Food Scene
Amazing Bento Boxes.
(Don helped write the business plan for this restaurant many years ago.)
Taka Japanese Restaurant
270-1210 Summit DrAmazing Bento Boxes.
(Don helped write the business plan for this restaurant many years ago.)
BEST food in Kamloops. The Pesto Risotto is to die for! Really, if you only have one night to go out, be sure to try this place. All dishes are prepared in-house, no reheated or from a can foods here. The menu changes all the time and it's always excellent. Huge wine selection, fantastic desserts.
(Mittz catered Rhiannon & Don's wedding, it's THAT good).
28 locals recommend
Mittz Kitchen
227 Victoria StBEST food in Kamloops. The Pesto Risotto is to die for! Really, if you only have one night to go out, be sure to try this place. All dishes are prepared in-house, no reheated or from a can foods here. The menu changes all the time and it's always excellent. Huge wine selection, fantastic desserts.
(Mittz catered Rhiannon & Don's wedding, it's THAT good).
Great food. Also a nice place for drinks: Monday nights sometimes features 4 drinks and 4 appies for a low price. Try their famous Bellini.
Milestones
1395 Hillside DrGreat food. Also a nice place for drinks: Monday nights sometimes features 4 drinks and 4 appies for a low price. Try their famous Bellini.
ALL BREAKFAST, ALL DAY! It's a busy spot for good reason!
(The fruit arrangements are gorgeous. Leave extra room for free fudge at the end.)
Cora Breakfast and Lunch
1801 Princeton-Kamloops HwyALL BREAKFAST, ALL DAY! It's a busy spot for good reason!
(The fruit arrangements are gorgeous. Leave extra room for free fudge at the end.)
Excellent Greek food. The large platters can feed 3-5 people. Excellent value, great flavours, interesting decor.
Dorian Greek House
430 Victoria StExcellent Greek food. The large platters can feed 3-5 people. Excellent value, great flavours, interesting decor.
Great food. Reminds us of Vancouver. A bit louder, but booths in the back are more private.
17 locals recommend
Earls Kitchen + Bar
1210 Summit DrGreat food. Reminds us of Vancouver. A bit louder, but booths in the back are more private.
Boston Pizza
500 Notre Dame DrKids love this place. After Sports location. Large pizza menu.
Delivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
Papa John's Pizza
1801 Princeton-Kamloops HwyDelivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
Delivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
Panago Pizza
1350 Summit DrDelivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
Delivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
Little Caesars Pizza
1380 Summit DrDelivery only. Be sure to tell them you are in the suite following the path to the left of the main entrance, down and around. We wouldn't want to, er, eat your pizza...
GREAT burgers. Kids get a free balloon.
(Rhiannon loves the Blue Ribbon Burger, with a veggie pattie for no additional charge).
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
1180 Columbia St WGREAT burgers. Kids get a free balloon.
(Rhiannon loves the Blue Ribbon Burger, with a veggie pattie for no additional charge).
Upper-scale, very quiet. Perhaps the quietest restaurant in town. Great views.
It's on the Sun Rivers Golf Course.
12 locals recommend
Bighorn Golf & Country Club
1000 Clubhouse DrUpper-scale, very quiet. Perhaps the quietest restaurant in town. Great views.
It's on the Sun Rivers Golf Course.
Known for their steak and seafood. Quieter place, nice riverside patio during summer months.
Storms Restaurant
1502 River StKnown for their steak and seafood. Quieter place, nice riverside patio during summer months.
As it says, Causal Steakhouse. A bit loud for our taste, but nice and close by.
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
1200 Summit DrAs it says, Causal Steakhouse. A bit loud for our taste, but nice and close by.
Cafe, art gallery, handmade item store, groovy hangout. It's got a really artsy hippie feel about it. FANTASTIC spanikapita and the chocolate haystack cake is delicious. Come to think of it, the meals may all be vegetarian...
(Rhiannon's symphony colleagues sometimes play fiddle music here on select Saturdays).
21 locals recommend
The Art We Are Cafe
246 Victoria StCafe, art gallery, handmade item store, groovy hangout. It's got a really artsy hippie feel about it. FANTASTIC spanikapita and the chocolate haystack cake is delicious. Come to think of it, the meals may all be vegetarian...
(Rhiannon's symphony colleagues sometimes play fiddle music here on select Saturdays).
Parks & Nature
You are literally on the edge of the trail system!
(Rhiannon and Don loved the trails so much they wanted to buy a house nearby. And here we are now, living in this paradise!)
24 locals recommend
Peterson Creek Park
1440 Glenfair DrYou are literally on the edge of the trail system!
(Rhiannon and Don loved the trails so much they wanted to buy a house nearby. And here we are now, living in this paradise!)
Albert McGowan Park
2025 Summit DrWATERPARK within walking distance! Need we say more?
Playgrounds, gardens and a nice riverfront walk. Some crazy people even swim in the cold water. Brrrrr!
