, near the Apex Trail Parking lot.

Length: 2.0 km one way (4 km return).

Difficulty: Moderate. Potentially slippery sections with an incline.

Google Maps location

Paul’s Tomb

Paul’s Tomb, on Knox Mountain is probably the hike we’ve walked the most since we moved to Kelowna. It’s one of our favorite easy hiking trails Kelowna.

It’s a lovely hike that follows along the shore of Okanagan Lake, with stunning views of the lake at the top. The trail ends at a small, pebble-covered swimming beach, where you’ll find local families like ours taking a swim in the lake and enjoying picnic lunches.

The hike does lead to the tomb of Rembler Paul, one of Kelowna’s earlier pioneers. There’s not much to see at the tomb itself, as the door has long been sealed with rock and gravel.

To access Paul’s Tomb, it’s easiest to drive up Knox Mountain Drive to the midlevel parking lot. When Knox Mountain Drive is closed, you can park at the parking lot at the base of Knox Mountain, or drive up to the end of Poplar Point Drive, where there’s extremely limited parking on the road in a residential area.

Dogs are allowed on leash, on trail and if they’re licensed. There’s an off leash dog beach nearby, at 589 Poplar Point Dr, near the Apex Trail Parking lot.

Length: 2.5 km (1.5 miles)

Difficulty: Easy, with some moderate sections.

Location of Paul’s Tomb on Google Maps

Myra Canyon Trestles

Myra Canyon is a popular, well maintained and scenic portion of the former Kettle Valley Railway. It’s a stunningly scenic hike, with 18 giant trestle bridges and two tunnels, and features some amazing views over the lake.

Stretching just over 12 kilometers one way, you can walk the popular portions of the trestles, however, it’s more common to bike the whole way.

If you chose to bike rather than hike, you can rent a bicycle in Myra Canyon’s parking lot all summer if you need one. You can also join a tour that will explain the over 100 year long history of this historic railway stretch and the rebuilding of the trestles after the major fires in the area in 2003.

The trail head is about a 35 minute drive from Downtown Kelowna, with the last 5 or 10 minutes of the drive on a bumpy gravel road, with switchbacks. If conditions are snowy, icy or slick, you may need a 4×4.

You can access the trail via the Myra Station parking lot or the June Springs parking lot. We always choose to start at the Myra Station lot, because there are six trestles in the first few kilometers, making for a simple and interesting hike for the family.

Distance: 24 km (14 miles) return

Difficulty: Easy, but multiple steep drop offs.

Location: Myra Station Parking Lot on Myra Forest Service Road. Location on Google Maps.

Kelowna Waterfront Trail

This trail is more of a city walk than our other Kelowna hikes, but it’s well worth the time if you’d like to see Kelowna’s downtown and lakefront. The hike starts at the parking lot at City Park (it’s now a paid lot), winds its way along the downtown lakefront, and ends at Rotary Marsh.

Along the way, you’ll pass Hot Sands beach, which is the summer beach to see and be seen. For some of the best ice cream in Kelowna, stop at Moo Lix ice cream shop on Bernard St., and enjoy your ice cream along a lovely boardwalk by the manicured Waterfront Park. Waterfront Park is home to plenty of activities and festivals, including the always fun Great Okanagan Beer Festival.

Most people stop at Tugboat beach, by the Delta Grand Hotel, but if you follow the lakefront a little further, there’s an interesting little walk through Rotary Marsh walk.

Distance: 2.1 km (1.3 miles) one way

Difficulty: Easy

Location: 1600 Abbott St, Kelowna.

Google maps location

Mill Creek

Mill Creek is an easy 10 minute drive from downtown Kelowna, and just a few minutes drive from the Kelowna airport.

Because Mill Creek was hit by flooding a couple of years ago, a large portion of the initial section of this hike was reconstructed, with new footbridges, and a wider path.

The initial section of the hike (Waterfall Trail) is a little less than 1 km (0.6 miles) long. It’s wide and relatively flat, and a good choice for younger kids.

After the short walk at the initial section, you’ll end up at a small waterfall. It’s one of the closest waterfalls in Kelowna.

Just before you reach the waterfall, there’s an informal trail that’s much narrower and steeper that winds up along a ridge overlooking the waterfall. It diverges just North of the main trail, and loops back into the main trail after less than 1 km.

This is a pretty, easy hike along a smooth, wide path, mostly under cover. It’s our hike of choice on hot summer days when we want to walk under the trees.

Dogs are allowed on leash. There’s a small parking lot, and hours differ, depending on the season. It’s open 6:00 am to 11:00 pm in peak summer hours.

Difficulty: Easy (main Waterfall trail). Moderate (informal trail).

Length: 1 km (0.6 miles) one way (approximate)

More info: Mill Creek Regional Park.

Location on Google Maps.

Mission Creek Greenway

This long, winding pathway is one of Kelowna’s less talked about gems. We’re fortunate to live nearby, so we’ve walked almost every kilometer of the trail.

The Greenway follows along Mission Creek, which may technically be a creek, but what most people would consider as a smaller, fast flowing river. During spring, if runoff is high, Mission Creek can be extremely fast moving and potentially very dangerous.

Portions of the greenway are still under construction, but when completed, it will span 26 kilometers (16 miles) from the shore of Okanagan Lake to Mission Creek Falls.

Because it’s such a long trail system, most people only hike sections of the trail, so we’ve broken the Greenway down into the two most common hikes: Mission Creek Regional Park, and the downtown section from Lakeshore Drive to KLO road

Mission Creek Regional Park

Mission Creek Regional Park is likely the most familiar spot along the Mission Creek Greenway. It’s home to a honeycomb of great family hiking trails, a playground, washrooms, picnic facilities, and the EECO Center (Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan). The EECO runs environmental education programs year round – we especially love the education they provide on spawning salmon in Mission Creek.

Mission Creek Greenway proper is a wide, flat pathway that runs parallel to Mission Creek, connecting Mission Creek Regional Park to the downtown area and Scenic Canyon Regional Park to the East. Many smaller, well marked hiking trails fan out from the Greenway that take you through Kelowna’s ever-present Ponderosa Pines, by a Children’s Fishing Pond, and past Turtle Ponds. You can also see Kokanee Salmon spawning in early fall.

This is one of our favorite winter hikes in Kelowna. The main Mission Creek Greenway trail is quite wide and flat, so it’s often less icy that other hikes with steep inclines.

Dogs are allowed on leash.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (stairs)

Location: 2363 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 7N7

Locate on Google Maps

Mission Creek Greenway – downtown section from Lakeshore to KLO Road

You can access this section of the path from the Lakeshore Road and Truswell Road parking area or across the river from the Creekside Pub & Grill.

To the West in this section, Mission Creek flows into the 135 km long Okanagan Lake. Sandbars often form as the creek enters the lake in the spring, attracting birds.

If you walk to the East along the trail, you’ll find Michael Brook Marsh, for more bird watching. After a few kilometers, you’ll pass Father Pandosy Historic Site and eventually meet up with Mission Creek Regional Park after KLO Road.

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 4 km (estimated)

Dogs are allowed on leash.

Location: Corner of Lakeshore Rd and Truswell.

Locate on Google Maps

Scenic Canyon Regional Park

Entering the Scenic Canyon Regional Park from the parking lot off 2014 Hollywood Rd S (known as The Greenery on Google Maps), the trail first dips down into a marshy area, full of ducks, turtles, and greenery, and past a series of small boardwalks. There are also a couple of bridges that cross over Mission Creek.

