Located only 60 kilometres south of Kelowna, Penticton is a beautiful small city sandwiched in-between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, as well as Canada’s wine country, Penticton is a truly stunning place to visit and one of the best places to visit for families, couples, wine lovers, and anyone seeking lakeside adventure.
With some of the hottest summer temperatures in Canada, Penticton and the entire Okanagan Valley are extremely popular in the summer months thanks to its beautiful beaches, mountains, and many beautiful vineyards. However, it’s certainly a year-round destination with some amazing skiing, snowboarding, and winter activities during the colder months.
So whether you’re going for the heat, the winter sports, or just looking to sample the many wineries, we’ve got you covered in this complete guide to the best things to do in Penticton, British Columbia.
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Table of Contents
Enjoy Top-Rated Penticton Tours
Before we get into all the top things to do in Penticton, we should mention some of the highly-rated tours that allow you to experience the different wineries and activities in the area.
Our Top Pick: West Kelowna Wine Tour – Classic – 4 Wineries
From Penticton, this West Kelowna wine tour offers a tailored 4-hour experience, including tasting fees.
Many of the tours in Penticton and the Okanagan region are related to wineries, but there are other cool things to do as well. We listed our top choice above but other popular tours include:
Okanagan Private Wine Tour In Your Own Vehicle: Skip the hassle of designating a driver on this private tour with a personalized experience. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Okanagan Wine Country – Velo Vino Wine & Cycle Tour: Spend the morning cycling the Kettle Valley Railway trail, then hop into your chauffeured vehicle for an afternoon of wine tasting. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Half-Day Birdwatching in the South Okanagan: Discover the unique species of the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valley on a private, half-day bird-watching tour. Accompanied by your guide, view birds in a variety of habitats, including the wetlands and fir forests. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Okanagan Craft Distillery Brewery Bike Tour – Spirited Brews Cruise: After being shuttled to the trailhead, ride along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and get a taste of the local beers. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Relax at Skaha Park
When it comes to visiting new towns and cities, we always make it a point to visit the local natural attractions and one of the top natural attractions in Penticton is Skaha Park. This lovely 21-acre park features a wide golden-sand beach, a lakefront promenade, and warm clear waters during the summer months, making it one of the top things to do.
Anyone can enjoy Skaha Park, including families, as it features many play structures, a water park, a green space with picnic tables, and even a concession with food and drinks. Visitors will also find tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, and a softball diamond. There’s also a boat launch for those looking to get into the water for some boating activities.
Spend the Day on a Sandy Beach
With such lovely beaches, you really shouldn’t miss spending some time at the beach during the warmer months as this is one of the most popular Penticton activities. Both Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake have beaches to enjoy. The largest one is Okanagan Beach at Okanagan Lake Park, which is also known as a tourist hotspot. This is because it’s along Lakeshore Drive and very close to restaurants and breweries as well as the legendary SS Sicamous Paddle Wheeler and the iconic peach on the beach. This beach is home to many events and festivals and is a busy hive of activity during the warmer months.
Then there’s Skaha Lake Park & Beach on the other side of downtown Penticton, which was named one of Canada’s top beaches by Chatelaine magazine. Skaha Park itself is noted in this travel guide as it features lots of lush greenery for picnics and relaxation as well as a mix of recreation with numerous ball courts and play parks.
There are plenty of other beaches as well though, including Sudbury Beach (a huge beach and swimming area with rest rafts and slides), Three Mile Beach (a popular swimming area between Naramata and Penticton that actually features two distinct beaches, one of which is a nude beach), Manitou Park & Beach (a white sand beach with plenty of shade trees), and Sun-Oka Beach & Provincial Park (known as one of the best beaches in the entire Okanagan).
Explore the Kettle Valley Rail Trail
Whether you’re looking for a nice place to go jogging, walking, hiking, or biking, the Kettle Valley Trail is a great option. This mostly flat and well-graded former railway line has been converted into a recreational path, combined with stunning views of Okanagan Lake. If you have the time, the section further north around Myra Canyon is the best stretch of the pathway, but we also love the portion that started right near the lake and takes you through parts of the Naramata Bench around the Munson Mountain lookout point. You can easily bike past many orchards and wineries, stopping to sample some of the goodies along the way.
Bike rentals are available from the local bike shops and you can also rent an electric bike from Kelowna’s Velo Volt (they set up a shop in Penticton during the busy months) if you want to make it easier.