41 locals recommend
Riverside Park
100 Lorne StPlaygrounds, gardens and a nice riverfront walk. Some crazy people even swim in the cold water. Brrrrr!
SPECTACULAR view at the Tower Trail.
(We prefer Peterson Creek, but this is a nice second place trail system).
39 locals recommend
Kenna Cartwright Park
SPECTACULAR view at the Tower Trail.
(We prefer Peterson Creek, but this is a nice second place trail system).
TRAVEL STOP
This is an excellent stop if you are travelling to or from the coast on the Coquihalla. It's one of BC's best-kept secrets. You will marvel in the engineering required to blast these huge tunnels through stone using dynamite over 100 years ago. You will also see pristine wilderness hidden by narrow stone crevices.
The easiest route to drive to the Othello Tunnels is to take Exit #183 Othello Road from the Coquihalla Highway. The turnoff is located about 6km east of the junction to the Crowsnest Highway (Highway #3) along Coquihalla Highway (Highway #5).
https://www.vancouvertrails.com/blog/othello-tunnels/
61 locals recommend
Othello Tunnels
TRAVEL STOP
This is an excellent stop if you are travelling to or from the coast on the Coquihalla. It's one of BC's best-kept secrets. You will marvel in the engineering required to blast these huge tunnels through stone using dynamite over 100 years ago. You will also see pristine wilderness hidden by narrow stone crevices.
The easiest route to drive to the Othello Tunnels is to take Exit #183 Othello Road from the Coquihalla Highway. The turnoff is located about 6km east of the junction to the Crowsnest Highway (Highway #3) along Coquihalla Highway (Highway #5).
https://www.vancouvertrails.com/blog/othello-tunnels/
TRAVEL STOP
This is an excellent stop if you are travelling to or from the coast on the Trans Canada Hwy 1.
Historic site with amazing views and a VERY cool gondola/cable airtram. Also fantastic fudge at the candy shop!
http://www.hellsgateairtram.com/
21 locals recommend
Hells Gate
TRAVEL STOP
This is an excellent stop if you are travelling to or from the coast on the Trans Canada Hwy 1.
Historic site with amazing views and a VERY cool gondola/cable airtram. Also fantastic fudge at the candy shop!
http://www.hellsgateairtram.com/
Arts & Culture
This venue is home to the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra! Kids are only $10, and TD Soundcheck sponsors youth from 19-35 for discounted tickets too! See www.KamloopsSymphony.com and be sure to tell the Maestro after the show that Rhiannon sent you!
(Rhiannon plays second violin in the KSO.)
12 locals recommend
Sagebrush Theatre
1300 9 AveThis venue is home to the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra! Kids are only $10, and TD Soundcheck sponsors youth from 19-35 for discounted tickets too! See www.KamloopsSymphony.com and be sure to tell the Maestro after the show that Rhiannon sent you!
(Rhiannon plays second violin in the KSO.)
Kamloops is home to a Professional Theatre Company! The productions rival those presented in much larger cities.
www.wctlive.ca
(Rhiannon tries to go to as many shows as she can and has musician friends involved with the group).
6 locals recommend
Western Canada Theatre
1025 Lorne StKamloops is home to a Professional Theatre Company! The productions rival those presented in much larger cities.
www.wctlive.ca
(Rhiannon tries to go to as many shows as she can and has musician friends involved with the group).
Kamloops Art Gallery
465 Victoria StBeautiful art in a heritage building.
It's quaint and cute. Interesting history in the region. The archives are fascinating.
18 locals recommend
Kamloops Museum and Archives
207 Seymour StIt's quaint and cute. Interesting history in the region. The archives are fascinating.
Thompson Rivers University
805 Tru WayLibrary, halls, lectures, concerts, sports facilities.
Shopping
It's close by, it's got a lot of great shops and it's a great way for teens to kill some time.
(Don avoids the mall like the plague, but don't let that discourage you.)
19 locals recommend
Aberdeen Mall
1320 Trans-Canada HwyIt's close by, it's got a lot of great shops and it's a great way for teens to kill some time.
(Don avoids the mall like the plague, but don't let that discourage you.)
*Membership required. Costco is amazing. The people here are great. Best times to shop are at opening 10am and around 7pm before close on weeknights.
Their gas bar has the cheapest gas in town, and it opens a bit earlier than the store.
(Don avoids Costco on weekends because it is much busier).
11 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
1675 Versatile Dr*Membership required. Costco is amazing. The people here are great. Best times to shop are at opening 10am and around 7pm before close on weeknights.
Their gas bar has the cheapest gas in town, and it opens a bit earlier than the store.
(Don avoids Costco on weekends because it is much busier).
Sahali Mall
945 Columbia Street WestIt's not the greatest mall, but it's close by. We recommend Aberdeen Mall.
Clothing, Household, all marked down at outlet mall prices. Also some nifty snacks and coffee blends to enjoy.
