20 Best & Fun Things To Do in & Around Kamloops, BC

Kamloops is a beautiful city located in British Columbia with many unique things to see and do. It's also a friendly city, so if you're looking to visit somewhere that has a great local vibe, come here!

Sometimes when you're in a new place, it's hard to know what to do. Kamloops is no exception, and this list of recommended activities is here to help! There are plenty of fantastic hiking trails (climb Mount Fromme!), and the city has many options for outdoor dining, shopping, and more.

There's also no shortage of museums - there's always something new you can celebrate with your friends at the Kamloops Museum & Gallery! But wait, there is more - have you heard about the Yukon Brewing Company? The Arboretum? Let's get started on the 20 best and fun things to do in and around Kamloops, BC. 

1. Take a Drive Through the Countryside

Kamloops, surrounded by beautiful and lush farmland, offers an excellent way to spend a beautiful day. If you're looking for a list of things to do in Kamloops, this should probably be one of them - especially if you want to get out of the city. Kamloops isn't big, but it's varied. That's why spending an afternoon (or more) driving around, enjoying the fresh air, and seeing the sights is gratifying. 

2. Visit the Kamloops Museum & Archives

Location: 207 Seymour St, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

Sunday and Monday: Closed

Admission is by donation. The suggested donation is $1 per child and $3 per adult.

An excellent museum, established in 1937, and right in the heart of downtown. It's a lot of fun and has a lot to offer - from a permanent exhibit about the history of Kamloops that will give you a good sense of what life was like one hundred years ago to rotating exhibits all year round. You can also sign up for fun and informative tours if you want to learn more. 

There are also a number of events and programs during the summer. The kids will love seeing the friezes and learning about Kamloops' history. There's something here for the whole family. It's worth a visit if you're looking for Kamloop's history and cultural evidence of that region.

3. Visit the Taste of Downtown

Location: Downtown core

Times: July 31 – August 31

Price: $5 donation

The Taste of Downtown is a food festival, as well as a fundraising event. You can taste your way through delicious eateries in the downtown core, a fun event that takes place throughout the summer. It's a food and wine festival, so visitors have the option to try a lot of different things. There are lots of great restaurants and vendors here, so you're sure to find something you love. 

4. Enjoy The Outdoors at Riverside Park

Location: 100 Lorne St, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Open Mondays to Sundays from 5 am till 11 pm

Price: Free

Even though close to downtown, Riverside Park is a retreat. It's large with several walking trails. The best part about this park is that it's right next to the Thompson River, which has a beach, so if you're looking for things to do in Kamloops that are both fun and relaxing, this is your place. There are lots of benches along the way, an ideal spot for a picnic. Riverside Park is also host to Music in the Park which runs through July and August. 

5. See Kamloops By Horseback

Exploring the beauty of the area by horseback is ideal for both first-timers and experienced riders. Kamloops has a few horse ranches to choose from:

• Erin Valley Riding Stables offers horse riding in the Barnhartvale valley located at 8825 Barnhartvale Road. 
• Sun Peaks Stables offer you an opportunity to groom and saddle your horse and takes trails with views of the Village and golf course. Sun Peaks Stables is located at Industrial Way, Sun Peaks. 
• Inspire Trails takes you through the Thompson-Nicola near Kamloops and Merritt, where you can view wildlife, such as eagles, beavers, black bears, and moose, located at Thompson-Nicola Valley. 

6. Drive Up To Lillooet 

Lillooet is two hours from Kamloops, known for a galore of outdoor activities - camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and boating. Here you are surrounded by mountains and glaciers running along the Fraser River. Summer and fall are the best times to visit, with plenty of sunshine in summer and a mild fall. 

Learn about the history and colorful past by visiting the Lillooet Museum. The museum is in a former church built in 1860 and reconstructed in 1961. 

7. Enjoy A Night On The Town At the Kamloops City Centre

Kamloops is one of the oldest cities in British Columbia, and it still has a lot of old-school charm. The city square is impressive too - it's fun to walk around here at night time. There are shops, restaurants, and bars in this area, so it's sure to be on your list to visit when you're in Kamloops!

