'''Lake Country''' is in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. It is a collective name for administrative and travel purposes given to the communities of '''Winfield''', '''Oyama''', and '''Okanagan Landing'''.

Get in

  • Greyhound Buses stop in Lake Country at the Husky Gas Station on HWY 97N
  • Public buses that run approx. every hour in one direction and new Vernon bus aswell
  • Kelowna International Airport is approx. 15-20 mins away by car
  • Local cab company "Lake Country Taxi & Shuttle" operates cabs here
  • The best way to get around in Lake Country is to drive yourself (to be honest).. this way, you can go where you want to, and aren't limited by the lack of public transit that is available here. If you have a car you can also drive to Vernon, Kelowna, Westbank, or any of the other surrounding communities. Be warned though: Gas is expensive here.

    Get around

  • '''Lake Country Taxi''', ( 250 ) 766 4440. Friendly service and the best drivers in the business. They will also pick you up from the airport and off the Greyhound bus and take you to one of the hotels, or any other place you wish to go. Also ask about there 2 buses, a 20 passenger and 21 passenger, call and book for your special event needs!
  • There is also a public bus that goes around Winfield approx. every hour. It's not the best way to get around - as it only goes one way, and the times that are set for the schedule isn't very good. You can see the schedule here[http://www.bctransit.com/regions/kel/schedules/schedule.cfm?line=23&]
  • You're also able to bike, or walk around the area as most of the roads off the highway aren't usually that busy. There are bike lanes/pedestrian areas along most of these roads as well. Cycling along the highway can be done, but isn't really the safest thing to do. Walking along the highway (where there are no sidewalks) isn't a good idea, as there isn't much shoulder room on most of the highway after the town center area.
  • See

  • '''Lake Country Museum''', [http://www.lakecountrymuseum.com/]. A bit of history on Okanagan Lake. This museum has a lot of neat things for families/individuals to look at and touch. The staff there is friendly and know a lot about the history of the area.
  • Access to many different lakes (Okanagan Lake, Wood Lake, Duck Lake, Kalamalka Lake, Beaver Lake, Dee Lake)
  • Various hiking areas
  • Many beaches in the immediate area
  • Do

  • '''Gray Monk Estate Winery''', Camp Road in OK Center[http://www.graymonk.com/visitor.html]. Winery offering tours, a restaurant and a great view of Okanagan Lake.
  • '''Creekside Theater''' - Offers lots of local, and non-local acts including music, plays, and films. Located just off HWY 97N (Berry Road Intersection) it's easy to find, and is a pleasant place to sit back and enjoy some local talent.[http://www.creeksidetheatre.com/]
  • Various '''hiking''' trails in the area - Drive up Beaver Lake Road, and there are a few trails along the way. A popular one for hikers/atv/dirtbikers is High Rim Trail - which runs from Vernon, through Lake Country.
  • '''Art Walk'''[http://www.artwalk.ca/] - Held in '''September'''. A show for local artists to show off their talent. Always a really interesting thing to go and see - you can also buy pieces of art off of the artists. There are things for children to do, and there is live music throughout most of the day.
  • '''Aspen Grove Golf Course''', Bottom Wood Lake Road, [http://www.golfguide.ca/course-4070.htm]. A nice quiet golf course that offers some great holes, and some great food.
  • Lots of opportunites to do '''water sports''' in the summer - you can choose from one of the many lakes in the area, and test your skills at wakeboarding, water skiing, or just dragging the kids behind the boat in tubes.
  • '''Skatepark''' located in Swalwell Park for all those skateboarder/bmx lovers out there
  • Various '''sport areas''' - soccer, baseball, basketball. Every park located in Lake Country has a soccer field. Reiswig Park (Located on Woodsdale Road) is the most popular park for soccer. It also has a beach area, as well as a trail that leads to Beasley Park (which also has beach access) that is right beside it. Reiswig park also has picnic tables that can be used for families to picnic at. Swalwell Park has a baseball diamond, soccer field, and various sculptures in the area. Jack Seaton Park has baseball diamonds, and a tennis court available for the public to use.
  • Many different '''beaches''' to swim at. As already mentioned, there is Reiswig park, and Beasley Park (both located on Woodsdale Road)
  • There are also beaches in OK Center (Follow Oceola Road down) There is also a boat launch in OK Center - with enough room to park your vehicle and trailer there. Watch out though, the road down there is small and winds a lot, and a lot of traffic builds up down there in the summer. In Oyama (Follow HWY 97N North towards Vernon) there is Kalamalka Lake Park - a nice beach area that includes BBQ's, a nice beach, lots of shade and a playground for kids. There is also a biking/walking trail that leads along the lake to other beaches and such.

    Buy

  • Lake Country doesn't really have much in the way of retail clothing outlets, but there are a few places that you can purchase things.
  • If second hand clothing is your thing then try popping into Shari's Garment Garden (Located on Hill Rd[http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=shari%27s&near=Lake+Country,+BC&fb=1&cid=50022153,-119404222,1405451818601156512&li=lmd&z=14&t=m]

    Grocery wise, there are two local grocery stores - IGA and Cooper's. Coopers is located just off HWY 97 by the McDonalds, and IGA is located just a bit farther up the highway (north, towards Vernon) again, just off the HWY 97 - at the intersection with Berry Rd. There is also two pharmacies - one located by Cooper's, and the other located by IGA.

    There is also a Dollar Store that is also located in the Cooper's Mall area - which always has everything you're looking for, and the people that work there are very nice, and always helpful. You can basically get almost anything there - even towels for your bathroom, or small items of clothing - like socks and such.