The Mission Creek Greenway officially runs through Scenic Canyon Regional Park to its terminal point at Mission Creek Falls.

If you hit Saskatoon berry season just right (usually early summer around the end of June), this section of the trail has some of the ripest, juiciest Saskatoon berries we’ve ever found.

Further along, there are some interesting geological features along the way, including views of Layer Cake Mountain, once you’re past the KLO Creek bridge. There’s even a more challenging Rock Ovens Trail.

Currently, sections of the trail above the KLO creek bridge (on the East side) are closed due to washouts and bank instability.

Length: Section off of Hollywood Rd South (about 2 km, loop). Section off Field Road (about 5 km, total)

Difficulty: The first few kilometers off the parking lot at 2014 Hollywood Rd S are easy. Difficult sections with steep and narrow climbs are accessed from the parking lot at 3965 Field Rd.

Dogs are allowed on leash.

Location: 2014 Hollywood Rd S, Kelowna, BC

Locate on Google Maps

Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park – Coyote Ridge East Trailhead to Light Blue Lake

This is a pretty hike with nice views of Okanagan Lake on one side and Glenmore Valley on the other side. I personally really love the views here, but they’re subjectively less stunning than others you can find on Kelowna hiking trails. You may also have some highway or airplane noise depending on the time of day.

If you’re looking for over-the-top stunning scenery, do the hike at Mount Boucherie, Myra Canyon, or Knox Mountain.

There are plenty of trails here, leading among wetlands and largely untouched habitat. There’s a good chance of seeing wildlife like coyotes and marmots.

There’s not much signage here, and the lake is small and not recommended for swimming.

Dogs are allowed on leash.

Length: 1.6 km (1 mile) one way, or 3.2 km (2 miles) return

Difficulty: Easy to moderate with some steep sections. Not well marked.

Location: 2345 Werger Rd East Trailhead.

Location on Google maps.

Boucherie Rush Trail on Mount Boucherie

The Mount Boucherie hike rewards you with gorgeous views of Okanagan Lake and wineries below. You’ll navigate a series of switchbacks and a steep incline, but the view at the end is gorgeous.

There are three trails at the Mount Boucherie parking lot, but it’s the Boucherie Rush trail that will lake you to the top of Mount Boucherie at 758 meters elevation.

The trail itself is well maintained, with wooden railings and gravel surface. Since Mount Boucherie is an extinct volcano, you may see ancient solidified lava rock on your route.

Tip! The north east face of the mountain is much more difficult, and we recommend it only for very experienced hikers. We consistently hear reports on the local news of hikers stranded on the north face that require search and rescue assistance.

Distance: 3 km (1.8 miles) one way

Difficulty: Moderate, with steep sections and incline

Location: Parking lot at E Boundary Road.

Google maps location.

Black Mountain Viewpoint

We don’t hear a lot of people mention the Black Mountain Viewpoint trail, but it’s one of my favorite short hikes in Kelowna.

It’s a short trail (1.6 km round trip, or 1.0 mile). Start at the base of Black Mountain, and it’s a fairly steep hike along some switchbacks straight up to the viewpoint. It’s not a long hike, but it definitely gets the blood pumping.

You can be done and dusted on this hike in about half an hour, if you move quickly. With kids, we’re slower, so it takes us about 50 minutes.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Distance: 1.6 km (1.0 mile) round trip

Location: Park along Black Mountain Drive.

Google location here.

Crawford Falls hike

Crawford Falls is a great option if you’re looking for waterfalls near Kelowna. It’s likely the best known of the waterfall hikes in Kelowna. The hike has two options that lead to scenic waterfalls in the forest. It’s a short, steep hike to the falls on Bellevue Creek.

From the trailhead, it takes about 20 minutes to the first of the two falls. The first set of falls are about 20 feet high, and a difficult, steep hike. The second set of falls are another 10 minutes down the trail, and much taller, at about 40 feet high.

You’ll need to scramble over a few boulders, but the hike is less steep was revamped by the City of Kelowna in the mid-2010’s, and no longer has extremely steep sections with ropes.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Length:

Location: 1856 Canyon Falls Ct, Kelowna, BC. Location on Google maps.

What kind of weather can I expect on my hike in Kelowna?

Depending on the season, temperatures in Kelowna can range from summer daytime highs of plus 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to winter overnight lows of -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit). Kelowna is generally considered one of the warmest cities in Canada and most days outside of the coolest days of the year around January and February and the hottest days (around July and August) hiking in Kelowna is a joy.

If you’re looking for some more fun things to do in the Okanagan Valley, see our articles on the best things to do in Penticton, BC as well as our post of fun things to do in Kelowna with kids.

Do you have any favorite hikes around Kelowna that we’ve missed? Put them down in the comments below!

Since setting up a home base in BC’s mountainous interior a few years back, we’ve had ample opportunity to check out our hometown of Kelowna. We’ve also had the pleasure of exploring the majority of the beautiful Okanagan Valley that contains both Kelowna and nearby Penticton.

As we continue exploring this section of Canada, we’re constantly finding new things to do here and enjoy spending both summer and winter days driving around the 200 plus kilometers that make up the Okanagan Valley.

After discovering so many fun things things to do with the family in Kelowna, we’ve decided to go a little farther south and see what nearby Penticton offers. Only 40 minutes away from Kelowna proper, we’ve discovered that there are many family fun things to do in Penticton as well, no matter what your age.

We still have a few Penticton activities to check out ourselves, but summer isn’t officially over quite yet and we know there’s a good chance we’ll be back in Penticton again soon.

The Best Things to Do in Penticton British Columbia, Canada

So, if you’re looking for what to do in Penticton, check out our fun options below.

Kayaking with HooDoo Adventures in Penticton

Whether you’re setting out for a day of paddling on Okanagan Lake or taking one of their paddle and wine tasting tours, you’re still in for a great day.

Less than a block to the water, HooDoo Adventures even lets you rent a kayak or stand up paddle board and check out Okanagan Lake on your own. For a guaranteed good time, take a tour with the owners Mike or Lindi to learn more about the history of Penticton and the surrounding area. They truly are a fountain of information and are both avid outdoor adventurists.

On our tour, the kids loved kayaking under the boardwalk and stopping off at the faraway beach for a quick snack and to explore the water. With or without the kids, you’re guaranteed a great day on the water and we look forward to one day taking their famous Kayak and Wine tour.

Tubing on the Penticton Channel

A classic Okanagan event, floating on a tube or raft down the 7km (4 mile) Penticton Channel (also known as the Okanagan River Channel) that runs from Skaha Lake down to Okanagan Lake is an annual event for many families that live in the area. I first went over 15 years ago and had a great time with a bunch of friends. This year we plan on going with the kids and enjoying a nice barbecue after the trip.

You can do it on your own or you can jump on the Coyote Cruises bus and rent one of their tubes or rafts (Approx $6 for a tube and $6 for a bus ride.) Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and something to drink because the full tube ride takes between 3 to 4 hours. If renting a tube from Coyote Cruises, they’ll only drop you off at the halfway point. Just be mindful of their hours since they don’t allow anyone past the halfway point past 4:30 PM.

If you’re going tubing in Penticton on your own and want to save some cash, it’s a good idea to have two vehicles, so you can easily get back to your car or get 1 person to hop on the bus from Coyote Cruises to go pick up your car while everyone waits at the beach. You can pack some clothes and towels in a dry bag and tie it to your tube for an added convenience.

