73 Things To Do In Penticton and the Southern Okanagan, BC

British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley has a lot to offer residents and visitors all year round. In truth, this list of 73 great things to do in the area barely scratches the surface! Consider it a taster or maybe even a bucket list, here’s my complete guide to what I think to be the best things to do in Penticton and the Southern Okanagan based on 2.5 years of living here and hosting A LOT of visitors over that time. Enjoy your adventures in the Southern Okanagan!

NOTE: Some of the ‘seasonal’ activities listed below can be done in more than one season but not quite year round. In this case, I have simply listed them in what I think to be the most favourable season. Paddling on the lakes is great from spring to fall but my personal preference for the trip to Rattlesnake Island is autumn for calm conditions, lack of traffic on the water and beautiful autumn colours.

Things to do in Penticton and the southern Okanagan all year round

No matter the season, the following activities can be done all year round (subject to business opening days and hours).

1. Walk the Kettle Valley Railway trail (Vancouver Ave) to see lake views, vineyards, hops and a railway trestle
2. Browse The Bookshop on Penticton’s Main Street, Western Canada’s largest second-hand bookstore
3. Explore the beautiful Naramata Bench – distilleries, wineries, bistros, beaches
4. Go back in time at the S.S. Sicamous Museum on Lakeshore Drive, Penticton
5. Follow Penticton’s Ale Trail and visit 5 unique breweries
6. Prefer cider to beer? Check out Summerland (3 cideries), Oliver (3) or Cawston (2)
7. Go on a self-guided tour of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Kaleden
8. Visit the Penticton Ikeda Japanese Garden (say hi to the koi carp!)
9. Walk the Okanagan Lake promenade and see the Peach in Rotary Park
10. Shop local, independent retailers in Penticton’s downtown (Front St and Main St)
11. Get up close and personal with the Penticton sign (and amazing views) at Munson Mountain
12. Be transported into a world of miniatures at the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad
13. Go for a hike to Naramata Falls in Naramata Creek Park
14. Take a trip to Penticton Art Gallery on Marina Way
15. Taste fresh, seasonal food at Craft Corner Kitchen or Brodo on Main Street, Penticton
16. Discover the legends of Sen’klip (Coyote) at the Nk’mip Cultural Centre in Osoyoos
17. Pick a wine area and go for a tasting – many wineries are open all year round

Spring

Things warm up quickly in the Okanagan Valley, take advantage of what is usually BC’s best spring weather and get outside!

18. Go on a walking wine tour of the Naramata Bench
19. Visit the Penticton Farmers Market and Community Market, every Saturday starting in April
20. Explore the Osoyoos Desert Centre, open in mid-April
21. Go on an adult Easter egg hunt at Liquidity Winery, Okanagan Falls or Upper Bench Winery and Creamery, Penticton
22. Climb some of the 1000+ routes in the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, Penticton
23. Not a climber? Go hiking in the Bluffs instead – the views are stunning and you may spot bighorn sheep toop
24. Go kayak/canoe camping in Okanagan Mountain Park
25. See the spring blossoms at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens
26. Spot returning migratory birds in the Vaseux Lake bird hide, just south of Okanagan Falls
27. Take a shuttle to Myra Canyon in Kelowna and bike downhill all the way back to Penticton over 17 trestles and through several tunnels
28. Hike the scenic Peach Cliff trail in Okanagan Falls

Summer

The heat, the shimmering lakes, the flourishing fruit trees and vineyards, the golden colours on the hills and mountains beyond. Summers here are blissful. You’ll never be at a loss for things to do in Penticton and the Southern Okanagan!

29. Pick a lake, pick a beach, swim, sunbathe, paddle, float, repeat
30. Watch the Canada Day fireworks – Osoyoos has the biggest display in Canada outside of Ottawa!
31. Go on a guided tour of Mascot Mine in Hedley
32. Ride the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland
33. Enjoy a backcountry base camping experience at Cathedral Provincial Park near Keremeos
34. Float the Penticton Channel between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake
35. Shop fruit stands in Keremeos
36. Go parasailing on Okanagan Lake
37. Watch and listen to music and displays at Penticton’s Peachfest in August
38. Go camping at Haynes Point – a natural spit of land in the middle of Osoyoos Lake
39. Hike in the alpine of Beaconsfield (Apex) Mountain
40. Enjoy live entertainment at Penticton’s Gyro Park, usually every Saturday and Sunday in July and August
41. Play disc golf at the Rotary Marina View course in Penticton
42. Pick your own fruit in Oliver
43. Watch a movie under the stars (Okanagan Falls – August, Penticton – September)
44. Eat breakfast with a lakefront view at the Hooded Merganser
45. Have a picnic lunch at a winery – Mocojo’s has epic views over Okanagan Lake and the vineyards of Naramata Bench
46. Hire a canoe, SUP or kayak and paddle Skaha, Osoyoos or Okanagan Lake
47. Search for pictographs around Vaseux Lake
48. Choose between over 60 flavours of ice-cream at Ogo’s on Main Street, Penticton
49. Go alpine fishing for rainbow trout at Nickel Plate Lake
50. Visit the working 1877 waterwheel at Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos

Autumn

Plenty of clear days with cooler temperatures offer lots of opportunities to get out and explore the changing autumn colours in the valley. Autumn is also a busy time for local events.

51. Mountain bike on the Three Blind Mice trails on the Naramata Bench
52. Watch the races at the Dragon Boat Festival on Skaha Lake in September
53. Visit the wonder of Spotted Lakes in Osoyoos
54. Hike the McIntyre Bluff trail near Oliver or Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland
55. Watch a film festival or two – the Banff Mountain Film Festival is in September and the Warren Miller ski show in November
56. Taste wine and food pairings on Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive during the annual Light Up the Vines event
57. Paddle to Rattlesnake Island and discover its fascinating history
58. See the colours change in local parks
59. Attend a wine festival or event – September/October is harvest time in the vineyards
60. Play the ‘Haunted Holes’ miniature golf course at Loco Landing Adventure Park
61. Go fishing at Yellow Lake between Kaleden and Keremeos
62. See the fireworks in Summerland (Festival of Lights, November) or Oliver (Christmas Light Up, November)

Winter

With fairly mild temperatures and a low amount of snow (for Canada!), winter is not necessarily a time for hibernation in Penticton and the Southern Okanagan region.

63. Glide through the trees on Apex Ski Resort’s ice skating loop
64. Snowboard at Baldy Mountain Resort
65. Climb at Hoodoo Adventures’ indoor gym on Ellis Street
66. See the Christmas Eve fireworks and torchlight parade at Apex Mountain Resort
67. Snowshoe the Carmi hill trails in Penticton or at Mt Baldy
68. Taste paired cheese and wine at Upper Bench Winery – they only close for a few days around Christmas
69. Visit the latest exhibition at the Penticton Museum and Archives (in the library building)
70. Downhill ski at Apex Mountain Resort
71. Shop at the Winter Indoor Farmer’s Market in Penticton
72. Cross-country ski at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre
73. See a hockey game at South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton

Read these articles next:
A Perfect Summer Weekend in Penticton
5 Unique Things To Do in Penticton
Just Beyond the Beaten Path Okanagan Valley Road Trip

Are your favourite activities on this list? share your suggestions for things to do in Penticton and the Southern Okanagan!

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