The Best Places to Visit in British Columbia

Kelowna BC

Check out Wicked Tours’ list of the best places to visit in British Columbia. Rather than listing 100 things, we’ve chosen our 5 top spots. Read More!


Courtesy of Destination BC/Kari Medig - Lake of the Hanging Glacier, Invermere

Courtesy of Destination BC – Kari Medig
No “best places to visit in BC” blog post could ever do justice to British Columbia. Let’s say that straight out of the gate. Anyone who says they’ve found the objective list of the best things to do in BC is probably a little disingenuous… Any list or travel guide will be inherently biased, and that’s okay if the writer recognizes this. As you might expect, Wicked Wine Tours’ list leans towards BC’s incredible Okanagan Valley. British Columbia is a fantastic place to visit; we hope we can do it justice with this guide.

A little background about British Columbia

British Columbia is one of Canada’s most popular domestic and international travel provinces. This vast province spans the entire length of Canada’s Pacific coastline and contains the world-famous Canadian Rockies mountain range. Approximately two-thirds of BC’s surface is forest, and the lush green landscapes come to mind for anyone who has visited the province. 

Now for some of the top BC spots!

 

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Courtesy of Destination BC -Tanya Goehring
KelownaIt is popular to discuss the entire Okanagan Valley, praising its lush greenery and distinct Canadian wine culture — but we’ve done that recently with our 5 Reasons to Visit Canada’s Okanagan Valley. So, we’d like to focus on Kelowna, the central city within the Okanagan Valley. Resting on the banks of the beautiful Okanagan Lake, Kelowna offers incredible views in every direction. The wider Kelowna area balances green countryside (wine country!), stunning lakeside views, and charming BC architecture. This part of British Columbia gets more popular yearly, and Wicked Tours is lucky to be here! Check out our diverse range of Kelowna Wine Tastings if you plan to visit. 

Whistler Village, British Columbia, Canada

Courtesy of Destination BC – Blake Jorgenson
WhistlerWhistler is arguably the epicentre of the world of winter sports, competing for the top spot with Europe’s best winter resorts. While Whistler was a local favourite several decades ago, its stunning vistas and perfect slopes could not be kept secret for long. Budding winter sports enthusiasts from around the world started making the yearly pilgrimage to Whistler long before the 2010 Whistler Olympic Games cemented the area and Blackcomb Mountain as one of the best places in the world for winter sports! If you need more reasons to visit, type “Whistler” into a Google image search…

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Courtesy of Destination BC – Reuben Krabbe
Vancouver Island – Vancouver Island is the largest island on the western coast of North America, packed with beautiful parks, forests, beaches and campsites. While many people like to tell you Vancouver Island is larger than the UK, it is considerably smaller. The island is a very similar size to Belgium! For many, the highlight of Vancouver Island is the vast and luscious Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and the temperate weather enjoyed all year round. If all of the lush green nature gets too much for you, the city of Victoria has a lot of history and culture to offer.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Destination BC – Albert Normandin
Vancouver – We would be doing you a disservice if we didn’t mention Vancouver — BC’s densely populated, diverse metropolitan city. Vancouver has more art galleries, museums, historic sites, and nightlife than any visitor can see in a short visit, so you will want to dedicate at least four or five days to sample the city properly. Vancouver’s foodie scene is incredible, and its vast Chinatown and Chinese population make it ideal for anyone who loves authentic Chinese cuisine. Vancouver’s skyline will take your breath away. While you can see the ocean and nearby forests around the city, you may be more impressed by Vancouver’s architecture and overall aesthetic than by anything Mother Nature can throw at you.

A spirit kermode bear walking in the Great Bear Rainforest

Courtesy of Destination BC – Ian McAllister – Pacific Wild
Great Bear RainforestUnless you travel to the desolate wilderness of Northern Canada, you won’t find a more remote or tranquil place than the Great Bear Rainforest. There aren’t many roads within the rainforest, making it perfect for nature lovers who want to escape from the noise of modern living. The most significant selling point of the Great Bear Rainforest is that it is the largest coastal temperate rainforest in the world, which means that there is a considerable range of incredible marine life to look out for, including charming sea otters and awe-inspiring whales. If you’re fortunate, you may even see the scarce white Kermode bear (also known as the “spirit bear”).