If you’re going on your own, all you need is a flotation device (anything from an inner tube to a cheap lounger will do) and a way to get to one of the two drop off points. You can either jump on your tubes at the beginning of the channel at Skaha Lake or stop off at the corner of Green Mountain Road/Fairview Road and Highway 97, behind the Super Save gas station). Parking is limited at the halfway point and there’s a Tim Hortons just across the bridge if you’re hungry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Play at the Loco Landing Adventure Park in Penticton

With everything from mini golf to high level ropes, including speedy go karts and ridiculously fun and a little wet bumper boats, Loco Landing Adventure Park is every child’s dream come true. This family run operation allows you to pay as you go for each activity or you can opt for a one time do it all pass that has no expiry and can be used by multiple people. We ended up buying two cards for the kids and bought separate go kart, mini golf and bumper boats passes for ourselves.

Loco Landing in Penticton also has an Aeroball court (2 player versus trampoline basketball) and the Big Baller with it’s WipeOut style fun. They also have a blow up American Ninja style course for the kids and trampolines complete with harnesses for safe back flips. There’s also an outdoor climbing wall and a small restaurant/canteen where you can grab a bite to eat or something to drink.

The Loco Landing Adventure Park started in Penticton over 10 years ago as a family run park and every year they add another activity. To be honest, the place just keeps getting better year after year and the kids had a blast.

Hang at the beach at either Okanagan or Skaha Lake

With not one but two lakes in Penticton proper, you can always be guaranteed a spot on the beach. Whether you’re hanging out on Okanagan Lake in the north of town or the equally beautiful Skaha Lake in the south end of town, both the beaches and activities are endless. With spray parks, playgrounds, volleyball and tennis courts, concession stands and picnic areas in both places, you can easily spend the whole day in either location without having to leave.

You can also rent stand up paddle boards and boats at both places and there’s washrooms a plenty. You can also opt in to float down the Penticton Channel starting from Skaha Lake or ending up in Okanagan Lake.

Go kart racing at Top Gear Karting in Penticton

Perfect for the older kids (and that includes parents), Top Gear Racing has go karts to suit the speed demon in anyone. With a banked corner and a winding track nearly a kilometer long, this course will tax even the hardiest of racers.

Timed laps go up on the daily leaderboard and you can race up to 8 people at a time or work towards breaking your own lap record. They also offer courses for younger drivers and double karts for parents with younger children.

Indoor climbing with HooDoo Adventures in Penticton

The only indoor climbing gym in Penticton, there’s no doubt the climbing walls at HooDoo Adventures will get your blood pumping. Especially great for adults practicing their bouldering skills, kids will also love the top rope climbing walls. As we found out the day we went there, it’s also a great place to have a birthday party.

Hoodoo Adventures in Penticton also rents out everything from kayaks to stand up paddle boards to bicycles and even snowshoes for those cooler winter months. They also offer some of the best tours in all of the Okanagan Valley.

Coffee and playgrounds at Jumping Beans Play Cafe

If you feel like having a coffee and snack while your little ones run around and play, then Jumping Beans Cafe might be the place you’ve been looking for. With inside wooden play structures and interactive games, the younger kids can work off some steam while you enjoy a decent latte.

It’s a win win for everyone and great for those cooler winter days or even in the height of the areas incredibly hot summers.

Ride the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Penticton

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is 20 minutes north of Penticton but is definitely worth the trip. Whether you’re just going for a ride or taking part in the Great Train Robbery and barbecue, you’ll be transported back in time 100 years as you climb aboard the 1912 steam locomotive lovingly named the 3716.

The 90 minute, ten mile journey of the Kettle Valley Steam Railway takes you by beautiful vineyards, large fruit orchards and through breathtaking vistas before getting a great view of the lake 238 feet above the canyon floor while crossing Trout Creek Bridge. Whether you love old steam trains or just riding in comfort as you take in the beautiful scenery of the Kettle Valley, this train ride shouldn’t be missed.

Hike or Climb at Skaha Bluffs

Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, just south of Penticton, is world famous for rock climbing, and one of the best places for climbing in Canada.

There are also well maintained trails, if you’re not the hiking type. There’s a lot of wildlife: You may even catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep, fringed and small-footed myotis bats, night snakes, or a Western screech owl.

Shop at Penticton Farmers Market and the Downtown Community Market

What happens when you close the majority of downtown Penticton every Saturday morning for a few hours to host a market? Usually good things.

The award winning Penticton Farmers Market coupled with the Penticton Downtown Community Market together form one of the biggest markets in the province. With hundreds of vendors selling everything under the sun you’re sure to find something that you’ll enjoy.

You’ll find everything from eggs & honey to fresh veggies & fruits straight from the farm including fresh baking, handmade crafts and delicious preserves. The best thing about it is everything at the Farmers Market in Penticton is either grown or produced in the South Okanagan valley. They also offer an ever changing selection of local liquor vendors every week so you’ll also get the chance to sample some of the regions best wines and spirits all in one place.

The Penticton Downtown Community Market runs every Saturday from May to October from 8:30 to 1:30 pm.

Bike the Kettle Valley Trail

Towards Naramata, on the east side of Okanagan Lake leaving Penticton, lies the old Kettle Valley Railroad line. This section of the railway is no longer in use and you can bike the Kettle Valley Trail all the way to Kelowna. Overlooking the lake with wide, flat terrain, the trail is easy to bike and the views overlooking Okanagan Lake are gorgeous with beautifully restored classic wooden train trestles found all along the route.

If you don’t have your own bike you can rent one from a few places in town including HooDoo Adventures or take their well reviewed bike tour.

Head to the Penticton Pump Track or the Penticton Skateboard Park

A new free activity added to Penticton last year is the amazingly popular Penticton Pump Track. This paved oval track has dozens of mini hills and crests that will keep the kids (or the parents) busy for hours. It’s a great course for budding mountain bikers, BMX’ers and experienced riders as well. Located on Naramata Road at the Poplar Grove Parking lot, near the entrance to the Kettle Valley Trail it makes a great start or finish to a day of riding the trails.

Have a rebellious teen or a budding Tony Hawk in your group? Don’t worry, there’s a large skatepark in Penticton right next to Loco Landing that will have the kids grinding the rails and doing massive grabs, flips, ollies and slides in no time.

Walk the plank in Penticton

While there are no wooden planks left, there are miles of paved boardwalks that circle the city. If you start at the skatepark besides Loco Landing Adventure Park and continue past the SS Sicamous (the largest surviving stern wheeler in western Canada and a nice museum as well) you can follow Okanagan Lake all the way past the Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre through Okanagan Lake Park and the Penticton Japanese Gardens all the way to the Penticton Yacht Club and Marina with all it’s sailboats and powerboats.

With the lake and the Penticton beaches on one side and restaurants, hotels and shops on the other, the Penticton boardwalk makes for a great stroll whether your a jogger, a power walker or just a family taking a stroll through town.

SS Sicamous

History buffs will love the visiting the SS Sicamous stern wheeler. It’s one of the most famous Penticton attractions and points of interest. The SS Sicamous launched in 1915, and was used to transport passengers and cargo to locations all along the shores of Okanagan lake. It was known as a beautiful, luxurious voyage, and it’s well worth a look. The SS Sicamous took its last run in 1951. Today, it’s preserved as a museum that’s open to the public.

Take the plunge in Penticton

If you happen to be in Penticton during their crazy hot summers, love water activities and have already tubed the channel, the Penticton WiBit might be for you. This floating outside watercourse comprises dozens of huge air filled obstacles that will not only get your adrenaline up but give your kids the workout they so desperately need. With water trampolines, climbing walls, obstacle courses and splash pads, if you’re not having fun then you must be doing something wrong.

