Kelowna Travel Guide, British Columbia

Located 247 miles east of Vancouver in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is the region’s largest city and its cultural and economic hub with a population of 109,000 residents. The city is very popular and it has developed amazingly fast in the last period and it has all the amenities of a great metropolis: great restaurants, excellent shops and a great cultural life.

The location is excellent with spectacular vistas offered by the beautiful mountains in the background. The mountains are fairly close to the city and three major ski hills are within a one-hour drive so they attract skiers and outdoor enthusiasts who can make Kelowna their starting point.

Okanagan Lake is even closer and it offers both locals and tourists excellent opportunities for water sports, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, outings, nice walks and other leisure activities. Golf and skiing are other two activities very popular among those who live here or just come to relax as Kelowna can really be seen as a resort city where action and work mixes with pleasure and leisure in a mild climate that ensures enjoyable outdoor activities.

Downtown is usually packed with locals and tourists and the traffic can be sometimes nerve breaking, but there are plenty of places to relax have fun and enrich your cultural knowledge. One of these places is Prospera Place located downtown just a few minutes from the beach being within easy reach of all those who visit the city. It is a must visit 6,000-seat multi-purpose facility as it offers plenty of entertainment possibilities: watching sports competitions, family shows and trade shows, trying your luck in the casino, taking part in community activities or one of the concerts held here. It is a facility that gathers together locals and tourists alike under one roof. Prospera Place has events for every occasion, every month of the year, activities for every age range, price range, and interest. Coming here and experiencing them all you’ll feel like your vacation just went over the top.

Outdoors you can enjoy a popular sport in the city: golf. Kelowna boasts great golf courses appreciated by those who know something about this sport.

But it does not stop here; Kelowna has over 180 parks and sports fields of all kinds welcoming all outdoor lovers and meeting the residents' and visitors' needs. They are beautifully designed in an environmentally-friendly way and the views offered by the floral displays are magnificent. No wonder the residents of Kelowna feel and are fitter and healthier. Time spent in these parks and the activities they pursue can only enrich their lifestyle. Families can be particularly happy as they offer a family friendly environment where parents and kids can spend their time together.

From a touristic point of view the parks are definitely attracting tourists who appreciate so much green space in a city. But it is not only the green but the beauty of it that makes the visit worthwhile. Waterfront Park is a good example. It is one of the most beautiful with lagoons, an outdoor amphitheatre and a wooden boardwalk that leads to the downtown area.

10-minute drive from the city will lead you to another dream land, the land of the orchards and vineyards. You will be able to see some internationally-acclaimed wineries and taste some of the best wines. This is another example of the high lifestyle Kelowna’s residents have.

From those who enjoy a relaxing atmosphere to the outdoor activity seeker and those who want to take in all the major museums and attractions, this city can satisfy your every request.