in the picturesque Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Kelowna draws around 2 million visitors annually. Renowned for its 40 + wineries, fun outdoor activities centered around Okanagan Lake, and fantastic shopping and dining, it’s no surprise that Kelowna is an increasingly popular spot for bachelorette parties and girls’ weekends away. With its warm, dry summers and stunning landscapes, Kelowna offers the perfect backdrop for celebrating. I recently organized a bachelorette long weekend in Kelowna, and everyone had the time of their lives. Here are my picks for some of the best activities to do on a girls’ trip in Kelowna.
Visit the Wineries
With over 40 wineries in Kelowna, encompassing 86% of the province’s vineyard acreage, visiting at least one winery should be on everyone’s Kelowna bucket list. I highly recommend making a day of it and organizing a full or half-day wine tour, visiting between 3-6 wineries. There’s nothing better than exploring vineyards, orchards, and farms with your friends, savoring and learning about award-winning local wines and products.
The wineries vary from small family-run boutiques to luxurious estate vineyards, spanning 250 kilometers across sub-regions, each with distinct soil and climate conditions. Most wineries offer a tasting room and patio where visitors can sample around five of their most popular wines, including whites, reds, rosés, sparkling, and the region’s famous ice wines. Tasting fees typically range from $10-$30 per person. Most wineries are open year-round for tours, tastings, and other experiences, but some smaller ones may close from November until May.
While you can opt for a self-guided wine tour, I recommend going with an organized tour so no one has to worry about being the designated driver, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day. We opted for Vivid Tours’ ‘West Kelowna Wine Tour’ and enjoyed being picked up and dropped off at our accommodation in a luxury, air-conditioned van, driven from winery to winery in style. Vivid allowed us to choose five wineries with a stop for lunch.
As many of us had visited the region before, we curated a list of our favorites for the tour: The Hatch, Mt. Boucherie, Quails’ Gate, Crown & Thieves, Off the Grid, and Black Swift. This selection showcases the diverse wineries of Kelowna, from the family-run farm and vineyard at Off the Grid to the farm-to-table dining experience at Old Vine Restaurant with picturesque views at Quails’ Gate. Our tour was $159 per person and included pick-up/drop-off in Kelowna, a knowledgeable tour guide, 25 tastings across five wineries, all winery tasting fees, and a lunch reservation at our chosen restaurant.
Visit a Day Spa
No girls’ trip is complete without a bit of R&R, and fortunately, Kelowna has a number of day spas where you can unwind and spend quality time with your friends. This idea is perfect for a bachelorette party, giving the bride some well-deserved relaxation before her wedding day!
- KurSpa at Sparkling Hill Resort is a top choice and the largest day spa in British Columbia, spanning 40,000 square kilometers. The spa features seven themed steams and saunas, including a ‘Crystal Steam’ surrounded by Swarovski crystal elements, cold plunges, and a year-round infinity pool offering sensational views of the nearby mountains and lakes. The spa is exclusive to hotel guests, so consider staying at Sparkling Hill to enjoy the incredible KurSpa experience.
- Damara Day Spa, located in downtown Kelowna at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, is an award-winning spa offering organic facials, pedicures, manicures, massages, and organic body treatments to relax and rejuvenate. A 45-minute massage starts at $115. You can find their full list of services and book online here, with no need to be a guest to make an appointment.
- Beyond Wrapture Day Spa is a local favorite, operating for over 30 years. Located in the Coast Capri Hotel, it offers all the services you would expect, along with some heavenly packages for you and your group to indulge in for your special occasion. I recommend ‘Our Favourite Package’, which includes a 75-minute Sea Salt & Loofah Glow massage to exfoliate dead skin cells, followed by a 60-minute aromatherapy body wrap, all for just $250, ensuring you leave feeling refreshed and pampered.
