Plan the perfect getaway to one of western Canada’s top destinations. Here’s a glimpse at the best things to do in Kelowna, BC.
Located on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley lies Kelowna, British Columbia’s third-largest city. A place with sweeping valley views and luscious vineyards, Kelowna features some of the best of southern BC. Whether you’re an adrenaline buff chasing your latest nature escape or an epicurean traveller wanting to sample the flavours of this bountiful valley, Kelowna has something for everyone.
Can’t wait to start planning your adventure? If you’re ready to make this happen, take this list of the best things to do in Kelowna and get ready to experience what the unmissable Okanagan Valley has to offer. It has everything you need whether you plan to visit in summer, winter, or somewhere in between.
Getting to Kelowna, BC
Want to fly directly in to Kelowna? You’ll be happy to know that Kelowna International Airport is a quick 10-minutes away from the city. Direct flight options are available from many major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria, and more.
If you can plan a longer trip, consider flying into Calgary or Vancouver and then taking a road trip to Kelowna. The Vancouver-Kelowna trip is about 4-5 hours nonstop or 400 kms, depending on which route you take. This is a great option if you want to get to know and see more of southern British Columbia and make a view breathtaking pit stops along the way.
Calgary-Kelowna is a bit longer at 6-7 hours or 600 km. But on this road trip you can pass through Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Revelstoke, and much more. Plan an epic Canadian road trip and make the most of your time in Kelowna.
What are the best things to do in Kelowna, BC?
Explore the wonders of the Okanagan Valley
Wine and dine under the warm summer sun, get outdoors and be amazed by the Myra Canyon, and plan a day trip to experience some of beautiful southern British Columbia. These are the top 13 things to do in Kelowna BC for your next adventure.
1. Okanagan Lake
The heart of the valley
Kelowna’s crowning glory is the Okanagan Lake. The city is located on the shores of the lake and it covers a huge area of over 130 kilometre, stretching from the BC town of Vernon to Penticton to the south. It’s so vast, that you might be wondering where you can get the best views and enjoy some lake time.
Whether you’re up for chartering a boat or want to keep it simple and rent a canoe or kayak in Kelowna, plan for an afternoon to adventure at Okanagan Lake your way. The centrally-located Tugboat Beach and Rotary Beach both have kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals available, giving you quick access to the best adventure spots in the lake for a fun-filled and unforgettable day in Kelowna.
2. Hit the beach in Kelowna
Beach for days
Another fun thing to do in Kelowna is to spend the day at the beach. The Okanagan Lake is home to a ton of beautiful beaches, so why not take it all in with a beach day of volleyball, sunbathing, and relaxing while taking in the sparkling lake views. But with over 30 beaches to choose from, which one should you hit up first? Some top picks include the busy Boyce-Gyro Beach, Hot Sands Beach, Tugboat Bay, and Strathcona, all of which offer a mix of sport courts, boat rentals, and your basic beach amenities within walking distance of local shops and restaurants.
Okanagan Lake gets warm in the summer months, typically over 20 degrees Celsius during the day, so you’ll have comfortable swimming conditions. Be sure to check the municipal water safety guidance before taking a dip. Along with a number of other destinations in southern BC, Kelowna is one of the warmest cities in Canada, where temperatures can go well above 30 degrees Celsius from June through September.
3. Explore downtown Kelowna
Indie businesses and city parks
No Canadian destination does stylishly laid-back city life like Kelowna. Think less early morning traffic and more patio-side oat milk lattes at a colourful cafe along Bernard Avenue or Pandosy Street. Kelowna inspires all who visit with its walkable city centre, filled with locally-run restaurants and cafes, boutique shops and independent bookstores.
Take this bucket list with you on your adventure to downtown Kelowna:
- Mosaic Books
- Salt & Brick
- Little Hobo Soup and Sandwich Shop
- SHAX Vintage
- The Hype Kelowna
- Just Peachy Kelowna
- Parlour Ice Cream
But the energy of the city of Kelowna really lies in the local parks and beaches, with City Park as the beating heart of downtown Kelowna. City Park is packed with things to do that one day won’t be enough. A long and wide stretch of side with unbeatable downtown views of Okanagan Lake, the park is serviced with beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, a waterpark, a skateboard park, lawn bowling, and much more!
Take a walk along the Waterfront Boardwalk by sunset while falling in love with Kelowna, and wondering why you didn’t visit here sooner.
4. Sample some of the best wines in Canada
It’s wine country, after all
Now let’s get to the good stuff. Did you know that the Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s top wine regions? Many would even argue it’s one of the best on the continent. While the Niagara region has really upped its wine game over the last decade or so (looking at you, Sandbanks), Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley remain a go-to spot for wine tastings. Paired with the breathtaking valley views, a wine tour of Kelowna certainly makes for a pretty amazing day.
Where to begin your wine tour? Well, start things off (and make sure you’re well hydrated) in West Kelowna, which is home to some of Kelowna’s top wineries. But with a city known for its beautiful vineyards and wine, you can’t really go wrong.
Ancient Hill Winery: One of the top-rated wineries located in North Kelowna, come and enjoy their patio area and wine shop.
