With summer underway, Kelowna locals will surely have friends and family visiting and exploring the region. We've compiled some activity suggestions and dining and accommodation options to help make their trip unforgettable and your planning and hosting easy.

What to Do in Kelowna This Summer

Outdoor Activities

Kelowna is a four-season playground, but summer is when this lakeside city truly comes alive for outdoor enthusiasts. With long, sunny days and stunning natural surroundings, it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore. Whether you’re chasing an adrenaline rush or simply looking to connect with nature, Kelowna offers an incredible variety of activities to suit every pace and passion, including:

• Boating, kayaking, and paddling: Okanagan Lake is the crown jewel of Kelowna’s summer scene. Rent a boat, hop on a Sea-Doo, or paddle your way along the Kelowna Paddle Trail in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard.
• Golfing: With more than a dozen picturesque golf courses within the region, Kelowna is a golfer’s dream.
• Hiking: Kelowna’s hiking trails range from leisurely lakeside walks to summit scrambles with panoramic views. Popular spots like Knox Mountain Regional Park, Kalamoir Regional Park, and Myra Canyon, offer options for all fitness levels and reward hikers with sweeping vistas, waterfalls, and even historic trestle bridges.
• Mountain biking: From beginner-friendly flow trails to technical downhill runs, Kelowna has a growing reputation as a mountain biking destination. Riders can explore purpose-built trails at Knox Mountain Park or hit the rugged singletrack routes in Crawford and Gillard.
• Rockclimbing & bouldering: For those who like to scale new heights, Kelowna’s climbing and bouldering spots offer both challenge and reward. Local guides are also available for newcomers wanting to learn the ropes.

Kelowna is also a well-known birding destination for those who prefer less physical outdoor activities. For more information and more outdoor recreation options, click here. 

Indoor Activities

Whether your group needs a break from the summer sun or you’ve got a few folks who aren’t keen on spending the whole day outdoors, Kelowna has plenty of ways to keep everyone entertained indoors. From creative experiences to immersive attractions, there’s no shortage of fun when you step inside. Whether you're seeking something relaxing, educational, hands-on, or just plain cool (literally and figuratively), you'll find an array of indoor activities that cater to all kinds of interests and energy levels, including:

• Explore Indigenous history, art, and culture at Sncewips Heritage Museum and the Okanagan Heritage Museum.
• View the latest exhibits at the galleries in and around the Cultural District—Kelowna Art Gallery, Art Lovers Gallery, Hambleton Galleries, or Rotary Centre for the Arts.
• Catch one of the latest releases at movie theatres in the area or hit up Bernie's Supper Club & Cinema to revisit old favourites in a cozy cinema with fantastic food and snacks.
• Enjoy live music and events at indoor venues like the Kelowna Community Theatre, Prospera Place, Red Bird Brewing, Revelry Food + Music Hub, and the Rotary Centre for the Arts. 
• Have some family-friendly fun or friendly competition at spots like Airhouse Sports Academy, Okanagan Bowling Club, Kelowna Karting Entertainment Centre, Energyplex, Planet Lazer, Simplex Sportszone, McCurdy Bowling, Virtual Rcades Indoor VR Theme Park, and many more. 

Farms, Markets, and Orchards

The Okanagan Valley is world-renowned for its fresh fruit and produce, available throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Visiting local farms, markets, and orchards is a great social activity, where you can nibble on delectable treats or take home edible souvenirs.

It can also be a great activity for your visitors with children, as parents can put their baby in a carrier while walking around. Have guests with a toddler? Busy two or three-year-olds might love running down the rows of peach trees or getting in on the u-pick action! 

• Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure and Davison Orchards even have dedicated areas for the kids to play. 
• U-Pick various fruits at Bilga Farms, Blind Rooster Berry Farm, Paynter's Fruit Mark, There And Back Again Farms, Twin Oaks Organic Orchard, Wide Berry Farm, Westbank Harvest, Rose Hill Orchard, and Peter's U-Pick. Note: Fruit availability is subject to seasonality. Please call the farms ahead to confirm what's available and pricing.

