Be a tourist in your own town

PENTICTON – It’s the May long weekend, the first long weekend of summer, but as we in the South Okanagan know all too well, there is no guarantee the weather will be summer-like at this time of year, which sometimes makes it difficult to enjoy the summer activities Penticton is best known for.

So, what to do if the May long weekend weather isn’t exactly what you hoped for? Perhaps it’s time to play tourist in your own town, and do a few things you wouldn't normally think of doing as a resident.

Here’s a list of 10 things you might try this weekend if you plan to be a tourist in your own town.

1. Take a tour of the SS Sicamous. Well, maybe not this May long weekend, as it’s booked for a wedding, but the venerable old landmark of the lake will be open on the May 19 and onward for the summer. A tour of the ship, built in 1912, is like stepping into a time machine. The paddle wheeler first plied Okanagan Lake in 1914. Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children, and a family pass can be purchased for $18. Call 250-492-0403 for more details.

2. Hike or bike the KVR – The old Kettle Valley Railway line is now a picturesque trail which runs diagonally through the centre of Penticton and north of the city. South of the city the trail is passable but not improved to Kaleden, where it is then surfaced from the end of Ponderosa Avenue to Okanagan Falls. It’s a great ride or walk from wherever you decide to access it. You can also travel along the west side of the channel from one end of the city to the other. 

3. Movie matinee – Penticton's Landmark Cinamas 7 has showings throughout the upcoming holiday weekend. Call 250-493-4253 for more details.

4. Loco Landing – Mini-golf, go karts, high level ropes course, and the fun zone await the kid in you, or your kids. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m throughout the long weekend, located at 75 Riverside Dr. Call 250-770-1896 for more information.

5. Camp close to home – If it’s your first camping trip of the season and you want to make sure everything in your rig works without having a surprise take place kilometres from the comforts of home, try some local offerings.

From private campgrounds like South Beach Gardens RV Park, Park Royal RV Park and Wright’s Beach in Penticton to Banbury Green and Camp-Along Resort in Kaleden, there is also the Playa Okanagan RV Park and the Sun and Sand RV Park in Okanagan Falls, which also has a provincial campsite located just off Highway 97 on Green Lake Road.

6. If you don’t have a lot of time, but want some exercise, why not a quick walk along the newly restored Lakeshore pedestrian walkway from the Peach to the SS Sicamous?

7.  A good way to fill Saturday morning – the downtown Farmer’s and Community Markets. The Farmers Market runs every Saturday through the summer from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

8. Check out Penticton’s bicycle friendly streets with a bike tour of the town using designated bike lanes on Government and Dawson Streets.

9. Fill in an afternoon with a leisurely drive through the small communities surrounding Penticton: Naramata, Lakeshore Highlands, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden.

10. Check out a new business, try a new restaurant. Be the first in your social circle to make find the next best new eatery in town.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.