Enjoy all that Okanagan Lake has to Offer
Okanagan Lake spans 135 km and is dotted with over 30 beaches, serene bays, and lively marinas throughout the region. During summer, the lake water averages 19-23°C, making it the perfect place to cool down. The stunning lake against the desert backdrop of the Okanagan is truly unique, offering a variety of activities to cater to all preferences on your girls’ trip:
- Parasailing: Get your adrenaline pumping and fly hundreds of feet over Lake Okanagan. Enjoy panoramic views of Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley and wave to your friends below. Okanagan Parasail, a family-owned and operated business, offers rides for up to three people, so you can soar with your friends while the rest of your group watches and videos from the boat. You can even choose to be dipped into the water! Rates start at $79 per person for a 30-60 minute experience.
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking: For a more relaxed experience, head to Okanagan Beach Rentals and hire paddle boards, kayaks, pedal boats, or even water trikes. Enjoy the beautiful lake at your leisure with rates varying between $25-$35 per hire, depending on your watercraft.
- Boat Rentals: Okanagan Lake Boat Rentals offers a fleet of powered boats, from wake surf boats and pontoon boats to Waverunners. Even if you don’t have a boat license, they provide a temporary boaters license and thorough instructions on how to operate the boat. Additionally, you can rent water toys such as tubes and wakeboards, adding to the day’s fun! Pack a picnic and stop off for a swim in the crystal-clear waters. Rates start at $399 for 2 hours. Check out their full fleet and prices here.
- Relax at a Beach: For a more laid-back and free option, head to one of the beaches and spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming, and picnicking. Boyce-Gyro and Rotary Beach Park are centrally located in downtown Kelowna and offer sandy beaches and stunning water to swim in. These beaches are located along Lakeshore Drive and feature snack outlets, volleyball courts, playgrounds, inflatable waterparks, rental facilities, picnic areas, and washrooms. They are picturesque, especially at sunset. For bachelorette weekends, plan some fun bachelorette games for the beach
Go Hiking
Exploring the surrounding valley of Kelowna is a must for any girls’ trip, offering a perfect blend of adventure and breathtaking scenery. Start your day with an invigorating hike through Myra Canyon, a part of the Kettle Valley Railway trail. This trail is known for its impressive 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels, providing not only a manageable hike but also stunning views of the Okanagan Valley and a glimpse into the region’s railway history. The 12-kilometer round trip is ideal for all fitness levels and offers plenty of photo opportunities.
For a more challenging trek, head to Knox Mountain Park. The Apex Trail, a 4.4-kilometer round trip, takes you up to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. The Paul’s Tomb Trail, a gentler option taking 1h20 minutes, takes you along the lakeshore and ends at a secluded beach, perfect for a picnic or a refreshing dip.
These hikes offer a fantastic way to immerse yourselves in the natural beauty of Kelowna’s valley, creating unforgettable memories and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments
Hit the Slopes at Big White
If your girls’ trip to Kelowna takes place in the winter, a visit to Big White Ski Resort is a must! Just an hour’s drive from downtown Kelowna, Big White is renowned for its champagne powder and world-class skiing and snowboarding. With over 118 runs and 16 lifts, there’s something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros. The resort boasts an impressive 2,765 acres of skiable terrain, so you can spend your days exploring new trails and taking in the breathtaking mountain views. For those new to skiing or snowboarding, Big White offers excellent lessons and beginner-friendly slopes, making it easy and fun to get started.
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Big White has plenty of activities to keep everyone in your group entertained. Try snowshoeing through the pristine wilderness, or go tubing at the exhilarating tubing park. For a more relaxing experience, enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride or unwind in one of the cozy mountain lodges with a hot chocolate or a glass of local wine. The picturesque village at Big White is perfect for après-ski, with a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. Full day adult lift tickets start at $119 and you can find out more here.
Whether you’re sipping award-winning wines, relaxing at a spa, enjoying water activities on Okanagan Lake, exploring scenic hikes, or skiing at Big White, Kelowna has something for every group of friends. This beautiful spot in the Okanagan Valley is perfect for a girls’ trip full of fun, relaxation, and memorable moments. So gather your best friends, pack your bags, and get ready for an amazing getaway in Kelowna!
