Top Things to do in Okanagan Valley
Top Hotels in Okanagan Valley
- 1. Quality Inn & Suites
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Kelowna Airport
- 3. Coast Capri Hotel
- 4. Riviera Plaza & Conference Centre, Vernon
- 5. Best Western Plus Osoyoos Hotel & Suites
- 6. Walnut Beach Resort
- 7. Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites
- 8. Comfort Suites Kelowna
- 9. Kanata Kelowna Hotel and Conference Centre
- 10. Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel
Things to do in Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley: The Best Specialty Museums
The Okanagan Valley, in the interior of British Columbia, is a popular Canadian vacation destination known for skiing in the winter and watersports in the summer. The area's quaint towns and lush vineyards are connected by a network of clear blue lakes and rivers and surrounded by rolling, sun-dappled hills. Head to Kelowna for one of several wine festivals or to Penticton for the sugary summer Peach Festival. To the south is Osoyoos, home to an arid desert filled with rare plants and animals.
Restaurants in Okanagan Valley
1. Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 637 reviews
OPEN YEAR ROUND Monday to Saturday. A world Class Miniature Wonderland Experience. 4000 sq ft. of family fun with up to 45 computer controlled trains traveling on 2 km (1 1/4 miles) of tracks weaving through mountains and towns. Discover the 20000 + hand-painted little people and animals in scale 1:87 (HO) placed in humorous and funny situations and scenes. You'll be impressed with the devotion to details and the charm and humor of the presentation. Watch with delight, the unique operational car system running through towns, stopping for gas and traffic lights. So much more than just Trains. When driving from downtown Osoyoos, take Hwy 3 towards Vancouver (about 3 km.) Turn left at the SECOND entrance into the Buena Vista Industrial Park onto 115th Street. Look for the yellow warehouse with the big signs out front.
Reviewed By myersb2017
What a great place for all ages as this is an amazing creation that you need many visits to take it all in as there is so much detail
2. Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
The Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre is a 9,000 square-foot interpretive centre that exhibits 2 films, the Inkameep Day School Art Collection, indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, a 1.5 km walking trail, and reconstructed traditional Okanagan village, and (visitor favourite) interpreter hosted programs which boast a fun filled experience for all ages! The centre is also an architectural marvel, and was built from local, sustainable materials.
Reviewed By Lvmom1517 - North Vancouver, Canada
A really lovely and peaceful spot to visit in the summer. My children, age 7 and 10, and I arrived at 9:35am and just missed the first guided tour. The friendly receptionist (Derek) led us to the theatre and we had a private viewing of a 20 min film about the Okanagan band. It is meant for a younger audience (age 7-12) so a perfect introduction for my kids. The walking tour, which began indoors with a focus on art, was excellent and my children and I were engaged the entire time (about 90 min, a bit longer because we stopped in the middle to watch one of the researchers try to capture a transmitter rattlesnake - very exciting). The reconstructed village and metal sculptures are lovely and our guide (Jenna) provided a plethora of stories and information about Okanagan Indigenous history and culture. After the walk, we watched the Snakes Alive show (30 min), which was also engaging and informative. At this point, my kids were starving so we ate our lunch at a beautiful picnic spot with a gorgeous view of the lake, right outside the facility. After lunch, my kids wanted to go back on the walk and check out the village again. We also spent more time examining the desert animals display (mostly snakes) and a nice gift shop. We spent about 4.5 hours at the centre. A highlight of our trip to the Okanagan.
3. Lake Country Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Come in for an amazing historical tour that is fun and educational for all ages! We have something for everyone to enjoy. Through its exhibits and archives, the Museum tells the story of the District of Lake Country and its four wards: Winfield, Oyama, Carr’s Landing, and Okanagan Centre. The Museum’s artifacts include the histories of the orchard, wine, and ranching industries, turn of the century living, and collections from the early Japanese community.
4. S.S. Sicamous Museum and Heritage Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
The SS Sicamous is the largest surviving paddle wheeler in Canada. It is open as a heritage site, museum and wedding venue. Launched in 1914, the ship provided a vital means of transport to remote communities on the shores of Okanagan Lake. The SS Sicamous is operated by the SS Sicamous Society: a non-profit organization that works to protect the marine heritage of the Okanagan.Funds from your admission go directly to the restoration of the SS Sicamous, and the other heritage ships in our care.
Reviewed By donaldw925 - Penticton, Canada
Nice way to spend an afternoon on the lake thinking back in time how the Sicamous use to transport cargo and people hundreds of years ago, and if you are thinking of getting married, what a beautiful ship to have it on, it has a working kitchen, and great scenery for pictures.
5. Okanagan Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Meet the people from Okanagan Valley who served in the armed forces. Step inside this museum, and you will feel the passion of the volunteers who founded it. It is packed with uniforms, insignia, badges, and one of the best firearms collections in Canada. Investigate artefacts from the Boer War, World War I and World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and contemporary military operations. The Okanagan Military Museum is devoted to the preservation and greater awareness of Okanagan military heritage, and reveals how locals contributed to events on the world stage. Join us for the November lecture series, for Remembrance Day, and for school, family, and group programs all year. Researchers will enjoy the Vince Bezeau Military Archives and Library. A visit to the Okanagan Military Museum fosters a greater connection to the Okanagan men and women who served.
6. Westbank Museum & West Kelowna Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
**COVID -19 update** The Westbank Museum and The West Kelowna Visitor Centre are open. At present, we are limiting our capacity to 10 people including staff. Thank you and stay safe! We are a community museum as well as a Visitor Information Centre. We strive to promote our community's history and to give visitors outstanding service!
7. Penticton Museum & Archives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By lorig523
Small but comprehensive museum with lots to see in natural history, settler history and science. Love visiting it!
8. Greater Vernon Museum & Archives
9. Father Pandosy Mission
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 79 reviews
The first non-native settlement in the Okanagan Valley was a mission established on this site in 1859 by Father Pandosy. Take a self-guided tour of the replicated mission buildings and a collection of horse-drawn carriages.
10. Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 94 reviews
The Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum is ripening… Unearth the agricultural treasures that make our region unique at the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum. Vibrantly painted fruit crates, live bee hives and cherry pitting equipment are yours to explore. Discover how the booming Okanagan wine industry has diversified our landscape with stories of wine makers, entrepreneurs and local wineries. Uncover the rich history of two of our world-class industries along with the dedication involved in their success!