Situated just down the beach from Loco Landing and the SS Sicamous stern wheeler on the west end of Okanagan Lake, this floating waterpark is open from 10 am to 8 pm every day of the summer beginning in June. Just note that kids aged from 5 – 7  require a parent to go with them (parents are free with kids 5 – 7) and they have reduced prices for evenings so if you’re feeling a little cheap this might be the best time to go.

Eat your fill in Penticton

With over 100 restaurants in and around Penticton there’s something for every palate. From simple but tasty burgers and fries at Burger 55 to world class fare at the Bistro at Hillside Winery there’s also something for every budget.

While restaurants are scattered around town, you’ll find the greatest concentration of them near the downtown core and along Lakeshore Drive West.

If you’re wanting a real treat and you’re in Penticton during the summer, grab a bag, or even better, a bucket of mini donuts for the family. The mini donuts in Penticton are freshly made to order right off the beach at Our Little Donut Factory and they’re delicious. After that you can grab a bench or picnic table across the road along the boardwalk and watch the birds vie for your attention as they strut their stuff at the beach. It was a highlight of our last trip down there.

Wet your whistle in Penticton

With over 80 wineries within a 20 minute car ride of downtown Penticton, as well as 5 craft breweries and 2 distilleries, you might have wished you left your kids home for this trip.

All joking aside, the Okanagan Valley itself is home to over 300 wineries and Penticton is home to a good portion of them. With everything from wine tasting to cellar tours to even stomping the grapes yourself you can find a winery in Penticton that appeals to both you and even your kids. Most offer grape tasting for wee ones as well so the kids can feel like part of the action.

Some of the more popular wineries around Penticton include Bench 1775, La Frenz, Pentage Winery, Red Rooster, Ruby Blues and Lake Breeze. In terms of craft breweries, you have Highway 97, Barley Mill, Bad Tattoo Brewing, Tin Whistle Brewing and Cannery Brewing. Maple Leaf Distillery is the largest of the local distilleries.

Note: Some of the best restaurants in the Okanagan Valley are at the wineries, so bring an appetite and your wallet. Wines directly from the wineries might be a dollar or two cheaper than the stores but falling in love with a local wine and buying it by the case can get expensive quickly.

Not wanting to risk the road after hitting a few of the wineries? Go on a winery tour with Hoodoo Adventures and let them drop you off at your hotel when you get home.

Check out wine tours in Pentiction here.

Get Your Farmer on at Covert Farms Estate Winery

Technically, Covert Farms Estate Winery is 35 minutes south of Penticton in the town of Oliver. There’s a working farm here, as well as a working winery, and a highly rated farm tour. A few years ago Covert Farms hosted the Amazing Race Canada. Every year in September, Covert Farms hosts the Freak’n Farmer obstacle race.

Visit the Penticton Visitor Centre

If you’re just coming into Penticton, it’s probably worth your while to grab a map of the local wineries and attractions from the excellent Penticton Visitor Centre located at 888 Westminster Ave. (It’s right beside the ever popular Penticton Convention Centre.) They can also help you with finding some of the more hidden gems in the area, direct you to special events that are on the horizon and can answer any questions you might have regarding Penticton and the rest of the Okanagan Valley here in BC, Canada.

The Best Tours in Penticton

Viator offers some great tours and experiences in Penticton and throughout the Okanagan Valley.

You’ll find everything from boat rentals to bubble suits to winery and foodie tours and more.

Check out all of Viator’s Penticton tours here.

The Great Okanagan Beer Festival is that kind of party.

As I walked onto the grounds, the early summer sunshine warmed my shoulders, and a cooling breeze swept across the lake.

The kegs were tapped, the band was playing, and the smokies were sizzling on the grill. Charles and I had left the kids at home, and it was time to enjoy ourselves.

As I looked around at the hundreds of smiling faces around me, I was instantly at home. This was going to be a great day. It was our first year at the GOBF, and I was excited to take in all the fun (plus all that tasty food, beer and cider!).

Great Okanagan Beer Festival (GOBF)

Every year, the Great Okanagan Beer Festival puts on a heck of a great party in our beautiful home city of Kelowna, BC, Canada.

The GOBF takes place in early May. It’s hosted by the fun folks at Gibbons Whistler, founders of the insanely popular Whistler Village Beer Festival.

The GOBF features 70 breweries with over 120 varieties of craft beer and cider. No matter which way you calculate it, that’s a lot of delicious suds.

You’ll find some of our favorite local breweries and restaurants at the Okanagan Beer Festival, like the Train Station Pub, Grimm’s Fine Foods, BNA Brewing, Tree Brewing, Freddy’s Brewpub, Okanagan Spring, Boundary Brewing Company, BC Tree Fruits Cider Co. and Wards Hard Cider, plus plenty of other great craft beer and cider brewers from all across Canada.

Plus, there’s great food with food trucks and vendors galore.

If you’re looking for something fun to do, there’s plenty of entertainment on site, including live bands up on the main stage. This year, there were four live bands for the main event, plus a DJ to keep the crowd going between sets.

Depending on the year you go, the lineup will be different, but we enjoyed Red Chair, Lucky Monkey, The Hip Replacements (a Tragically Hip tribute band), and Hot Knox.

In among the beer and cider tents, we found that a lot of local businesses had also shown up. All of them had something fun to do and many offered everything from free meals at local restaurants to hats, shirts and Frisbees. The games ranged from blackjack, to beanbag toss games, to axe throwing.

Yep, you read that right… axe throwing. We had a blast trying a free round of axe throwing with Axe Monkeys, though I think we’re both going to need some coaching before we become axe throwing masters!

All that axe throwing gave us an appetite, so we wandered over to the food trucks.

Given that this is a Canadian Festival, you’d better bet there’s a poutine truck (Smoke’s Poutinerie), and a lot more too, including The Keg Steakhouse, The Grub Truck, Surfside California (with tacos!) and Thai on the Fly.

Grimm’s Fine Foods BBQ made an especially tasty appearance, with mouthwatering smokies on a bun and ice cold drinks.

GOBF fun around town

There’s a lot going on in the days and weeks leading up to the GOBF, with everything from yoga to bowling to Kelowna Craft Brewery tours.

Pregame Brunch at the Train Station Pub with Grimm’s Fine Foods

We were lucky enough to get a spot at one of our very favorite local pubs, the Train Station Pub for a Pregame Brunch presented by Grimm’s Fine Foods.

The Train Station Pub is in a restored 1926 railway station, and is just a hop, skip, and jump from Waterfront Park where the GOBF main event is held. As well as great food, the Train Station Pub features their own craft beer as well as rotating favorite brews from around the area.

Where’s the GOBF held?

Every year, the Great Okanagan Beer Festival takes place at Waterfront Park on the shores of Okanagan Lake. There’s plenty of lush green grass, meandering paved pathways, a beautiful wooden boardwalk along the lake, and big trees scattered about for shade.

Should you get General Admission or VIP Tickets to the Great Okanagan Beer Fest?

What’s included in the GOBF General Admission ticket:

• Official 4 ounce GOBF sampling mug
• 3 beer or cider tokens
• Live music
• Access to 70 breweries and 140 craft beers/cider
• Access to food vendors and exhibitors
• A fun time with thousands of festival-goers on the beautiful Okanagan Lake

What’s included in the GOBF VIP ticket:

• Official 4 ounce GOBF sampling mug
• 10 beer or cider tokens
• VIP fast access express entry. We had VIP tickets and loved this feature, as it let us speed by the regular security entry line (shown below).
• Live music
• Access to 70 breweries and 140 craft beers/cider
• Access to food vendors and exhibitors
• A fun time with thousands of festival-goers on the beautiful Okanagan Lake
• GOBF swag bag
• Lunch from Grimm’s Fine Foods
• Vouchers for savings around town

Love beer, cider, great food and awesome music? If you don’t have tickets, you can grab them here! 

