Okanagan-Similkameen Vacation Rentals

Known as "The Okanagan" or just "Okanagan Valley", the region's best known towns include Kelowna, Osoyoos, Armstrong, and Penticton. Go hiking in rugged nature, swim in pristine lake waters, or glide down powdery white ski slopes. And with a traditional Canadian cabin rental, you'll have the ideal base for exploring this unspoiled natural paradise.

Farmers Markets, Organic Produce, and Vegan Delights

Okanagan's eateries cover it all from hole-in-the-wall cafes to elegant dining terraces and classic ice cream parlours. Midtown Bistro in Vernon beckons visitors with its warm-hued decor, candle light, and soft music, while their pasta and charcuterie dishes are not to be missed.

Ogo's Ice Cream in Penticton goes far beyond chocolate and vanilla—think red velvet, bubble gum, and sea salt caramel flavoured ice creams. Kelowna's Naked Cafe, meanwhile, serves up 100% plant based burgers, poutines, and sandwiches that manage to be both healthy and indulgent.

Okanagan's 100+ wineries produce wines that are bursting with flavour. Consider joining a tour of local vineyards, which offers convenience and takes you through the valley's most scenic regions.

For a local experience, visit Okanagan's summer farmer markets—freshly brewed coffee, artisan cheeses and meats, organic produce, and baked goods await. Kelowna Farmer's & Crafter's Market, and Armstrong's Farmer's Market are great options.

Museums in the Okanagan: Gold Mining, Theatres, and Mills

The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad in Osoyoos is Canada's biggest model railroad, styled on European towns and decorated with over 8000 houses. Okanagan's transportation history comes alive at the cavernous SS Sicamous Heritage Park, with its permanently anchored paddle wheeler that operated between 1914 to 1936.

Learn about how the Okanagan Valley was formed, its bio diversity, and gain insights into the lives of the First Nations people at Okanagan Heritage Museum. Built in 1877, the Old Grist Mill in the village of Keremeos is one of the few remaining mills of its time that still grinds flour. Originally constructed for the gold miners, you can still taste home-made bread there today.

When it comes to the performing arts, Okanagan has much to offer. Since 1962, Kelowna Community Theatre has been entertaining audiences with comedy, music, dance, and theatre. The town is also home to the New Vintage Theatre company, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Kelowna. Over in Armstrong, Caravan Farm Theatre puts on wonderful shows in the open air, particularly during Christmas.

Embrace the Okanagan Outdoors

With soft sands and crystal-clear waters, Okanagan Lake boasts some of British Columbia's best beaches—Kelowna, Vernon, Osoyoos, and Penticton to name a few. As well as swimming, you can try windsurfing, jet skiing, paddle-boating, or parasailing, with plenty of reputable operators offering instruction and equipment hire.

For sweeping views of the Okanagan Valley, head up to the Alan Brooks Nature Centre outside Vernon. Knox Mountain Park, meanwhile, is a must for its well-marked trails and wonderful lookout points. You might even spot some coyotes and cougars.

Roderick Haig Brown Provincial Park near Salmon Arm is a nature lover's favourite thanks to its chinook, coho, and pink salmon spawning beds. Thoughtfully designated areas along the river let you observe the wildlife in peace and quiet, while the park also features intriguing pictographs of the Shuswap First Nations settlements.

During winter, people flock from far and wide to enjoy snowboarding and skiing in the valley's many ski resorts. The trails at Kelowna's Big White Ski Resort are suited to novices and experts, while Apex Mountain Ski Resort merits a visit for its night skiing opportunities, snow mobile tours, and tube park.

Mushrooms, Jazz, and Christmas Festivities

Okanagan's annual events calendar is packed so you might want to plan your trip accordingly. Through March and April, you can catch amateur artists compete in speech arts, brass, woodwinds, and other contests at the Kiwanis Music & Speech Arts Festival. April also features the Annual B.C. Interior Jazz Festival that has been entertaining jazz aficionados for over three decades.

Spring fever hits Okanagan at the Spring Wine Festival, which features over 100 events. Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta, meanwhile, takes place on Canada Day (July 1), and you can expect everything from parades to pancake breakfasts, and even cherry seed spitting contests.

"The King" is alive and well each summer at the Penticton Elvis Festival, which draws Elvis impersonators from far and wide. Folk, blues, and world music are top of the bill at the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, which also features an artisan market and children's area.

Visit in fall and you can look forward to mushroom hunting tours, woodland walks, beer tasting, and wild mushroom dishes at the Sicamous & Shuswap Lake Wild Mushroom & Food Festival. Bringing the year to a close, the Downtown Kelowna Winter Market & Light Up has festive food and drinks, live shows, ice skating and of course, the lighting of the giant tree.

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