Places to See: What is there to do in Summerland?

We’ve been home for a couple weeks now since our trip to Summerland, and all we want to do is go back. This blogger press trip came at the perfect time. We needed a getaway. A little road trip. Time away from home as a family. To go and explore. Now, we are dreaming of going back for another vacation soon.

What is there to do in Summerland? Most of our weekend was planned out for us, with some room to explore too. 

We arrived in Summerland early because we headed up to the Okanagan a couple days early to visit family. It made our drive there much shorter. Since we were early to check in, and it was nearing lunch time we headed out to find a place to eat.

Zia’s Stonehouse Restaurant was recommended to us. When on trips like this we love finding places that have reasonable prices, and good food. We got exactly that here. The staff were amazing with the girls, keeping Evie entertained, and bringing her a colouring book. Addie sat in a high chair. The portions were great for what we ordered from the lunch menu. Everyone was pleased with what they ordered. 

Another place we popped into, while waiting for the hotel to call saying our room was ready, was The Beanery Café. This place came recommended by several friends who love coffee. Since the night before had been a bit rough with the girls not sleeping well, coffee was a must. Jason tried the Karamisu, which is a tiramisu inspired coffee. I just kept things simple with a steamed milk that I could share with Evie. I regret not going back here on our trip, I would make it a daily pit stop if you love grabbing a coffee every day. If you stay at the café there is even a little play table for young kids. 

You better believe our jaws hit the floor when we got to check in, and go into our suite at the resort. We were thrilled to discover that we were staying in a two bedroom suite. This makes a huge difference for families who are traveling with kids. The girls go to bed much earlier than we do, so even just a one bedroom suite would have been a blessing. We were able to put the girls to bed, and still stay up ourselves. No 7pm bedtime for us! If you want more details on Summerland Waterfront Resort, check out our full post.

The first night at the resort we got to enjoy a private tasting, and welcome dinner put together by Local Lounge – Grille. Local is in between the resorts two buildings, and is the go to restaurant for those who live in the area, and guests of the resort. If you are wanting to get in during the busy season, or in the evening over the weekend be sure to call in advance and book a reservation. You may want to consider ordering takeout if staying at the resort, and eating in the comfort of your suite. The food we got to try was incredible. Possibly the best grilled cheese I have ever had.

It was nice catching up with everyone after the day of travel. The kids all started playing together right away. Plus it helps that the resort staff pulled out craft items, and the kids started making crowns, and magic wands out of pipe cleaners.

After dinner there was another little surprise. We were treated to getting to make s’more over the fire pit. There is just something about gathering around a fire, everyone relaxes, and just enjoys talking to one another. The kids all had their shoes kicked off, and were playing in the sand. We did call it a night early in order to stick to the usual bedtime for our girls. I will let you know that the pool was open til 11pm! Great opportunity to go for a dip, especially during the warm summer season, to cool down in the evening. 

Our full day in Summerland was a busy one. Plus the girls decided to get up with the sun. This was okay with me, because I was able to pop over to the resort’s bistro right when it opened and get my order in for breakfast right away. I got everything to go, and brought it back to our suite to enjoy on the patio. I cannot recommend the breakfast panini enough. The caramel muffins were incredible too… made that morning!

With water, and sunscreen packed into my purse we loaded onto the tour bus, with Karen of Authentically Okanagan as our guide. With a full day planned out for us, there was not a moment to waste.

Our first stop was at Okanagan Crush Pad, this was one of Evie’s highlights of the trip. Sure there is wine, but there is also lots for those who do not drink. Plus it’s just beautiful, and a great photo opportunity. You just cannot go wrong with kids, and farm animals. They just go together.

Next it was off to Summerland Sweets, but first a quick stop at one of the trestles that was a part of the Kettle Valley Railway for some photos. While at Summerland Sweets, some tasted wine, but the kids tried different flavoured syrups. Call me a big kid, but I tried the syrups. We ended up bringing home a raspberry, and an apricot syrup. I’m fearful we will work our way through them quickly, but you cannot help but want to make waffle or pancakes each morning when you have these in the house. The raspberry is also incredible on vanilla ice cream. I’m also dreaming up ways to integrate these into some baking.

Jason and the girls had been following the bus during the morning adventure. We parted ways though after Summerland Sweets. The girls were due for a nap thanks to their early wakeup, but the second half of our day was going to be a long, hot one.  Evie got to enjoy an ice cream before going back to the resort. She left happy.

This meant I was off on my own to enjoy the second half of the tour by myself… well with the group of bloggers and their families still. The kids had all been promised ice cream, and they were not disappointed. After a bit of a drive out of Summerland, we arrived to Tickleberry’s. This place has all sorts of fun knick knacks, delicious fudge, and of course giant waffle cones full of ice cream! If you do plan to stop here, get there before 2 because the place gets packed in the afternoon and there is only one line to get ice cream. 

A highlight of the tour was definitely getting to attend Pig Out in Osoyoos. This was the 5th year for the Pig Out festival, and it did not disappoint. It is an event you have to get tickets for, and it does sell out quickly. If it even crosses your mind to attend, do not hesitate to get tickets.

It was hosted at Covert Farms and as soon as you arrive you see a field covered in tents. Each tented spot has wine, and food. There were 38 winers, and 9 chefs involved. While I did not sample the wine, I was able to find iced tea to drink. There were also water stations set up around the event.

Each year the event has had a different theme, and this years was “If Pigs Could Moo” so there were also dishes featuring BC Beef. The food was amazing! I was a bit sad for Jason that he missed out on getting to enjoy it, but we knew the girls would not make it out there, and there was no way there were going to nap otherwise. Now if you are not brave about eating certain cuts of meat be sure to read the signs, or ask what is being prepared.

Once everyone was full it was back on the bus, and we headed back to the hotel after our whirlwind day. It was time to relax by the pool. 

I think any vacation that involved a pool causes this photo to happen. We have several photos of Evie getting tossed into the air while playing in the pool from different vacations. As soon as we arrived the first day she was asking to go to the pool, and we made sure to get her out there. It was a great way to get some energy out of her. Plus it was the first time she tried swimming on her own while in her floaties. Dare I say, I almost wish we had spent more time at the pool?

There is also a great walking path near the water. It takes you a long the lake, and if you keep following it you go past some parks space with a play ground, and to the walking piers. It was nice having a playground so close to the resort too.

We were sad to leave and head home after this wonderful little vacation. Summerland captured our hearts. It may have had a little something to do with the fact that rush hour traffic was nothing compared to Vancouver, and that the housing market has yet to become crazy. We just might have to consider moving out this way.

We hope to be back soon. Maybe next summer for a bit longer of a stay. We came home feeling relaxed, and with many memories.