That’s all we have time for with this blog. We could write a book about all the places worth seeing in British Columbia, but we’re a wine tour company and busy showing off the beautiful Okanagan Valley! If anything in this guide has inspired you to visit BC and you want to add one of our Okanagan wine tours to your trip, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Group of girls walking through vineyard on the West Kelowna Wine Tour
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
no limit

Wicked Wine Express: Half-Day West Kelowna Wine Tour

Explore the enchanting vineyards and breathtaking views on a West Kelowna wine tour. With its rolling hills, lush orchards and majestic lake views, the Westside Wine Trail offers a unique mix of sophistication and rural charm that impress even the most discerning travellers. Sample locally-crafted wines, chat with knowledgeable winemakers, and capture stunning landscapes throughout this fascinating tour.

★★★★★
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from
CA$139
The View Winery on the Kelowna Wine Tour
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
no limit

Twilight Tastings: Half-Day Kelowna Wine Tour

Kelowna's wine scene is bursting with hidden gems. Explore them all on a guided tour of the city's Southeast area. Discover unique family-run, limited-production wineries with chic bohemian vibes and unforgettable Instagram-worthy posts. Enjoy samples of the area's best-kept secrets, and don't miss out on this off-the-beaten-path adventure!

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$139
Frind Estate Winery near the water on our Westside Wine Trail
Duration
5 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
no limit

Grapes & Gastronomy: West Kelowna Winery Tour and Gourmet Lunch

Take a memorable journey through the beautiful Okanagan Valley on one of the wine tours from Kelowna. Enjoy an eclectic mix of farm-style hospitality and upscale elegance as you explore vineyards along the Westside Wine Trail. Marvel at the stunning lake views and rolling vineyards before indulging in some of the area's finest cuisines.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$159
Arrowleaf Cellars
Duration
5 hours
Group Size
no limit

Discover Scenic Sip: Lakeside Wine Tour

Tour Okanagan Lake Country and explore some of the region's best wines. Taste world-class Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir and experience their crisp flavor, delicate earthy aroma, and superb quality. Immerse yourself in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere as you savor some of this area's finest wines.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$159
Wicked Wine Tours Kelowna BC
Duration
5 hours
Group Size
no limit

Vineyard Vixens: VIP Bachelorette Wine Tour

Soak up the stunning views of Okanagan Lake Country on a wine tour, and sample a range of expertly crafted wines. Enjoy Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noirs that are bound with earthy undertones aromas - complemented perfectly by a selection of artisan foods. Relax in an unpretentious atmosphere as you experience world-class wines from this rustic region.

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CA$169
Mission Hill Family Estate
Duration
7 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
Up to 6

Taste of Terroir: Private Wine Tour in Kelowna's Finest Wineries

Indulge in an exclusive, luxurious private wine tour through Kelowna's most picturesque vineyards. Uncover the region's finest flavours on this intimate journey, featuring a fascinating cellar tour at Mission Hill Family Estate, captivating vineyard explorations at Quails' Gate Estate Winery and CedarCreek Estate Winery, and a delectable lunch experience at Quails' Gate. Immerse yourself in the art of winemaking, savour the beauty of the vineyards, and create cherished memories as you indulge in the finest wines Kelowna has to offer. Join us on this extraordinary adventure and discover the essence of perfection in every sip.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$379
Hillside Winery
Duration
6 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
no limit

Sip & Discover Naramata Wine Tour

If you're looking for the perfect wine-tasting experience, the Naramata Bench in Penticton is a must! This winding, scenic road showcases perfectly manicured vineyards overlooking breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake. The area is known for its big, full-bodied reds and whites — perfect for sipping on a sun-dappled patio — and offers fantastic dining opportunities in its many restaurants.

★★★★★
★★★★★
from
CA$199