9 Best Things To Do In Kelowna, Canada

1. Explore Myra Canyon Park

One of the more epic of Kelowna’s parks, the trails in this canyon include 18 different trestle bridges with stellar views, and two tunnels perfect for exploring. Walk or bike along the canyon walls and take in all the glory of nature; and if you want a guided tour and to learn about the canyon’s history, the Myra Canyon Restoration Society will tell you all about it.

Myra Canyon Park

Address: 4429 June Springs Road, Kelowna, British Columbia (entrance at Myra Station or Ruth Station)

Website: Myra Canyon Park Myra Canyon Restoration Society

2. Check out Big White Ski Resort

This place is your one-stop shop for all things winter wonderland. Skiing, tubing, ice-skating, dog-sled tours, and ice-climbing wall, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, fat biking, heli-skiing (you get exclusive use of a helicopter), horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowboarding, and night skiing are all part of the package at this resort. Plus, they also have a spa so you can relax after a long day of adventuring.

Big White Ski Resort

Address: 5315 Big White Road, Kelowna, British Columbia 

Website: Big White Ski Resort

3. Check out Lake Okanagan

There’s a resort on the lake as well! Relax on the beach, do some golfing, play some tennis, go on a nature hike through Okanagan’s trails—and don’t forget the water. The resort has swimming pools, as well as a couple hot tubs and a sauna; If you want to get out on the water you can rent kayaks, boats, paddle boards, water skis, and more. For a truly unique experience, try out their water trampolines!

Lake Okanagan

Address: 2751 Westside Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Lake Okanagan

4. Do a wine tasting

Why not enjoy the wine while in the “Napa of the north?” There are wine tours available through resorts and wineries, and there are several wineries you can visit. Opened in in 1956, the family-owned Quails’ Gate Winery offers a guided tour through the vineyards as well as a tasting in their very own private library; they also have a restaurant on site—Old Vines Restaurant—which is rated one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada.

I also recommend checking their events calendar! Summerhill Pyramid Winery boasts award-winning wines, and you can tour their wine shop wine cellar and get a complimentary tasting; if you’re hungry they do a bistro on site. And if you’re looking for an interesting place to stay, both wineries have guest houses you can book.

Quails’ Gate Winery

Address: 3303 Boucherie Rd, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Quails’ Gate Winery

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Address: 4870 Chute Lake Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Summerhill Pyramid Winery

5. Pick another park to explore

There are a lot of other popular parks in Kelowna—far too many to mention here, so I’ll only mention a few. Knox Mountain Park is Kelowna’s largest park and contains plenty of hiking areas and other recreational activities such as swimming, disc golf, and pickleball. Bear Creek Provincial Park is another popular spot, featuring a beach, camping area (reservations required), and hiking trails—including one with a waterfall. And finally, Waterfront Park is most known for its public art and its extensive boardwalk, which winds along the lakeshore. Whether you’re looking for a view of the city or nature, all of these parks have spectacular views.

Knox Mountain Park

Address: 450 Knox Mountain Drive, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Knox Mountain Park

Bear Creek Provincial Park

Address: Westside Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Bear Creek Provincial Park

Waterfront Park

Address: 1200 Water Street, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Waterfront Park

6. Hang out at Gyro Beach

Dubbed one of Kelowna’s best beaches, Gyro Beach has a multitude of available activities. Swimming, sand volleyball, paddle boarding and paddle boats, kayaking, picnicking, canoeing, walking trails, a rope course on the water, you name it. There’s even a playground for kids. And, just in case you were looking for an interesting photo op, this beach has a giant apple on its grounds, overlooking some awesome mountain views.

Gyro Beach

Address: 3400 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Gyro Beach

7. Explore a garden

Fun fact: The Kasugai Japanese Garden was built to honor a relationship between Kelowna and its “sister city,” Kasugai, Japan. It’s located downtown, right near the Bennett Fountain; it’s designed like a Japanese garden, with plenty of stone and pathways, plus a pond and waterfall.

Kasugai Japanese Garden

Address: Queensway and Water Street, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Kasugai Japanese Garden

8. Tour a lavender farm

For a really unique experience, you can take a tour of the Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm. You can take a guided tour or wander on your own; guided tours include learning how the farm works, but no matter what you choose, you can visit their wishing tree. And when you’re done you can wander their amazing gift shop, filled with their own homemade products, including teas, oils, scrubs, aromatherapy, and more. And if you’re interested, you can take one of their workshops, such as making a lavender wreath or wand, learning about aromatherapy or cooking with herbs, and more.

Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm

Address: 4380 Takla Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm

9. Try a unique sport

If you haven’t had your fill of outdoor sports, I’ve got a couple more surprises for you. Okanagan Flyboard is a company that will take you out on the water to do some flyboarding! Flyboarding is sort of like a jetpack for your feet (your feet are attached to a board, and the board is attached to a cable). If you’re ready to learn, they’ll have you up in the air in no time!

Okanagan Flyboard

Address: 500 Cook Road, Kelowna, British Columbia

Website: Okanagan Flyboard

The "Napa of the north"

Endless vineyards, mountains, beaches, and natural attractions await in the nature and wine-centered city of Kelowna. Sounds like the perfect place to go to relax, take a nice walk, and finish off your day with a glass of wine.