Frind Estate Winery: Pair your local wine with beach views at Frind Estate, the first beachfront winery in North America. After some time at their tasting room set up camp at Annie’s Beach Cafe, for patio dining right on the property.
Crown & Thieves: One of Kelowna’s most unique wineries is home to a speakeasy that hosts comedy and magic nights.
5. Taste new flavours at a Kelowna cidery
Apple juice for adults on tap
With some of the best apples in Canada growing right here in the Okanagan Valley, it’s no surprise that one of the best things to do in Kelowna is to visit a local cidery. It’s like a brewery, but hard cider is the main bevvy on tap.
Wards Cidery: Delicious ciders on tap brewed with apples picked from their orchard right here in the Okanagan Valley.
Soma Craft Cidery: Come for their Honey Lavender Cider and stay for the adorable alpacas.
Scenic Road Cider Co.: Dog-friendly cidery with a stylish tap room and outdoor seating.
6. Go to a Kelowna meadery
Wine with a side of honey
Never heard of one? A meadery specializes in brewing and selling meads, which is a fermented drink made with honey, water, and yeast. Sometimes known as honey wine and also called hydromel, it’s delicious!
And there’s no better place to sample mouth-watering meads than here in the valley. One of the most unique and fun things to do in Kelowna is to visit a meadery, where you can sip this sweet libation while taking in the beach and valley views.
A local favourite is the Meadow Vista Honey Wines. This charming spot has an on-site bee farm, an outdoor bistro, mead and honey tastings.
7. Join a food tour
Let the locals introduce you to the luscious Okanagan valley
Such a gorgeous farm-to-table city deserves a good food tour, and one of the best ones in town is A Taste of Kelowna. Their Kelowna Cultural Food Tour happens twice a day in downtown Kelowna, where guests can enjoy a 3-hour tour of 7 local businesses including a full meal and 4 drinks. This epic food tour experience will be one for the books.
8. Cycle or hike the trestles trails at Myra Canyon
A breathtaking bike ride
One of the best things to do in Kelowna for an outdoor experience like no other is to hike or bike along Myra Canyon. A perfect half-day trip from Kelowna, this stunning canyon runs along the scenic Kettle Valley Railway. The route includes 18 trestle bridges, two tunnels, and two steel bridges. Work those muscles while being completely awe-struck at the beauty.
To get here, you can rent a car and drive up to Myra Station which is about 40 minutes from downtown Kelowna.
From May-October bike rentals are available if you want to choose your own adventure, or you can join in on a guided tour of the canyon. If you’re visiting during the colder months no worries, Myra Canyon is also a great spot for a winter hike.
9. Kasugai Gardens
A pause in the middle of the city
Looking for free things to do in Kelowna? If you find yourself in the downtown area, pop into the Kasugai Gardens for a unique experience. These beautifully groomed Japanese-style gardens are named after the Japanese city of Kasugai, which has been Kelowna’s sister city since 1981. The park is open to the public daily from early March to October.
10. Plan a day trip to Penticton
Your perfect BC town
Hot like a desert town in the summer and cool and crisp in the winter is Penticton, a destination of beautiful beaches and delicious peaches. When I asked former Skyscanner CA blog writer Heather Newman, who has now made a home in Penticton, to sum up life in this southern BC town she replied, “two words: beaches and peaches.” All of this is accurate.
Nestled between two lakes, Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, there’s no shortage of beachfront adventures to be had here in Penticton. You can also find a ton of hotel options just steps from the beach by Okanagan Lake, which means that you can enjoy a sunny and warm beach day before wandering into town to find your perfect patio for sunset. Every August, the town hosts the Penticton Peach Festival. Five days of fun and activities for the whole family, Peach Fest has been a local tradition since 1947 to celebrate the annual peach harvest in the valley.
Penticton is only an hour drive from Kelowna, so extend your trip and explore more of what southern BC has to offer.
11. Go paddle boarding on the lake
Try SUP in Kelowna
Renting a paddle board with your best buddies is another fun thing to do to in Kelowna to relish in the beauty of Okanagan Lake. Stand up paddle boarding is all the craze nowadays, and there’s no better place to try it out than in Kelowna. You’ll be blessed with views of the valley while paddling by the beach. So, rent a board and find your favourite spot along the Kelowna Paddle Trail.
12. Go parasailing!
Experience Okanagan Lake from the sky
For thrill seekers, a must-do in Kelowna is to go parasailing. There’s a few highly-rated parasailing companies to choose from in the city, including Ogopogo Parasail, Okanagan Parasail, and Kelowna Parasail.
A typical experience includes time on the boat before going up in the air for about a 10-minute trip, where you’ll soar to heights of about 300 feet or more.
13. Take a winter hike
Breathe in that winter air
Free, peaceful, and absolutely stunning, a winter hike in Kelowna will take your breath away. While the nearby ski resorts will be busy and bustling with tourists during wintertime, there’s no better way to take in the landscape of the Okanagan Valley under a sheet of snow than from the comfort of a hiking trail.
So pack your winter hiking shoes or rent a pair of snowshoes and take to the mountains. Check out Rose Valley Regional Park or Bear Creek Provincial Park, both with trails suitable for all fitness levels.
Ready to discover the best things to do in Kelowna? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car rental deals for your next trip.
