4 Day Okanagan Sightseeing

Summary
Itinerary
What's Included
Accommodations

4 Day Okanagan Sightseeing

From bottom to top, you'll see a diversity of sights unlike anything else in Canada!

Day 1 – Vancouver to Manning Park to Osoyoos via Highway 3 (6 hours)

  • Travel Hwy 3 to Manning Park. Be sure to stop in at the Information Centre and learn about what there is to see and do in the park. This is one of the best parks in BC to see wildlife nearby. For a spectacular view of the park, consider taking the 6 kilometre drive up to Cascade Lookout. The road entrance is located across Highway 3 from the Park Lodge.
  • As you enter Hedley, consider stopping at the Mascot Gold Mine and Snaza’ist Discovery Centre. The centre is operated by the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. In 2004, the historic Hedley Elementary School was transformed into a cultural interpretive centre. The centre offers fascinating insight into the ancient tradition of mineral exploration and guided tours through the Mascot Mine tunnels. The centre provides captivating information about trade before European contact and the cooperative relationship between settlers and First Nations.
  • When you arrive in Osoyoos, your first stop is the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com). This state-of-the-art venue celebrates thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations habitation on desert lands. The Nk’Mip Desert lands are one of Canada’s three most endangered ecosystems and are home to many endangered plant and animal species. The Centre provides on-site cultural tours, interpretive programs and interactive displays. For the wine enthusiast, make sure to visit Nk’Mip Cellars (www.nkmipcellars.com) next door, Canada’s first aboriginal winery.
  • Overnight in Osoyoos
  • Suggested accommodation:

Day 2 – Osoyoos to Kelowna via Highway 97 (2 hours)

  • Before departing Osoyoos visit the Desert Centre. The Desert Centre is an interpretive education and research facility offering insight into this sensitive ecosystem. Tour the elevated boardwalk or take in one of their many interpretive programs. Maybe you’ll see one of the many rattlesnakes, black widow spiders or scorpions from a safe distance!
  • Travelling north to Penticton and Kelowna, take time to tour one of the many wineries along the Golden Mile. Participate in a winery tour at Inniskillin Winery (www.inniskillin.com). You may also want to stop for lunch at Burrowing Owl Winery and get a taste of the Okanagan in the fabulous Sonora Restaurant overlooking their 125 acre vineyard.
  • Or perhaps it’s not quite lunch time yet in which case we recommend proceeding north on Highway 97 to Summerland. Summer weather forever may not be a reality, but Summerland (www.summerlandchamber.bc.ca) proves that a sunny disposition can make it feel that way. Rivalled only by Kelowna in terms of fruit production and processing, numerous fruit stands are a part of the Summerland landscape. When not selling visitors on its fruit, the city’s downtown charms with taverns and shops themed in an Old English style. Pick up a pamphlet at the Visitor Centre for a self guided your of the downtown area. Historic preservation is a hallmark of this charming town and visitors are encouraged to visit the Summerland Museum or take a ride on the Kettle Valley Steam Train (www.kettlevalleyrail.org). This is a chance to ride an authentic steam train from the turn of the century on a meandering orchard valley journey with beautiful views The trip, featuring a 1912 steam locomotive and 1950’s passenger coaches, travels through the beautiful Prairie Valley and ends at the Trout Creek Trestle located 73 metres above the Kettle River canyon floor!
  • Continue along Hwy 97 north to Kelowna. For the rest of the afternoon, enjoy a piece of Okanagan heritage. Kelowna Land & Orchard Company (KLO) and Raven Ridge Cidery (www.k-l-o.com), is a 61-hectare working apple orchard offering a comprehensive look at what the Okanagan has always been famous for. Take in a wagon ride and taste apple juice so fresh it’s like eating an apple from the tree! Try some vintage cider; it’s nectar of the gods!
  • Not far away across the orchard bench lands, your last stop of the day is Summerhill Pyramid Winery (www.summerhill.bc.ca). Here you’ll take in the magnificent view of the valley from the deck of the Okanagan’s busiest winery as well as the country’s largest certified organic winery and stay for a late afternoon dinner.
  • Overnight in Kelowna. Suggested Accommodation:

Day 3 – Kelowna to Salmon Arm via Highways 97 & 97B (2 hours)

  • Continue to north along Hwy 97 to Vernon. A popular destination in Vernon, particularly for those with a sweet tooth is Planet Bee (www.planetbee.com).  As well as tours and tastings, you can see live honey bees busily working behind glass in demonstration hives.
  • Just outside of Vernon Historic O’Keefe Ranch (www.okeeferanch.ca) awaits. The ranch is an ideal stop for lunch in the Cattlemen’s Restaurant. Take a step back in time and experience ranch life as the pioneers of the North Okanagan once did. Take the time to walk through the O’Keefe Mansion and St. Anne’s Church and have a look in the General Store and Blacksmith Shop.
  • Travel to Salmon Arm and overnight. Stay at one of Salmon Arm’s popular properties listed below. The downtown area is a delight with many unique stores. Within walking distance, you can take an evening stroll along the world’s longest inland pier on famous Shuswap Lake! Many of the opulent houseboats that ply the lake are moored here.
  • Overnight Salmon Arm. Other suggested Salmon Arm accommodation:
    • Podollan Inn
    • Prestige Habourfront Resort & Convention Center

Day 4 – Salmon Arm

  • While in Salmon Arm, take a moment to visit the R.J. Haney Heritage Park and Museum. Salmon Arm history is alive in the buildings and gardens such as the Haney House and the relocated Broadview Schoolhouse. Stroll through the heritage gardens or the 2 kilometres of nature trails. This is a wonderful destination to step back in time.
  • As you depart Salmon Arm, two popular roadside businesses are definitely worth stopping at especially if you have kids or are looking for fresh local produce. Demille’s Sweet Corn & Produce offers an amazing variety of home grown fruits and vegetables. They also have ice cream, picnic tables and a children’s corn maze and petting zoo. If you’re a cheese lover, consider a short drive to Gort’s Gouda Cheese. Drive down their long tree lined entrance into a world of European dairy products. Gort’s has a variety of Gouda cheeses and make sure you check out the hundreds of golden wheels of cheese!
  • If wineries are an interest, Salmon Arm boasts two northerly climate wineries (ideal for white wines). Be sure to visit Recline Ridge Winery and Larch Hills Winery both in the rolling hills west of Salmon Arm.
  • Your return trip will take you along the Trans Canada Highway to Kamloops where you’ll return to Vancouver via Highway 5.

 

For a complete list of Thompson Okanagan Travel Trade accommodation partners, go to: www.totabc.com/travel_trade

For Bed & Breakfast accommodation listings, go to: www.bcsbestbnbs.com

For additional city information, go to:
Osoyoos: www.destinationosoyoos.com  
Kelowna: www.tourismkelowna.com
Vernon: www.tourismvernon.com   
Salmon Arm: www.shuswap.bc.ca
Summerland www.summerlandchamber.bc.ca