Location: Osoyoos
Top Things to do in Osoyoos
Top 10 Things to do in Osoyoos, Canada
Osoyoos (/ɒˈsuːjuːs/, historically /ˈsuːjuːs/) is the southern-most town in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia between Penticton and Omak. Near the border with Washington state, the town is also adjacent to the Indian Reserve of the Osoyoos Indian Band. The origin of the name Osoyoos was the word sẁiẁs (pronounced "soo-yoos") meaning "narrowing of the waters" in the local Okanagan language (Syilx'tsn). The "O-" prefix is not indigenous in origin and was attached by settler-promoters wanting to harmonize the name with other place names beginning with O in the Okanagan Country (Oliver, Omak, Oroville, Okanogan). There is one local newspaper, the Osoyoos Times.
Restaurants in Osoyoos
1. Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad
Overall Ratings
5 based on 500 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 18000 + 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 enterance into the Buena Vista Industrial Park onto 115th Street. Look for the yellow warehouse with the big signs out front.
Reviewed By Forrest F - Candle Lake, Canada
Must be seen to be truly appreciated! Could go here time after time and see something different each time.Thank you very much for visiting us at our model railroad display and we hope to see you again.
2. Anarchist Mountain Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
A scenic lookout that takes visitors from 910 feet to 4,045 feet for spectacular views of the Okanagan Valley and part of Washington state.
Reviewed By TassieTravellers99 - Launceston, Australia
Just to the east of Osoyoos via climbing switchbacks is this stunning lookout. It was a well setup pullover area and gave a tremendous outlook over Osoyoos and also north and south of it. We could just make out Mountains where the US border would be. We could also see snow capped Mountains behind the western hills of Osoyoos. It was a great spot.
The road has a concrete divider here so if you want to return to Osoyoos you need to continue on a short distance before turning around.
3. Osoyoos Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 343 reviews
Known as the "warmest lake in Canada," Osoyoos Lake stretches fourteen miles and is a favorite for summer recreation and winter sports.
Reviewed By Lancer524 - Coaldale, Canada
We come once a year to get away and relax. Usually the first 2-3 weeks of October. Its time for the Grape harvest and Grape Festival. Most of the tourists have gone home so it is not near as congested as summer.
4. Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 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 Margaret A - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
An absolutely stunning landscape surrounds this cultural centre. Being the off season, we had a self guided tour of the centre and the grounds. We expected to pay the regular admission but were told, because it was the off season we could tour the facility and make a donation to the centre when we were done. The short film which we saw when we first walked into the centre explained some history about the Okanagan people and the Osoyoos tribe. It was a very moving tribute to the importance of ancestors and culture. The theme of the coyote being the spiritual guide was incredibly well done. There are displays of art work, artifacts and information on animals, history, etc.. in the adjacent room. Learning that the Osoyoos tribe didn't send their children to a residential school but hired a teacher to come to them was so good to hear. When you enter the room with the campfire, there is another short film about the coyote and the salmon, a beautiful legend of the Okanagan people. The outside area must be amazing in the summer but we found it very informative and interesting. Everything was so well displayed and beautifully presented. And the landscape of the vicinity is spectacular. Loved all of the statues.
5. Nk'Mip Cellars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
At Nk’Mip Cellars, we are the dedicated guardians of a proud legacy. As the first Aboriginal-owned winery in North America, we are inspired to express our culture in everything we do. Our Winery itself is a bold celebration and strong reflection of our commitment to authenticity and deep respect for our colourful past. We extend an invitation to discover, not only the international award-wining wines we produce, but also the relentless spirit and remarkable history that inspire them.
Reviewed By Praline23 - Montreal, Canada
6 years ago, we made the visit/tour of the winery and we really enjoyed it. In that time we bought their icewine and their Meritage. We even made a few orders and they shipped it to our house . Great service. This year, we decided to return to taste those 2 wines. The QwAM QwMT Tasting Gallery must be new since our last visit ( I maybe wrong but I don't remember it )- fees are $10 for their premium wine or $5 to taste 5 wines or $3 for the icewine... both are refundable when you purchase bottle. We tasted and bought the Mer’r’iym and the Icewine. Unfortunately, it seems that our meritage that we used to buy is no longer produced. Oh well, we discovered new one... The gift shop is very nice, of course wine but also lots of aboriginal arts and Okanagan foods.
6. Osoyoos Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Destination Osoyoos leads Osoyoos in delivering Canada’s Warmest Welcome as a vibrant four season community of choice. Please stop in on your way or reach out to us before your trip to beautiful Osoyoos! Our Visitor Service Ambassadors are happy to help make your trip a remarkable one!
Reviewed By Susan H - Tacoma, Washington
I highly recommend stopping at a visitor center before visiting an area. I have found if you don't you miss somethings you might have wanted to see. They had lots of guide and free materials about things to see and do all over that area of Canada. They also had a small souvenir shop with many things you can purchase. Very well organized clean and inviting.
7. Moon Curser Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By levinsonrs - New York
Was passing through Osoyoos on the way to Oliver. Waitress suggested this vineyard which was not on my radar. Friendly tasting room staff person -- we bought a nice Syrah and a white called Arneis. The white did not make it home..... Nice place at the southern end of the wine trail.
8. Haynes Point Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
Measuring about 60 feet across, this natural spit of land stretches out into the middle of a lake providing views of both Canada and the United States.
Reviewed By sbm007363 - South Africa
The Haynes point is a long spit of land that points into the lake at the border town of Osoyoos. We arrived on the Saturday of a school holiday week-end and the RV park was crammed. So was the overflow, but we took it, and it was actually quite special. Instead of being surrounded by RV's we only had one behind us, and we were parked only one step away from the water's edge, on tar paving. We could hear the wavelets lapping at the shore all night long, with the occasional cries of the grebes, Very soothing. A family of blue-winged teals paddled up and down in the water in front of us, hardly two steps away, and later in the evening a beaver silently swept by. Magic. The wetland and desert ecosystem protection project was quite interesting, except that we forgot to apply mosquito repellent - so we went through this area at quite a pace. An unexpected but very welcome attraction in this town - do stop before driving on to the USA.
9. Rattlesnake Canyon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By Canadaise - High River, Canada
This amusement park must be very popular with the younger set but for us older folks the mini golf was the highlight. This course offers a variety of challenges, non of which are great, but playing 18 holes was fun. The ice cream parlour was enjoyable. But the season is over for this year. Good luck next year!
10. Desert Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Interpretive education and research facility that hosts one of the largest concentrations of endangered plants and animals.
Reviewed By Dale H - Osoyoos, Canada
I recommend the guided tour. Yes, you can walk it on your own but the information garnered from those tour guides is well worth waiting for a scheduled guided tour. And besides, it's free. Lots of parking. Easy access. It is entirely on a boardwalk so it is completely accessible to the mobility challenged. Be warned though, it is a desert and in the summer it is HOT! BRING WATER! The tour will tell you all about the ecological systems here in the desert. The flora and fauna are very unique here. Just a few short miles north of the Town of Osoyoos. Pavement right to the parking lot. There are signs along Highway 97 but you have to watch for them as they are not overly large and only one each way.
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