This summer we’re driving to Vancouver (road trip!). Planning on crossing the border from Idaho around Creston, then driving to Kaslo, New Denver, and Kelowna.
Need an idea of how to split 4 nights and things to see on the way. Main interests day hiking, wine, restaurants.
No Banff etc this trip. Been there already. Wow, the Columbia Glacier has really receded in the last 15 years.
I don't know if you're interested in cycling or hiking, but this is being heavily marketed on TV and social media right now. It's been years that I've been through here and I recall some spectacular views.
https://visitpenticton.com/experience/kettle-valley-rail-trail/
Cycling is good, if good weather it’s an option. Probably rent rather than hauling all that way.
Naramata, mentioned in the Kettle Valley link, is a beautiful stretch of road overlooking Okanagan Lake, with wineries and some restaurants. It is well worth part of a day and there are also some places to stay if one wants to stay longer.
Restaurants in Kelowna - we were in Kelowna for a couple of nights last May. We found a little place called Micro Bar + Bites that delicious and delightful. Highly recommend.
If you like wine, restaurants, and day hiking then you probably want to spend as much time as possible in and around Kelowna - those are all things the Okanagan excels at! Enroute, I'd recommend stopping in Nelson. I think it's the nicest town in the Kootenays with old historic buildings, interesting shops and restaurants, and lots of hiking options (https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/recreation/mountain/hiking).
If you want to go through New Denver, it is home to the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre (https://www.kootenayrockies.com/partner/nikkei-internment-memorial-centre/), focused on the experiences of Japanese Canadians who were relocated here from the coast and interned during WWII.
From New Denver, you'd reach the Okanagan at Vernon, about 1 hour north of Kelowna. I have family here so visit multiple times each year and find more and more to enjoy with each trip. The north Okanagan is lusher than the south and this is mostly orchard and farm territory rather than vineyards. For orchards, Cambium does great ciders and has an excellent restaurant. In summer it's lovely to sit in their outside area (some tables are in the orchard) and enjoy a wood-fired pizza. For hiking/walking, there are fine trails in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (also a great lake to swim in!) and they have converted old canal routes around town into walking paths (https://www.ribbonsofgreen.ca/grey-canal-trail) with far-reaching views. Vernon is also the north end of the Okanagan Rail Trail (https://okanaganrailtrail.ca/). You can rent bikes in both Kelowna and Vernon to ride it.
Heading south to Kelowna (and further), the wineries are beautiful and there are good bike routes or organized wine tours to get you safely between them. Most of the best restaurants in this area are at the wineries.
Have a wonderful trip!
We are regular e-cyclists and Vancouver is great for cycling. In Vancouver, not only can you cycle around the shoreline of Stanley Park (and along its east side, near downtown), you can also cycle along the shorline southeast of the park (past Second Beach and its pool) on further around to False Creek, all along its shoreline areas, across Granville Island and over to Kitsilano. The outdoor pools at Second beach and at Kitsilano are incredible.
See the City of Vancouver's website for info on bike routes. https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/cycling-routes-maps-and-trip-planner.aspx
I was in Kaslo and New Denver in September. I agree, the Internment Centre in New Denver fascinating. There are a few other Internment sites, like Sandon, that may be of interest. I had a rental car so didn't go to Sandon, but I think there is a good ice cream source as well as the old 'ghost town'. Slightly north is Nakusp hot springs. There are overnight cabins and camp sites. Also hot springs between Kaslow and Balfour. Christina Lake may be an interesting overnight area. There are some local hiking Fb groups (maybe from Grand Forks) you may want to look at for help for trails...as well as fire status.
Thanks for all the additional info. I selected New Denver not for the internment camp but because a friend from SE BC said that valley was the most beautiful in the world.
There’s also the old Ukrainian internment camp from WW 1 right next to the highway in Banff NP. Odd because unexpected and I was always left wondering how they separated the emigrants from the Ukrainian speaking areas of the Austrian Empire to put in camps from those of the Russian Empire who were not interred?
Be sure your auto insurance is all inclusive, as any damage that might occur to your car and any medical expenses you incur are your ( or your insurance carrier's) responsibility to pay, even if the other driver is at fault.
An overview of the law here---
https://gowlingwlg.com/en/insights-resources/articles/2021/no-fault-insurance-auto-accidents-british-columbia
BC has a lot of beauty, including the New Denver area. I will admit I tend to see it more from roadways, but it is a gorgeous part of the country. I have family in Kaslo and walking/hiking from the back logging roads never gets old for them.
Itinerary set. Western North Dakota tends to be pricey anyway but hotels like Hampton and Holiday Inn Express are pricing out at $409/night plus tax! Maybe the oil price surge is pushing temporary labor into the ND oil patch. I guess missing Theodore Roosevelt NP once again. I keep saying “Next time” but it never happens.
Glendive MT
Helena MT (friends)
Edmonds WA - 2 nights
Burnaby BC (relatives) - 3 nights
Naramata BC - 2 nights
New Denver BC - 2 nights
Helena MT (friends)
Glendive MT
Now fingers crossed no wildfire smoke. Medical and car insurance already cover Canada.
Is there anyplace in Vancouver I can get SE Asian fruits? Specifically looking for mangosteens.
Is there anyplace in Vancouver I can get SE Asian fruits? Specifically looking for mangosteens.
I've seen them for sale in the Granville market. Beware, they stain like nothing else, but they are SO tasty that it's worth a little Woolite.
-- Mike Beebe
You can try:
https://www.tntsupermarket.com/eng/05036301-mangosteen.html
There is a Metrotown Burnaby location.
And possibly
Thanks! I can get rambutans and lychees at home but not mangosteens.
