Kamloops, British Columbia – Summer Wedding Fun With Kids
Cradled in the dry hill country of the Thompson Valley, lies Canada’s Tournament Capital, Kamloops. Aptly named due to its semi-arid climate, Kamloops has brilliant summers suitable for all sporting events.
Getting there by car in the summer is an approximate 3.5 hour drive from Vancouver using the Coquihalla Highway. This highway connects with the Yellowhead for tourists and travellers westbound from Edmonton and beyond. This is an extremely busy highway in the summer, and in the winter can be very treacherous given the severe weather systems that can blow through.
It’s always a good idea to time your travel in and out of Vancouver during low traffic times as there can be quite a backup during rush hour and peak constructions periods.
We spent a few days there while attending a wedding, and found there was plenty to do for kids and family in between the formal events.
What to Do in Kamloops – Visit Riverside Park, Kamloops for Kids and Adults
Riverside Park has everything you could ask for to entertain kids for the day. A great playground, splash park, beach, and concession stand. If they don’t feel satisfied and totally worn out after that, they can throw a ball, frisbee, or play tag on the many green space areas in the park. We played the entire day at Riverside Park.
Right next to Riverside Park is Pioneer Park where the kids can explore a bit of history while climbing an old caboose and walking your dog.
Breakfast at Hello Toast
My children rise at an annoyingly early hour no matter what time they go to bed. Finding a breakfast spot that is kid friendly, open early, and is not fast food, is almost impossible in some places.
One of the first things I did on arrival into Kamloops was check to see what our options were for an early breakfast. I came across the website of Hello Toast. It was also voted #9 out of 270 restaurants in Kamloops on Trip Advisor. It was a stone’s throw from our hotel and it was going to be our first stop the next morning.
Hello Toast prides itself on being fun, easy-going, while providing fresh and delicious meals. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and the food is indeed fresh and delicious. It is definitely not your run of the mill, assembly line breakfast chain. The menu even stated (and I’m paraphrasing here) that they know children can be picky, and to let them know what they need. How perfect is that? My kids were offered a big bucket of toys to play with while we waited and the relaxed atmosphere allowed us to worry a little less about our kids driving customers away.
Hello Toast
428 Victoria St. Kamloops, BC
Phone: (250)-372-9322
Even more to do around Kamloops – Visit Shuswap Lake area and Sunpeaks Resort
Because our trip was focused around a wedding, we didn’t have enough time to explore the many areas around Kamloops that offer fantastic summer fun, but also winter enjoyment too!
One area I have yet to visit, but have always wanted to, is the Shuswap Lake area. Horseback riding, fishing, watersports, scuba diving and much more. You can rent yourself a houseboat and float the summer away.
45 minutes North of Kamloops is the resort area of SunPeaks, which offers a bustling ski culture in the winter, and golf in the summer.
Where we Stayed in Kamloops – The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Situated in close proximity to the downtown area and the beautiful Riverside Park, The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kamloops is extremely convenient, but also very good value for money.
There is of course, the added booking incentive of the warm and delectable, Doubletree cookie. Recalling my past stays at Doubletree Hotels, I couldn’t help but think about this cookie on our 5 hour trip from Victoria to Kamloops, and it did not disappoint. The DoubleTree greets each guest at check-in with this famous cookie. Baked fresh several times a day, and kept warm for new arrivals, this cookie is a sweet touch (pun intended) that is often the tipping point for me when trying to decide between two similarly priced hotels.
Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Kamloops
339 St. Paul Street, Kamloops, British Columbia, V2C 2J5, Canada
TEL: +1-250-851-0026