Things to do in Penticton this Summer
Are you considering a family road trip to the South Okanagan this summer? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we share the best things to do in Penticton this summer.
I’m not sure why it took us so long to visit Penticton. We’ve visited nearby Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops many times over the years. However, Penticton and Osoyoos always seemed to get overlooked. That changed last summer, when we spent a week exploring the region.
We’re happy to report that Penticton exceeded our expectations.
Before we get started, I should mention that you can visit Penticton year round. However, this blog post focuses on the summer travel season.
Spend the day at Okanagan Beach
Most people who visit Penticton in the summer want to spend time at Okanagan Lake. This popular lake is 135 km long, stretching from Vernon in the north to Penticton in the south.
Located on Lakeshore Drive in the heart of the city, Okanagan Beach is the most popular beach in Penticton.
Although, some might argue that Skaha Lake Park is the best Penticton beach.
Okanagan Beach features a kilometre of sandy beach and offers ideal swimming conditions for families. It has public washrooms nearby and free parking.
Above is a photo of the Okanagan Beach promenade in Penticton. You will find plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and hotel/motel accommodation on Lakeshore Drive.
Splash Water Parks Penticton – Wibit Inflatable Park
Another popular Penticton summer attraction is the Wibit floating water park. It’s located on the west end of Okanagan Beach on Lakeshore Drive.
This floating obstacle course has several slides, bouncy bridges and jumps. It’s only open in the summer due to the cold water temperatures in the winter.
Note – the Penticton Wibit is only open in the summer months.
Lifejackets are required and provided at Splash Water Parks Penticton.
Loco Landing Adventure Park
Without question, one of the best things to do in Penticton with kids is spend the afternoon at Loco Landing Adventure Park. It’s a small amusement park located near Okanagan Beach.
It features a mix of outdoor attractions, including go-karts, mini-golf, and Canada’s largest outdoor inflatable park.
See the list of LocoLanding park attractions here.
We recommend you get the Value Pack (see tickets above). It includes one visit to each activity in the park.
At the time of publishing, the price is $44 per value pack. See ticket prices here.
A nice feature is that activities can be completed over multiple days. This allows you to take your time and not feel obligated to do everything all at once.
LocoLanding park has an 18 hole mini-golf course with waterfalls, caves and a train trestle.
Go-Karts course at LocoLanding Adventure Park Penticton.
Braydon made it to the top of the Ropes Course. It’s an adrenaline pumping activity for kids!
River tubing the Penticton River Channel
Another fun and unique thing to do in Penticton this summer is to float down the Penticton Channel River. It’s a 7-kilometer man-made lazy river connecting Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake in British Columbia.
It takes about 2-3 hours to float down the channel, but times can vary depending on water flow, wind and weather.
Coyote Cruises offers tube rentals and shuttle transport back to the starting point. Single and double tubes are available to rent, along with 4-8-12 person party islands.
Check prices for Coyote Cruises ‘Tube and Bus Combo” here.
Penticton river tubing tickets are purchased online or at the ticket booth pictured above.
Coyote Cruises buses pick-up guests and return them to the starting point.
We opted for the comfortable four-person floating tube, picture above.
Floating the Penticton River Channel is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Get on the water
Okanagan Lake is a dream destination for water sports enthusiasts. Head to Pier Water Sports for Penticton boat rentals, including Seadoos, speed boats, banana boating, kayaks and paddleboards.
You can even rent a 24 passenger “party barge” and spend the day on the lake with friends and family.
It’s located on the east end of Okanagan Beach, near Penticton Lakeside Resort.
Related post – Our experience Glamping in Kelowna
Mount Munson Trail
This is an easy walking trail that can be accessed from downtown Penticton (see details here). It offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Munson Mountain was recognized in 2016 as being one of Canada’s Historic Places.
The giant Penticton Sign is also located here (pictured above). However, the closer you get to the sign, the harder it is to actually see or take a photo of the sign. I took the above photo from the Kettle Valley Trail.
Walk or Bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) is actually part of the Trans Canada Trail, said to be the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails.
The most popular section of the trail in Penticton is McCulloch Trestle (picture below). It’s about 5 km round-trip from downtown Penticton.
The trail begins in Penticton and continues to Naramata and beyond. It’s an easy walking trail that offers stunning views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding vineyards. The path also passes the big Penticton sign on Munson Mountain.
Learn more about Kettle Valley Rail Trail here.
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a wide gravel trail that passes through vineyards, wineries, orchards and farms.
Abandoned Rail Brewing is perfectly situated on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. I took this photo from the actual trail, so it gives you perspective on just how close it is to the trail.
