Autumn is a lovely time to visit Kamloops, British Columbia, and we’ve pulled together the perfect fall family itinerary for a weekend getaway.

Riverside Park Kamloops

Riverside Park Kamloops
Photo Credit Tourism Kamloops

Friday

Check into Hotel 540 in downtown Kamloops and let the kids work up an appetite in the rooftop pool. If the littles are foodies, we highly recommend making reservations for dinner at Terra. If they prefer chicken nuggets to a maple glazed duck breast, Harold’s Family Restaurant is a great alternative. Enjoy an evening wander of the shops on Victoria Street before tucking in for bed.

Saturday

Early risers can wander a few blocks to popular breakfast spot Hello Toast before the line-up starts. Otherwise, you may have to wait a bit to snag a table in this cozy café. Try the eggs benny with a side of roasted potatoes, you won’t regret it.

After breakfast, take a short stroll a couple blocks up to the Kamloops Farmer’s Market. A true harvest style market, dozens of vendors display gorgeous locally grown fruit and vegetables, and local artisans have their wares on display. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab healthy and fresh snacks to fuel your weekend adventure.

Kamloops - Hiking in Kenna Cartwright Nature Park

Photo Credit Tourism Kamloops – Hiking in Kenna Cartwright Nature Park

With your market purchases safely stowed in backpacks, we suggest a short hike in Kenna Cartwright Nature Park, the province’s largest municipal park. Encompassing nearly 800 hectares of Mount Dufferin, there are over 40 kilometres of trails, with varying difficulty levels. In less than an hour you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River.

Lunch awaits at Monte Creek Ranch Winery, just a 10 minute drive east of Kamloops and one of four wineries on the Kamloops Wine Trail. Monte Creek is very family friendly, with simple games set up on the wide lawns, vineyard tours and an open air terrace restaurant. It’s great spot for a picnic lunch or lunch at the restaurant, before heading back towards Kamloops for a few hours at the British Columbia Wildlife Park. With more than 70 species on display, a Burrowing Owl captive breeding program and accredited rehabilitation centre, this wildlife park is a great place for kids to explore and learn about animals.

Monte Creek Ranch Winery near Kamloops

Photo credit Tourism Kamloops – Monte Creek Ranch Winery

There are plenty of options to choose from for dinner – we recommend The Noble Pig gastro pub if your kids are old enough to be left at the hotel with an older sibling.

Sunday

Sunday is for Sun Peaks – fall is slow season for the alpine resort as they transition from mountain biking to skiing and snowboarding. We suggest starting with the Sun Peaks Valley Trail Network, one of 16 hiking trails at the resort. A 6 kilometre loop, it’s the simplest of the many Sun Peaks cross-country trails and winds its way throughout the picturesque village area. Families can walk or bike the trail, or try any number of other fun fall Sun Peak adventures – off road Segway tours, a Voyager canoe ride, mountain cross carts, etc.

Some of the restaurants at the resort close for a few weeks during the transition season, but our favourites, the Voyager Bistro, Vertical Café and Mantles are usually open for lunch.

After two days of non-stop activity in Kamloops, everyone should be happily exhausted. Pick up snacks for the road (or flight) home at The Art We Are and vow to spend a few more nights in Kamloops on your next visit.