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Planning a trip to Kelowna, BC? Oh boy, are you in for a treat!
This sun-soaked corner of the Okanagan has so much to offer visitors, from wine tasting and lakeside views to adventurous activities like canyoning and wakesurfing. So, as a proud Canadian who’s spent plenty of time exploring Kelowna, I’ve narrowed down the best things to do so you can skip the guesswork and dive straight into the good stuff.
This guide pulls together my top picks, from scenic bike rides to food tours, and all of the need-to-know info about each. Grab your sunglasses and let’s get going!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Kelowna was this walking food tour. We explored the Cultural District, met local legends, and tasted incredible bites and sips along the way. It was the perfect mix of culture, history, and flavor!
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Kelowna
- 1. Ride the historic Kettle Valley Railway on a bicycle tour
- 2. Taste your way around Kelowna on a food tour with tastings
- 3. Go canyoning
- 4. Rent an e-bike and explore on your own
- 5. Relax on a private sailing cruise on Lake Okanagan
- 6. Go wakesurfing
- 7. Explore Kelowna’s wineries by e-bike
- 8. Enjoy a wine and sightseeing tour in Kelowna or West Kelowna
- Where to Stay in Kelowna, BC
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in British Columbia
Things to do in Kelowna
1. Ride the historic Kettle Valley Railway on a bicycle tour
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Cycling along the historical Kettle Valley Railway, cruising along the Okanagan Lake, riding over 19 trestles and through three tunnels, learning about the railway’s history, finishing up with a wine tasting
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup, bike rental, wine tasting, bottled water, snacks
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check prices here!
This full-day ride along the Kettle Valley Railway from Myra Canyon to Penticton is easily one of the most breathtaking and rewarding bike tours I’ve ever done. It’s an incredibly historic railway, and the route is so scenic—what’s not to love?
After a prompt hotel pickup, we started our ride at Myra Station. We had panoramic views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding valley right from the get-go, and the trail gently winds downhill the entire time, which is an absolute dream! Even if you don’t cycle often, this 74-kilometer (46-mile) route is super manageable for anyone who can ride a bike.
I really enjoyed riding over 19 historic trestle bridges, but I think my favorite part was actually riding through three eerie old tunnels! It felt like we were on an illicit adventure.
There were plenty of well-timed stops, too. We had time to grab a coffee at Chute Lake Lodge and stopped to see the old rock ovens that railway workers used to use, which were pretty neat! After that, the views opened up dramatically across the Naramata Bench. And with vineyards in every direction, how else would you end a fantastic cycling tour than with a tasting?
A trip to Kelowna is all about fun and wholesome adventures, so this tour fits the bill perfectly. If you love fresh air, adventure, and history, then book this tour ASAP!
Book this cycling tour here with FREE cancellation!
2. Taste your way around Kelowna on a food tour with tastings
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am or 2 pm (not available Sunday)
- Highlights: Visiting local restaurants, cafes, bars, and bakeries, tasting seven different dishes and four unique drinks, walking tour of Kelowna, seeing some of the city’s top attractions, personalised tours
- Inclusions: All food and drinks, local guides
- Rating: 5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
I’ve done food tours all over the world, from Tokyo to Barcelona, so who would have thought that this one in Kelowna would stand out as one of the best?
What makes this experience special is not just the incredible food and drink, but the owner and guide himself, Andrew. He runs this tour as a one-man show and has built very strong relationships with the owners of the establishments we visited, so we got a super personalized experience.
The first rule of this tour is “come hungry.” Trust me, Andrew is not about to let you leave feeling even remotely peckish! Over the course of our 3-hour adventure, we sampled everything from artisan tacos to decadent baked treats, plus plenty of drinks along the way.
We also got to see a ton of Kelowna’s top sights. We started at the Laurel Packinghouse and wandered through the gorgeous Cultural District, stopping at hidden gardens, art installations, and even a tucked-away waterfall! Andrew knows the city inside out and told us the kind of stories that you won’t find in any guidebook or on Google, so this is an amazing opportunity to see (and taste) the real Kelowna.
If you only do one thing in Kelowna, make it this food tour. There’s a reason it boasts hundreds of outstanding reviews!
Book this top-rated food tour here and enjoy FREE 24-hour cancellation!
3. Go canyoning
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 2 pm
- Highlights: Rappelling down waterfalls, sliding down natural slides, jumping into deep pools, ziplining, beautiful scenery
- Inclusions: Professional guide, wetsuit, helmet, harness
- Rating: 5 stars (check 60+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Kelowna is full of adventurous activities, especially this awesome canyoning tour! It was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done here—and that’s saying a lot.
I’ll admit that I was a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous) heading into this experience. Fortunately, our guide Matt completely changed that. In fact, I think he put everyone in our group at ease! He was hilarious and reassuring at the same time, so I was able to relax and just enjoy the canyoning adventure.
