VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete Canada Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across Canada.
This guide also forms part of our complete British Columbia Ultimate Travel Guide, bringing together our firsthand city guides, road trips and experiences from across the province.
Okanagan Lake, vineyards, beaches and one of British Columbia’s favourite summer destinations
Why Visit Kelowna?
Kelowna sits in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and is one of those cities where the setting immediately tells you why people come here. Okanagan Lake stretches alongside the city, vineyards climb the surrounding hillsides, orchards remain part of the landscape and mountains rise beyond almost every neighbourhood.
One place we enjoy visiting is Kelowna. Abbotsford to Kelowna is only about a 3.5 hours drive, with beautiful scenery along the way. Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley. We’ve visited Kelowna during our travels through the Okanagan and on longer British Columbia road trips, and what makes the city work so well for visitors is its variety. You can spend the morning walking beside the lake, have lunch downtown, visit a winery in the afternoon and finish the day watching the sun disappear behind the mountains.
Kelowna has grown considerably, but you don’t have to travel far from downtown before the landscape becomes distinctly rural again. Orchards, vineyards and small agricultural roads remain part of the experience.
The city also makes a very practical base for exploring the wider Okanagan, including West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland and the historic Kettle Valley Railway route through Myra Canyon.
Did You Know?
The name Kelowna comes from the Nsyilxcən word associated with the grizzly bear, reflecting the area’s much deeper syilx/Okanagan history. The first permanent European settlement in the Okanagan Valley was established by Father Charles Pandosy in 1859, while Kelowna itself became a city in 1905.
Okanagan Lake stretches for approximately 135 kilometres and reaches depths of more than 230 metres. The valley’s distinctive dry climate results partly from the rain shadow created by the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges.
And, of course, there is Ogopogo. The modern lake-monster legend has become part of Okanagan tourism, although its origins are connected to much older syilx traditions surrounding the lake.
Places to See in Kelowna
Kelowna is home to over 40 wineries & has made history as the first Canadian city designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy for its local orchards, farms & culinary culture. This is right up our alley! We enjoy good food & have been wine tasting a time or two. So number 1 – take a wine & food tour.
Next, we would say to take a day at Okanagan Lake. This massive lake hosts boating, swimming, paddle boarding, and just relaxing in the sun on beaches like City Park or Boyce-Gyro Beach.
Kelowna features historic wooden trestles & tunnels in Myra Canyon Park, along the Kettle Valley Railway. We would suggest taking a scenic hike at Knox Mountain Park & in the winter, ski Big White Ski Resort.
Explore these places in Kelowna
You’ve got to see the W.R.Bennett Bridge, the only floating bridge in Canada.
You’ll want to stroll the waterfront: walk the boardwalk, visit the iconic Ogopogo statue & just meander along the beautiful green spaces. Here’s something we didn’t expect to find in Kelowna: the Kangaroo Creek Farm! You can get up close to rescued kangaroos, wallabies, capybaras & other animals.
Downtown Kelowna & Waterfront Park: One of the easiest places to begin. Walk the waterfront, explore the marina and continue toward City Park.
Knox Mountain Park: One of our favourite kinds of city attraction: close to downtown but high enough to provide completely different views. The summit rises roughly 300 metres above Okanagan Lake.
City Park: Beaches, lawns and lake views only minutes from downtown.
Father Pandosy Mission: A worthwhile historical stop for understanding the beginnings of European settlement in the Okanagan.
Myra Canyon Trestles: One of the region’s signature experiences, following the former Kettle Valley Railway across historic wooden trestles.
Pandosy Village: A good alternative to downtown for independent shops, restaurants and easy access to the lakeshore.
Boyce-Gyro Beach Park: One of Kelowna’s best-known beaches and an easy summer stop.
Kelowna’s Wine Country: You don’t need to drive far before reaching vineyards and tasting rooms overlooking the valley.
5 Places to Visit Near Kelowna
1. West Kelowna
Cross the William R. Bennett Bridge for vineyards, lake views and a completely different perspective across Okanagan Lake toward Kelowna.
2. Peachland
A relaxed lakeside community south of Kelowna with a long waterfront promenade, beaches and cafés.
3. Lake Country
Head north for orchards, wineries and beautiful views around Wood Lake and Okanagan Lake.
4. Myra Canyon
The historic Kettle Valley Railway trestles make this one of the best half-day trips from Kelowna.
5. Big White
Best known as a winter ski destination, Big White also provides summer mountain activities and makes an easy excursion from Kelowna.
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