Itinerary
Week long itinerary for the ultimate Kelowna experience
Fall in Kelowna is the perfect time to visit. Fewer people and a slower pace allow more time and more space to experience each stop. And with acres upon acres of vineyards, orchards, and larch forests, for a few weeks a year, the valley turns into a festival of colours.
Day 1: Welcome to Kelowna wine country
There is no time like the present to enjoy Kelowna’s wine scene and with over 40 wineries, there are plenty to choose from. With several specific trails in the Kelowna area, each one is slightly different in what they offer but they are all equally amazing.
The Westside Wine Trail in West Kelowna has the largest collection with 14 wineries that range from grand architectural marvels like Mission Hill Family Estate to small quaint tasting rooms like Kalala Organic Winery.
Kelowna’s Southeast Bench is known for its rolling hills, bucolic fields, and winding country roads. Most of the family-owned tasting rooms have a rural, cool, and funky farm feel to them such as The Vibrant Vine that offers 3D glasses to view their labels.
The Lakeshore Wine Route winds along the shores of Okanagan Lake and offers breathtaking views. This is home to some of the valley’s oldest vines and most established vineyards, but it’s got its fair share of quirkiness, too, which includes a maze made from vines at Sperling Vineyards and a fully functioning pyramid at Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
Located just north of Kelowna, Lake Country is a quaint rural town that lives up to its name. Three stunning lakes, Okanagan, Wood, and Kalamalka, are nestled amongst rolling hills, vineyards, and orchards, which almost guarantee a stunning view from wherever you stop, giving the name to the area's wine trail, The Scenic Sip.
The best way to explore and enjoy any of these wine trails is to book a Guided Wine Tour. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Day 2: Fall pairings, golf & brews
Crisp fall days are perfect to enjoy a round of golf, and due to the mild weather in Kelowna, they are open well into the season (many can enjoy golfing in December). With 19 courses to choose from, they’ll be something just right for you. Diverse layouts by renowned course architects like Jack Nicklaus, Les Furber, and Thomas McBroom make Kelowna a golf destination that can both challenge and reward every day.
After a day on the greens, get out and explore some of the areas best craft beers. With over 20 different breweries in the city, Kelowna has become well known for the quality and diversity of its craft brews. Beer lovers will find producers who pour precisely hopped IPA’s and experiment with flavours and ingredients that come from Kelowna’s own backyard.
Day 3: Take a hike and stay Downtown
Time to get the heart pumping and the camera out (or the phone) and explore some of the hiking trails that make up this four-season outdoor playground. A great popular option is Knox Mountain – centrally located just on the edge of downtown Kelowna, it offers several trails to customize a hike. From the parking lot hike up to the Lower Crown Lookout (mid-point), and either continue uphill towards Upper Apex Lookout for some stunning panoramic views of the city or take Paul’s Tomb Trail a more mellow stroll that offers amazing views of the lake (and has very little incline). For more hiking options view the full list of hiking trail options in the area.
After the hike, stay in the downtown area and grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants in and around Bernard Ave. When downtown, stroll the 2km boardwalk that leads from City Park, all the way to the Rotary Marsh Bird Sanctuary, try and spot the Osprey, turtles, and maybe even deer. With cool little boutiques and stores, this area is great for shopping, and coffee breaks.
Day 4: Trestle bridges and indoor fun
One of the most spectacular places to visit in Kelowna is Myra Canyon Trestles along the Kettle Valley Railway. Originally built starting in 1912, this 12 km section that runs through Myra Canyon includes 18 restored trestle bridges and two tunnels. It’s a breathtaking area to explore, and with it being relatively flat, it's a nice easy hike or bike. Bike rentals are only available until early October, so make sure to a bring a bike if you would like to bike the trestles.
After several days of exploring Kelowna’s outdoor playground – it’s time to take the fun inside, and there are many options to stay entertained. Learn how to throw axes at Axe Monkey's, discover the world of simulators and enjoy a huge selection of adventures at Simplex Sportszone, or get some energy out of the kids at Eneryplex which has activities for all different age groups.
Day 5: Understand the roots of Kelowna
Explore the Cultural District in downtown Kelowna. This 6-block area features a great selection of galleries that showcase local, national, and international artists, museums that range from heritage to military to art, performance art theatres, as well as some great coffee shops and dining options to round out your day.
Looking to delve into the history and understand the origins of this area, must-stops are the Okanagan Heritage Museum, where one can discover the “natural and human history of Kelowna” and learn about the syilx/Okanagan People and their close connection to the land, as well as the Sncewips Heritage Museum (located on Westbank First Nation lands), who are dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and showcasing art and artefact collections of the natural history of the syilx/Okanagan People.
There is a lot to explore and experience in Kelowna, allowing the time to take it all in will simply enhance the trip.