Free and Budget Friendly Things to do in Kelowna

Kelowna can be an expensive city to visit. The hotels during the summer months can skyrocket past $400 per night. Add to that the activities and you might be surprised how much visiting Kelowna can cost you. Luckily, there are some really special activities that are either free things to do in Kelowna or that are budget friendly. You can also find 5 wineries offering wine tasting on a budget in Kelowna at the bottom of this post.

Mural Hunting – Free things to do in Kelowna

Definitely one of my favourite free things to do in Kelowna. Mural hunting!
Kelowna has some incredible murals thanks to the Uptown Mural Project for bringing some colour to the Rutland neighbourhood. As well as the UBC fine arts program called Art in the Streets taking on 5 giant murals along the Landmark buildings. It is a great photo opportunity to hunt for these murals and appreciate some free art. 
Downtown Kelowna also has its fair share of murals to check out. You can find a map of all Kelowna’s murals here.

Take a hike

We have some incredible hiking trails only minutes from downtown Kelowna! You gotta check out the Knox Mountain trails including Paul’s Tomb for a truly scenic hike.

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Layer Cake (in Scenic Canyon Regional Park)

As delicious as it may sound this is a hiking trail to punish you for any cake you’ve consumed in the last month. In my case, this is birthday season for my family with my sister’s in May, mine in June and my mom’s in July there’s plenty of cake to go around. Hiking up steep serpentine paths is just the thing I need to whip my butt into shape. The views are lovely looking towards the Black Mountain area and Layer Cake Mountain in a narrow valley following Mission Creek. Layer Cake Mountain itself is made of volcanic layers having cooled in a unique stacked pattern similar to formations in New Zealand but is considered the only one of its kind in the world!

Aside from the geological formations there are also traces of the gold panning age with old stone ovens used by Chinese labourers. I tried to find them myself but turned up empty handed. But then again I ended up taking a stroll along the river feeling a bit daring along the narrow path of slippery river rock and swooping trees. What a great swimming hole this would make in lower tide.
Fitbit steps taken: approx. 9000 over 2 hours

 Paul’s Tomb at Knox Mountain

Considerably busier, Knox Mountain attracts both locals and tourists mostly because it offers the best view of Kelowna without being too far away from downtown. You can either walk up the steep hill from the lower gates by the beach or drive up to the second tiered lookout. You can also follow the road for a more gradual climb to the “entrance” of the Paul’s Tomb hiking path.

The views of the lake are gorgeous as sail boats, kayaks and local birds make rippling trails upon the water’s surface. Wildlife like deer are not uncommon but be bear aware.The trail is lined with the official flower of Kelowna, the Arrowleaf Balsamroot. This is a populated path on most days but the further you go the less people there tends to be, especially before noon. You’ll know you’ve arrived once you find the sign that explains a bit about the name behind the trail. There is indeed a tomb there buried by soil and a clearing with Lilacs where the cabin belonging to Rambler Paul once sat. One of the best swimming holes lies at the end of this trail once you reach Paul’s Tomb. The water is much clearer than the popular swimming beaches of Gyro and although there is no sand there are fewer crowds and dogs are allowed to accompany you on your swim.
Fitbit steps: 11,000 RT over 2.5 hours (approx).

Fencing – Free Open House on Saturdays (Seasonal)

Kelowna’s Okanagan Freestyle Fencing offers an open house on Saturdays available for families to try fencing from 11:30 am to 1 pm. If you’re in Vernon they do offer select days of training if you want to book a session, lessons or spar. I braved an open house session with my son this summer for a budget friendly Kelowna activity. It was so much fun to experience something new alongside my son and he really enjoyed it!

Roller Derby Tuesdays – Free / skate rental cost

Join the free roller derby held downtown at the outdoor rink in the summertime from July to the end of August. It may be the prettiest outdoor roller rink with a view of the Okanagan Lake. It is free if you have your own skates or there are some available for rent roadside.

Bird Watching – Free

The Okanagan is one of the premier destinations for bird watching in the world. I’ve spotted bird watching group tours walking along Mission Creek where you can easily photograph bald eagles tending to their young in a giant nest as well as plenty of quail (frequent visitors to my garden), red faced Muskoka ducks, common Mergansers, the rare Mandarin duck and lots of Mallards. I have even seen a pheasant only once. You can find a running list of which birds to find now in Kelowna and the Okanagan by clicking here. 

