A city whose name means “grizzly bear” doesn’t appear to be ferocious or threatening. Rather Kelowna in Canada is quite the opposite, appealing and inviting with its glassy lakeshore setting. An area known for its fine wine, good restaurants, and manicured parks began as a missionary settlement in 1858. With the goal of converting the natives, Kelowna became a natural city, popping up with skyscrapers and a bursting cultural community.
Kelowna pays tribute to its history and nature through its many museums. The city holds the Wine Museum, showcasing the area’s rich wine industry to visitors. The venue also tells of the best wineries for tastings and sells many of the local wine favorites. Food and drink history in Kelowna extends to the BC Orchard Industry Museum. The Museum serves as the old Laurel Orchards packinghouse, demonstrating just about everything you can possibly do with fruit. Old packing crate labels display as the story of converting Okanagan Valley from ranches to orchards is told.
On the opposing side, Kelowna’s museums and galleries are not just about guzzling down wine or picking fruits. The Kelowna Museum rests in the civil center complex of town. Covering what seems like it all, the museum features bones of early valley inhabitants and displays on the roots of local agriculture. The Kelowna Art Gallery exemplifies the city’s thriving local arts community. The light and clean gallery offers visitors the ideal place to view local artwork while in town. Turtle Island Gallery also displays pottery, carvings and paintings from some of the nation’s first artists. Those that want to take home a piece of the Kelowna art scene can visit Art Ark where art by Canadian artists is sold.
Finding rich history in Kelowna may not date back centuries, but it is still of interest nonetheless. The Father Pandosy Settlement serves as a major historical site to the area with a history dating back to 1859. A mission was constructed here, containing a church, bar, home, and school. A ways of the center of town, the Father Pandosy Settlement is rare in the regard that it was the first white settlement in the Okanagan.
Kelowna is not so much about urban life as it is about nature and greenery. Several parks and gardens position in town, allowing for a wealth of outdoor activities. The Bear Creek Provincial Park keeps things active with opportunities for hiking, fishing, windsurfing, swimming and camping. The Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park also sits in the area, sprawling out across 10.5 square meters. While fires badly damaged the natural setting, the trails have since been restored. Nothing beats the park’s unobstructed view of the lake. Right in the heart of the city, travelers can also stroll through greenery at the Kasugai Gardens. Just to the back of the Kelowna Museum, the beautifully manicured gardens present a peaceful stroll for visitors in town.
Kelowna is almost too good to be true with its idyllic setting and small city charm. While its name may tell of a grizzly creature, the city holds no traces of being menacing or intimidating throughout its museums, parks and historical venues. Kelowna joyfully invites visitors to experience its more teddy bear attitude and embrace.
