4-Day Thompson Okanagan Agritourism/Historic

Summary
Itinerary
What's Included
Accommodations

4-Day Thompson Okanagan Agritourism/Historic

Sample the bounty of the Okanagan and take a trip back in time.

Grapes, peaches, pears, cherries, apples - and a whole lot more! Hot days and cool nights create the ideal growing conditions for a wide variety of agricultural bounty in British Columbia's world famous Okanagan Valley.

Day 1 – Vancouver to Osoyoos (4 hours)

  • Travel from Harrison to Penticton along Highway 1 to Hope, Highway 3 to Keremeos – you'll know you're in farming country when you see the fruit stands lining the road. Tour the historic Grist Mill and Gardens. This fully restored water-powered flour mill and garden take you back in time to the pioneer days of pack horses, gold miners, and wood stoves. Living history performers invite visitors to share in the daily homestead chores, offering a truly hands-on experience of early life in the Similkameen valley. The Grist Mill has an heirloom apple orchard, a Living Museum of Wheat growing on the upper fields, and one of the most diverse heritage gardens in Canada.
  • Stop at Harker’s Fruit Ranch, a few minutes east of Keremeos in Cawston. Tour the fields and orchard and pick up some freshly picked fruit and vegetables. Harker's supplies certified organic produce to some of the most respected restaurants and grocers in BC.
  • In Cawston, you'll encounter Crowsnest Vineyards and the Forbidden Fruit Winery, the first indication that you're in BC Wine Country. You can even stay for the night at the Harvest Moon Guest House adjacent to the winery.
  • Continue along Highway 3 to Highway 97 at Osoyoos. Stop for a relaxing swim in Osoyoos Lake – Canada's warmest freshwater lake. Travel north to Oliver and discover literally dozens of wineries. Some of the most famous ones are clustered along what's known as the “Golden Mile”, (from south to north) Fairview Cellars, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Hester Creek Estate Winery, Antelope Ridge Winery, Jackson Triggs Winery (www.jacksontriggswinery.com)  and Iniskillin Winery (www.inniskillin.com) .  
  • Spend the afternoon at the Nk'Mip Desert Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com) in Osoyoos. This state-of-the-art venue celebrates thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations habitation. The Centre provides on-site cultural tours, interpretive programs, and interactive displays reflecting the unique and contemporary experience of a desert centre based on the rich heritage of the Okanagan people. For the wine enthusiast, make sure to visit Nk’Mip Cellars (www.nkmipcellars.com) next door, Canada’s first aboriginal-owned winery.
  • Overnight in Osoyoos. Suggested accommodation:
  • Best Western Sunrise Inn (www.bestwesternosoyoos.com)
  • Walnut Beach Resort (www.walnutbeachresort.com) 

Day 2 – Osoyoos to Kelowna (2 hours)

  • Take Highway 97 north towards Penticton. On the way, stop at one of two wineries in Okanagan Falls – Wild Goose Vineyards or the See Ya Later Ranch Winery (www.sylranch.com). Visit the Penticton and Wine Country Tourism visitor centre and pick up maps and brochures to explore this town that's perfectly situated between two lakes.
  • Don’t miss out the ride of a lifetime! The Kettle Valley Steam Railway (www.kettlevalleyrail.org) invites you to experience the era of steam train travel on a nostalgic 90-minute journey along a preserved section of the original KVR line. Take in the beauty of Okanagan's orchards and vineyards from a vintage coach or open-air car, and view the infamous Trout Creek Bridge at Canyon View
  • Enjoy lunch at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery (www.sumacridge.com) and the Cellar Door Bistro in Summerland.  While you are there, take part in a winery tour and tasting.
  • Travel along Highway 97 to Westbank. Tour Quails’ Gate Estate Winery (www.quailsgate.com) or Mission Hill Family Estate. Enjoy the spectacular views of Okanagan Lake and indulge in Okanagan award winning wines.
  • Overnight in Kelowna for 2 nights. Suggested accommodations:
    • Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort (www.grandokanagan.com)
    • Hotel Eldorado (www.eldoradokelowna.com)
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (www.marriott.com)
    • Lake Okanagan Resort (www.lakeokanagam.com)
    • The Cove Lakeside Resort (www.covelakeside.com)

Day 3 – Explore Kelowna

  • In the morning, explore art galleries, boutiques, and cafes of Kelowna's Cultural District (www.kelownasculturaldistrict.com ). The Art Ark offers a diverse range of quality artwork by established and emerging Western Canadian artists. The gallery adjoins a fine crafts gift shop offering photographs and exquisite clay, glass, woodwork and jewellery from B.C. artisans.
  • While in the neighbourhood, the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the BC Wine Museum are both located in the Laurel Packing House, a former fruit processing facility. Sample and learn about Okanagan’s wines BC Wine Museum, and then take home a bottle of the Valley's finest at the VQA Wine Shop. Tour the BC Orchard Industry Museum and discover what a day in the life of a Kelowna pioneer was like. The centerpiece exhibit is The Learning Tree, a fifty year-old Macintosh apple tree from K.L.O. Orchards.
  • Visit Kelowna Land & Orchard Company (www.k-l-o.com), a working 140-acre farm situated a short distance from the center of Kelowna. This farm is one of the largest and most modern orchard operations in Canada. Enjoy a guided tour on the covered farm wagon through the orchards and take in the breath-taking views of Lake Okanagan and Kelowna below.
  • Overnight in Kelowna.

Day 4 – Kelowna to Armstrong (1.25 hours)

  • Depart Kelowna for Vernon and Armstrong via Highway 97 and Highway 97B. Arriving in Vernon, visit Davison Orchards (www.davisonorchards.ca). This three-generation family farm grows over twenty varieties of apples, presses farm-fresh juice, and makes old-fashioned pies, jams, and preserves. Other tree fruits and field crops including corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins are grown and sold on-site. Join in on a wagon orchard tour, pick some flowers, and taste their home made delicacies.
  • Continue on to Armstrong along Highway 97B and discover the world of homemade cheese at the Village Cheese Factory. Whether it’s tapping your toe to the sound of their Nickelodeon while enjoying a lick of delicious ice cream or savouring the taste of one of their delicious cheese samples, you are sure to enjoy the sight and sounds of the Village Cheese Company.

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