Vernon Things To Do
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 Vernon is a four-season destination with activities that take full advantage of its unique setting. Bounded by three lakes and rolling grasslands with easy access to forested uplands and the Monashee Mountains, the focus is on outdoor recreation. But this community also supports plenty of urban attractions.
Water ActivitiesWith Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan lakes right on Vernon's doorstep, summer is the time to get wet. Warm waters beckon from beaches in secluded coves, a busy pier and family areas with picnic grounds and beach volleyball. Among the provincial parks, Kalamalka Lake is especially popular with water skiers and wakeboarders, while Ellison Provincial Park offers the only marine dive park in the Okanagan for snorkelling and scuba. Bring a boat, there are plenty of launch sites, or rent one locally. Canoe and kayak solo or join a guided tour. Fishing is popular throughout the area.
Winter ActivitiesThe snow is deep and dry at Silver Star Mountain Resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club with 115 downhill runs, more than 100km/60mi of cross-country trails and 14km/8mi of snowshoe trails. From late November to early April snowmobiling, tobogganing, tubing and skating are also excellent. In town, cheer on the Vernon Vipers hockey team.
Outdoor Adventure Summer is the season for adventure in nature with hiking trails from beginner to advanced in Vernon, Kalamalka and Ellison provincial parks, and the surrounding mountains. Silver Star Mountain Resort offers interpretive nature hikes and for a more extreme challenge, renowned mountain biking facilities. Rock climbers head for the cliffs in nearby Enderby and paragliders take a flying leap to sail over the valley.
GolfThe season is long and the obstacles many on four golf courses in and around Vernon. Accuracy is key on mid-length and executive courses with lots of water and sand to gobble balls. Some venues offer an easy walk over rolling terrain, while Predator Ridge Golf Resort, which has hosted two PGA events, sets a challenge even for the pros.
Family Attractions Winter and summer, rain or shine, make family memories on the farm at Davison Orchards and Planet Bee. Learn more about our natural world at the Okanagan Science Centre and the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. Hunt for treasure on a backcountry opal dig or splash away the summer heat at the waterslide.
History and the ArtsVernon history is vividly interpreted in 26 downtown murals, ideal for personal inspection or a guided tour. Learn more about the origins of the city and its people at the Vernon Museum and Archives and historic O'Keefe Ranch. Artists thrive in the region displaying paintings, pottery and jewellery in their own studios as well as public and private galleries. And the performing arts are surprisingly strong for a city of this size. The brilliant acoustics in the new Vernon Performing Arts Centre highlight the talents of regional performers and the many headline acts that stop here on tour.
ShoppingDawdle through the independently owned downtown boutiques for unique gifts, books, fashions, garden gear, candy and the valley's only fruit spirits – distilled right on site at Okanagan Spirits. Hunt for treasure in thrift and antique shops or select a treasure mined from Canada's only operational opal mine in the backcountry near Vernon. Make a feast of your purchases with fresh produce in season from local farms and the twice-weekly Vernon Farmer's Market.
Festivals and Events Vernonites like to get together for a good time and welcome visitors to join in the fun. This is a community where people work hard, pouring thousands of volunteer hours into creating memorable events. The best known include:
February: For half-a-century, Vernonites have been celebrating the frosty season with the Vernon Winter Carnival, a festival that includes hot air ballooning, ice sculpture competition and community parade.
June: Artisans and crafters enter a lottery to present their work at the Creative Chaos Craft Show. It features more than 200 exhibits, a food fair, performing arts and creative activities.
August: One of the four annual Okanagan Wine Festivals, the Summer Wine Festival is an intimate weekend at Silver Star Mountain Resort combining wine education, arts, music and outdoor recreation.
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