Click here to see ticket prices and details.

Looking for a Great Okanagan Beer Festival promo code? Check out the Gibbons Whistler Facebook page – you may get lucky!

About Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley

Kelowna is a small city perched on the shores of Okanagan Lake, with a population of just under 200,000 very lucky people.

It is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley, which is a 200 kilometer (125 mile) valley surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, and with the deep, clear Okanagan Lake as its center.

Kelowna (and the Okanagan Valley) is becoming rapidly known for it’s 300+ world class wineries with hundreds of fun things to do around town. The past few years there’s been a boom of local craft breweries (thus the GOBF) and locally made spirits as well.

In the summer, the valley is home to apple, pear, peach and other fruit orchards, and sees an influx of tourists from Canada and all over the world.

To get here, you can fly directly into the Kelowna International Airport, but many visitors prefer the scenic four hour drive from Vancouver.

Looking for someplace to stay?

Check out these Kelowna rentals on Airbnb.

Sign up using this link, and get $35 in Airbnb credits the first time you use them.

Looking for something to do?

Check out these fun experiences in Kelowna.

Love beer, cider, great food and awesome music?

Feel like hanging out by a beautiful mountain lake in British Columbia for a nice afternoon in May?

Then this is the contest for you!

The contest is closed! Congrats to Harmonie, who just won two general admission tickets to the Great Okanagan Beer Festival in sunny Kelowna!

If you don’t have tickets yet, hurry up, you can still grab them here! https://gibbonswhistler.com/festivals-events/great-okanagan-beer-festival/tickets/

The Great Okanagan Beer Festival is back in our gorgeous home base of Kelowna, BC, Canada from May 10th to 12th 2018! It’s hosted by the fun folks at Gibbons Whistler, founders of the insanely popular Whistler Village Beer Festival.

In addition to hundreds of world class wineries, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley are becoming a top notch destination for beer lovers as well. There’s already tons of fun things to do in Kelowna with the family but the Great Okanagan Spring Festival is a festival for the above majority age crowd.

You’ll find some of our local favorite breweries and restaurants at the Festival, like the Train Station Pub, Grimm’s Fine Foods, BNA Brewing, Tree Brewing, Freddy’s Brewpub, Okanagan Spring, Boundary Brewing Company, BC Tree Fruits Cider Co., Wards Hard Cider, plus plenty of other great craft beer and cider brewers from all across Canada.

The Great Okanagan Beer Festival main tasting event is on May 12th, and they’ve invited us to cover the main event at Waterfront Park, as well as some of the fun extracurricular events happening around town leading up to the main event.

It’s our first year at the GOBF, and we’re pretty excited to take in all the fun (plus all that tasty food, beer and cider!).

Love your beer? Do like us and check out a Kelowna Craft Brewery tour in the days leading up to the Festival, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram stories to check out our Pregame Brunch from Grimm’s Fine Foods starting at 11:00 am May 12th at the the Train Station Pub.

The GOBF features 70 breweries, plus 140 varieties of craft beer and cider, and plenty of tasty food trucks, games and more. There are also four live bands for the May 12 main event, plus a DJ.

We’re especially excited as they’ve given us two general admission tickets to give away!

Buy your GOBF tickets here now!

Want to learn more about the GOBF? Check out this article from Murissa at the Wanderful Traveler (another awesome Okanagan-based blogger), the FAQ for the GOBF, or the video below.

Enter now for your chance to win two general admission tickets to the May 12th main event!

The contest is open to legal residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, who have reached the age of majority in British Columbia, and ends May 05, 2018. See the entry form for terms and conditions. Absolutely no minors are permitted within the grounds.

So how do you enter? It’s easy.

See the contest widget below? To start, all you have to do is to enter your email or log in via Facebook!

Follow the Gibbons Whistler Facebook page for up to date announcements on all the GOBF fun!

What’s included in each ticket (remember you could win TWO tickets!):

• Official GOBF sampling mug
• 3 beer tokens
• Live music
• Access to 60 breweries and 120+ beer varieties
• Access to food vendors and exhibitors
• A rad time with thousands of festival-goers on the stunning Okanagan Lake

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Barefoot Nomad is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Almost ten years ago, Micki and I decided to make Kelowna our Canadian home base. To say we kind of like the city would be an understatement.

Nestled in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is definitely one of Canada’s golden cities. You can do everything from climbing mountains in the mornings to lazing by the beach in the afternoon and then having supper at a world class winery before heading out for a night on the town.

For the kids, Kelowna has so much to offer, from water parks and beaches to adventure centers and grape stomping, plus it also has some of the best weather to be found in Canada.

We’ve had a time checking out the local sites this past decade, and now we’re passing on some of our very favorite fun things to do with the family in Kelowna.

Without further ado, here’s our list of some of the best kids activities and family attractions in Kelowna.

Okanagan Lake

Kelowna lies on the shores of Okanagan Lake. In the summer, the city is transformed into a water lovers’ playground with eight designated beaches and ample beach access.

If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even spot the elusive Ogopogo. A local water legend in the vein of the Lochness monster with reported sightings in the valley for the past hundred years.

For the watersport adventure crowd, you can do everything from flyboarding to jetboating to parasailing on the big lake. You can rent motorboats, jet skis, kayaks and even stand up paddle boards at the main marina in town or bring your own and use one of the three boat launches in Kelowna proper.

With a lively downtown marina, you can even moor your boat right in the heart of the city for the day while you head to the beach or the park with the kiddos, or grab a bite to eat on trendy nearby Bernard Street.

With so many beaches, there’s also bound to be a beach that appeals to you. Most are great for families and there’s even one your dog can fully enjoy.

Hot Sands Beach – City Park

The kids will love the warm sand and nice water at Hot Sands Beach. Right downtown next to the popular City Park and the marina, it’s one of the longest and busiest beaches in Kelowna. It has watersport rentals as well as the ever popular Aqua Park with over 16 oversized inflatable water activities that are great for kids or the young at heart.

Gyro Beach – Boyce

You can also check out popular, family friendly Gyro Beach, with its own watersport rentals, snack shop, washrooms, volleyball courts and playground. Gyro Beach has a very gradual beach incline which makes it great for throwing a frisbee or a ball in the water.

Cedar Creek Park

Cedar Creek Park is one of Kelowna’s only dog friendly beaches (Lake Avenue is also dog friendly, as is the Downtown Sails Dog area/Kerry Park, and Sutherland Bay Park to the north of downtown). Cedar Creek Park is off-leash, and a long pebble beach with picnic tables and washrooms that make it a great place to let your dog cool off on a hot summer afternoon while you get to relax or throw a ball with the kids.

Rotary Beach Park

Just down the road from Gyro Beach, Rotary Beach Park on Lakeshore Road has all the facilities you need to enjoy a day in the sun including picnic tables, washrooms and a playground. It’s also the city’s top kite-boarding beach.

Kelowna Parks

If you love the outdoors, but aren’t in the mood for sand, Kelowna has over 200 dedicated parks and green spaces throughout the city. We have a saying when guests come here: “If you’re ever more than a few blocks from a park then you know you’ve left the city“. Here are a few of our favorites.

