Tourism Vernon, Vernon, BC
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VERNON BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA 2019-2020 OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE tourismvernon.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Welcome 5 6 8 Our Story Spring Summer 10 12 14 Fall Winter Golf 18 20 22 Wellbeing Adventure Lake Activities 24 27 28 Provincial Parks Camping Biking 30 32 36 38 Arts & Foodie Love at Playtime Culture Heaven First Sip 2 | tourismvernon.com 40 50 55 Full & Celebrations Best Beaches Half Day & Events Adventures 56 58 59 Best Trails Best Best U-Pick Farmgate 60 62 63 Best Family Best Best Spring Outings Winter Activities Activities 64 65 66 Best Summer Best Fall Places Activities Activities to Stay 74 85 87 Things to Do Places to Eat Places to Shop 89 90 Services Map 3 p cyap. kwu ala. “You have all arrived. We are here.” The Syilx/Okanagan People welcome you to their unceded territory that is united by a common language, nsyilxc n. The territory extends throughout the Okanagan & Columbia River watersheds north to the BC/Alberta border near Kinbasket Lake down the Selkirk Range to the State of Washington following the Columbia River Basin west to Lake Chelan to the Cascades summit then north that includes parts of the Nicola, Salmon and Spallumcheen (Shuswap) Rivers. ELLISON PROVINCIAL PARK / ROBB THOMPSON 4 | tourismvernon.com OUR STORY Make our story a part of your story. The Commonage area includes Predator visit our website calendar. There is more than enough here to Ridge and the Allan Brooks Nature calendar.tourismvernon.com share. In the spring, you’ll find fields Centre and extends east of Okanagan In the warmer months, enjoy live and valleys bursting with blooms. Lake to Kalamalka Lake. Hike, bike, music, outdoor theatre, sports Summer is the time to enjoy our warm drive, or walk along Commonage Road, tournaments, and festivals. There’s and inviting lakes. In the fall, experience which was originally a stagecoach route plenty of hiking and biking on our a harvest season like no other. In the starting in 1890. Keep your eyes open world-class trails too. winter, take home tales of champagne and you’ll spot a vast variety of birds powder snow and horse drawn sleighs and wildlife that call this area home. Soak up summer on our sun- drenched beaches then come back high atop a mountain. We have activities No matter what the season, the for all seasons! when the snow falls to enjoy a winter Okanagan Rail Trail is a great place to wonderland sought-after by visitors Hike, bike, snowshoe, or cross country explore. This trail was newly opened from all over the world. The cooler ski on our trails. Explore by car, or start in September 2018 and is 50 km of weather means a change to warmer walking and discover what’s around family fun. Hike, walk, or bike this clothes for your outdoor adventures. the next corner. Rolling hills, majestic discontinued CN Rail corridor that Watch hot air balloons rise over mountains, beaches, and sunshine are connects our North and Central the city, then head up to SilverStar the perfect backdrop for your visit to Okanagan communities and gives you Mountain Resort to take in the cool Vernon, BC. the opportunity to learn about the Syilx snow sculptures. Our history is rich with tales of (Okanagan) people and their traditional territory. There are over 22 parks and This is Vernon. It is a place where the Interior Salish First Nation, fur tall tales are created. Whether it’s a traders, miners, Oblate Missionaries, 21 recreational and cultural points of interest within 500 m of the trail. morning on our world-class links, an the Hudson’s Bay Company, ranchers, afternoon on the champagne powdered politicians, and farmers. Take a walk There are so many adventures to choose slopes, or a day on the lake, this is the and watch our story unfold in front from in Vernon. We have world-class place where you become the author of of you on the 29 murals that grace resorts, boutique shopping, live theatre, your own story. our buildings. These larger than life music, championship golf courses, paintings depict our history, culture, wineries, cideries, meaderies, distilleries, Explore our endless mountain and folklore, and scenery (downtownvernon. breweries, and terrific markets and lakeside trails, where raptors soar over com/getting-around/murals). There’s restaurants. Come in any season and ancient grasslands. Taste the flavour even a theatre themed mural at the you’ll find there are plenty of ways to of our region at boutique and estate Powerhouse Theatre that depicts the relax, recharge, and energize yourself. wineries to the north and south, the history of the Powerhouse in Vernon. We invite you