Winners
1180 Columbia St WClothing, Household, all marked down at outlet mall prices. Also some nifty snacks and coffee blends to enjoy.
Essentials
Great selection, save with a free Sav-On-More card.
(Be sure to ask the checkout clerk for a free card to additional savings.)
16 locals recommend
Save-On-Foods
1210 Summit DrGreat selection, save with a free Sav-On-More card.
(Be sure to ask the checkout clerk for a free card to additional savings.)
It's down the hill and has most of the basic things you may need.
(Our kids twist our arms into buying them Slurpees every now and then).
7-Eleven
1590 Summit DrIt's down the hill and has most of the basic things you may need.
(Our kids twist our arms into buying them Slurpees every now and then).
This is the no-name budget store in town. Complete with a pharmacy, clothing, bakery, you name it.
16 locals recommend
Real Canadian Superstore
910 Columbia St WThis is the no-name budget store in town. Complete with a pharmacy, clothing, bakery, you name it.
Rexall
1801 Princeton-Kamloops HwyDrug store, groceries, pharmacy, some household items, Post Office.
Entertainment & Activities
Lots of theatres, lots of options.
(Don spent many an evening at this theatre during his bachelor years.)
18 locals recommend
Cineplex Cinemas Aberdeen Mall
Trans-Canada HighwayLots of theatres, lots of options.
(Don spent many an evening at this theatre during his bachelor years.)
Laser tag and other fun stuff just down the street.
(Rhiannon's boys love the laser tag).
Fun & Games (Formerly Ruckers)
1200 Summit DrLaser tag and other fun stuff just down the street.
(Rhiannon's boys love the laser tag).
5-pin Canadian bowling. It's not exactly close, but it's a nice way to pass the time as a family.
(Try the cosmic bowling. It's totally trippy!)
Falcon Lanes Bowling
2020 Falcon Rd5-pin Canadian bowling. It's not exactly close, but it's a nice way to pass the time as a family.
(Try the cosmic bowling. It's totally trippy!)
TONS of facilities to enjoy; indoor track, gym, pools, fields, sports courts, etc. It's pretty epic, actually, and draws countless athletes from far and wide for a variety of tournaments, which gave our city the moniker "the Tournament Capital." The public is welcome to use most facilities for a fee.
12 locals recommend
Tournament Capital Centre (TCC)
910 McGill RdTONS of facilities to enjoy; indoor track, gym, pools, fields, sports courts, etc. It's pretty epic, actually, and draws countless athletes from far and wide for a variety of tournaments, which gave our city the moniker "the Tournament Capital." The public is welcome to use most facilities for a fee.
Serene course with great views. It's 20 minutes away, but Don's preferred golf course.
8 locals recommend
Eaglepoint Golf Resort
8888 Barnhartvale RdSerene course with great views. It's 20 minutes away, but Don's preferred golf course.
The closest golf course. Heads up there are houses very close to the course, so you had better be a good shot!
12 locals recommend
Bighorn Golf & Country Club
1000 Clubhouse DrThe closest golf course. Heads up there are houses very close to the course, so you had better be a good shot!
Some of the best skiing in Western Canada. All levels of runs, and a Tube Town area for kids who cannot ski. The village is actually its own municipality, so there is lots to do for non-skiiers.
In the summer it makes for wonderful hiking. Use the chair lift to get to pristine nature.
58 locals recommend
Sun Peaks Resort
1280 Alpine RoadSome of the best skiing in Western Canada. All levels of runs, and a Tube Town area for kids who cannot ski. The village is actually its own municipality, so there is lots to do for non-skiiers.
In the summer it makes for wonderful hiking. Use the chair lift to get to pristine nature.
Kamloops Blazers WHL Hockey.
Also live concerts and other events.
(Rhiannon has a musician friend who flies remote-controlled blimps at the games!)
14 locals recommend
Sandman Centre
300 Lorne StKamloops Blazers WHL Hockey.
Also live concerts and other events.
(Rhiannon has a musician friend who flies remote-controlled blimps at the games!)
Getting Around
The bus runs every 10 minutes or so. Check out https://bctransit.com/kamloops/schedules-and-maps
(Don't let the title tag on the map fool you. The system wouldn't let us tag the bus stop, so the church is the next closest thing.)
Summit Drive Church
1975 Summit DriveThe bus runs every 10 minutes or so. Check out https://bctransit.com/kamloops/schedules-and-maps
(Don't let the title tag on the map fool you. The system wouldn't let us tag the bus stop, so the church is the next closest thing.)
It's just down the street. We've never used them, but they seem to have lots of vehicles on the road.
Budget Car Rental
820 Notre Dame DrIt's just down the street. We've never used them, but they seem to have lots of vehicles on the road.
We've never used them, but they have repaired the vehicles of friends and family with good reviews.
Also many household items, sports and outdoor living, seasonal items.
Canadian Tire
1441 Hillside DrWe've never used them, but they have repaired the vehicles of friends and family with good reviews.
Also many household items, sports and outdoor living, seasonal items.