Kelowna Guidebook
Food Scene
In addition to several great winery restaurants throughout the valley, the main street downtown is closed to vehicle traffic from the long weekend in July until Labour Day. Many of Kelowna's best restaurants, coffee shops and bars have street level patios as well as indoor dining.
Great food and drinks late into the evening. A short walk from our home. $$$
14 locals recommend
Browns Socialhouse Harvey
100-1544 Harvey AveGreat food and drinks late into the evening. A short walk from our home. $$$
Close to the lake with a great rooftop patio. The place boasts over 150 craft beers on tap, with everything from snacks to full meals. $$
71 locals recommend
CRAFT Beer Market Kelowna
257 Bernard AveClose to the lake with a great rooftop patio. The place boasts over 150 craft beers on tap, with everything from snacks to full meals. $$
Highly recommended vegetarian restaurant. It's only a 15 minute walk away and has a small on-street patio. $$$
42 locals recommend
Naked Cafe
571 Lawrence AveHighly recommended vegetarian restaurant. It's only a 15 minute walk away and has a small on-street patio. $$$
Kelowna's only gay lounge (Straight friendly) is situated right downtown. Street level patio, signature cocktails and an easy, friendly atmosphere.
9 locals recommend
Friends of Dorothy Lounge
315 Lawrence AvenueKelowna's only gay lounge (Straight friendly) is situated right downtown. Street level patio, signature cocktails and an easy, friendly atmosphere.
Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Lots of fresh produce, local artists, health products and much more. $$
120 locals recommend
Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market
1800 Springfield RdWednesday and Saturday mornings. Lots of fresh produce, local artists, health products and much more. $$
Really good sushi in the lower end of Bernard Avenue. It's an easy walk from here and you can eat in, or on the patio in front or take out and go to City Park.
36 locals recommend
Momo Sushi Downtown
377 Bernard AveReally good sushi in the lower end of Bernard Avenue. It's an easy walk from here and you can eat in, or on the patio in front or take out and go to City Park.
Probably the best fish and chip place in town, with lots of other seafood menu items.
The Table Café at Codfathers Market
2355 Gordon DrProbably the best fish and chip place in town, with lots of other seafood menu items.
No eat in, but some of the best take-out pizza you'll ever have. $$
8 locals recommend
Hansen's Classic Pizza
605 K. L. O. RdNo eat in, but some of the best take-out pizza you'll ever have. $$
Porter's
Great breakfast and lunch place. Delicious food. $$$
Right on the lake with a big patio and a great menu. There are lots of food and drink specials depending on the day and time of day. $$
King Taps Kelowna Lakeside
Right on the lake with a big patio and a great menu. There are lots of food and drink specials depending on the day and time of day. $$
Parks & Nature
Some stunning views as you hike along a trail that is an abandoned rail line. Easy walking, tunnels, impressive trestles and all free. Bikes are also available for rent. Trip advisor lists this as one of Kelowna's top sites.
25 locals recommend
Scenic Canyon Regional Park
3965 Field RdSome stunning views as you hike along a trail that is an abandoned rail line. Easy walking, tunnels, impressive trestles and all free. Bikes are also available for rent. Trip advisor lists this as one of Kelowna's top sites.
Another beautiful beach in Kelowna. Paddle board and other rentals available at the beach.
198 locals recommend
Boyce-Gyro Beach Park
3400 Lakeshore RdAnother beautiful beach in Kelowna. Paddle board and other rentals available at the beach.
Mission creek park is a long trail that runs through much of the city. It's easy to walk or bike through various parts of the trail.
104 locals recommend
Mission Creek Regional Park
2363 Springfield RdMission creek park is a long trail that runs through much of the city. It's easy to walk or bike through various parts of the trail.
Sightseeing
Beautiful downtown park at the foot of Bernard Avenue. Thirty minute walk from our house and it boasts one of the beaches in the Okanagan.
144 locals recommend
Kelowna City Park
1600 Abbott StBeautiful downtown park at the foot of Bernard Avenue. Thirty minute walk from our house and it boasts one of the beaches in the Okanagan.