Where to Eat & Drink in Kelowna This Summer

Outdoor Dining

Summer means taking your visitors to dine al fresco so they can soak in the beautiful Okanagan weather. Two Kelowna and area establishments were recently included in OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Canada for 2025, which include Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery and Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate Winery

According to its website, OpenTable scanned diner reviews and metrics to determine the perfect outdoor restaurants for summer across Canada.

Other great outdoor restaurants include:

• 19 Okanagan Grill + Bar
• BLOCK One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate Winery
• Earls Kitchen + Bar
• Lakeside Dining Room - Hotel Eldorado
• King Taps Kelowna
• Angel Share Rooftop at Crown & Thieves Winery

Click here to explore more dining options in the area. 

Wineries

Kelowna is the birthplace of BC wine, with more than 40 wineries in and around the region drawing visitors all year. Plan an itinerary for your visiting family and friends by exploring the wineries in each of the region's communities:

• Kelowna wineries
• West Kelowna wineries
• Lake Country wineries

Or, make it even more simple by leaving the planning to the experts at one of the local guided wine tour companies—you won't have to worry about having a designated driver or booking tasting appointments, and you'll get to learn a little something along the way thanks to the knowledgeable drivers guiding your day.  

Craft Sips

Along with a vast number of wineries, Kelowna is now home to numerous breweries, cideries, and distilleries crafting delectable sips for visitors and locals to savour. In Kelowna's North End, your family and friends can choose from numerous breweries, including family- and pet-friendly options like Jackknife, Red Bird, Rustic Reel, Vice & Virtue Brewing, Railside Brewing, and Kettle River Brewing. Other nearby options for handcrafted sips include Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and Urban Distilleries.

Venture outside downtown to find even more breweries to explore, or add one of the area's distilleries or cideries to your list. 

Where to Stay

From lakefront resorts to quaint B&Bs and everything in between, Kelowna offers plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation options. Since not everyone has space to host visitors, having the option to book spacious and comfortable accommodations is a must, especially for those travelling with young children who may require extra bedrooms or a quiet spot for naptime. 

With an array of room configurations and recently updated lakefront villas, the Manteo at Eldorado Resort is an excellent choice for groups of all sizes looking for easy access to the beach and waterfront. Guests staying at the Manteo can access the on-site amenities, as well as those at its neighbouring sister property, Hotel Eldorado. These include on-site dining at Maestro's Mediterranean or Lakeside Dining, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, boat and watercraft rentals, and more.

Located in the heart of downtown, The Royal Kelowna offers upscale, apartment-style suites with full kitchens and stunning lake or city views. With a rooftop terrace and pool, fitness room, and easy access to shops, dining, and the waterfront, it’s a stylish and convenient home base for your stay.

The Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna is also a great choice because of all the amenities available, such as a seasonal pool with a waterslide, a private beach, and an on-site marina that makes renting a boat for the day smooth sailing. Also within walking distance is Gellatly Beach and Park, which has a playground for the kids and a historic nut farm to explore.

Consider Siesta Suites if you're searching for a budget-friendly option that's a short walk from shops, restaurants, and the beach. The hotel can easily accommodate families or small groups thanks to its multi-bedroom suites, including kitchenettes. There are two outdoor pools on site, but the hotel is also steps away from one of Kelowna's most popular beaches, Boyce-Gyro Beach.

Looking beyond summer? Consider Exploring Kelowna in the Fall!

Summer is the busiest time in Kelowna, which may result in skipping some things on your must-do list due to capacity or wait times. During the fall, you and your group can explore at an unhurried pace. Rates for accommodations will also start to come down, so your friends and family can choose to stay a little longer and spend more time enjoying your company and the region's outdoor fall activities. Find out what Kelowna has to offer in the fall.

^{Header image of Priest Creek Family Estate. Image credit: Ken Hagen}