City Park

The largest and most prominent park in Kelowna is City Park. It’s adjacent to downtown and surrounded by a long paved boardwalk, and borders the very popular Hot Sands Beach.

This huge park is within steps of the marina and also features volleyball and basketball courts, expanses of green grass, a huge playground complete with a mini zipline for the kids, a free waterpark that includes a two-story water dragon slide, a skate park as well as free washrooms and change rooms.

At night and on the weekends, local artisans and vendors set up mini stalls along the boardwalk. You’ll never know what you might find since it varies from day to day.

The park is also a great jumping off point to delicious eats downtown. If you feel like a bit of ice cream, definitely try out nearby Moo-Lix Ice Cream on Bernard. Delish!

Mission Creek Park

Mission Creek Park has a large playground with swings and a great rope pyramid to climb for the older kids. There’s also a free indoor Environment Educational Center (EECO) right in the park and outside you can watch Kokanee salmon spawning in late September to early October right in the heart of the city.

There are ample covered picnic areas, washrooms and over 12 kilometers of pathways with over 3 kilometers directly along Mission Creek. In summer, there’s also a small kid friendly water channel that the kids can play in, so make sure you bring their swimsuit if you’re checking it out in July or August.

Ben Lee Park

This great little park has a free water spray area in the summer, a canteen with washrooms and an always busy skate park. In winter there’s an outdoor rink and the park has paved pathways that are great for walking or riding your bike.

Waterfront Park

This meticulously groomed park features outdoor art, meandering paved pathways and a large wooden boardwalk along Okanagan Lake with gorgeous city views. Close to some of the city’s finest dining, it also has small ponds that are great for RC boating and letting the kids sail little sailboats. Waterfront Park also has its own popular beach.

Knox Mountain

If you love hiking or even if you just like checking out beautiful views, then Knox Mountain needs to be on your list. Just a few minutes from downtown, Knox Mountain offers something for almost everyone, and we think it’s one of the best hikes in Kelowna.

You can hike, bike or drive up to the halfpoint lookout, or keep going to the top of the mountain. You can even play some free disc golf (18 holes) or tennis at the foot of Knox.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can park at the base and take the graveled pathway up the hill to the mid point lookout. It’s a bit of a hike but nowhere near as long as climbing the rest of the way to the summit. If you want to bike or run you can follow the longer paved road to the middle or top as well.

Finally, if you just want to check the amazing panoramas you can drive up the mountain and park your car at the midpoint and near the peak. From your car you can get some great views, but if you walk to the lookouts you can see most of Kelowna, Okanagan Lake and a sizable portion of the valley from up there.

On days when we feel like going for a long hike and don’t feel like climbing much, we head farther down the road and follow the path around Knox Mountain and go to check out Paul’s Tomb, a gorgeous little spot overlooking a rocky, dog friendly beach with a nice alternate view of the lake. This is a great walk with kids and dogs since it offers a lot to see, but isn’t overly strenuous.

Myra Canyon Trestles

If you thought Knox Mountain was a nice hike, then you need to check out Myra Canyon. This popular, well maintained and scenic portion of the former Kettle Valley Railway comprises 18 giant trestle bridges and two tunnels, and features some amazing views over the lake.

Stretching just over 12 kilometers, you can walk the popular portions of it or bike the whole way.

For those of you without your own bicycle, they even rent bikes right in Myra Canyon’s parking lot all summer if you need one. You can also join a tour that will explain the 100+ year long history of this historic railway stretch and the rebuilding of the trestles after the major fires in the area in 2003.

Fruit Orchards

If you’re lucky enough to visit Kelowna during the summer or early fall, you can visit the hundreds of orchards found throughout the valley. There’s a reason the popular fruit juice giant Sunrype has called Kelowna home for over 70 years. There is a ridiculous abundance of fresh, local fruit in this city.

From cherry orchards to peaches, nectarines and plums, you’ll find an orchard with all your favorite fruit. In fall it’s apple time and the town is busy harvesting. If you don’t see a loaded apple truck driving by in late August or September, then frankly you aren’t looking hard enough.

Many orchards allow fruit picking by the pound (u-pick or they pick) and there are dozens of fruit and vegetable stands throughout the city with many of them found on Benvoulin Road.

Our kids love picking their own cherries and we go to nearby, family run Arndt Orchards a few times each summer depending on what type of cherry is ready to be picked. It’s a great way to spend a few hours while getting the whole family out together, and nothing beats the taste of ripe, fresh picked fruit. Just try not to eat it all before getting back in your car.

Kelowna Farmers’ Market

From 8 am to 1 pm every Wednesday and Saturday morning from April to November, you can check out the Kelowna Farmers’ Market which is moving to the Landmark District for summer 2024. In winter, the market moves indoors to the Parkinson Rec Center.

The giant outdoor summer market features over 165 vendors and offers everything from local fruits and vegetables to local meats and dairy. It’s a great way to see what’s in season and to try out everything from fancy cheeses to fancy jams.

The Kelowna Farmers’ Market has been running for over 20 years and also includes local artisans showcasing jewelry, handcrafted pottery, soaps, handcrafted woodwork and plenty more. Grab the kids a giant candy floss or a bucket of kettle corn and peruse the aisles of local works to your heart’s content.

Every year, we bring visiting friends and family to the outdoor market.

World class wineries

With over 200 wineries calling the Okanagan Valley home and over 30 wineries in Kelowna proper, finding a bottle of your favorite vintage is as simple as grabbing a handy Wine Trails from the City of Kelowna and hopping in your car and spending an afternoon tasting everything from Merlot to Chardonnay.

Whether you’re checking out world renowned wineries like the sprawling and very photogenic Mission Hill Estates (which has a great hill for the kids to roll down), the amazing lake views at Quail’s Gate or eating at the decidedly tasty restaurant at Volcanic Hills, you’ll still be just minutes from downtown Kelowna.

If you’re wondering what’s in it for the kids, Kelowna has multiple family friendly wineries where the kids are as welcome as their parents, and get their very own non-alcoholic wine to sample (aka grape or apple juice). However, if your kids are old enough and you’d rather leave them at home or at the beach for the day and be able to sample the many wines more, ahem, liberally, you can jump on one of the many wine tasting tours offered around town and let them whisk you about while providing delicious meals and entertaining commentary.

World class distillery

If you prefer vodka, gin, whisky or delicious fruit infused liqueurs over crushed grapes, then you can check out the Okanagan Spirits Distillery right in downtown Kelowna. Coupled with their main distillery in Vernon, they produce some delicious spirits thanks to the Okanagan’s abundant fruit orchards.

The kids will love checking out the huge bubbling Jack Cousteau styled copper distiller while you try out their ridiculously tasty, award winning Blackberry Liqueur, and if you’re brave enough, a shot of their very own absinthe. Located right downtown close to the marina and park, it makes a great stop on a busy day and there’s an ice cream shop and poutinerie only a few doors away.

Skating at Stuart Park

If you happen to be in Kelowna in the cooler months (December to February), then the place to be is skating outdoors at Stuart Park on Water Street. Open from 6 am to 11 pm every day, you can rent skates right on the spot and glide along Kelowna’s largest outdoor ice skating park. The ice is groomed regularly, you can enjoy the great views of the lake and downtown while grabbing a warm cup of hot cacao and hanging out with friends.

Kelowna Indoor Adventure Centers

If you’re tired of the heat (and Kelowna gets lots of it in summer) or you’re in Kelowna during the cooler season, there are a ton of fun indoor areas for the whole family as well.