Visit SS Sicamous Museum & Heritage Park
Beached on the south end of Penticton’s waterfront on Okanagan Lake, the SS Sicamous Museum is a perfectly preserved steam sternwheeler from 1914. It was once used to travel up and down Okanagan Lake and now offers a glimpse back in time with the old cabins, dining room, and interior spaces all intact.
Although it’s closed during the off-season, visitors can climb aboard during the busier months and check out the many rooms, such as the Gentleman’s Saloon, featuring the original décor complete with red carpet and a cane bench, as well as the Grand Staircase, which was made from mahogany and shipped all the way from Australia. There’s also a scale model of the Kettle Valley Railway located in the engine room.
Visit a Winery and Do Some Wine Tasting
In case you don’t know, the entire Okanagan Valley is one of the top wine regions in the entire country. Therefore, visiting a winery is truly a must-do when in Penticton BC. Between Kelowna, Okanagan Falls, Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos, there are more than 100 wineries, making this an ideal location to sample a variety of different reds, whites, and Rosés, many of which come from boutique wineries that really exude quality over quantity. During our last visit to Penticton, we went to Ruby Blues Winery along Naramata Road and can highly recommend their Gewürztraminer that we tried in their tasting room. We’ve also heard good things about Hillside Winery, Poplar Grove Winery, and many more.
Also, since wine and driving do not go hand in hand, a better way to enjoy many wineries is to opt for a wine tour, which allows you to drink as much grape juice as you want.
If you’re looking for a tour, check out the popular Naramata Bench 5 Winery Tour, which offers unique terroir, endless sunshine, handcrafted wines and an intimate experience within one of Canada’s most iconic wine regions. This action-packed 6-hour wine experience offers access to the best of the Okanagan wine culture!
Other wine tours include:
West Kelowna Wine Tour – Classic – 4 Wineries: West Kelowna wine tour offers a tailored 4-hour experience, including tasting fees. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Okanagan Private Wine Tour In Your Own Vehicle: Skip the hassle of designating a driver on this private tour with a personalized experience. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Okanagan Wine Country – Velo Vino Wine & Cycle Tour: Spend the morning cycling the Kettle Valley Railway trail, then hop into your chauffeured vehicle for an afternoon of wine tasting. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Rent a Canoe, SUP or Kayak
As you might imagine in a place with such big beautiful lakes, there are lots of fun things to do on the water, including renting a canoe, a stand-up paddleboard, or a kayak. This can be done at both Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, offering you the chance to really indulge in the beauty of the Okanagan region.
Rent a Boat
Another very popular activity in Penticton is boating. Whether you opt for the massive Okanagan Lake or the smaller Skaha Lake, this is the ideal place to rent a boat and soar across the water. You can rent a speed boat to cruise down the lake or even a Pontoon boat for a more “chill” experience.
Rent Electric Bikes to Cycle the Kettle Valley Rail Trail
If you’re looking for a fun and not-as-strenuous way to cycle the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, consider renting an e-bike. During the summer months, Velo Volt from Kelowna sets up a temporary shop in Penticton, giving you easy access to a really fun and popular activity. E-bikes not only open up the sport to a wider variety of age groups, but it also provides an easier and faster way to cruise the entire Kettle Valley Rail Trail, perhaps going as far as Kelowna. You could also use them to travel from winery to winery, sampling the “juice” of the valley.
Float the Penticton River Channel
Connecting Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake, the Penticton River Channel is a lazy river that cuts right through town, providing a fun and relaxing activity for all ages. You can either bring your own inflatable device or rent one in town and merrily float gently down the stream. If the temperatures get too hot, simply roll off into the water.
During the summer months, the Okanagan River channel gets very busy and can even be a bit of a party atmosphere on the weekends. The entire float takes up to three hours and offers a variety of places to get out. If you’re with kids and don’t want to do the entire float, you can always get out at Green Mountain Road, which should take one hour at the most.
Since this activity starts and finishes in different locations, you would either need two cars, take a taxi back to the starting point, or you can also opt for a shuttle with Coyote Cruises, which also offers a variety of flotation devices to rent.
Skiing at Apex Mountain Resort
Something that surprised me during my last visit to Penticton, which was in the month of March, was all the snow they get up in the mountains. Penticton has a relatively mild winter climate compared to most of Canada, but just 40 minutes away at Apex Mountain Resort, it becomes a winter wonderland during the winter months with towering pine trees and many feet of fresh white powder. Those interested in skiing and snowboarding will love Apex Mountain Resort, a laid-back smaller ski resort that’s perfect for families and serious powder hounds alike. In fact, Apex has a serious amount of black runs, which surprised me for a mountain of this size. However, that shouldn’t scare away beginners, as they offer plenty of greens and blues as well.
