Hello fellow graduating students!!
Is your family coming to Kelowna for the first time for your graduation and you have no idea where to take them? Fear not, this blog is for you. My family is visiting Kelowna in June and I am very excited to show them around the place I have called home for the last four years.
I’ve compiled a few ideas for their trip and want to share them with you all. If you’re in need of inspiration, I implore you to use any of these ideas. They are yours for the taking.
Westbank First Nation’s (WFN) Sncəwips Heritage Museum
The Sncəwips Heritage Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, restoring, and interpreting art and artifact collections that reflect the heritage and natural history of the Syilx/Okanagan People. Having come from Nairobi, Kenya, I only learned about Canada’s colonial history through various university classes. While I have relayed much of what I have learned to my family, it’s tremendously important to learn about Indigenous history from Indigenous people
You can drop-in or book a tour and do your part to learn about the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx people.
Get your nature on!
It would be a shame to come all the way to the beautiful Okanagan and not explore the outdoors. Obviously, everyone is going to say climb Knox Mountain (and you absolutely should) but I wanted to give a few other suggestions to really make the most of the beautiful nature around you.
- Take bike ride on the Myra Canyon Trail. There are on-site bike rentals and even half day and full day tours for groups of four people or more. UBCycles is also a great service for bike rentals too! There are lots of breaks along the trail where you can take in the spectacular views of the canyon.
- If you are more active, there are also tons of hikes in the area with views well worth the climb.
- If you’re looking for some easy and scenic walks: Kalamoir is really beautiful and Mission Creek is a go-to of mine!
Pop the cork!
For those who drink, visiting a winery or cidery goes without saying.
Local wineries:
You can choose to visit one winery or head on the West Side Wine Trail which is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the Okanagan. A lot of wineries on this trail such as Volcanic Hills, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, Little Straw, and The Hatch are in walking distance from each other. If you’d like to try out a few different places easily, this is one of the greatest way to show visiting family one of the greatest assets of the valley!
Local cideries:
Cideries are a great option because they are quite specific to the Okanagan. Some great options include: Soma (they have llamas and alpacas), Upside Cider (right near the university and they have great pizza and board games), Truck 59 (great vibes with lawn games).
Make a splash!
For me, a day at the beach, basking in the sun and cooling down in the water, is a day well spent! We’re in luck because Kelowna has so many beaches to choose from.
- Boyce Gyro Beach is great since it has soft sand, shallow water, picnic tables, and even some volleyball courts. There are also a few restaurants around if you want to grab a bite or a sweet treat.
- Strathcona Beach also has some beautiful views if you’d like to go to a beach that is a little less busy.
- City Park and Hot Sands are also some very popular choices downtown.
- There are also some quieter ones along the lake. Check out this link for more options!
Take a walk along the boardwalk!
With views of the mountains, the fresh smell of the lake, and the buskers playing beautiful music, the waterfront is an iconic Kelowna experience. A walk along the boardwalk, especially at sunset, is a must!
Have a #siblingbondingmoment!
Do you have any younger siblings you want to entertain? I have two super great options for you:
- H20 Adventure + Fitness Centre has an indoor swimming pool, water slides, and a splash park It’s a great daytime activity or family fun in the water!
- Scandia Gold & Games offers indoor and outdoor golfing, a raceway for go-carting and the largest arcade in the Okanagan valley. You’re bound make some great memories here!
Lastly, while all these places will be great for some fun family time, I think taking your family to seemingly insignificant places that have become special to you is also a wonderful idea. If you’re anything like me, this June will be the first time that your family is in Kelowna and this will be a chance for them to see the life they have been watching through pictures for the last four years. There is something special about giving your family a glimpse into places that have become part of your daily routine. I know the first place I’m taking my parents is Momo’s Sushi.
Is it ultimately just a sushi restaurant? Yes. But do I have an emotional attachment to it because it was also the first restaurant I ate in when I got to Kelowna? Also, yes. Therefore, we will all be going there to commemorate this journey.
There is something for everyone in Kelowna! Make the most of your time here and celebrate your graduation for the incredible accomplishment that it is!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ideja Efendija is a fourth-year international student majoring in International Relations and she is graduating this June. Originally from Kosovo, she’s lived most of her life in Kenya. She is passionate about politics and activism, language learning, and listening to Big Thief for hours on end. As a Student Content Creator, she hopes to create content that entertains and fosters community at UBCO.
