What can you do in Kelowna? Well, with hundreds of lakes and parks, miles of sandy beach, snowy mountains, accessible orchards and vineyards, sensational public gardens, art galleries, theatres, family-friendly attractions and soup-to-nuts shopping -what can't you do? 

Kelowna's sunny, semi-arid climate means plans for golfing, skiing, hiking, fishing or paddling excursions rarely have to be changed due to inclement weather. Choose from 15 golf courses, four ski hills (within a two-hour drive), myriad hiking trails and more than 200 local lakes. There are also many beautiful orchards and vineyards nearby that welcome visitors for tours, tastings and, in some cases, a gourmet meal prepared with fresh, local ingredients and paired with local wines. 

Kelowna is the epicentre of the Thompson Okanagan cultural scene. It enjoys high-calibre public art exhibits, ballet and theatre productions as well as symphony concerts. The city has also done an excellent job of preserving sites of historical interest for the enjoyment of the public. The Guisachan Heritage Park and the Father Pandosy Mission are two notable examples. You can take guided walking or biking tours of most heritage sites throughout the city. The BC Orchard Industry Museum also offers tours. 

Finally, no other city in the region has as many shopping options as Kelowna. They range from large chain stores to eclectic boutiques. 

Reliably sunny weather and beautiful scenery make Kelowna a particularly good place for pursuing outdoor pleasures. The countryside, which consists of orchards and vineyards, desert terrain, rolling hills as well as lakes and canyons, is made for walking and hiking. There are trails here to suit all skill levels. The most famous, perhaps, is the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail, which is also used by cyclists. It traces an old railway line through provincial parks as well as recreation and protected areas. It currently bypasses the Myra Canyon trestles, which were destroyed in a 2003 wildfire (reconstruction of the trestles is underway). 

Golf is popular with locals and visitors in Kelowna, both of whom make the most of the area's sunshine, long season and 15 quality courses. Other popular pastimes include horseback riding, parasailing, hot-air ballooning, camping, fruit picking, sightseeing by scooter or motorcycle, tennis and in-line skating. 

As a vacation destination, Kelowna has a lot to offer: natural beauty, sunny weather and scores of interesting attractions that will keep your whole family endlessly amused. The city's public flower gardens are definitely not to be missed. They win prestigious national and international competitions year after year. There are also Xeriscape (drought-resistant), English and Japanese gardens as well as orchards, vineyards and even a lavender farm, all of which are open to the public. 

The Okanagan Nature Centre offers educational tours that examine the bio-diversity of the Okanagan Basin through innovative displays, exhibits, live specimens, murals, photo galleries, art, living ecosystems and personal interpretation services. Recreation facilities in the city include a waterslide, amusement centres, mini-golf course, putting greens, bowling alley, paintball field, laser-tag arena and climbing walls. Finally, Kelowna has something very few cities do: a lake monster! A statue of the elusive Ogopogo stands in downtown's Kerry Park. 

Kelowna sits on the edge of Okanagan Lake, which is suitable for swimming, fishing and a variety of other water sports. You can rent almost any kind of aquatic sports equipment: canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, motor boats, Sea Doos, sailboats, windsurfers, water skis, wetsuits, kneeboards, wakeboards, life jackets, ski tubes and more. You can also rent houseboats. 

Many anglers use Kelowna as a home base for fishing excursions to the area's more than 200 lakes. Rainbow trout, kokanee, whitefish, burbot and carp are some of the more sought-after catches. For children, there are several whimsical water parks. 

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