Although this resort has been named one of the best ski resorts in the Okanagan since 1961, they also offer other activities as well, such as tubing, a hockey rink and a very popular scenic skating loop, which circles through the forest for an entire kilometre.
If you’d rather spend the night up in the mountains, that’s okay too, as they offer a number of hotel rooms and fully-equipped condominiums to rent.
Cross-country ski at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre
Starting at 1750 metres above sea level, Nickel Plate Nordic Centre offers an unparalleled experience of blue skies, endless mountain vistas, and one of the longest ski seasons in Canada. Located just 45 minutes from downtown Penticton, this is an excellent place to strap on some cross-country skis and get some exercise while having fun. It features 56 kilometres of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing and 22.5 km of marked snowshoe trails. They even offer lessons if you’re new to the sport.
Ride the Rails on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway
Located just 20 minutes from Penticton, the Kettle Valley Steam Railway offers the chance to “go back in time”, enjoying a ride on one of the early 1900s-era steam trains. Riding the original tracks, the train takes visitors along the sides of the valley with stunning views of the lake and the various orchards.
This train is powered by a restored genuine working steam engine that belches steam as it makes its way along the track, as passengers ride in restored passenger coaches or the open-air car for the 90-minute return trip. The entire trip is narrated by a tour leader, and live music is performed along the way.
The train does not run every day but it does run more often during the summer months. For more info, check out their website here.
Explore Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
Whether you’re into climbing, hiking, or biking, Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park is a great place to do so. Just a short drive from downtown Penticton, Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park is the top climbing destination in the Okanagan Valley. It features three main canyons, (Shady Valley, Sun Valley, and The Grand Canyon), offering more than 1,200 climbs for all levels. Even if you’re brand new to climbing, you can take the Skaha Rock Adventures Five-Hour Rock Climbing Sampler Intro Course or try the indoor climbing wall at Hoodoo Adventures.
However, it’s not just climbing that makes Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park so popular. There are also many hiking and mountain biking trails as well. The Ponderosa pine trees are beautiful to see and you might even spot some wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, western screech owls, and rattlesnakes. For the latter, it’s a good idea to keep your eyes open as you don’t want to get bitten.
Take a tour! Join the Rock Climbing Skaha Bluffs – Family Friendly half-day tour that provides a seamless way to discover the region. Make your own way to the park, meet your guide, grab your equipment, and get acquainted with the topography. As this is a small-group tour, you’ll receive plenty of individual instruction and guidance and can take advantage of various climbing routes based on your comfort and experience levels. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Go Bird Watching
For all of you bird lovers out there, Penticton and the surrounding region are home to more than 250 species of birds, some of which even winter in the area. One of the best places to see them is Vaseux Lake Bird Sanctuary, which is down near Oliver, but there are many other places as well. You can certainly go on your own self-guided tour or you can enlist the help of a professional and take a guided 6-hour bird-watching tour through the South Okanagan. The tour costs approximately $195 CAD ($145 USD) per group of up to 3 people and meets in Penticton at 6 am.
Visit the Penticton Ikeda Japanese Garden
If you’ve never been to a Japanese Garden before, this is a great time to do so. The idyllic Ikeda Japanese Garden is a wonderful place to enjoy the views, have some peace and quiet, and to admire the fish in the ponds. The garden is best visited during April or May when the flowering plants are in bloom, but it’s a great place to explore during other months as well.
Penticton Farmers’ Market
With so much agriculture surrounding Penticton, the Penticton Farmer’s Market is a great place to sample some of the goodies. Operating for more than 30 years, this popular market has a wide variety of vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, preserves, crafts, and baked goods. Everything at the market is locally grown or produced.
The Penticton Farmers Market is located downtown on Main Street and runs every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 1 pm from late April to late October.
Get a View from Munson Mountain
If you’re looking for an easy place to get jaw-dropping views of Penticton and Okanagan Lake, check out Munson Mountain, which is where the giant letters spelling out Penticton can be found. Although you won’t be able to really see the Penticton sign (it’s best seen from a boat or from a plane), you will be rewarded with beautiful views.
The park is free to enter and is home to a variety of paved and unpaved walking trails, many of which also offer benches to relax and enjoy. Another cool feature is the Pen-Henge, which features markers that exactly match the sunset and sunrise during the summer and winter equinoxes.
