Five fun things to do on a Saturday in Penticton

Looking for the perfect way to spend a Saturday in Penticton? Summer isn't over yet! From outdoor adventures and the famous Saturday markets to patio hopping and paddleboarding, here are five ideas to make the most of your day in beautiful Peach City.

Saturday Markets

Spend the morning browsing and shopping the over 80 food and artisan vendors and soak up the lively atmosphere of the Penticton Farmers’ Market and the Downtown Market in downtown Penticton on Saturdays.

There’s live music, food trucks, fresh local produce and fruits, flowers, jewelry, wine and beer tastings and so much more at these dog-friendly markets that attracts thousands each weekend.

This Saturday (Sept. 7) marks the final week of the Downtown Market, so get outdoors and take advantage of this gorgeous weather. The Farmers’ Market continues until Oct. 26.

For more information about local events, view our Events Calendar.

Go for a Hike or Bike Ride

Penticton is known as being a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with some of the best rock climbing, hiking and cycling with views of lake and mountains found at every vantage point. Here are four hikes, from easy to hard.

1. Kettle Valley Rail Trail
This historic trail follows the route of the old Kettle Valley Railway, offering walkers and cyclists stunning views of vineyards, orchards and Okanagan Lake. The trail is relatively flat, making it suitable for all skill levels. Bonus is you hike beneath the PENTICTON sign, and within 15 minutes of walking the gravel path, you can see Alice, the giant mirror polished metal T-Rex sculpture, overlooking the lake. If you get parched, along this route is Abandoned Rail Brewery, and cycling to the Little Tunnel is one for the bucket list. To access this trail, park either off Vancouver Avenue, downtown or at Marina Way Park.

2. Munson Mountain
Munson Mountain is home to the giant PENTICTON sign (larger than the Hollywood sign). This short uphill trail offers stunning views down to Penticton. If you are daring enough, you can get right to the sign, but be careful if you are taking pictures as it is steep. The parking lot is easy to access off Munson Mountain Road. During your climb, check Okanagan’s own “Pen-Henge.” These are small stones that are aligned to show the position of the sun setting over the west horizon at Winter/Summer Solstice and Spring/Fall Equinox.

3. Carmi Mountain
Carmi Mountain is a local favourite. Just a 10-minute drive up Carmi Road, you have your pick of trails for all skill levels. Great for snow shoeing and dog walks. Find a trail head and give it a try.

4. Skaha Bluff Provincial Park
Known for its world-renowned rock climbing, this is also a great spot for a unique hike. With an easy path in, past wildflowers and looking onto the bluffs, you quickly have to traverse large jagged rocks and boulders, making this an exciting, challenging hike. Fun to watch the climbers doing their thing as well.

For more information about local trails, visit our Trails page.

Do a Craft Beer Crawl

Lonely Planet named Penticton the ‘Craft Beer Capital of Canada’ for a reason. Now home to eight craft breweries including the Cannery, Tin Whistle, Slackwater, Highway 97, Neighbourhood, Barley Mill, Abandoned Ale and Yellow Dog Brewing.

Four of the breweries are within walking distance of each other in the downtown. Cannery and Highway 97 are right beside each other on Ellis Street and Slackwater (Martin St) and Neighbourhood (Winnipeg) are a block away from each other.

Cheers to that. All the breweries have food offerings.

Learn more about the Penticton Ale Trail.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Why let visitors have all the fun? Go for a float down the Channel, purchase some ice cream lakeside, go for a kayak or paddleboard on Skaha or Okanagan Lake or spend a day at the beach. Grab an ice cream and walk the famous promenade along Lakeshore Drive or at Skaha Lake. Rent a scooter for the day and explore your own city.

Pick a Patio

One of the things Penticton restaurants have done well is take advantage of the amazing views. There are patio-a-plenty to choose from to sit back, relax and enjoy some local drinks and cuisine. Along Okanagan Lake and Lakeshore Drive there are more than seven patios to choose from.