Things to do in Kelowna
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Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
The 10.5-sq-km Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, was 95% burned by the 2003 fires. The park is now closed to vehicles but BC Parks is restoring trails which give you a close-up look at nature's recovery and an unobstructed view of the lake.
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Sturgeon Hall
Fanatical fans of hockey's Kelowna Rockets feast on favorites like jumbo burgers while quaffing brews at the bar or outside at sidewalk tables. Others ponder the pizza and sports-spewing TVs dotting the walls.
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Father Pandosy Settlement
The Father Pandosy Settlement is Kelowna's major historical site. Granted it only dates to 1859, but this is where the good father enthusiastically planted his seed (among other places) and built a mission. The church, school, barn, one house and a few sheds from what was the first white settlement in the Okanagan have been restored. The site is small, well away from the center of town and rather serene.
To get there, go south along Lakeshore Rd, then east on Casorso Rd to Benvoulin Rd.
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Fresco
The Okanagan Valley's finest restaurant is also one of BC's best. Noted chef Rod Butters (definitely no relation to the winsome South Park character) celebrates the produce of the region in this exquisite location in a restored brick storefront. The menu changes constantly - a surprise find at the farmers' market can appear that night - but always features intensely flavored yet simple prepared dishes. Book ahead.
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BC Orchard Industry Museum
Located in the old Laurel Orchards packing house, the BC Orchard Industry Museum recounts the conversion of the Okanagan Valley from ranch land to orchards. The exhibits have great appeal and show just about everything you can do with fruit. Note the displays of beautiful old packing crate labels such as the mouthwatering art for Earl's Court brand apples.
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Birch Grill
Personality almost trumps the menu at chef Jeff Jefferson's storefront joint. But that's not bad as both are bigger than life. The open kitchen is almost as large as the smallish dining room which allows easy viewing of the action. Look for boldly flavored meat and seafood dishes. As you'd expect, local wines and produce star.
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La Bussola
A recent move has put this local favorite close to the Cultural District. Since 1974 Franco and Lauretta Coccaro have worked to perfect their Italian supper house. The menu spans the boot, from pesto to red sauce, veal to seafood. Dine on the flower-bedecked sidewalk tables or in the smart dining room.
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Beyond Wrapture
Most upscale hotels and resorts now offer spas for folks who want their cares rubbed and scrubbed away. Beyond Wrapture has a range of offerings including some with a local twist: massages and wraps using antioxidant-rich grape seeds and skins, wine and local honey.
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Doc Willoughby's
Right downtown, this classic pub boasts numerous tables and a vaulted interior much lined with wood. The menu is as comfortable as padded booths: nachos, burgers, sandwiches and weekend brunch. This is the place to find brews from Cannery Brewing in Penticton.
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Monashee Adventure Tours
Monashee Adventure Tours offers scores of biking and hiking tours of the valley, parks, Kettle Valley Rail Trail and buckets of wineries. Tours are accompanied by entertaining local guides. Prices include a bike, lunch and shuttle to the route.
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Kelowna Marina
You can rent speedboats, arrange fishing trips and cruises or rent windsurfing gear at Kelowna Marina at the lake end of Queensway Ave. Windsurfers take to the water from the old seaplane terminal, near the corner of Water St and Cawston Ave.
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Bouchons Bistro
A local fave in the heart of condoland, this upscale café brings a bit of French fun to Kelowna. Gallic standards are faithfully rendered using local produce - is it us or does the cassoulet here beat the cassoulet there?
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Kelowna Community Theatre
Kelowna Community Theatre is a venue for music and theater. The Sunshine Theatre Company (www.sunshinetheatre.org) stages a range of productions at both Rotary Centre for the Performing Arts and Kelowna Actors Studio.
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Kelowna Museum
A part of the civic center complex, the Kelowna Museum has everything from the bones of early valley inhabitants to displays on the roots of local agriculture. Special exhibits may draw you in on a non-rainy day.
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Wine Museum
In the same building is the Wine Museum. The knowledgeable staff can recommend tours, steer you to the best wineries for tastings and help you fill your trunk with examples of the myriad of local wines on sale.
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Rotary Centre for the Performing Arts
This impressive facility anchors the Cultural District and has galleries, a theater, a café, craft workshops and more. This the place for live music from groups such as Chamber Music Kelowna.
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Kasugai Gardens
Behind Kelowna's museum, the beautifully manicured grounds of Kasugai Gardens are good for a peaceful stroll. Named for Kelowna's sister city in Japan, the gardens do the relationship proud.
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Selah Outdoor Explorations
Selah Outdoor Explorations runs ecological tours by canoe to see the 2003 fire's destruction and nature's recovery along the shore of Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.
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Kelowna Actors Studio
Enjoy works as diverse as Hello Dolly and The Diary of Anne Frank while chowing down on upscale fare at this dinner theater with serious ambitions.
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Grateful Fed Psyche Deli
Only someone thicker than one of this deli's sandwiches wouldn't guess that this place has a rock and roll theme. There's full bar service and sidewalk tables.
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Out of Diva's Closet & Cafe
Quirky and funky are some of the more mainstream adjectives for this combo wi-fi café, coffee and tea bar, juice joint and used clothing bazaar.
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Farmers' Market
The Farmers' Market has over 150 vendors, including many with prepared foods. Local artisans also display their wares. It's off Hwy 97.
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Flashbacks Nite Club
In a former cigar factory, this is the big mainstream venue for live music. It often attracts major touring Canadian bands like Sloan.
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Art Ark
Art Ark shows and sells a wide range of works (paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and so on) by western Canadian artists.
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Kelowna Art Gallery
The Kelowna Art Gallery features the work of the vibrant local arts community. The light, airy gallery has regular special exhibits.
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