Historic Sites in Kelowna

Kelowna’s story lives on in the landmarks you can walk through today. From heritage gardens and century-old churches to rail trestles high in the mountains, these sites reveal chapters of the city’s past and the people who shaped it.

Each season offers a fresh way to explore: spring blossoms in historic gardens, summer bike rides across the Myra Canyon trestles, golden-hour strolls through heritage parks in the fall, and crisp winter visits to museums that bring history indoors. Exploring Kelowna’s historic places is a chance to connect with the Okanagan’s layered history, syilx/Okanagan roots, early settlement, and community traditions, while experiencing the landscapes that continue to inspire life here.

Sncewips Heritage Museum

Located in Westbank First Nation, the Sncewips Heritage Museum shares the living culture, art, and history of the syilx/Okanagan Nation. Exhibits highlight traditional knowledge, oral histories, and contemporary works that connect past to present, offering visitors an authentic opportunity to learn directly from Indigenous voices.

Okanagan Heritage Museum

Located in downtown Kelowna, the Okanagan Heritage Museum explores the valley’s deep history, with exhibits on the syilx/Okanagan people, early settlement, and natural history. Interactive displays and rotating exhibitions make it a welcoming stop for families and history enthusiasts alike.

Father Pandosy Mission

Established in 1859, Father Pandosy Mission, formally the Mission of the Immaculate Conception, was the first permanent European settlement in the Okanagan Interior. Visitors today can explore restored log structures: a chapel, living quarters, barns, and farm buildings that evoke early settler life. Now a heritage site, it remains a key…

Myra Canyon Trestles

The Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Railway is one of Kelowna’s most iconic historic landmarks. Built in the early 1900s, the series of wooden trestles and tunnels once carried trains across steep mountain terrain. Today, the restored trail welcomes cyclists and hikers, offering sweeping views and a direct connection to the…

Guisachan Heritage Park

Once part of an early estate established in 1891, Guisachan Heritage Park features mature gardens, a historic house, and peaceful pathways. The site reflects Kelowna’s agricultural beginnings and remains a favourite local gathering place, especially in spring and summer when the gardens are in bloom.

Fintry Estate and Provincial Park

Just across Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, Fintry Estate preserves the legacy of Scottish settler James Cameron Dun-Waters. The heritage manor house, barns, and gardens are open seasonally for tours, and the park offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and camping alongside this unique piece of Okanagan history.

Benvoulin Heritage Church

Built in 1892, Benvoulin Heritage Church is one of Kelowna’s oldest standing churches. Restored and maintained by the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, it’s a popular spot for small weddings and community events, as well as a striking reminder of Kelowna’s early settlement era.

Other Notable Landmarks

Heritage buildings, commemorative parks, and interpretive signage can be found throughout Kelowna, from historic homes in the Abbott Street corridor to monuments that honour community stories. Exploring downtown Kelowna reveals a blend of past and present, where modern culture unfolds alongside preserved character.