to immerse yourself in an craft cideries, craft brewery, meadery, and award-winning distillery. The Commonage Reserve is a major Okanagan holiday, Vernon style. part of our history. It was first We celebrate a lot of things here. We We invite you to come and make established in 1876 as part of the joint have events year-round, so come visit Vernon your home away from home as Indian Reserve Commission agreement anytime and take in an event or two. you enjoy everything we have to offer. signed by Canada and British Columbia. Check out our events section on page #ExploreVernon 52 for more information. You can also 5 ACTIVATE YOUR SPRING SILVERSTAR MOUNTAIN RESORT / ROBB THOMPSON Take a deep breath and delight in the corridor that runs from Penticton to mountain bike culture. For more info, sweet smells of spring. Enjoy stunning Vernon. Get pedaling during the Vernon go to okcycling.com. views as you explore our grassland and Bike Festival from May 2 to 5, 2019. Hiking is a great way to see the natural lake trails by foot or on a bike. Take Come have fun and celebrate everything wonders in and around Vernon. We an easy hike around the city or a cycle mountain biking in our region. There have trails that start in the city and through Ellison Provincial Park or is a movie night, a bike party, a look at head along the route of the historic Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. the new Rail Trail with an art exhibition, Grey Canal irrigation channel. Take Come explore the trails around Vernon, a cross-country race, and a demo day a stroll down the cedar-lined trails part of the Sagebrush Singletrack, a at Ellison Provincial Park. This is the of the riparian zone that borders BX best way to experience Vernon’s vibrant 6 | tourismvernon.com Creek and Falls Trail. Hear the roar of on and meet the critters or take a spin Mom will love being pampered at this the water as it rushes down from the on the gyro chair. Come hear the stories premiere wellness resort. mountains during spring thaw. about the night sky at the Planetarium Art is alive and well in Vernon in the Get your pars on at one of the Vernon Show. There’s also the Second Annual spring. Head over to the Centre Gallery area’s five golf courses that range Vernon Comic Con on May 4, 2019 at of the Vernon Community Arts Centre from a quick nine-hole to a 36-hole the Village Green Hotel Complex. or take in some live theatre at one of championship course. Celebrate the wonderful women in our many venues. Spring is a great time Spend time with the kids at the your life with the Mother’s May Special to discover what Vernon has to offer. Okanagan Science Centre. Get hands package at Sparkling Hill Resort. 7 ACTIVATE YOUR SUMMER Being outdoors is where it’s at in an evening of art events and educational Vernon in the summer. Beaches, workshops. It’s also a great place to get lakes, outdoor adventure, fishing, fantastic views of Vernon’s three major mountains, orchards full of fruit, fresh lakes and cityscape. vegetables, and farmers’ markets are Come and explore the Vernon Farmers’ all here for you to discover. Vernon in Market, Mondays and Thursdays from the summer is a cornucopia of things 8 am to 1 pm at Kal Tire Place. Over to do, places to go, and soaking up 140 growers and artisans offer up fresh the sun. Whatever you decide, make picked fruit, preserves, gourmet food, sure you pack sunscreen, and a hat. vegetables, eggs, dairy products, meats, Check out our local festivities and be seafood, crafts, art, plants, flowers, gifts, prepared to have fun! and baking. Visit the Farmers’ Market Bask in the sun and have some water in Armstrong where you’ll find lots of fun at one of the many area beaches. locally grown, sustainable, non-GMO There are pet-friendly beaches at both and gluten free foods, beverages, and Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and herbs. On Thursday evenings from 6 Ellison Provincial Park. to 8 pm, it’s Civic Sounds in the heart It may be hot out, but you’ll keep cool of downtown Vernon. Local and as you wake surf, waterski, kneeboard, visiting bands play so you can dance stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and the night away. snorkel the day away. You can rent Head up to SilverStar Mountain boats and equipment or hire someone Resort where you’ll find one of British to teach and guide you. Columbia’s best mountain bike parks Smell that? It’s fresh pies and pastries. with trails ranging from novice to That’s how you know you’ve arrived expert. While there, be sure to take a at Davison Orchards. Explore the scenic gondola ride so you can enjoy a farm and discover acres and acres of hike and a bird’s eye view of the beauty fresh produce, fresh baked goods, of our mountains.