You can drive here, bike here, or walk here from Penticton, and if you’re feeling thirsty, there are many wineries nearby.
LocoLanding Adventure Park
Those travelling with kids will want to visit Loco Landing Adventure Park, a popular family attraction that features mini golf, Aeroball (a kind of dodgeball on a trampoline), bumper boats, a high-level ropes course, a jump and slide, Go Karts, rock climbing, and so much more.
These activities can be purchased individually, or you can buy a day pass and try out everything. LocoLanding Adventure Park is also conveniently located just off the beach on the east side of Penticton, near the SS Sicamous.
Stroll the Downtown Area
Since Penticton is quite small, the downtown core is actually very walkable with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops to enjoy along the way. It’s also close to the beach, so you can indulge in both the downtown area and the beach at the same time.
Penticton Museum and Archives
If you’re curious to learn about the unique world of the South Okanagan, check out the Penticton Museum and its many hands-on displays and family-friendly activities.
For only $2 or less, the Penticton Museum offers innovative exhibits, programs, archival services and resources in order to coordinate heritage programming.
Penticton Art Gallery
If you’re interested in art, check out the Penticton Art Gallery, which showcases contemporary and historical exhibitions of both established and emerging artists in addition to various programs and events. This art gallery has been in Penticton for more than 60 years, preserving and promoting the visual artistic heritage of the region and the province in relation to national and international art.
Visit a Craft Brewery
Although Penticton and the Okanagan Valley are famous for their wineries, there’s plenty to offer for the beer drinker as well. There are eight craft breweries in Penticton and four of them are actually within walking distance from each other, making Penticton a great place for beer lovers.
We’ve been to both Neighbourhood Brewing and the Barley Mill Brew Pub, both of which also offer great food, but there’s also Cannery Brewing, Slackwater Brewing, Abandoned Rail Brewing, Highway 97 Brewing Company, and Tin Whistle Brewing. Plus, there are many more in the surrounding areas as well. Please note that Bad Tattoo Brewing is permanently closed and Yellow Dog Brewing is opening in its place in spring 2023.
Okanagan Craft Distillery Brewery Bike Tour – Spirited Brews Cruise: After being shuttled to the trailhead, ride along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and get a taste of the local beers. Click here to check availability and reviews.
Visit a Distillery
We’ve already talked about wine and beer, so what about the spirits? If you love spirits as much as I do, Penticton does have some good options for you as well. There certainly aren’t as many options as for wine and beer, but there are a couple. During our time in Penticton, we went to Maple Lead Spirits, which is operated by a German couple along the Naramata Bench. In fact, it’s right across the highway from Ruby Blues Winery, which we also recommend if you like wine. Maple Leaf Spirits have many options to indulge in, such as their Lady of the Cask Fine Brancy, Apricot Liqueur, Peach Liqueur, Canadian Kirsch, Maple Liqueur, and so much more. My personal favourite during our sampling session was the Apricot Liqueur and the Peach Liqueur, both of which tasted so much like the fruit but without being very sweet.
Drink Some Great Coffee
Just like wineries and breweries, there are also lots of coffee shops in Penticton. Thankfully, there’s no reason to go to a place like Tim Horton’s or Starbucks. We’ve tried many of the coffee shops in Penticton and our favourite was Wayne & Freda. Their mocha was one of the best we’ve ever had. Not too sweet but yet so creamy, all the way to the bottom. They also offer some tasty eats and a bright atmosphere that’s often filled with local chatter. Of course, there are many more options as well, such as Seis Cielo Coffee Roasters, The Prague Cafe, The Dream Cafe, and many others. If you’re into baked goods, you may also want to try Petrasek Bakery, which is home to handcrafted European baked goods. Their oatmeal chocolate chip almond cookies are delicious.
Eat Some Incredible Food
Another thing Penticton and the Okanagan Valley are known for is good restaurants. Whether you’re staying in Penticton itself or willing to explore the nearby region, you can find anything from top-notch Japanese food to high-end food paired with wine. There are also food trucks during the busy months that everyone seems to enjoy.
While we certainly haven’t tried all the restaurants yet, we have dined at a few of them and can totally recommend:
BRODO as they feature locally-sourced ingredients in a variety of soups, sandwiches and salads, and the menu changes seasonally to reflect what’s fresh from the harvest. We loved the pork belly sandwich and their awesome “flight of soups”, which features three different soups.
