Family Esc

If there’s one thing we know about achieving road-trip success it’s this: you need the right vehicle for the job. —Noa Nichol

steer. The kids don’t care about fabulous fuel consumption, adaptive cruise control and safety-minded HD surround vision (though this car has all three, and more, in spades)—and, quite frankly, neither do we when they’re scrapping in the back seat. Luckily the 2021 Escalade 4WD Sport Platinum has plenty of features they will find thrilling, like a rear-seat entertainment system, a mini fridge to keep drinks cool, illuminated mirror emblems that throw the Cadillac logo onto the street at night and a third row so they don’t need to sit next to sis. Add a Sirius XM subscription to the mix (the Disney Channel is 302) and you’re family road-trip ready.

stay. When it comes to booking a stay with littles in tow, two amenities are musts: a pool (preferably with a waterslide) and a room big enough to accommodate all (with at least two working bedroom doors). The Cove Lakeside Resort fulfils both reqs and more, with suites that include multiple beds and baths, full kitchens, washers/dryers and more than one TV set (no fighting over the remote). The ample outdoor pool area has got to be one of the best in town, the surrounding gardens are peaceful and lush, Okanagan Lake is a stone’s throw away (there’s even a private sandy beach for guest use) and the on-site Landing Kitchen + Bar is delicious (don’t miss the cauliflower “wings” and any one of the “hunch”-worthy burgers).

see. There’s nothing more scenic than a 12-kilometre bike ride along the Myra Canyon Trestle Trail—whether you pedal with foot power or rent an e-bike from the folks at the foot of the trail. Kiddos will love counting the 18 cool trestle bridges and the path is easy-going enough that you’ll likely hear minimal complaints. Next, hop over to Kangaroo Creek Farm for a Down Under experience that lets the whole fam get up close and personal with kangaroos, wallabies (the albinos are particularly adorable), capybaras and Priscilla, the friendly resident porcupine (just be sure to stroke her from head to tail, and not the opposite!).

snack. Since hunger can (and, with kiddos, does) strike anytime, anywhere, Kelowna offers options across the city to suit all tastes. To keep the adults awake, Bright Jenny Coffee roasts an excellent cuppa, while Kekuli Cafe offers light, fluffy, fried bannock with toppings that range from savoury (cheese) to sweet (skor)—plus a killer saskatoon berry smoothie to wash it down. At new Frind Estate Beach Winery, grab a bottle, snag an outdoor picnic table and munch on chef-made-daily picked veggies while the kids play in the sand. And, since there’s nothing kids from one to 100 love more than ice cream, a stop at Parlour, where local ingredients feature in flavours like lavender and whisky hazelnut, is a must.

savour. Meal wise, Kelowna’s got you covered, morning, noon and night. For breakfast, recently opened Diner Deluxe has all the classics, from mimosas to mascarpone french toast, and a “big” cinnamon bun available in limited quantities. At lunch, head to Frankie We Salute You—one of local Jillian Harris‘ fave spots—for vegan fare even picky kids (and meat-eater hubbies) will gobble up. Dinner at one of the local wineries is divine; CedarCreek Estate’s Home Block restaurant offers a paired three-course dinner, featuring dishes that showcase the best in a corresponding wine (order the pasta off the kids’ menu and you’ll likely eat that, too, it’s so delish).

sip. Doing the vineyard tour thing can be tough as a family; luckily, there’s more to drink in Kelowna than just wine. At Farming Karma Fruit Co., a soda tasting (when restrictions lift) will convince you there’s no better place for local apples, peaches, cherries, berries and pears than in a glass. Or, try seven flavours representing seven chakras, plus one ever-changing custom blend, of kombucha in Sajīva‘s tasting room (there’s also a hard kombucha for the designated driver). Finally, Off the Grid Organic Winery is kid friendly; while mom and dad enjoy a bottle on the garden patio, the littes can meet the farm’s sheep, goats, chicken, bunnies and turkey.