Your guide to Kelowna
Kelowna highlights
Wine country
With over 40 wineries in the area, you’ll want to check out some of British Columbia’s best vineyards on your stay in Kelowna. Choose between five unique wine trails, all within a 20-minute drive of the city. Travelling without a car? Bus Route 20 in West Kelowna passes many of the Westside wineries. Or book a guided wine tour with customised tastings.
The great outdoors
From hiking to water sports, Kelowna’s natural surroundings promise countless adventures. Hike the Okanagan Rail Trail, climb to the top of Knox Mountain Park, or go boating on Okanagan Lake. Need to slow it down? Plan your trip to Kelowna for mid-April to see the cherry blossoms. Or visit in late June, when Kelowna’s u-pick farms open for the season.
Winter playground
While a winter trip to Kelowna promises mild temperatures, the nearby Monashee Mountains invite skiers and snowboarders to carve out plenty of downhill fun. Both Big White and SilverStar Mountain resorts are an easy drive away. Or glide through the snowy forests along groomed trails at Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club.
Kelowna: Know before you go
| Language | English, French |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | April |
Find the best time to go to Kelowna
Weather in Kelowna
March – May: Spring in Kelowna brings warming temperatures and increasing sunshine. But it can still be chilly at night.
June – August: Summer is warm and sunny, with average temperatures rarely climbing above 30°C. By June, the water in Okanagan Lake is perfect for swimming.
September – November: Autumn is a great time to explore Kelowna’s wineries. The skies stay clear and sunny throughout October, bringing mild days and crisp evenings.
December – February: Winters are cold, but temps rarely drop below freezing. The mountains around the Okanagan Valley have plenty of fluffy snow for skiing and snowboarding.
Events in Kelowna
Fireside Festival (January or February): Beat the winter blues withlive music, art installationsand plenty of homegrown food and wine. This eclectic music festival evolved from a house party into a beloved, weekend-long community gathering.
Kelowna Pride Week (June): Enjoy a week-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a jam-packed schedule of drag brunches, craft fairs and picnics.The event ends with a Pride march and a festival on the shore of Okanagan Lake.
Okanagan Wine Festival (June and October): Experience the grape harvest and savour the best Okanagan Valley wines at this twice-annual event. Tastings, barbecues and competitions are all part of the fun.
The best neighbourhoods in Kelowna
Downtown Kelowna
Hugging the shores of Okanagan Lake, Downtown Kelowna is one of the best areas to stay in Kelowna. Stroll through City Park, or venture along the boardwalk towards Rotary Marsh Bird Sanctuary. In the summer, take a break from the area’s busy shops, farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries to enjoy a day of sun on Hot Sands Beach.
Good for: Beach, restaurants, lakeside walks
Rutland
With plenty of accommodation, dining options and activities available, lively Rutland is great for families. Head to Ben Lee Park and Rutland Centennial Park for picnics and outdoor sports facilities. Or spend an afternoon admiring the area’s colourful murals. In the mood to bag a bargain? Make a beeline for the Rutland Flea Market, open Sunday mornings through lunchtime.
Good for: Parks, street art, flea market
Dilworth
Home to parks, trails and beautiful views over Okanagan Lake, hillside Dilworth is where to stay in Kelowna if you like to be near nature. Hike through Dilworth Mountain Park for panoramic vistas. Or get acquainted with local wildlife at the Kokanee salmon spawning channel in Mission Creek Regional Park. For retail therapy, check out Orchard Park Shopping Centre, just a 5-minute drive from Dilworth.
Good for: Hiking trails, nature, spectacular views
Things to do in Kelowna
Family friendly things to do
Make your family holiday to Kelowna extra sweet with a visit to Arlo’s Honey Farm. Or tackle aerial obstacles at Myra Canyon and Okanagan adventure parks. Looking for something a little unexpected? Go ‘down under’ at Kangaroo Creek Farm. With the city’s beaches, hiking trails and fascinating museums, it’s easy to find things to do with family in Kelowna.
Shopping
Whether you’re in search of locally made souvenirs or your favourite brands, Kelowna’s shops have you covered. Start at Bernard Avenue’s enclosed shopping centre in Downtown Kelowna. Then head over to Pandosy and Tutt streets for antiques, bookshops and locally owned boutiques. If you want to combine shopping in Kelowna with entertainment, there’s no better place than the Orchard Park Shopping Centre.
Take in the culture
Head to the Cultural District in Downtown Kelowna to find galleries and museums that bring the city’s rich history to life. The recently overhauled Okanagan Heritage Museum emphasises the stories and traditions of the Syilx Okanagan people. Other attractions include the Okanagan Military Museum and the Sncewips Heritage Museum. Find even more local history with a visit to the Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum.
Nightlife
For the best nightlife in Kelowna, head to downtown bars and restaurants for live country and rock music. Or check out the breweries in Kelowna’s North End district. Kelowna’s nightlife is busiest in the summer, with the higher influx of tourists, but you’ll find no shortage of watering holes and dance floors year-round.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Kelowna cater to all tastes and budgets, with waterfront bistros, farm-to-table cafes and street food stands all vying for your attention. Travelling to Kelowna on a budget? Check out the food trucks like TNT Dynamite at the Kelowna Farmers' & Crafters' Market. Or book a table at Lakeside Dining at Eldorado Resort near Mission Creek for seasonal specials and unbeatable lakeside views.
Beaches
With more than 30 public beaches in Kelowna, there’s no end to swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities. Boyce-Gyro Beach’s shallow waters are great for families, while Rotary Beach Park offers a secluded spot to catch up on your holiday reading. If you’re travelling with a furry friend, head to Cedar Creek Park, Kelowna’s largest off-leash dog beach.
Get ready for Kelowna
Budget
Even if you aren’t outdoorsy, there’s plenty to do on a budget trip to Kelowna. Spend your time exploring free summer concerts and museums. Grab a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around 25 Canadian dollars ($). If wine tasting isn’t your thing, you’ll find beer for around $8 and a cappuccino for under $6.
Day trips from Kelowna
At the southern tip of Okanagan Lake, Penticton is packed with microbreweries and restaurants. Work up an appetite with a bike ride along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. On a hot summer day, a river float in Enderby is a perfect way to cool off. Catch a movie at the Starlight Drive-In theatre before heading back.
Getting around Kelowna
Kelowna is easy to navigate without a car, especially downtown. See the sights on foot or via a bicycle or e-scooter, both of which you can hire in town. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lucky to Go can take care of your door-to-door travel. If you’re hoping to explore the wider Okanagan Valley, then hiring a car is your best option.
