British Columbia (Canada)
Kelowna is the lake city of the Okanagan, a sunny, walkable town on the shore of Okanagan Lake with vineyards on every hillside and some of British Columbia's easiest outdoor days within a short drive.
This guide covers the city and the valley around it: the historic trestles of Myra Canyon on the Kettle Valley Railway, the hilltop estate of Mission Hill and the lakeside vineyards of Quails' Gate in West Kelowna, the flat lakeside miles of the Okanagan Rail Trail, and the SS Sicamous, the last great sternwheeler on the lake, in Penticton. It also covers the experiences that make a short stay easy, from a downtown walking food tour and an e-bike ride along the waterfront to a small-group afternoon wine tour with hotel pickup. Five hotels, from a crystal wellness resort above Vernon to a retro downtown favourite, cover the lakefront, the wine trail and the north valley, and two guides explain what to book ahead and where to stay.
Mission Hill Family Estate
West Kelowna's landmark estate winery, with a bell tower, an amphitheatre and sweeping views over Okanagan Lake. It is best visited for a guided tasting or a seasonal experience, booked ahead.
Kelowna Walking Food Tour
A guided walk through downtown Kelowna with tastings and drinks at several local restaurants and producers. It is the easiest way to taste the city's food scene in one evening or afternoon.
Quails' Gate Estate Winery
A family-run estate on the West Kelowna shore of Okanagan Lake, known for Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc, a vineyard walk with lake views and a restaurant that looks over the vines. Tastings are daily and reservations are strongly recommended.
Kelowna and West Kelowna Afternoon Wine Tour
A small-group afternoon wine tour with hotel pickup, four winery stops and a local guide, so nobody has to drive. It is the simple way to taste Kelowna and West Kelowna in about four hours.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
A gentle, car-free stretch of the old Kettle Valley Railway in the hills above Kelowna, crossing wooden trestles and passing through two tunnels with big views over the valley. It is the Okanagan's best-known easy outing, and it is open all year.
West Kelowna's landmark estate winery, with a bell tower, an amphitheatre and sweeping views over Okanagan Lake. It is best visited for a guided tasting or a seasonal experience, booked ahead.
A family-run estate on the West Kelowna shore of Okanagan Lake, known for Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc, a vineyard walk with lake views and a restaurant that looks over the vines. Tastings are daily and reservations are strongly recommended.
A guided walk through downtown Kelowna with tastings and drinks at several local restaurants and producers. It is the easiest way to taste the city's food scene in one evening or afternoon.
A small-group afternoon wine tour with hotel pickup, four winery stops and a local guide, so nobody has to drive. It is the simple way to taste Kelowna and West Kelowna in about four hours.
A guided e-bike ride through Kelowna's lakefront and city highlights, with an electric assist that makes hills and distance easy. It is a relaxed way to see the waterfront and the parks.
A planned 52-kilometre trail along the old rail corridor between Kelowna and Coldstream, running past Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake. The Kelowna section is paved and the Lake Country sections are crushed aggregate, so it suits walking and cycling.
A restored 1914 sternwheeler beached on the Penticton waterfront, with exhibits on the steamboat era on Okanagan Lake. It is a short, charming museum stop on the south side of the valley.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Vernon, North Okanagan
A glass-and-crystal wellness resort high above Vernon, with a 40,000-square-foot spa, a heated outdoor infinity pool and Swarovski crystal throughout its design. It is the valley's splurge, about 45 minutes north of Kelowna.
Check rates →Downtown Kelowna waterfront
A lakeside hotel on Abbott Street, steps from Hot Sands Beach and across from City Park, with an indoor pool, a restaurant and dog-friendly rooms. It is a comfortable downtown base within walking distance of the water.
Check rates →
$$$Downtown Kelowna waterfront
A large lakefront resort at 1310 Water Street, with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, two restaurants, a bar and complimentary bike rental. It is the big-resort option in downtown Kelowna.
Check rates →Gellatly, West Kelowna
A suite-only lakeshore resort in West Kelowna with 100 one to three bedroom residences, a spa, seasonal pools, tennis and pickleball, and a wine guide for overnight guests. It is the base for the West Kelowna wine trail.
Check rates →Downtown Kelowna
A retro, playful downtown hotel across from City Park and steps from the lake, with free bike rentals, free parking and rooftop patios. It is the fun, good-value pick, and pets are welcome.
Check rates →A practical primer for a first trip to Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley: what to book ahead, how to get around, how many days to allow and where the wineries, Myra Canyon and the lake fit.
A neighbourhood guide to hotels in Kelowna and the Okanagan: downtown waterfront stays, West Kelowna lakeshore suites and a wellness resort in Vernon, with five hotels matched to each.
