Vernon BC is located in the North Okanagan midway between Vancouver, B.C. and Calgary, Alberta on Highway 97. Vernon offers an abundance of year-round activities for all visitors. Recreational activities range from winter skiing at Silver Star Mountain Resort to golfing at any of the four local golf courses. Hiking and biking are also popular. If culture is more your thing, you can browse through the museums and galleries or take in a play or musical performance.
Things to do in Vernon
Allan Brooks Nature Centre
The Allan Brooks nature Centre offers spectacular views of Vernon and the 3 surrounding lakes. It is a great place for bird enthusiasts where you will see raptor birds including red tailed hawks, harrier hawks, turkey vultures and golden eagles, all visible from the Centre, while bluebirds, swallows, and meadowlarks are regular visitors. Take a leisurely tour along the grasslands trail to learn more about the local wildlife and plant life. Visit the Habitat Room with original murals depicting local plant and animal life, and explore the wonders of the Discovery room with hands-on nature exhibits, a working beehive display, and other fun and educational activities. The Nature Centre is open May 1 - Thanksgiving 10am - 5pm Tuesday – Sunday; closed Mondays; open late on Thursdays. Located just 5 minutes from downtown Vernon. Call 250-260-4227 for more information.
Atlantis Waterslide Park
The Park features ten exciting slides to choose from and sure to thrill sliders of all ages. A sunny, grassed picnic area is provided, and Atlantis features a concession for snacks. After your wild-water sliding, take in a round of mini-golf. Call 250-549-4121 for more information.
7921 Hwy 97, Vernon, BC
Bella Vista Winery
The Winery is located right in the heart of Vernon approximately 1 km from Hwy 97. Bella Vista vineyards had its beginnings very near the end of a very bad golf game in the year of our wine 1991. Bella Vista can best be described at this point in time as a hobby taken to a ridiculous extreme by a few fun loving, wild and crazy guys. Our wine making philosophy is simple, we try to make good wine that goes well with food, fun and extended sittings. Call 888-221-0222 for more information.
Dog’O’Pogo Dog Agility Group
This is a non profit, Vernon based dog agility group which holds yearly trials events (currently at O'Keefe Ranch) and teach all levels of agility. Our goal is to promote and support the safe, positive handling and training techniques in the sport of dog agility here in the Okanagan. Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome to participate in this exciting sport.
Fintry Provincial Park
Fintry is a beautiful provincial park on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, half way between Kelowna and Vernon. It has a past to be proud of with a present to delight campers, bird watchers, hikers, boaters, swimmers. With its very special heritage buildings, history buffs will love it!
Gray Monk Estate Winery
From the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, the Heiss family welcomes you to their Estate Winery. Gray Monk was established in 1972 by George and Trudy Heiss. Today, they have over fifty acres of lush vineyards overlooking Lake Okanagan, which produce some of the world's finest wines. Along with award-winning VQA wine, Gray Monk Estate Winery features a wine and gift shop, restaurant, tours and spectacular views of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Call 800-663-4205 for more information.
1055 Camp Road, Vernon, BC
Greater Vernon Museum & Archives
This impressive collection of artifacts is cleverly displayed to demonstrate a wealth of natural history, native history, and modern growth and development in the region. The museum offers a great gift shop, with an array of mementos and books for further reading and search their database of 2500 historical photographs Call 250-542-3142 for more information.
Historic O'Keefe Ranch
O'Keefe Ranch is a historic landmark and a "must see" stop when in the area. Come and explore our collection of vintage farm machinery, picnic under the shade of the maple trees, enjoy the huge model railway display, and the many farm animals are always a delight for the children. You will find a restaurant and gift shop, on site, for your enjoyment. The Ranch is open daily May 1 - Thanksgiving, 9am – 5pm. Located just outside of Vernon.
Kalamalka Beach
Located on the north shore of Kalamalka Lake. The beach offers several beach volleyball courts, a long swimming pier and change & rest rooms. A concession is open on site in the summer, as well kayak and small boat rentals are offered. Parking nearby on Husband Road.