People Watch / Visit the Beach – Free

A good beach day is exactly what many come to the Okanagan for. I for one don’t own a boat but I do love to take my SUP board out to one of the many lakes in the Okanagan. One of my favourites is Kalamalka Lake but I also love Kelowna’s Bertram Creek Park for the playground, the option of sand or grass and hiking. It also offers a nice view of West Kelowna and is surrounded by the Lakeshore Wine Route wineries should you want to take part in a tasting.

I love to people watch no matter where I travel. A good cup of coffee, a busy street or beach and a beautiful day make the perfect mid-morning to slowly unravel the day. One of my all time favourite places to people watch is actually on a windy day at Rotary Beach Park when the kite surfers come out to play.

Additionally, I enjoy a bustling downtown core with the buzz of the weekend with a coffee from a local cafe in my hand. Sit at a fountain or wander the waterfront for a romantic jaunt. Pause at the ice rink no matter the time of year for skateboarding. Adorable dogs always make an appearance along the yacht club walk plus keep an eye out for the flyboarders (water jet packs), parasails, and float planes. If you opt for any budget hotels in Kelowna all this is in walking distance.

Visit the Farmers’ Market – Suits your budget

Visiting the Kelowna Farmers’ Market is a must for first timers or those just looking for something to do on a Saturday morning. The new location at the Landmark District has made for a larger space with more culture and colour. Murals decorate what would be plain grey concrete walls of the surrounding office buildings. There’s lots of see and taste giving you a great sense of the food scene in the Okanagan. Once you’re done at the market I also suggest a DIY food tour of the area. Places like Copper Brewing, Limey The British Shop, Midtown Station, Habibi Tapas and so much more!

Wine Tasting on a Budget in Kelowna – $5-$15 or free for members

Below are a list of wineries that offer reasonably priced tasting fees that will suit your budget. If you’re biking the area or just want to pop into a winery while in town without spending money on a tour then these are some great spots for wine tasting on a budget in Kelowna!

• The View Winery, East Kelowna
  Located in East Kelowna this historic apple packing house serves 5 tastings of wines or ciders at $10
• Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Lakeshore Wine Route
  It is worth check out for its replica of the pyramid of Giza but also has some of the valley’s best sparkling wines. Here you’ll get a spectacular view of the city, Okanagan Lake and valley as well as tastings of white wines for $15. However, it is worth booking a wine tasting tour with Pyramid visit for $30 per person.
• Spearhead Winery, East Kelowna
  For $10 you’ll get a sit down tasting at this winery that offers some of my favourite boutique wines in the city. I really love exploring this area because it is a gorgeous scene of vineyards and farmland just a short drive from the city.
• Priest Creek Winery, East Kelowna
  I absolutely love this family owned winery. So much so that even my sister is getting married here in September! Guests can find $10 wine tastings unlimited to red or white wines. Don’t forget to check out The Spot Food Truck in the yard.
• Hidden Vines Winery, East Kelowna/Crawford
  This is Kelowna’s newest winery and it is conveniently tucked away on the East Kelowna bench. This is a family run winery with the wine maker with previous experience growing and making wine in North Carolina. Tasting is only $5, how’s that for wine tasting on a budget in Kelowna! You get 3 wines, 2 whites and a pinot noir. Expect more expansion as the Okanagan recovers from the devastating cold snap of January 2024.

Beer Tasting in Kelowna on a Budget in Kelowna – BC Ale Trail Tastings

One of the things you must try while in Kelowna is our BC craft beer. While many tour companies suggest you take their tours, I find all you need is your feet! Walk around the North End brewery district. There, you’ll be able to try up to 10ish breweries all within an easy stroll of each other. Watch the video above for some of our top picks for delicious food and beer in one stop.

There is lots of fun to be had here in the Okanagan! Visiting Kelowna on a budget is possible and will make for a memorable visit! Keep an open mind and maybe subscribe to our newsletter to keep in touch!

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