Kelowna

This picturesque city on the banks of Okanagan Lake is famous for its beach parks, golf courses, nature trails and wineries.

Enjoy the lakeside retreat of Kelowna enveloped by gorgeous landscapes of the Okanagan Valley. Its attractions sit amid a backdrop of canyons, orchards, rolling hills and vineyards. Enjoy lake beaches, watersports, golf courses, wine estates and fine dining. The Okanagan First Nations people settled here more than 6,000 years ago and Europeans arrived in 1859. Today the city offers great family vacations, romantic getaways and weekend breaks.

At the heart of Downtown Kelowna is Kelowna Cultural District. View Canadian artworks at the Hambleton Galleries and Kelowna Art Gallery. Learn about local history at the Okanagan Heritage Museum and Okanagan Military Museum. Visit The Laurel Packinghouse, home to the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum. Catch performances at the Black Box Theatre and Kelowna Community Theatre.

Along the city’s western edge, Okanagan Lake features boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming, among other water-based activities. Discover sandy, child-friendly spots such as Gyro Beach and Hot Sands Beach at the delightful City Park. Wander along boardwalks and attend summer concerts at Waterfront Park. Rent kayaks, Jet Skis, motorboats and waterskiing gear at Downtown Marina Kelowna.

Tour the Okanagan Valley wineries, including about 30 estates within a 20-minute drive of the downtown district. These wineries include Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate and Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Sample fine wines accompanied by farm-to-table cuisine.

Take a scenic bike ride or walk in Myra Canyon. A wooden trail follows a section of a former railway decorated with tunnels and trestle bridges. Admire city views from the summit of Knox Mountain Park. Play a round of golf at Gallagher’s Canyon, Okanagan Golf Club or Kelowna Springs.

Fly to Kelowna from major Canadian cities as well as several U.S. cities. Get around Downtown Kelowna by foot and use public buses to reach areas outside the city center. Relax on lake beaches during the mild summer months and bring your skis in winter to conquer the mountain at Big White Ski Resort.