I wasn’t expecting a blissed-out, tranquil August long weekend in the Okanagan. Sure, I expected it to be warm and fun, as there are so many amazing things to do in Vernon, BC. But in our current travel climate, I also expected some sort of travel delay, hoards of Calgarians and, if I’m being honest, smoke. But NONE of that transpired when I visited Vernon.
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Things to Do in Vernon
Set in the North Okanagan Valley, Vernon is one of those still under-the-radar gems. With its stunning lakes, accessible mountains and abundant sunshine, the city offers a great blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and some fantastic food and drink options. These fun things to do in Vernon are sure to be the highlight of your getaway.
Hit the Trails
For an easy trail with fantastic views, look to the Gray Canal Trail. Not only is it your ticket to scenic bliss, but it also comes with a parking spot! Park at Turtle Mountain Rocky Ridge Park, then head towards the Rocky Ridge Viewpoint.
Almost immediately from the parking lot, you’ll spot a stairway to heaven – well, close enough. It’ll lead you to the viewpoint for views of the valley that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.
From there, the Gray Canal Trail stretches out before you like a hiker’s buffet – sample as much or as little as you like. If you catch a whiff of apple pie, you’re probably right behind Davison Orchards. Follow your nose!
Glide Through a Paddle Trail
Vernon is known as the trails capital of BC, but it’s not just on land! These overachievers even have a paddling trail along Kalamalka Lake. An hour stand-up paddleboard rental from Kalavida Surf Shop was just enough time to get my sea, errr… lake legs.
The lake is like Mother Nature’s five-star resort with its perfect-temp waters and sandy shores. My only regret? Not blocking out a whole afternoon to play beach bum. Don’t make my mistake – your future sun-kissed self will thank you if you budget time to laze about.
Visit a winery
Vernon just got a delightful new addition: The Perch Winery, which opened its tasting room this summer. The winery is a quick, scenic drive, less than 15 minutes from downtown.
After doing your duty in the tasting room, grab a glass or a bottle and choose from one of their three charming picnic areas. I chose the spot with large sun umbrellas and patio misters, offering a fantastic view of Swan Lake.
Feel free to bring your own food for a delightful picnic or indulge in one of their charcuterie boards. If you’re in downtown Vernon prior, you could stop by Wedge Cheesery for a cheeseboard brimming with meats, pickles, olives, crackers, and fruit.
Hit a Thriving Market
Leafy green Polson Park is the place to be Fridays from 4 to 8 pm for the Polson Artisan Market. With live music and a sea of vendors, it’s the perfect spot to support local makers while having a blast.
You’ll find everything from small-batch distilleries to upcycled clothing, fresh local veggies, and mouth-watering baked goods. The vibe? Super chill and totally family-friendly. Kids love exploring the shaded, sprawling green space, and the baby chick holding station is a total hit.
Some markets are themed, so definitely check out their event schedule. You might end up mingling with knights in shining armour or meeting some cute dogs (real ones; I’m not referring to anybody’s ex-boyfriend).
Sip and Savour in an Orchard
For an enchanting experience, look no further than Cambium Cider Co. It’s simply magical sitting in their organic apple orchard sipping on a flight of ciders.
All ciders are made with apples grown on their 40-acre orchard, and what variety of ciders! There’s your dry ciders; some are barrel-aged, and some are infused with botanicals and herbs. I wasn’t expecting cocktails, but you’ll find plenty – all splashed with cider. My favourite cider had to be the barrel-aged whisky peach, which tasted like summer in a glass.
The wood-fired kitchen produces some of the best meals in the valley. The menu is essentially a love letter to BC producers and growers, and you really can’t go wrong.
Play at Silver Star Mountain Resort
Visiting Silver Star Mountain Resort feels like stepping into one of those pretty alpine postcards. It’s an approximate half-hour drive from Vernon and boasts a village comprised of colourful buildings and cute storefronts, all designed to capture the essence of a cozy mountain town.