The canyon itself was absolutely stunning, with tall rock walls, mossy ledges, and rushing water. We were able to take our time and explore in depth as we slid down natural water chutes, zipped across clear pools, and rappelled down cliffs with a waterfall thundering right next to us! It was pure adventure, from start to finish.
Canyoning is so much fun, and if you’ve never tried it before, then I think that this tour is the perfect place to start. Saying that, it’s still exciting and scenic enough for seasoned pros to enjoy. In short, it’s a total must-do for any adventurer visiting Kelowna, and the glowing reviews certainly attest to that!
Book this exciting canyoning tour here!
4. Rent an e-bike and explore on your own
- Duration: 2–8 hours
- Time: Multiple time slots between 9 am–4 pm
- Highlights: E-bike rental, lots of stunning cycling routes, easy-to-follow GPS navigation
- Inclusions: Use of e-bike, helmet, bike lock, cell phone holder, companion GPS app, curated trail routes
- Rating: 5 stars (check 70+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
This self-guided e-bike tour of Kelowna is a fun and effortless way to explore! We had an absolute blast discovering the city and its surroundings on sleek, lightweight e-bikes. Even if you’re not a regular cyclist, these bikes are so easy to use.
When we picked up our bikes, the owner, Gareth, gave us a quick orientation and helped us set up the companion app before we hit the road for our adventure. They have five levels of pedal assist and a thumb throttle to put you in full control, making it so easy to climb hills and cruise for long distances without feeling wiped.
When we were ready, we selected one of the tour company’s carefully curated routes and had the best time gliding along Kelowna’s lakeside and past rows of vineyards and orchards. We even stopped to enjoy a tasting!
I’m not always the best at navigation, but the GPS app was so easy to follow. We didn’t get lost once! This is such a fun and eco-friendly way to explore Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, and we love how we were able to explore independently without having to do any planning ourselves.
In terms of routes, you can choose between a wine trail, a lakeside loop, or even a city highlights tour. There’s something for everyone! I’m definitely going to come back and try out another route the next time I’m in Kelowna.
Check out all of the details and book this self-guided e-bike tour here!
5. Relax on a private sailing cruise on Lake Okanagan
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 12 pm, 3 pm, or 8 pm
- Highlights: Sailing around Okanagan Lake, sailing past key landmarks like City Park, Hot Sands Beach, and the Floating Bridge
- Inclusions: Private boat cruise, skipper, blankets if necessary, safety equipment
- Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
Our private sailing cruise on Okanagan Lake was an absolute dream, and we can’t recommend it enough. We chose the sunset tour, and I’m so glad we did. Watching the sky change color and the sun dip below the horizon as we glided across the water was a real pinch-me moment.
Our skipper, Brad, was absolutely incredible. He was so welcoming and knew so much about both sailing and the lake itself! It was great to enjoy this tour in the company of a captain with such a clear passion for Kelowna and its beautiful lake. Best of all, he even let us take the wheel for a bit, which was so exciting!
This tour was also a great way to see Kelowna. We sailed past Hot Sands Beach, the City Park shoreline, and under the Floating Bridge, with downtown Kelowna glittering in the distance. We loved being able to take in the city from a new angle, and seeing the buildings light up at night was extra special.
But the best part of it all is that we got to enjoy this experience just the two of us. It was a private boat, so we had space to stretch out and just enjoy the peace and quiet without any crowds or noise around us. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a unique afternoon out on the water, I can’t recommend this sailing cruise enough!
Book your private sailing cruise here with FREE 24-hour cancellation!
6. Go wakesurfing
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: Multiple times between 7 am to 7 pm
- Highlights: Private wakesurfing lesson on Okanagan Lake, ride a world-class boat with expert coaching, all gear and instruction included
- Inclusions: All surf equipment, snacks, bottled water, expert coach
- Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We’ve been wakesurfing before, but we can honestly say this private wakesurfing experience was one of our best sessions yet. Having a blast on Okanagan Lake was the perfect way to spend an afternoon, especially with friends along for the ride.
You might be a wakesurfing pro, or more likely beginners or near beginners like us – no problem! We loved that the instructors tailor the class to your level with no pressure. This helped us build confidence and feel that much closer to being a pro by the end of the session. Whether you’re working on carving or just trying to stay up longer, the coaching is spot-on without ever feeling pushy.
Booking with a group made the whole experience more affordable, and honestly, way more fun. Between rides, we hung out on deck and cheered each other on. It felt like the perfect mix of active and relaxed, and we all got plenty of time to catch the waves.
Everything you need is included, from boards to life jackets, so all you have to do is show up ready to ride. If you’re already into wakesurfing or want to level up your skills, this is the way to do it.