Sushi Genki as they feature traditional Japanese food, such as ramen, rice bowls, sushi, and more, all made by a Japanese chef.
Barley Mill Brew Pub as they have been a local staple since 1982, serving up hearty and healthy food in a replicated old English Tudor-style building. They also brew their own beer.
Neighbourhood Brewing as they not only make some of the best beer in town but also offer a tasty Mexican menu with tacos, burritos, bowls, and more.
Grab an Ice Cream
As you might imagine, for a place with such high heat during the summer months, Penticton has a number of places to eat some delicious ice cream. From flavourful hard ice cream to soft, creamy soft serve and everything in between, find your fill at places such as Ogo’s Ice Cream, Tickleberry’s, Cherry on Top Shake Shop, Lickity Splitz, Second Scoop Ice Cream, and also many of the cafes.
Shop for Books at the Book Shop
Okay, recommending a bookstore as a thing to do might sound weird but it’s so popular that we felt we had to include it. Aptly named “The Book Shop”, this iconic store has been a part of Penticton since 1974, supplying books on practically every subject, spread out amongst a whopping 5,000 square feet. People rave about the rare books they have found here and in addition to the books, they also have more than 20,000 videos and DVDs for rent, including a wide range of foreign films.
Enjoy the Many Annual Events
While wineries, beaches, and hot weather are always top of mind in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, there are also lots of annual events to enjoy as well. Although there are far too many events to list here, some of the events we’d love to experience include the Annual Penticton Peach Festival, the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, the Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival and the Penticton Dragon Boat Festival, just to name a few.
Drive to Oliver (Canada’s Wine Capital)
If you’re keen on a road trip, the Okanagan Valley is a great place to do so. In fact, Oliver, which is known as the wine capital of Canada, is only a 30-minute drive south of Penticton and features some of the top wineries in the region, gorgeous scenery, and lots of tasty Mexican food as well. We’ve actually been to Oliver a number of times, including for a wedding, and can definitely recommend Liquidity Wines for an epic view. Another popular option is Covert Farms Family Estate, a fourth-generation, 650-acre regenerative farm and winery. However, our highlight of Oliver is spending time at the District Wine Village, which consists of 13 wineries, a brewery, a distillery, and a restaurant, all in one area.
Visit Osoyoos
Drive another 30 minutes south of Oliver and you’ll find Osoyoos, another beautiful lakeside community that’s home to the warmest lake in the country. Surrounded by mountains and desert, this stunning place is also famous for its wineries, making it the perfect stop on a South Okanagan road trip. Perhaps the most famous winery of them all is Nk’Mip. For more options, check out our Osoyoos Wineries Travel Guide.
Where to Stay in Penticton
If you’re visiting Penticton, you’re probably wondering where you should stay. While you won’t find a luxury hotel, there are many options for mid-range and budget hotels, as well as an assortment of B&Bs and vacation rentals.
Some of the best mid-range hotels include:
Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre: If you’re looking for a resort-style experience, this is it. Located close to Okanagan Beach and Rotary Park, this resort offers a marina, a beach bar, designer stores, a private beach, beachfront dining, sun loungers, four onsite restaurants, and more.
Ramada by Wyndham Penticton Hotel & Suites: Easily accessible off the highway with expansive grounds and a large outdoor pool is the Ramada by Wyndham Penticton Hotel & Suites. Many rooms have private patios facing an indoor courtyard, and the hotel is pet friendly.
Best Western Inn at Penticton: This is where we stayed during our visit to Penticton. This hotel offers an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, patios, a big outdoor area, and a delicious and free hot breakfast.
Some of the best budget-friendly hotels include:
Valley Star Motel: Ideally located within walking distance of Skaha Lake Park, the Valley Star Motel has a variety of rooms, some of which have kitchenettes. They also have an outdoor pool and barbecues.
Bowmont Hotel: Families visiting LocoLanding Adventure Park will enjoy the Bowmont Hotel as it’s within walking distance from the park. They also offer outdoor picnic tables, loungers, and a pool.
Lakeside Villa Inn & Suites: Conveniently located across the street from Skaha Beach, this place offers a variety of accommodation options including suites with kitchens.
Empire Motel: Although this motel is a bit dated, it is a heavily maintained property that has an outdoor pool and is close to Skaha Beach.
Want More BC Travel Guides?
As much as we love the Okanagan and know that you’ll have a great time in Penticton, there’s so much more to British Columbia. Learn more about the best ways to explore British Columbia in these BC travel guides.
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