Wander along the pedestrian-friendly streets, and you’ll find an array of boutique shops and cozy eateries. The village buzzes with activity, with families taking advantage of all the activations (a playset, lawn games, etc.…) while adventurers fresh from the mountain walk their bikes back to their units.
There’s a great vibe in the village all summer long, partly due to its summer activations. There’s free music every Saturday until mid-September, art events, and a beer and cider festival happening September 7th.
Mountain Biking and Hiking
Most famously, Silver Star is one of Canada’s premier mountain biking destinations. You can rent bikes, take lessons or bring your gear and expertise. I caught Crankworx the weekend I visited, and there’s a race series on Friday nights. For all the specifics on the trails, dirt jumps, and berms, head here.
Take the chairlift or gondola up for lift-assisted hiking, or watch those mountain bikers careen down the mountain at incredible speeds. To make hiking more palatable for the kids, tempt them with the prospect of hunting gnomes in the wild.
There’s both an upper and lower Gnome Roam Trail. Grab a map if you need help finding them on your hike. Of course, if you have a gnome needing a home, you’ll be welcome to add it to their growing community.
Mountaintop Yoga
New on mountain this year are yoga classes running either out of Elevate Spa or outdoors, with some pretty spectacular views of the Monashee Mountain Range. Classes run on Thursday and Saturday. Mats are provided, and drop-ins are welcome.
I didn’t get a spa treatment at Elevate, but I should’ve. A 60-minute RMT massage is only $125! This is a pleasant surprise if you’re used to big city prices – especially at a mountain resort. (I know, I know, I fear just writing this might encourage them to raise their prices, but fingers crossed, no one from the spa reads this post.)
Where to Eat in Vernon
For breakfast or lunch, look to Eatology in downtown Vernon. Locals love their bennies and toasts and definitely get a side of hash browns with cheese and green onion. Their epic desserts can’t be ignored either (someone in-house is a pastry chef!). Never have I ever seen a mile-high peanut butter pie. And never have I regretted not ordering something so much.
Another popular spot for breakfast or lunch is Bugaboos Bakery Cafe in Silver Star village. They’re known for hand roasting their own small-batch coffee beans and pretty perfect cream puffs. I was sold by the looks (and taste) of the apple strudel and their croissant sandwiches.
Also worth checking out on mountain is Pizza Gratta. These crusts are made from sourdough, which, due to its fermentation (28 days here), has a much lower gluten content. They also have just as many vegan pizza options as the usual suspects.
Come for the inventive cocktails (with names like Swift Kick in the Coconuts and Sexy Time with Consent; how can you go wrong?), and stay for the Indonesian fare at Silver Star’s The Bulldog Grand Cafe. My Indonesian Rending coconut curry with beef (or prawns, chicken or veg) – hit all the right notes. It was filling yet light, lifted with fresh lemongrass and accented with prawn crackers.
Where to Stay in Vernon
I stayed up at Silver Star in a rental unit from Silver Star Stays. They have over 150 units in the community, all with easy access to the village and lifts.
There are several benefits to staying on mountain in summer. One is that it’s just so darn affordable. You’ll pay a fraction of what you would lakeside. Another is that summer is much cooler in the mountains than in the valley. It’s also less busy, and we all know how annoying summer crowds can be. You won’t find that here. And, of course, you can be first in line for mountain biking or skiing. Pretty much every unit is ride-in, ride-out.
Within Vernon itself, there are plenty of great places to stay at every budget point. You’ll comprehensive list that includes campgrounds, hotels, resorts, cottages, and motels on Tourism Vernon’s Places to Stay page.
Bookmark This September Event
If you love art and cultural experiences, bookmark Vernon’s Sundog Festival of Arts & Culture. From September 20-21 in Polson Park, you’ll find free concerts, art activations, classes, and food and beverage tastings.
