The weather may be cooler, but there are still plenty of things to do in Vernon. Whether it’s you and a friend or the whole family, it’s time to explore, eat and enjoy!
Autumn Fun with Vernon Fall Festivals
The changing colours in Vernon signal it’s time for the harvest, great food and outdoor adventure. In September and October, you’ll find fresh produce from the fields. Bite into juicy pears or crunchy apples. Don’t forget to stock up on squashes, pumpkins and other great artisan goodies at the Vernon Farmers’ Market.
Grab the kids and celebrate harvest time at Davison Orchards. Their Apple Harvest Festival starts in early September and runs until the apples are gone. Take the Johnny Popper Orchard Tour into the orchard and pick some delicious apples. Every weekend, farmers choose a new apple variety to pick. Go every weekend!
After the apples are gone, Davison Orchards offers a Pumpkin Festival every weekend in October. Take a ride out to the pumpkin patch on the Johnny Popper Orchard Train and pick your very own Jack-O-Lantern. The best part is the great food. Sink your teeth into a caramel apple, or try some apple cider donuts and fresh baked apple pie.
Also in October, the O’Keefe Ranch has its annual Family Daze and Corn Maze on the weekends from 11 am to 4 pm. They dare you to check out the haunted corn maze with the Field of Screams. Those who prefer less ghostly fun can take a wagon ride, ride a pony or visit the general store.
Liquid Refreshments
Vernon is home to the BX Press Cidery, Marten Brew Pub, Okanagan Spirits and Honeymoon Meadery. You can taste the goodness of the cider at the BX Press Cidery, open three days a week in the cooler months. Marten Brew Pub is a craft brewery and a restaurant with flights of handcrafted beer. Over at Okanagan Spirits, you’ll find award-winning liqueurs, brandy, absinthe, vodka, gin, whisky, grappa, aquavit and bitters. And don’t forget the mead! Honeymoon Meadery has been turning out award-winning mead for over 10 years now.
Wine Tours
There are vineyards in Vernon and the wineries are only 20 minutes away. Mojo Tours out of Vernon is happy to take you on the Scenic Sip tour, just outside of Vernon. Relax and let someone else do the driving as you sip and sample your way through the day.
Foodie Heaven
Those who want a bit more food-related fun should check out Helmet’s Sausage Kitchen in Vernon. Create your own charcuterie board with handcrafted European sausage, smoked meats and deli goodies. Cheese lovers take note, many of the locally produced cheeses can be found at the Vernon Farmers’ Market. If you prefer, drive out to Triple Island Cheese Farm outside of Cherryville or take in the cheese festival in Armstrong in November.
Aside from all the great fresh produce, meats and cheeses in Vernon, there is an abundance of great restaurants to choose from. The multi-ethnic restaurant scene will have your mouth watering. Choose from family dining, fast food, fine dining, international cuisine, pub fare and even food trucks. There are dozens of Asian food restaurants as well as Italian, Greek, Filipino, Indian and Mexican, just to name a few.
Hike and Bike
The Vernon area is well known for its hiking and biking trails. From trails that meander through the city, to lakeside adventures and exhilarating mountain scenery, there’s a trail just right for you. There’s even fat biking in the winter all around Vernon.
Winter Wonderland and a Carnival
When the snow starts to fall, that means it’s time to bundle up and get outdoors. There’s Nordic skiing, downhill, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, skating and snowmobiling at SilverStar. Vernon Winter Carnival offers hot air balloons, ice sculpting, tons of arts and cultural events and a pirate theme!
Outdoor Theatre
The Caravan Farm Theatre hosts a walk of terror at the end of October and a winter sleigh ride experience from mid-December to the end of December. It’s the world’s only horse-drawn winter sleigh ride theatre experience.
There’s so much more to see and do in Vernon and the surrounding area in the fall and winter. For more information, visit tourismvernon.com.