Take a break from the trail and enjoy a flight of craft beer and wood-fired pizza on the outdoor picnic tables.
Wine tasting in Penticton and Naramata Bench
Penticton is known as being one of the best wine regions in Canada. Many of the popular Penticton wineries are located along Naramata Bench, located a few kilometers northeast of Penticton.
It would take several days to visit all of the Penticton and Naramata Bench wineries, so it’s best to pick a few.
If you plan to indulge, it’s best to book a Penticton wine tour so that you avoid driving. It’s also a fun way to meet other wine lovers.
Related post – Best Road Trip from Vancouver for first timers
Penticton is home to several award winning wineries.
We love wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley.
It’s easy to visit several unique wineries within a short distance. Many of the wineries have restaurants with panoramic views of Okanagan Lake, which is an ideal location for sunset watching.
Hillside Winery sells hand-crafted wine made exclusively from Naramata grown grapes.
The Tasting Barn at Elephant Island Winery in Naramata, British Columbia.
We enjoy the vibe and wines at Three Sisters Winery in Penticton.
Evolve Sparkling House is an upscale winery that features one of the best patios in Penticton.
Poplar Grove Winery is one of the original five wineries founded on Penticton’s famous Naramata Bench. It’s a beautiful location with stunning views of the sparkling Okanagan Lake and surrounding mountains.
Penticton Ale Trail – Craft Breweries
If wineries are not your thing, not to worry. There are several breweries located in Penticton, known as the Penticton Ale Trail.
Below is the list of Penticton Breweries and Brewpubs
- Yellow Dog Brewery
- Neighbourhood Brewing
- Abandoned Ale Brewing Co
- Cannery Brewing
- Highway 97 Brewing
- Tin Whistle Brewery
- BNA brewery
- Barley Mill Brewpub
In 2020, Penticton was recognized as Canada’s craft beer capital by Lonely Planet.
Abandoned Rail Brewing is located just outside of downtown Penticton. It’s a fun place to have lunch when doing the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
This is our favourite brewery on the Penticton Ale Trail.
BNA Brewing Co Penticton – Beer and Bowling
BNA Brewing is a fantastic place to spend the evening with family and friends. It’s much more than a brewery.
It has a 4 lane bowling alley upstairs, along with other games like shuffleboard, darts and video games.
The decor and vibe inside BNA Brewing is funky, elegant, outdoorsy, eclectic and cozy. The above photo sums it up nicely.
You can have a fancy cocktail and lounge in a comfy leather chair, or sit at the bar and watch the game, or enjoy the Okanagan sunshine on the rooftop patio, or have a pizza and smash burger in the upstairs restaurant beside the bowling alley.
Lickity Splitz Ice Cream & Cherry on Top Shake Shop
Lickity Splitz is arguably the most famous ice cream shop in Penticton. It’s located across the street from Okanagan Beach on Lakeshore Drive. Look for the giant penguin statue (pictured above).
Note – both shops are seasonal businesses. They are open during the summer, starting in early May and closing in late September.
The Big Kahuna is a massive, highly customizable ice cream sandwich made with two fresh-baked cookies and your choice from over 40 ice cream flavours.
Cherry on Top Shake Shop shares the physical retail location with Lickity Splitz.
Originally operating as the historic Peach Ice Cream Shop, the business rebranded and moved to this location.
Cherry on Top Shake Shop is famous for it’s ridiculously decadent Crazy Shakes.
These over-the-top milkshakes are loaded with whipped cream and toppings like brownies, pretzels, and entire cake slices. Popular options include the Beach ‘n Brownie Crazy Shake (above) and Strawberry Shortcake Crazy Shake (below).
Yes, they are really this big. And, No, you will likely not finish one of these crazy shakes on your own.
Fresh Fruit picking
Given its prime growing conditions, the Okanagan Valley is home to several orchards and farms. What better way to sample fresh fruit than picking your own apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, plums and pears.
Before you leave Penticton, make sure to visit a local farm to pick up some fresh fruit. You’ll find many locations on the main roads in and out of town.
SS Sicamous Museum & Heritage Park
The SS Sicamous Stern Wheeler is one of Penticton’s most iconic landmarks. It’s the largest surviving stern wheeler in British Columbia and is now a museum.
This Penticton tourist attraction is located on the west end of Okanagan Beach on Lakeshore Drive. You’ll find plenty of free parking near the ship and on Lakeshore Drive. Allow 45 minutes to complete the self guided tour of the ship.
Learn about the History of the SS Sicamous Stern Wheeler here.
Explore Penticton on a 2, 4 or 6 person Bike
A fun way to explore Penticton is by renting a 2, 4 or 6 person bike. The bike pictured above is a 2 person bike that also accommodates a small child.