EnergyPlex

The EnergyPlex is Kelowna’s largest indoor playground for kids, with four stories of fun, including trampolines, foam pits, rope swings, a huge cube climb, a rock wall, a Ballistix Ball Range (huge foam ball shooting adventure) and a laser tag arena that are sure to tire out any active child. If you have energetic kids, this is definitely the place to bring them.

H2O Adventure and Fitness Center

H2O is the one of the largest municipal water parks in Canada. It includes a wave pool, surf wave simulator, river run, water slides and a kid’s spray park. It’s perfect fun for any age, and you can also enjoy the 12,000 sq ft of fitness and cardio space if you want to let older kids go their way while you go yours.

YMCA

The Kelowna YMCA in Rutland is a huge facility with an aquatic area, gymnasium, youth zone, a 100 m walking track as well as a large fitness area. The aquatic area includes a diving pool, an eight lane lap pool and a warm lazy river complete with spray-jets and a large hot tub. You can do a drop in anytime. There’s also a smaller YMCA in downtown Kelowna.

McCurdy Bowl Center

Fun for the young or old, Kelowna’s McCurdy Bowling has a bowling lanes complete with black light, glow in the dark neon bowling for those times when you want escape a world of pastels., in addition to regular bowling We love that there are bumper guides that cover the gutters as well as roll assists to make it more fun for the smaller kids. One of our favorite pubs, Freddy’s Brewpub, is attached to McCurdy Bowling, which is a huge plus for us.

Kelowna Outdoor Adventure Centers

Feeling like you need a little outside exhilaration? Kelowna has several family friendly outdoor adventure centers that will bring out the kid in anyone.

Myra Canyon Adventure Park

At Myra Canyon Adventure Park high above Kelowna and below the Myra Canyon Trestles you can hike or bike the trestles, jump in the saddle and go for a horse ride or test your Tarzan abilities on their well rated tree top course high above the valley.

Scandia Golf and Games

With some of the best indoor and outdoor mini golf in the valley, you can enjoy everything from bumper cars and go karts to batting cages, a huge arcade and laser tag at Scandia Golf and Games. It’s always a fun place to bring the kids. We come here a few times a year, and always have a great time.

WildPlay Kelowna

From ziplining to free falling, WildPlay, just outside of Kelowna on Highway 33, WildPlay is an adventure playground. With 10 ziplines and a giant, 110 foot pendulum swing, you’re sure to get the blood rushing while you’re there. For everyone aged five and up, there’s the Monkido course (as in monkey see, monkey do). This climbing, ziplining, jumping and swinging obstacle course will test your mettle at heights ranging from 6 to 60 feet and is a lot of fun for everyone.

Children’s Outdoor Activities in Kelowna

Need to find something a little tamer for your kids to do outside and can’t decide which ones are right for you? Check out this list of outdoor kids activities you can do in Kelowna.

Kangaroo Creek Farm

Kangaroo Creek Farm is a near the Kelowna airport. You can pet baby kangaroos, wallabies and even have adorable sugar gliders climbing into your pocket. Fees go to the animals. Guaranteed to leave everyone in your group with a smile.

Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure

Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure in Kelowna has a great traditional petting zoo complete with adorable bunnies and goats that you can pet and feed. They also offer a fun hedge maze, and the cost is under $10/day per person.

Kelowna Events

There’s always something happening in Kelowna, it seems, and many of the events are family friendly. There are too many to list here, but the Fat Cat Children’s Festival is well worth a visit if you’re here in June. If you love wine, I enjoyed stopping by the Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon‘s Wine & Music Festival at Waterfront Park with great wineries and live music.

If you’re the active type, there are plenty of fun outdoor races that are kid friendly. A few years ago, Micki and our then 10 year old son had fun at the FoamFest 5K race (for kids 10 and over) and they’re checking out the Freak’n Farmer Adventure Obstacle Race (with special categories for kids of all ages) at Covert Farms near Penticton for next year.

For event info, check out the event pages for Tourism Kelowna and KelownaNow (a local online newspaper).

Tours of Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley

Want to work with a local company? Check out Red Dog Wine Tours or Wicked Wine Tours. They rate highly on TripAdvisor. Their most popular tour is the West Kelowna wine tour, but they also do tours in Kelowna proper, as well as private tours.

Where to Stay in Kelowna

Kelowna has well over 100 hotels, with plenty of options from luxury villas and hotels to budget friendly accommodation.

Luxury – The Delta Grand Kelowna

Known locally just as the Delta Grand, the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort is Kelowna’s most well known higher end hotel.

I’ve spent some time here during local conferences, and had a chance to tour around the hotel as well, and really love the stunning location right downtown on the banks of Okanagan Lake, with a modern and elegant feel. There’s a rooftop Jacuzzi, heated outdoor pools, a great in-house restaurant, and a fully equipped conference centre.

Check prices and availability here.

Airport Hotel – Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport

The Four Points by Sheraton at the Airport is a brand new hotel, with excellent ratings.

It’s directly across from the airport (you could easily walk), with an indoor pool, and restaurant and a bar that get good reviews.

See prices and more info.

Family Lakeside Holiday Resort – Cove Lakeside Resort

Both Hotel Eldorado and Cove Lakeside Resort get excellent reviews, but Cove Lakeside Resort wins out here because of their more affordable rates. This is a fantastic family place to hang out, as each room has a kitchenette, wireless internet access and a spa bath, and the resort has a lovely outdoor swimming pool, smaller water slide and outdoor tennis courts. There’s a sandy beach, bikes for use, and an onsite restaurant and spa.

See Cove Lakesite prices and availability.

Budget hotel – Super 8 West Kelowna

If you have a car and you’re willing to be out of the heart of Kelowna proper, you can almost always get a great rate at Super 8 West Kelowna. We stayed here a couple of years ago, and thought it was reasonable value for the price we paid (around $120/night CDN during summer high season).

It’s fairly basic, but gets solid reviews, and has a small onsite outdoor pool. Rooms also have a fridge, with is a big plus for us.

See prices and availability

Budget backpackers – Samesun Kelowna Hostel

There are only a few choices of hostels in Kelowna, and the best of the bunch is Samesun Kelowna Hostel, with clean, bright rooms and a strong social vibe.

It’s smack in the middle of the action downtown across from City Park, and even has a hot tub. Important: This isn’t a family-friendly hostel: You must be at least 19 years old to stay here and have valid government issued photo ID from outside Kelowna.

See Samesun prices and availability.

About Kelowna

Nestled in BC’s southern interior, Kelowna is the jewel of the Okanagan Valley. On the shores of 135 kilometre long Lake Okanagan, it’s only 3 1/2 hours from Vancouver by car and half an hour by plane. Kelowna is one of Canada’s warmest cities in summer, with averages around 30 Celsius (86 F), it’s also one of Canada’s warmest places in winter with most days well above freezing. This makes Kelowna a great city to visit any time of the year.

In the summer, thanks to hot weather and sunny skies, Kelowna is transformed into a vibrant beach town with tons of activities for the young, the old and everyone in between. There is something for everyone here with tons of nightlife, tons of wildlife and tons of the fun thrown in for good measure.

Kelowna is also only 30 minutes away from world famous Big White Ski Resort and an hour from smaller but equally fun Silverstar Ski Resort. No matter the season, there’s always something fun to do.

More great articles:

• The Pros and Cons of Living in Kelowna, BC: A Local’s Guide
• The Best Breakfast in Kelowna: A Local’s Guide
• Things to do in Okanagan Falls British Columbia

It’s a sunny day in early spring, and Charles and I are walking by the lake’s edge on our way to sample some of the Okanagan’s best spirits.

