Situated where the North and South Thompson Rivers converge, Kamloops, in the British Columbia interior, is a familiar stopping point for many overland travelers on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Yellowhead Highway. But as I recently discovered, the city of 85,000 is about more than just motels and gas stations: with its broad range of attractions, Kamloops is a destination in its own right.
Cultural Attractions in Kamloops
With a history of human habitation going back over 8000 years, it's no surprise that Kamloops has some culture to show for it. The first people in the area were the Secwepemc, or Shuswap, and their presence remains strong today. Visit the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park (202-355 Yellowhead Highway) to get a sense of the local Native history, which comes to life not only through the many artifacts and the replica pit houses outside, but also through the vibrant museum staff.
Downtown, the Kamloops Art Gallery (465 Victoria Street) focuses on contemporary visual art while the Kamloops Museum and Archives (207 Seymour Street) showcases the city's rich fur trade and gold rush heritage. Nearby, the Kamloops Heritage Railway (#6-510 Lorne Street) offers daily summer train robbery reenactments to the lucky riders on its train, pulled by a restored steam locomotive.
Food Tourism in Kamloops: Farms, Orchards, and Microbreweries
Kamloops is located within the Thompson-Okanagan region, a part of BC renowned for its ideal climate and growing conditions. Nearby orchards, ranches and dairies can be visited as a part of Tourism Kamloops' agritourism initiative; view their interactive map for farm and ranch locations, to find out which offer tours, and to locate fruit and vegetable stands. Also visit the Kamloops Farmers' Market which runs twice weekly from April through October.
For a memorable local culinary experience, try the Noble Pig Brewhouse (650 Victoria Street), a family-friendly restaurant/pub opened in 2010 in downtown Kamloops. Its innovative onsite microbrewery produces clean, refreshing brews like Facist Pig Pilsner and Belgian Pepper Ale, and its modestly priced menu puts a classy twist on traditional pub fare while incorporating house beers into practically everything, including the dessert.
Kamloops Sports and Outdoor Recreation
Styling itself as Canada's Tournament Capital, Kamloops lives up to its name with its world-class Tournament Capital Centre (910 McGill Road). The city plays host to numerous events and training camps throughout the year, and its facilities include an Olympic-size swimming pool, a gigantic fieldhouse the size of three NHL rinks, a fully-equipped gymnastics centre, a FIFA-certified sports field, and an 8000-square foot workout centre.
Forty kilometers of walking trails loop in and around Kamloops and the Thompson River Valley, and the city is close to both the Tobiano Golf Course and Sun Rivers Golf Course, as well as the world-famous skiing mecca Sun Peaks Resort.
How to Get to Kamloops
Direct flights to Kamloops are available through Calgary, Vancouver and Prince George from Air Canada, WestJet and Central Mountain Air. Via Rail is a good option for train travel to Kamloops, with departures from Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and anywhere along the Via line; the city can also be reached by Greyhound bus. If you’re driving, Highways 1, 5 and 97 all pass through Kamloops.
Kamloops Accommodations
Downtown Kamloops accommodations can be found at the Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre (650 Victoria Street). The Kamloops Ramada Inn is also centrally located. A little farther from the action is the South Thompson Inn (3438 Shuswap Road), a popular option. Those on a tight budget might try the Kamloops Guesthouse (731 Cumberland Ave).
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