Situated in the north end of the city, the park is known for hiking trails and great views. Currently the road is closed to vehicles, but hikers and cyclists are welcome. The first lookout offers one of the best views of the city anywhere.
401 locals recommend
Knox Mountain Park
450 Knox Mountain DrSituated in the north end of the city, the park is known for hiking trails and great views. Currently the road is closed to vehicles, but hikers and cyclists are welcome. The first lookout offers one of the best views of the city anywhere.
Yes, a kangaroo farm in the Okanagan. Emus, wallabies, kangaroos and lots of other exotic animals. It's not a zoo; the animals are free to move around and visitors can interact with them.
260 locals recommend
Kangaroo Creek Farm
5932 Old Vernon RoadYes, a kangaroo farm in the Okanagan. Emus, wallabies, kangaroos and lots of other exotic animals. It's not a zoo; the animals are free to move around and visitors can interact with them.
An incredible hiking and cycling route that follows Mission Creek. Easy walking and it's broken up into sections so you can do as little or as much as you want. Lots of birds, turtles and salmon runs at the right time of year.
32 locals recommend
Mission Creek Greenway
An incredible hiking and cycling route that follows Mission Creek. Easy walking and it's broken up into sections so you can do as little or as much as you want. Lots of birds, turtles and salmon runs at the right time of year.
This beautiful, immaculately maintained garden is right downtown behind city hall. You can stroll through the garden, read a book and visit friends, all just steps away from city centre. Admission is free.
56 locals recommend
Kasugai Japanese Garden
1435 Water StThis beautiful, immaculately maintained garden is right downtown behind city hall. You can stroll through the garden, read a book and visit friends, all just steps away from city centre. Admission is free.
Step back in Kelowna's history with a visit to the first non-indigenous settlement dating from 1859. Admission by donation.
16 locals recommend
Okanagan Mission
3685 Benvoulin RdStep back in Kelowna's history with a visit to the first non-indigenous settlement dating from 1859. Admission by donation.
A contemporary gallery with regularly changing exhibitions. Check their website for what's on.
98 locals recommend
Kelowna Art Gallery
1315 Water StA contemporary gallery with regularly changing exhibitions. Check their website for what's on.
Tours
Lots of different kinds of tours throughout the city. Check out the options but book early.
Kelowna Concierge
1310 Water StLots of different kinds of tours throughout the city. Check out the options but book early.
Neighbourhoods
One of the most picturesque spots in the Okanagan, Peachland has a main street that runs right along the beach. Spend a few hours on the beach and then enjoy everything from a snack and glass of wine to a full meal. Thirty minute drive south from Kelowna.
48 locals recommend
Peachland
One of the most picturesque spots in the Okanagan, Peachland has a main street that runs right along the beach. Spend a few hours on the beach and then enjoy everything from a snack and glass of wine to a full meal. Thirty minute drive south from Kelowna.
Beautiful views and the Pelmewash Parkway which is part of the old highway 97. It's been turned into a 10 km route along the lake that is perfect for walking, cycling and picnicking. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables available.
14 locals recommend
Oyama
Beautiful views and the Pelmewash Parkway which is part of the old highway 97. It's been turned into a 10 km route along the lake that is perfect for walking, cycling and picnicking. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables available.
Golf Courses
We're not golfers, so we don't have any recommendations based on our own experience, but the valley boasts over a hundred of them. Below are listed a few that have top Trip advisor ratings.
The Harvest Golf Club
2725 K. L. O. RdBlack Mountain Golf Club
575 Black Mountain DrMichaelbrook Golf Club
1085 Lexington DrKelowna Golf Course - Orchard Greens Golf Club
2777 K. L. O. RdEntertainment
Several large festivals are typical during the summer in Kelowna. For an up-to-date listing of things going on during your stay, check out Kelowna Now or Castanet websites.
A great program of free summer music events, buskers, visual art offerings and a few large events.
Festivals Kelowna
1680 Water StA great program of free summer music events, buskers, visual art offerings and a few large events.