It’s a good day to be in British Columbia, Canada.

Just a hop from the sparkling waterfront in Kelowna, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is a local family-owned business that makes its own award-winning spirits on site in a copper-pot still.

Inside, the Kelowna storefront brims with colorful bottles of specialty spirits, all made from 100% BC fruit and grains, without additives, chemicals or artificial flavours.

In a region known for it’s many wineries, it’s nice to find some place a little different. I think I’m going to like this place.

Shereen, an import to Kelowna with a charming British accent, ushers us to the back of the store to see how the spirits are made.

Polished and shining, the copper pot still looks straight out of a Jules Verne novel as it hisses and bubbles until a stream of crystal clear liquid alcohol pours out of the front. Each batch is made with local fruit carefully selected for the best flavor. For instance, their apricot brandy comes from a single, 100-year old apricot fruit tree.

Now for the fun part.

She then gives each of us a taste of pear and plum brandy. They’re lovely, light and not too sweet or cloying, with a delicate scent of fresh fruit.

Next comes a taste of their fruit liqueurs. Forget what you know about fruit liqueurs – these are not the cloying, sweet concoctions you’re used to.

First up is the blackberry liqueur. It’s a beautiful, deep purplish-black color, with just a hint of sweetness and a burst of fresh, all-natural blackberry flavor.

Obviously, these distillers really know what they’re doing.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery has won a slew of awards, with the most recent being Spirit of the Year and Distillery of the Year at the World Spirits Awards 2015 in Koje, Denmark. Their Blackcurrant Liqueur kept its title of ‘Spirit of the Year’ with 96 points and newcomer Haskap liqueur won along with their Aquavitus. Even their Our Laird of Fintry Single Malt Whisky won Gold, making it the first Canadian whisky to win Gold at the WSAs. Other medals included Gold for their Taboo Absinthe and Raspberry Liqueur, a Silver for Peppered Pete, and a Bronze for Gin.

Our Turn to Play Bartender

All of this has gotten me in the mood to try our hand at making some of our own cocktails, and Shereen’s kind enough to give us two recipes to try at home: an Okanagan Martini (made with Raspberry Liqueur and Vodka) and a Moscow Mule (made with Vodka and non-alcoholic ginger beer).

First up is the Okanagan Martini.

Okanagan Martini

This is a simple recipe, with only three ingredients (four, if you count ice).

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz Okanagan Spirits Raspberry Liqueur
• 1 oz Okanagan Spirits Vodka
• 2 oz pineapple juice

Combine all the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake vigorously and strain. Garnish with a frozen raspberry on top of the foam. You can use a fresh raspberry, like we did in the video, but a frozen raspberry will float on top a little better.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule has an interesting history.

It was first created in the 1930’s as a way to increase vodka sales, and became hugely popular with the Hollywood crowd. It fell out of popularity in the 1950’s as anti-communism grew, and no one wanted to be associated with a Russian-sounding drink.

It’s made with vodka, ginger beer, lime and ice. We used Fentiman’s ginger beer, which is an old-fashioned ginger beer with a strong, ginger-spicy taste.  For those of you that never tried it, ginger beer has a very different taste than ginger ale, which is sweet with just a hint of ginger.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz Okanagan Spirits Vodka
• juice of half a lime
• ginger beer
• ice

Mix vodka and lime juice in an ice-filled glass. The tradition is to use a copper mug. Pour ginger beer to the top, and garnish with a wedge of lime.

About Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is Western Canada’s first and oldest craft distillery. They are North America’s first and only recognized World Class Distillery and the only distillery in North America to win Distillery of the Year at the World Spirits Awards.

You can order their spirits online on the Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery website. Within Canada, there’s free shipping if you buy three or more bottles. They do ship internationally, but free shipping does not apply.

They produce over 25 varieties in traditional copper-pot stills. These include fruit brandies, liqueurs, marc (grappa), aquavit, gin, vodka, whisky and Taboo genuine absinthe.

Okanagan Spirts offers on-site tastings at both its Kelowna and Vernon locations, for a small fee.

Okanagan Spirits – Kelowna Location

267 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC, Canada, V1Y 6N2

Okanagan Spirits – Vernon Location

2920 28th Ave, Vernon, BC, Canada, V1T 1V9

New Vernon Location

Okanagan Spirits is about to open another larger distillery in Vernon in April 2015 that will boast the tallest copper still in North America as well as a prohibition styled whisky lounge and a moon shiners themed tasting bar. For tasting hours and info for all locations you can contact them here.

Want to learn more about Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery? All their information is below.

• Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery website
• Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram

So we were thrilled when Kamino approached us to share a hike through our new city. Kamino is a great app for travel that lets you make and share urban hikes on your smartphone. While most hikers head out of the city to stretch their legs, Kamino features in town urban hikes with a strong emphasis on local sights and activities.

This suits us fine as we love exploring the cities we stay in when we travel. Whether we’re going for a walk through the colonial centro of Merida in Mexico, checking out a flamenco bar in Seville, strolling through the squares in Madrid, or wandering the maze-like streets of Marrakesh we love walking around town.

It’s a cool concept, so we thought we’d kill two birds with one stone: Check out the Kamino app and explore the beautiful waterfront in Kelowna, British Columbia. Our trip around Kelowna takes you along the waterfront of Okanagan Lake, one of British Columbia’s longest and deepest lakes. Lake Okanagan is even said to have its very own lake monster, a giant serpent-like beast named Ogopogo though it’s been a few years since its last “sighting”. We created our hike to guide you around the festivities on Canada Day, but you could take the walk anytime.

Hint: Our hike may or may not involve ice cream, grilled cheese, an Ogopogo sighting and yoga on a stand up paddle board.

We planned our own trip around our city, but you can also follow someone else’s hike. Like all other Kamino hikes, ours includes photos and a map with GPS to help guide you  around.

First, a few sneak peeks at what we found in Kelowna before we dish a bit more on Kamino.

So, what did we think of Kamino?

I had a lot of fun creating our walk for others. We snapped a few photos and I used the website version of Kamino to upload our photos and map out our walk. With nine stops and a dozen photos, it still only took me about 10 minutes to create our walk for others to use. I was really impressed with how quickly Kamino let me create my hike and even more with how easy it was to go back and edit.

I also browsed the hikes on Kamino and found a few walks that I’d love to try out firsthand. The Local’s Guide to Waikiki, Hot Times in Old Town San Diego and Tokyo for the Food Lover all sound like great walking experiences. Check out the featured hikes and featured hikers list for more inspiration once you have the app installed.

What I liked.

My Verdict?  Kamino is well designed, fast and beautiful to look at. Kamino could definitely be a great tool to use while planning your next trip, especially for travelers who love to explore on foot, like we do.

I’m honestly looking forward to taking Kamino for a spin on our next trip. I would love to use it for a walking tour of a new neighborhood, complete with stops for great coffee shops, parks and hangouts. I usually spend a lot of time mapping out the places we’d like to see on our smartphone and love the idea of having a walking tour already created by fellow travel enthusiasts.

What didn’t we like?

Since Kamino’s a newer app, there aren’t hikes for every city. That said, they seem to be adding walks at a blistering pace: I saw two new hikes go up in the hour after I created ours.

For now, Android lovers are out of luck; there isn’t an Android app for Kamino, though we hear there is one in development.

A Little More About Kamino

Kamino lets you find hikes on the fly, wherever you are, and lets you get insights from travel experts and local gurus on the best hikes in town. You can find hikes tailored to your own interests, whether you’re looking for a dog or kid-friendly hike, or one for a night out with friends.