74 Things To Do In Penticton and the Southern Okanagan, British Columbia

British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley has a lot to offer residents and visitors all year round. In truth, this list of 74 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, for example, 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.

Originally published in 2017, Updated in 2020. This post includes affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We visited Chute Lake Lodge with the help of Travel Penticton.

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 section) 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 and take in 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 6 unique breweries (soon to be 7!)
6. Prefer cider to beer? Check out Summerland (4 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 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

Things to do in Spring in Penticton

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 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 too
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

Things to do in Summer in Penticton

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. Take a drive up to historic Chute Lake Lodge – swim in the lake, bike on the KVR or even stay overnight
34. Enjoy a backcountry base camping experience at Cathedral Provincial Park near Keremeos
35. Float the Penticton Channel between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake
36. Shop fruit stands in Keremeos
37. Go parasailing on Okanagan Lake
38. Watch and listen to music and displays at Penticton’s Peachfest in August
39. Go camping at Haynes Point – a natural spit of land in the middle of Osoyoos Lake
40. Hike in the alpine of Beaconsfield (Apex) Mountain
41. Enjoy live entertainment at Penticton’s Gyro Park, usually every Saturday and Sunday in July and August
42. Play disc golf at the Rotary Marina View course in Penticton
43. Pick your own fruit in Oliver
44. Watch a movie under the stars (Okanagan Falls – August, Penticton – September)
45. Eat breakfast with a lakefront view at the Hooded Merganser
46. Have a picnic lunch at a winery – Mocojo’s has epic views over Okanagan Lake and the vineyards of Naramata Bench
47. Hire a canoe, SUP or kayak and paddle Skaha, Osoyoos or Okanagan Lake
48. Search for pictographs around Vaseux Lake
49. Choose between over 60 flavours of ice-cream at Ogo’s on Main Street, Penticton
50. Go alpine fishing for rainbow trout at Nickel Plate Lake
51. Visit the working 1877 waterwheel at Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos

Things to do in Autumn in Penticton

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)

Things to do in Winter in Penticton

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

Looking to book a stay in Penticton?

Penticton Lakeside Resort – Awesome lakefront location on north side of town, within walking distance to beach, shops, entertainment, restaurants, trails

E’Laysa Guesthouse and Vineyard Retreat – Gorgeous property on the Naramata Bench, very close to the KVR Trail. A full breakfast is included with every stay

Casa Grande Inn – Highly rated B&B situated across from Okanagan Lake with large outdoor patio 

Chute Lake Lodge – Great for outdoor adventurers or anyone looking for an escape, historic Chute Lake Lodge is a scenic 45 minute drive from Penticton. It’s located right on the KVR Trail and offers lodge rooms, glamping tents, cabins and campsites. There’s an on-site restaurant too

Read these articles next:

47 Things to Do in Summerland, British Columbia

Okanagan Valley Road Trip: Where to Go and What to Do

A Perfect Summer Weekend in Penticton

A Local’s Guide to the Best Okanagan Valley Wineries

The Complete Guide to Craft Breweries in Penticton

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Gemma

One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada