The Central Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada, encompasses several cities and towns including Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Vernon, and Enderby, all of which offer plenty of opportunities for fun-seeking families visiting the area. Whether looking for outdoor activities, shopping, educational activities, or just plain fun, the Central Okanagan has something to appeal to every member of the family this summer.
Tourist Attractions in Kamloops BC
There are so many things to see and do in Kamloops; the options are nearly endless for a family on vacation. But when travelling through the area, there are some must-stop spots to check out.
Sun Peaks Mountain Resort offers fantastic opportunities for outdoor fun. In the winter months Sun Peaks is a popular ski destination, but in the summer months, the ski lifts carry mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts to myriad trails ranging from easy to intense. Horseback riding, golf, geoaching, canoeing and kayaking are also available, so no one will have time to be bored!
And before leaving, stop at the BC Wildlife Park which is home to several species of animals indigenous to British Columbia and the Okanagan in particular. The park offers several daily animal encounters, a café, and a petting zoo.
Summer Activities in Salmon Arm BC
Salmon Arm is a small town with a ton of beauty and character. Discover the history of the town at Haney Heritage Village and Museum; a one hundred year old home full of antiques, with a small old fashioned community, nature trail and educational museum on the grounds as well. There are also activities that take place on the property sporadically through the summer, including an antique car show and dinner theatre.
Make sure to stop at North America’s longest wharf, jutting out into beautiful Shuswap Lake. The wharf has a view of the bird sanctuary, and is within walking distance to the beautiful nature trail that runs into the sanctuary itself. Or the family can rent a houseboat, jet skis or speed boat and enjoy a day right on the lake!
Don’t forget to check out Herald’s Park and Margaret Falls just a short drive from town; a fabulous spot for camping, or just stay the day – with an easy hike to a beautiful hidden waterfall, followed by a picnic at the beach, it makes for a great afternoon!
Enjoy an Afternoon in Enderby
Just a short drive up the Trans-Canada highway from Salmon Arm is the quaint village of Enderby. But don’t be fooled by its small size – there are lots of fun things to do there with the family!
Start off the afternoon at Coneheads Ice Cream parlor, with over 60 flavors its some of the best ice cream around. Then head down the road to the giant flea market – it spans both sides of the highway and has everything from books and toys, to funky souvenirs and antiques.
Once finished there, keep driving to the Log Barn, a large fruit stand with local fruits, veggies, baked goods and more; and for the kids a fun aerial goat feeding aparatus that lets them raise a bucket of food up a pulley system to watch the nimble goats climb a narrow walkway to feed!
In the evening, load up the car with the family and a sack of goodies; Starlight Drive-In shows two movies nightly all summer long!
Spend a Day Exploring Vernon BC
Vernon is a versatile community, with lots of shops, parks and activities to enjoy. Check out the Okanagan Science Center, an exciting place to get hands on with science. Then have a picnic in beautiful Polson Park, or drive out to the historic O’Keefe Ranch to get a taste of the farming history of the area. Silver Star Mountain Resort is a short drive away, and has fabulous mountain biking trails for the outdoor enthusiasts.
If a day in the sun is what the family craves, both Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes are nearby too, with beautiful beaches and provincial parks to visit, and some of the best camping in the area.
When visiting the Central Okanagan, there is no shortage of places to see or activities to keep a family busy. Be sure to spend a few days exploring this beautiful area – and don’t forget the camera, since the Shuswap has some of the most breathtaking scenery in BC. No one will go home disappointed!
Trina Doane - Trina is a university college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree (English major). In addition to writing, she works in the pet ...