8. Kenna Cartwright Park

Location: Hillside Drive, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Monday to Friday from 5 am to 11 pm

Price: Free

Kenna Cartwright Park is one of the biggest parks in Kamloops, with 800 hectares of land and trails over 40 km. The park does a great job of preserving the natural landscape and offers breathtaking views of Kamloops. 

It's the perfect place to bring your family to enjoy the beauty of nature. If you're interested in walking, there are trails for all levels, beginner or experienced. They run through grasslands, hills, valleys, and Pine and Douglas fir forests. It will be worth your while to check out the following trails in Kenna Cartwright Park: 

• Sunset trail
• Tower trail
• Reservoir trail
• Doc Findley Loop
• Panorama loop

9. Kamloops Heritage Railway

Location: 510 Lorne St #3, Kamloops, British Columbia

At the Kamloops Heritage Railway, the start of the show is a 108-year-old steam engine - 2141. It is called the 'Spirit of Kamloops' and is one of only a few still running. 

The Backshop guided tour is currently available for $10 per person. On this tour, you will be transported back in history, get a closer look at 2141, and see other decommissioned cars. 

10. Visit A Winery: Monte Creek Ranch

Location: 2420 Miners Bluff Road, Kamloops, British Columbia

The Tasting Room is open daily from May to October from 11 am to 6 pm

and November to April from 11 am to 5 pm

The Terrace Restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 6 pm. Reservations are required. 

Monte Creek Ranch is the largest winery in Kamloops, showcasing award-winning wines. Their two main attractions are the Tasting Room and Terrace Restaurant, open during spring and summer.  

The Tasting Room offers wine and farm-fresh food, all while taking in the spectacular views of their Lion’s Head Vineyard and the South Thompson River. The Terrace Restaurant is open daily depending on the air quality and serves Alfresco dining. 

11. British Columbia Wildlife Park

Location: 9077 Dallas Dr, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Price: Adult (18-64) $14.95

Senior (65+) $12.95

Child (3-17) $10.95

Family 1 (2 Adults and 2 Children) $45.95

Family 2 (2 Adults & 3 Children) $54.95

Family 3 (2 Adults & 4 Children) $63.95

The BC Wildlife Park is a non-profit zoo located in Kamloops. Starting in 1965, it rescues and rehabilitates animals. The park's 106 acres of land is home to 200 animals, including cougars, bears, wolves, reptiles, birds of prey, and the only Kermode bear. 

Apart from seeing the wildlife, there is also an 18,000 sq. ft Discovery Centre that includes an Eco Gallery, Wildlife Education Centre, Reptile Exhibit, Gift Shop, and the Blue Heron Cafe. 

Their motto is conservation through education and has various programs designed to educate, including a kids' camp for ages 6-10 for an exciting day of wildlife activities, sure to be a hit with families. 

12. McArthur Island Park

Location: 1525 -1580 Island Pkwy, Kamloops, British Columbia

McArthur Island Park is great for anyone with an active bone in their body. Located in the Thompson Shuswap region, the park has a 3km paved walkway for walking, running, or rollerblading. Also featured in this 51 hectares is a skatepark, Sports, and events centre, bowling, stadium, ball field, soccer pitches, a golf course, and Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. 

No matter your age, this park is for relaxing, sightseeing, or activity-packed. 

13. Sunpeaks Resort - Summer And Winter Activities

Location: 1280 Alpine Road, Sun Peaks, British Columbia

Sunpeaks is an alpine ski resort 56km from Kamloops. It boasts 360-degree views of mountains and pleasant temperatures, perfect for non-stop fun and activities for the whole family. 

Winter activities

• Dog sled tours
• Fat biking
• Guided ice fishing
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides
• Skating
• Snowmobile tours

Summer activities

• Alpine yoga
• Bike park
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Fly Fishing
• Golf

14. Paul Lake Provincial Park

Location: Meadow Creek Rd, Logan Lake, British Columbia

Times: The Park is open to the public year-round. 

