Imagine waking up one morning in the beautiful city of Kelowna with a glimpse of the valley hills from your Okanagan hotel window. You start your day with a hearty, complimentary great Canadian breakfast at the Kanata Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre before embarking on an adventure in the Okanagan Valley.
There are lots of things to see and do in Kelowna. In fact, it’s no secret Kelowna is one of Canada’s best getaway destinations all-year-round. From winery tours to water sports to local eats and great shopping, the unofficial capital of the beautiful Okanagan region has something for everyone.
However, before travelling to Kelowna, it’s good to consider the following:
- Are you travelling to Kelowna on a budget? It’s possible to travel Kelowna on a strict budget and still experience world-class views and fun activities. Click on our previous blog here to know how to travel Kelowna on a budget.
- Where do you plan on staying? Where you stay may pre-determine your activities. Stay at the Kanata Inn Kelowna and you’ll be conveniently close to all the main attractions Kelowna has to offer.
- What time of year will you be going? Even in Winter, Kelowna is considerably milder than other parts of Canada. Still, it’s helpful to plan out your activities accordingly; although most Kelowna beaches offer stunning mountain and lake views all-year-round, the sandy beaches are a little less appealing to hang out at in October.
To keep things relevant and fresh, let’s assume you are travelling to Kelowna during the Fall season. October is a beautiful time to visit Kelowna and milder weather can linger in the Okanagan Valley until as late as Halloween.
Before going to Kelowna, it’s important to plan your itinerary. There are plenty of activities during Fall, and depending on how long your vacation is in Kelowna, you may not have time to do EVERYTHING.
So, we’ve created a list to help you get started in pre-planning for your Kelowna trip!
First Stop: The Kelowna Visitor Centre
You’ve arrived at your Okanagan hotel. Your first stop should be The Kelowna Visitor Info Centre which is located downtown, at 238 Queensway and a 3-minute drive from the Kanata Inn Kelowna.
The centre is open every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Whether you’ve already created a Kelowna trip itinerary or not, the staff are extremely helpful in answering any questions you may have about Kelowna.
If you have no itinerary, not to worry; the Visitor Centre staff will help you plan your perfect Okanagan holiday. They’re happy to provide you with maps, detailed directions and the latest information on attractions and events. You’ll find a large selection of free tourist services and attractions brochures to choose from as well.
Also, this centre contains an array of retail items from local businesses such as craft breweries, clothing companies, and eateries.
Second Stop: Downtown Kelowna and City Park
Thankfully, for your second stop, you don’t have far to go from Kelowna’s Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is located right in downtown Kelowna and kiddy corner to City Park.
Downtown Kelowna
Downtown Kelowna offers boutique shopping, art galleries, craft breweries, urban wineries, restaurants that use fresh and local ingredients, and many other attractions. Click here to learn more about downtown Kelowna and all the amenities it has to offer.
City Park
This beachfront public park on Okanagan Lake is dotted with large haven-like trees and brick walkways. This park also has a playground and a long sandy beach with world-class views of Okanagan Lake and the Okanagan’s green valley hills. In Fall, these green hills become sploshes of red, burnt orange and maize yellow that reflects peacefully on the lake’s glassy surface.
It’s the perfect place to go for a walk or bike-ride and do some sight-seeing, have some family fun, and soak in the fresh air!
Kelowna Running, Hiking, and Biking Trails
Aside from City Park, there are plenty of other ideal walking, hiking and biking spots to check out during Fall. Below are some of the must-go-to areas in Kelowna to see some beautiful Fall colours and scenic views:
Apple-Picking near Your Okanagan Hotel
Looking for a family-fun activity that’s uniquely “Okanagan”? Spend some more time outside of your Okanagan hotel and go apple-picking! Below are the closest U-pick orchards to Kanata Inn Kelowna:
Kelowna Wineries and Craft Breweries
In addition to exploring nature in the Okanagan, we recommend taking in a wine tour during your trip. The best Kelowna wine tours and craft beer tours are offered all year round and it’s never too cold for a wine or craft beer tour! Click here for the top Kelowna wineries and here for top Kelowna craft breweries.
Cideries near Your Okanagan Hotel
With Fall comes the changing of leaves, sweaters, grapes coming in from the vines and apple harvests in the orchards. A popular way to enjoy fresh local apples in the Okanagan Valley is to treat yourself with some hard apple cider! With so many orchards in the area, it is no surprise that more and more cideries are opening their doors. Here are a few of our favourite picks:
Finding the Best Okanagan Hotel Deals
When travelling the Okanagan, you may be wondering where the best places to stay in are. If you’re looking for unparalleled, true Canadian hospitality met with unmatched Canadian value, we recommend lodging with us at the Kanata Inn Kelowna!
We offer service, hospitality and great value we’re not sorry about! Your stay always includes extra amenities you won’t have to spend extra loonies and toonies on. That’s a nice change, eh? Enjoy access to the hot tub, pool with water slide, conference room, fitness centre, guest laundry and much more. We’re conveniently located close to the Kelowna YLW Airport, downtown Kelowna core and all the adventures you’ll want to explore in the area. If there’s anything our Eh Team can do to sweeten your stay (like some extra maple syrup!) let us know!
Find rates and availability for your stay at the Kanata Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre here!