Kin Beach
Located on the eastern shore of the Vernon arm of Okanagan Lake. You will find a welcoming sandy beach, grassed areas, several picnic areas with barbecues, large picnic shelter, change & rest rooms, a large handicapped accessible playground and boat rentals. Parking available along Tronson Road, adjacent to the park.
Kin Race Track
The Kin Race Track Park offers exciting, live thoroughbred, quarter horse and Arabian racing every Sunday. Post time is at 1:15pm. Take part in the pari-mutuel wagering, simulcast from Hastings Park, beer garden and food concessions. August 1 is a special BC Cup Day with a 10,000.00 race and lots of other events. Come out and enjoy the fun for the whole family. Gate admission is charged. Call 250-542-6456 for more information.
Okanagan Science Centre
If you have a curious mind or and a desire for learning, the Okanagan Science Centre will pique your interest. View optical illusions, discover energy, learn about B.C.'s mines and forests, or explore the myths and legends surrounding the constellations in a "mini-planetarium"! Almost all of the exhibits are hands-on, making the Okanagan Science Centre a fun and educational place to visit. Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 1- 5pm; closed Monday. Call 250-545-3644 for more information.
2704 Hwy 6, Vernon, BC
Powerhouse Theatre
The Powerhouse Theatre is Vernon's award winning theatre company. Powerhouse produces three plays in its season from September - May, and the theatre hosts touring shows in the summer. For more info, please visit the Powerhouse website.
2901 35th Avenue, Vernon, BC
Sen’Klip Native Theatre Company
This Theatre Company is instrumental in educating people from around the world in the ways of the First Nations. Their colourful and evocative productions can be seen throughout the valley, with regular weekend performances at Newport Beach Resort near Vernon.
Silver Star Ski Area
Whatever the season, there is always a reason for visiting Silver Star. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe excursion, ice skating, horseback riding in the winter months; ATV rentals, mountain biking, rollerblading in the summer. Packages are available at the Best Western Vernon Lodge & Conference Centre.
Sun Valley Speedway
Catch all the motor racing action at Sun Valley Speedway this summer. Visit their website for more information and schedules.
9531 Hwy 97 North, Vernon, BC
Vernon & District Multiplex
Vernon's new multiplex opened Oct. 12, 2001 with the Vernon Vipers playing their first B.C. Hockey League game in their amazing new home. The $15 million facility took 110,000 man hours to construct over a 14-month period on the seven acre site. With seating for 3,100 and an additional 500 standing room spots, the architects of the state-of-the-art facility didn't overlook the smallest details as visitors will discover when making their first tour of the arena. Call 250-542-5623 for more information.
3445 43rd Avenue, Vernon, BC
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
The Centre was constructed over a 14-month period and the facility is loaded with features, translating into a world-class venue for every type of entertainment. Please contact us for upcoming performance dates and ticket pricing. Call 250-549-7469 for more information.
3800 33rd Street, Vernon, BC
Vernon Community Art Centre
Offering classes & workshops in painting, drawing, pottery, woodworking, sculpture, and more. Drop-in times are also available. For more information please email us.
2704A Hwy 6, Vernon, BC
Vernon Farmers Market
Downtown Vernon transforms into an old-fashioned Farmer's Market, offering a fabulous array of local produce, fruits and crafts. The Market is held on Main Street where you will find a little bit of country in the heart of the city. The Market is open Monday & Thursday 8am – noon; Friday evenings May – October 4:30 - 9pm. Held at the Vernon Recreation Centre Parking Lot.Vernon Public Art Gallery - The Vernon Public Art Gallery sponsors exhibitions that feature local, national and international artists. The Gallery offers an extensive art education program through our local schools, hosts the "Brown Bag Tuesdays" at noon, and also houses an excellent gift shop, filled with quality, handcrafted, unique art items. Open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm; Saturday 11am – 4pm; closed Statutory Holidays. Call 250-545-3173 for more information.
3228 31 Avenue, Vernon, BC