Paul Lake Provincial Park, located northeast of Kamloops, boasts over 7kms of hiking trails, nestled in a forest of pine, aspen, and Douglas-fir. The park's size is 728 hectares, has camping, fishing, recreational activities, and bird watching along the lakeshore. 

Hike up Gibraltar Rock for scenic views of the lake and nearby Harper Mountain. 

15. Wells Gray Provincial Park

Location: 416 Eden Rd, Clearwater, British Columbia

Times: Open April to October

Wells Gray Provincial Park is one hour from Kamloops. The landscape owes its unique attributes to volcanoes and glaciers that shaped its natural beauty and 41 waterfalls. 

During the warmer months of spring, summer and fall, you can enjoy hiking, paddling on the lakes, and having a thrill on the fiercest rapids. In winter, you can ski and marvel at frozen waterfalls. 

16. BIG Little Science Centre

Location: 458 Seymour St, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm

Price: Seniors: $5.00 (age 60 plus)

Adults: $7.00

Children age 3 - 15 years: $4.00

Children 2 years old or under: free

Family Admission: $18.00

BIG Little Science Centre is in downtown Kamloops, founded by a retired science teacher, Gordon R. Gore. Their mission is to create a passion for science by teaching and exploring science entertainingly. 

There is a hands-on room with over 140 stations to pique children's curiosity on how things work and three demonstration areas with presentations on various topics. 

17. Restaurants: Hello toast 

Location: 428 Victoria St, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Breakfast, brunch, and lunch are served Monday to Saturday from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm, and Sunday from 8.00 am to 2.30 pm.

Hiking, going on adventures, and outdoor activities can leave you tired and hungry. Why not try Hello toast, a restaurant in downtown Kamloops offering all-day breakfast and lunch with sweet and savory options?

 Fruit-topped french toast, gourmet bennies, burritos, and oven-baked hot cereals are some delicious options on their menu. 

18. Day trip to Boston Bar or Lytton

Both places are less than two hours from Kamloops. Boston Bar is a very picturesque little spot along the Fraser River, and Lytton is also a lovely place to visit - it contains some beautiful old buildings from the gold rush days. 

Both are accessible from Kamloops and make for an excellent day trip if you're looking for things to do that are a little more adventurous!

19. Hike Mount Fromme

Mount Fromme is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Kamloops and a popular hiking destination. Several trails ascend to the top, and they offer stunning views of the city and the surrounding area. The Balsam Lake trail is the most favored route - it's probably the easiest one too. If you don't want to go the distance, you can drive up to Edith Cavell Lookout with its beautiful views of Kamloops Lake and Mount Coquitlam. 

20. Kamloops Art Gallery

Location: 465 Victoria St #101, Kamloops, British Columbia

Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Price: Children, Students, and Gallery Members FREE

Adults $5

Families $10

Seniors (ages 62+) $3

Groups of 10 or more $3

Free admission Thursdays

The Kamloops Art Gallery has an impressive 3,100+ pieces of art that reflect its history. 

Current exhibitions on display include:

• Art in Isolation: How we Connect through Art: showing art as a powerful medium that can connect us through time and space. 
• Holding a line in your hand: the work is based on five female artists from different backgrounds. 
• How have you been? Artist Amy Modahl's work transforms the letters written by many in response to the question 'how have you been' on continuous scrolls of paper. 

No matter the weather, there are always fun things to do in and around Kamloops. Whatever your interest or experience level, there are outdoor activities, restaurants, nightlife, the arts, and wildlife. The only thing challenging left to do - is to choose from the above list of 20 or do them all!

Kevin Scharfenberg takes pride in guiding you through the buying or selling process, making himself available is a top priority. If you are looking for a Realtor® that will ensure you receive the best possible experience and that always puts your needs first, then Kevin Scharfenberg is the Real Estate Professional for you!