Find out more and book your wakeboarding experience here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Explore Kelowna’s wineries by e-bike
- Duration: 4–5 hours
- Time: Multiple departures between 10 am–1 pm
- Highlights: Wine and mead tastings, farm-to-table lunch at a local bistro, beautiful views, flexible, self-guided tour
- Inclusions: E-bike rental, helmet, bike lock, wine and mead tastings, lunch, navigation app
- Rating: 5 stars (check 220+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
As a wine lover, there was just no way that I could turn down the chance to enjoy this Kelowna e-bike tour! I loved feeling as though the Okanagan Valley was my oyster, and the e-bikes were a breeze to ride. I didn’t even break a sweat during the uphill climbs!
We followed a carefully planned route, which wound through the stunning Okanagan Valley. Along the way, we enjoyed lakeside views and stopped at many Instagram-worthy spots. Best of all, we visited two local wineries, where we enjoyed complimentary tasting sessions as well as a local bistro for a delicious farm-to-table lunch with a generous helping of mead. I was so impressed!
This tour was so special because we had the freedom to take our time. We didn’t have to keep up with a group. Instead, we were free to linger where we wanted, take in the views for as long as we liked, and just enjoy ourselves. The route was perfectly curated to showcase the best of the Okanagan Valley, and the bikes were a dream to ride.
Whether you’re a wine lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a unique way to explore Kelowna, this tour is a must-do!
Check out hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
8. Enjoy a wine and sightseeing tour in Kelowna or West Kelowna
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 1:30 pm
- Highlights: Visiting four renowned local wineries, guided tasting sessions, small group tour, choice of two different routes
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, local guide, tasting, live commentary
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
As a Canadian who’s visited Kelowna a few times, I thought I knew the region pretty well, but this wine tour gave me a whole new appreciation for West Kelowna’s vineyards! We visited four incredible wineries, each with its own vibe and story.
The wineries that you’ll visit do vary from day to day, but we’ve got to start at Quails’ Gate. It was an instant favorite for me! The lake views were unreal, and their Pinot Noir was absolute perfection.
We also visited Indigenous World Winery, where we got to learn about how they blend traditional and modern winemaking, and we even got to taste a few of their spirits to boot. Later on, we went to a hidden winery right on the beach, and a gorgeous wine farm perched on the site of an ancient volcano. Talk about variety!
We were in expert hands with our guide, John, who was so funny and knowledgeable. He made sure that everyone felt at ease, and the small group vibe made this tour feel so personal. With no need to worry about driving, you can just sit back, sip wine, and soak in the scenery. I’d do this tour again in a heartbeat! No wonder it has over 200 glowing reviews!
Book my favorite Kelowna wine tour here with FREE cancellation!
Where to Stay in Kelowna, BC
Choosing the right place to stay is essential for your weekend getaway in Kelowna! Whether you’re looking for something luxurious to relax in, something budget-friendly to save your money for activities, or something in between, we have the list! We have stayed in Kelowna dozens of times, so these truly are our top picks.
Luxury – $$$
Delta Hotels – This is the best high-budget hotel in Kelowna. It comes at a hefty price of $420 CAD a night but it’s superbly located right on Okanagan Lake. It has both an indoor and outdoor pool as well as an onsite casino! Talk about a relaxing weekend away.
You can check prices and book your stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$ – Our Top Choice!
We’ve stayed at our fair share of hotels in Kelowna, but last time we stayed at the Coast Capri Hotel and loved it! Our pool-view room was perfect with a huge balcony and two large queen beds.
One of the best things about the Coast Capri Hotel is that it’s affordable without sacrificing any of the comforts you’ll need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay – suitable for almost all travelers and budgets. The location is central and the amenities are top-notch. Rooms start at $340 CAD and fill up quickly, so book your stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Samesun Kelowna – This is easily your best budget option and one of the only options for backpackers. A dorm bed in a mixed room costs $41 CAD, whereas a private room with a shared bathroom costs $98 CAD. The reviews are really good and the property is quite modern, plus, there is a large common kitchen and indoor and outdoor lounge spaces. The location is perfect if you want to be close to downtown and they include a free breakfast that includes fruit and pancake mix.
You can book a room on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.com.
Renting a Car in British Columbia
If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province, and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Car rental in Canada isn’t relatively cheap, but it’s not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Read my tips on using Motorhome Republic here before you book!
And if you’re planning to visit the Canadian Rockies during your trip, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Thanks for reading!
Kelowna totally stole our hearts with its sunshine, lakeside charm, and endless things to do. From biking along the water to canyoning through rugged terrain, this slice of the Okanagan is packed with fun, flavor, and local character. Whether you’re craving adventure, culture, or just a beautiful place to unwind, Kelowna delivers.
Before you plan your next Canadian getaway, don’t miss our other Canada guides here! We’ve traveled far and wide across the country and love sharing our favorite spots, hidden gems, and top travel tips. Here are a few great reads to check out:
Where to Stay in Kelowna, BC – BEST Areas & Hotels
15 BEST Wineries in Kelowna, BC (that you need to check out!)