Enjoy a Staycation in Pandosy

Since flying to warmer climates isn’t in the cards right now, why not check out of the house and check in to a local hotel to “vacation in place” instead? With an enviable location just steps from Okanagan Lake, the Pandosy and Mission neighbourhoods combine opportunities for dining and shopping with easy access to heritage walks, nature trails and lake views.

Here are a few ideas to keep you busy on a staycation in Pandosy. Remember to vacation in place with your bubble group, and follow health and safety protocols including wearing a mask in indoor public spaces around town.

WHAT TO DO

Explore Pandosy Village

Pop into the numerous boutiques and gift shops along Pandosy St. in this walkable neighbourhood — browse for everything from antiques and vintage finds at Lois Lane Warehouse, to fair trade imports and locally crafted items at Globally Fair. If you’re feeling ambitious, keep walking west toward downtown and join up with the Abbott Street Heritage District (hang a left at the Kelowna General Hospital), where a paved pathway meanders past a number of heritage homes on Abbott Street with placards that describe the style of home and who lived there.

Discover Father Pandosy Mission

Learn about Kelowna’s early history at the site of its first European settlement, dating from 1859. Wander past original buildings including a chapel, barn and houses, plus pioneer buildings moved to the site from elsewhere around town.

Get active at the H2O Centre

With fitness classes and swimming pools, you can’t beat an afternoon working up a sweat and then getting wet at this Mission facility. For those who would rather play outdoors, the adjacent park complex includes a pathway alongside Thomson Marsh Park (look for ducks and other birds) that connects to the Mission Creek Greenway.

WHERE TO EAT

Marmalade Cat Café

The from-scratch muffins and cinnamon buns that wait inside the Victorian façade of this Pandosy mainstay have become fan favourites. But equally delicious are the egg croissants, homemade soups and numerous wraps and sandwiches. Everything is gluten-free, too.

Mission Tap House & Grill

This old-school tap house serves up pub food in a cozy atmosphere right in Pandosy Village. Pair your pizza, hearty sandwich or comforting mac-n-cheese with numerous B.C. craft brewers on tap, from Penticton’s Bad Tattoo to Revelstoke’s Mt. Begbie.

The Restaurants located at The Shore

This eagerly anticipated new-build right across from Gyro Beach on Lakeshore Rd. features luxury vacation rentals plus a number of new restaurants worth checking out. Start your day with an Aperol Spritz paired with eggs benny or mascarpone French toast at Diner Deluxe. Prepare for T-One to become your new go-to ramen joint, thanks to a drool-worthy BBQ pork ramen and a delicious tempura version. And definitely grab a table at Shore Line Brewing for craft beer (order the chocolate cherry porter) and beachy eats such as burgers, street tacos and fish & chips.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Eldorado

Kelowna’s original lakeside resort was the city’s cultural hub, hosting croquet matches and garden parties back in the day. Still elegant, a stay at the Hotel Eldorado is like stepping back to the simpler times before Covid, when days were spent playing outside, and evenings ended with a nightcap in the cozy bar. Comfortable rooms decorated with antiques complete the time travel experience.

Siesta Suites

Located right on the edge of Pandosy Village within walking distance from shops and restaurants, this convenient property offers modern and bright rooms with full kitchens. And because no staycation is complete without a relaxing dip, there’s an indoor pool and hot tub, too.

Interested in learning more?

Visit TourismKelowna.com, contact our Visitor Centre team, or sign up for the #exploreKelowna weekly newsletter.

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