Calgarians often crave some lake living and the Okanagan answers the call. Just over a six-hour drive from Calgary, Vernon is the first major city you hit in B.C.’s Okanagan region. Residing within the Okanagan Indian Nations traditional territory, also known as the Syeelhwh Nation, Vernon was the first city incorporated in the Okanagan Valley.
Wrapped around by mountains, valleys and lakes, the city is well known for outdoor recreation. The award-winning Silver Star Mountain Resort is only 25 minutes away and attracts visitors in winter and summer. Throughout Vernon and its surrounding area, you can find lots of trails for hiking, mountain biking and snowshoeing — in fact, it’s known as the “Trails Capital of B.C.” with 500 kilometres of trails. It’s also loaded with sandy beach areas and lakes for fishing.
But it’s not just outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy this city. The Okanagan is known for its prolific vineyards, cideries and orchards, some of which call Vernon home. The city’s dining scene features an array of cuisines featuring meals crafted from fresh-picked regional ingredients. There’s also lots on offer for arts and culture fans, whether you want to take in some live music, tour the many art galleries or visit the Museum and Archives of Vernon.
Particularly in summer, Vernon is great for a quick escape to lake life. For landlocked Calgarians, dipping your toes in a warm lake (or cannonballing in from a dock), soaking up rays on the beach and eating from the cornucopia of fresh regional produce all induce joy. Warm temperatures typically continue well into fall, making for pleasant outdoor exploration and touring of the city.
Here are some must-do activities if you’re visiting Vernon.
Take in fresh farm fun at Davison Orchards
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Open May through October, Davison Orchards is a family‑run working farm located right in Vernon since 1933. There, you can take a tractor ride tour around the farm to check out all the produce being grown including 20-plus different varieties of apples. Explore the village for bakery treats, real-fruit ice cream, fresh produce to take home, U-Pick apples and pumpkins, and sit down for a delicious farm-to-table breakfast or lunch at the Farmhouse Café — make sure you try the yummy apple slushie made from the farm’s signature hand-pressed apple juice. Wrap up the day with a visit to the adorable farm animals. Admission is free.
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If you can’t make it to a specific farm, check out Vernon Farmers Market, which runs June to September. It features an array of fresh fruits and veggies from surrounding farms plus locally made baked goods, arts and crafts, and meals and beverages, including fruit-bursting bobas. Open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Hit some balls
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Vernon is home to some of Canada’s best golf courses. Golfers flock to Predator Ridge, with its two 18-hole courses, consistently rated among the top 25 golf courses in Canada. Predator Ridge also has a world-class practice facility, an award-winning golf academy and an array of premier amenities set in the area’s natural beauty of rolling hills.
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A lesser-known but also spectacular course is perched 1,000 feet above Okanagan Lake. The Rise Resort delivers a Fred Couples Signature championship golf course showcasing panoramic lake views. The dramatic backdrop of the course makes for an incredible golf experience from the first tee to the final putt. Six sets of tees ensure every skill level can challenge themselves on this professional course.
Dine in style on fresh, delicious cuisine
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If you take in a round of golf at The Rise Resort (or even if you don’t), don’t miss dining at The Edge Restaurant, which opened in 2024 and was named Vernon’s Restaurant of the Year 2025. Its mountain-top location offers a truly elevated fine-dining experience. The restaurant is housed in the resort’s stunning 30,000-square-foot event centre featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with 360-degree panoramic views of the Okanagan Valley and cuisine celebrating the region’s bounty. Enjoy a selection of starters like duck drums and truffle fries or go for a hearty tomahawk or seafood catch of the day followed by a beautifully presented dessert like raspberry mille-feuille.
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For a more casual but equally tasty experience, head to Masiero Pizzeria Napoletana in downtown Vernon. The modern and welcoming spot features wood-fired Neapolitan pizza along with memorable appetizers and desserts. Ingredients are sourced both locally and from Italy. Try the Pesca Pancetta pizza, an absolutely delectable combination of roasted peaches, mozzarella, double smoked bacon, whipped ricotta and arugula. Chef’s kiss!
Relax at the beach
With its often scorching-hot summers, Vernon is a beach town with many options for catching some rays and splashing in the water to cool off. Into fall, the weather cools but remains moderate so exploring beachside parks is still a delightful outdoor experience. Popular spots include Hurlburt Park or Lakeshore Park at Okanagan Lake or Kal Beach or Jade and Juniper Bays at Kalamalka Lake. For a more tucked-away spot, check out the smaller beach at Sovereign Park at Kalamalka Lake.
Explore some happy trails
With its reputation for having hundreds of trails to choose from, Vernon’s mountain routes can lead to turquoise lakes and sweeping valleys, and even hidden waterfalls and centuries-old forest. Lace up and hit Coldstream Ranchlands trail for a challenging, longer loop with a scenic climb. Or try Grey Canal Turtle Mountain (Blue Jay Road to Turtle Mountain Blvd) for an easy trail linking to a boardwalk that hugs an ancient lava flow wall. Rattlesnake Point is a short in-and-out trail that offers gorgeous views of Kalamalka Lake. From it, you can also access Jade and Juniper trails for beach access. Upper BX Creek is a newer moderate trail that offers a fairly mellow walk along a cedar-forested creek, perfect on a hot day for some shade.
Check out Vernon’s online trail map.
Go virtual
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If you need a break from the outdoors, a fun family activity awaits at Another World VR. This virtual-reality experience opened in 2025 in downtown Vernon, and is surprisingly fun even for the uninitiated. Choose from a variety of games and genres. No gaming experience is needed and all gear is provided, so you can just show up and play.
Unwind and rest
After full days of exploring, settle in for the night at the Best Western Premier, the city’s newest hotel that opened in 2022. This modern hotel’s rooms feature plush bedding for a good night’s sleep, and is located right along the scenic Route 97 corridor, near several restaurants and services. Breakfast is served daily at the on-site restaurant and you can take advantage of the indoor pool, hot tub and fully equipped fitness centre.
Avenue’s writers and editors are occasionally invited to partake in activities as a guest, including some in this story. Neither complimentary meals nor advertising are required for coverage in Avenue. Neither companies that advertise nor those that provide other incentives are promised editorial coverage, nor do they have the opportunity to review or approve stories before publication.