Check options and pricing at Penticton Bike Rentals
Penticton Skate Park
The Penticton Skate Park is a well-maintained park for skateboarding, bikes and scooters. If you or you’re kids like to skate or freestyle bike, bring your boards and bikes on your Penticton road trip.
The park is located directly beside LocoLanding Adventure Park.
Shop, Eat and Wander Downtown Penticton
Penticton is a very walkable city with many shops, cafes and restaurants. Start your walk at the intersection of Main Street and Front Street.
The Penticton Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, starting in April and ending in October. It’s located on the 100 Block of Main Street. More info here.
Penticton Peach Festival is an annual South Okanagan Valley tradition, which began in 1947, to celebrate the peach harvest. More info about Penticton Peach Fest here.
Skaha Lake Park
Located on the south side of Penticton, Skaha Lake Park is another popular Penticton beach area. If you plan to camp or RV, this is where you want to be.
There are several RV campgrounds near Skaha Lake, including Barefoot Beach Resort, Oxbow RV Resort and South Beach Gardens Tent and RV Park.
Ikeda Japanese Garden
This Japanese Garden is best visited during April and May, when the spring blossoms are in full bloom. It’s not a big park, but it has a peaceful garden with reflection ponds and shady trees.
While here, consider a quick visit to the nearby Penticton Art Gallery.
Visit the District Wine Village
Looking for a unique wine tasting experience in the South Okanagan? Check out the new one-of-a-kind District Wine Village, located 30 minutes drive south of Penticton.
This is the first wine village in Canada. It’s located in the town of Oliver, which is half way between Penticton and Osoyoos. We made a visit while driving from Penticton to Osoyoos on our summer road trip.
Watch this short video from our time at the District Wine Village.
Where to eat in Penticton
Penticton has several restaurants, breweries and cafes to choose from. Where you eat will depend on your budget and dining preference.
Here’s a few of recommendations for Penticton restaurants:
- Salty’s Beach House (picture above) – lakefront bistro serving pizza, burgers, bowls and salads.
- Wayne & Freda Coffee Shop (picture below) – smoothies, toasts, sandwiches and bowls.
- BNA Brewing Co Penticton – pizza, smash burgers, pub fare.
- Sociale Penticton – lakeside Italian eatery, known for it’s happy hour patio.
- Pizzeria Tratto Napoletana – traditional Italian pizza.
- Pasta Factory – family restaurant serving every kind of pasta dish as well as steaks and ribs.
- The Black Antler – fancy burgers and sandwiches, steaks and shareable plates, brunch, salads and bowls.
- TIME Winery & Kitchen – built within a revitalized movie theater, Penticton’s first downtown winery, serving charcuterie, share plates, fancy fries, salads, burgers and special Sunday dinner menu.
Wayne & Freda is one of the most popular breakfast and specialty coffee spots in downtown Penticton.
Sociale is the place to be for patio happy hour specials on the lakeshore.
Where to Stay in Penticton
The most popular hotel on Okanagan Lake is the Penticton Lakeside Resort. This is where we stayed during our Penticton summer vacation.
The property is located directly on the beach, as advertised. It’s an older building but the rooms are clean and renovated. We would recommend staying here.
Note – the indoor pool is very cold. Keep that in mind if having a pool is a big part of your hotel decision making. It has a hot tub, which is nice. However, we could not spend more than a few minutes in the pool before running back to the hot tub.
Penticton Lakeside Resort has a private beach with loungers and umbrellas provided to guests.
The above photo shows the lake view rooms and gardens at the resort.
Lakeshore Drive has several options for accommodations. Most are budget friendly motels that are geared towards families.
Here are a few options on Lakeshore Drive:
Other motel options within walking distance to Okanagan Lake:
- Days Inn by Wyndham Penticton
- Sandman Hotel Penticton
- Bowmont Motel
Search for more Penticton hotels here.
Penticton Campgrounds and RV parks:
- South Beach Gardens Tent and RV Park
- Barefoot Beach Resort
- Oxbow RV Resort
- Wright’s Beach Camp
- Banbury Green RV Park
- Holiday Hills RV Park
Here’s a comprehensive list of campgrounds in the Okanagan Valley.
Read more blog posts from British Columbia:
- Things to do at Harrison Hot Springs with kids
- Best Road Trip from Vancouver for first time visitors
- The best things to do in Victoria, British Columbia
- 20 Things to do in Whistler this Summer
- The best things to do along the Sea to Sky Highway
Have you visited Penticton? What did we miss?
Leave us a comment if you have any questions about visiting Penticton.
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