    List of stores in the Cooper Mall area:

  • Cooper's Grocery
  • Your Dollar Store With More
  • Lake Country Liquor Store
  • Movie Gallery
  • McDonalds
  • Interior Savings Credit Union
  • IDA Pharmacy
  • There are other stores located in this area as well!!
  • List of stores in the IGA Mall area:

  • IGA
  • Winfield Bakery
  • Sears Retail Outlet
  • Lake Country Farm & Pet Supply
  • Paragon Pharmacy
  • Winfield Laundromat
  • Wooden Nickel
  • CIBC Bank
  • Lordco Auto Parts
  • Rainbow Travel
  • There is also a you brew business in here as well, can't remember the name of it right now.
  • Further down the highway (towards Vernon) there is another "mall" called the Lakewood Mall. It also has a few local businesses that have neat things that are worth taking the time to check them out. The businesses in Lakewood Mall include:

  • Barber Shop
  • Home Reno Store
  • Bottle Depot
  • Karate Classes (Martial Arts in general I think)
  • Winfield Chinese Restaurant
  • Tatoo Parlour
  • There are a few other businesses located in here as well - check them out!
  • The new Tim Hortons is also here, great service and great coffee!
  • Eat

    There is a variety of choices food wise in Lake Country, it just depends on how much time you have, and what you're in the mood for.

    Fast food

  • McDonalds - Located in the Cooper's Mall Area.
  • A&W - Located just off HWY 97N (Hill Rd Intersection).
  • Subway - Located just off HWY 97N (Hill Rd Intersection, right beside A&W).
  • Little Caesar's Pizza - Located right beside Subway, A&W.
  • Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza - Located in the IGA Mall Area - Just off HWY 97N (Berry Rd Intersection).
  • Pubs

  • '''Woody's Pub''', just off Hwy 97N (''Pollard Rd Intersection''). Woody's has a good food menu, and a good drink selection. It's a pub that allows smoking, but you hardly notice it outside of the smoking area, as it's really well vented. There is also a patio you can sit on when the weather is nice :) They have drink specials, and food specials every day - and it's a really good deal, you get a lot for how much you pay. Try the Sunday's Steak Sandwhich special - it comes with fries, caesar salad, and a steak onto of garlic bread - it's REALLY good. The staff their is really friendly, and seem to always come to offer you more drinks right when your glass is empty. They also have fun things like karaoke nights, live bands that play, sports events and other events that take place throughout the month.
  • It gets really busy in there on weekend nights, but you can still always manage to find a table!

  • '''Turtle Bay Marina Pub''', Woodsdale Rd (''Follow HWY 97N towards Vernon''). Turtle Bay is right beside Wood Lake - their patio actually looks over it. It is a family restaurant now, but they are still technically a pub. They have really good food, and good drink specials, and their staff is friendly as well. You cannot smoke inside the building, but you can smoke outside - not sure if you can smoke on the patio or not. Their Wing special, which is on Wednesday, is always busy as the wings are really good. If you like hot wings, go here and order their hottest - they will burn your mouth! Also, while you're there, try their Turtle Trax - which are criss-cross fries topped with nacho toppings - so good.
  • '''Aspen Grove''', Bottom Woods Lake Rd. Aspen Grove is at the golf course. They have good food, and of course, serve alcohol. It's a little bit more expensive than Woody's or Turtle Bay - but worth it. Also, they have golf + food specials - so, if you like golf you should check this place out!
  • Sit-down restaurants

  • '''The Gallery Bistro''', off HWY 97N by the Airport Inn. The Gallery serves breakfast, brunch and burgers - and they are a family restaurant. The decor and atmosphere inside are really neat, and the staff is friendly and quick. Good food, mid-range prices.
  • '''Gray Monk Grapevine Restaurant''', Camp Rd, [http://www.winesnw.com/graymonk.htm#Map].
  • Located inside the winery is this restaurant. Prices are a bit higher - as it is a winery. The staff is friendly, and the menu has a variety of different choices. Also, it has a really nice view, so you can't beat that!

  • '''Ricardo's Mediterranean Kitchen''', Off HWY 97 ''take Commonwealth Rd all the way to the end, and the restaurant is on your right''. Nice little restaurant - serves mostly pasta, and European dishes. Their rack of lamb is excellent - but if you want to try it, be there early, as they usually sell out!
  • Staff is friendly, and very quick - and are always smiling. Food is absolutely excellent - it's a bit higher priced, but definitely worth it. The serve alcohol, and have a variety of local wines that you can try with your meal. The atmosphere is very ambient, it makes a great place to take that special someone on a date! Call ahead and make a reservation, otherwise you won't get a table!

  • '''Wooden Nickel Cafe''', in the IGA Mall Area. This place is absolutely amazing. It serves breakfast and lunch, but is closed for dinner. They have really excellent food, at good prices -their breakfast is excellent. The staff there is friendly, and always tend to your needs. The inside isn't very decorated, but don't let that throw you off - the pictures they have on their walls tell a lot about the history of the area -it's really neat to go around and look at them all. If you're in the mood for a good breakfast of eggs, toast and whatever else your heart desires - try going here! (Closed on Tuesdays)
  • '''The Jammery''', off HWY 97N near Duck Lake. The Jammery serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea - here they serve a good variety of food made with BC fruit. There is also an area where you can watch them make jam, and can taste the jam in their gift shop. They also serve it along with their food - it's very good jam! I've never been there myself, but everyone raves about their breakfast waffles - they are huge! So, if you like waffles, and freshly made jam - you should check this place out!
  • Ethnic foods

  • '''The Greek House''' Woodsdale Rd. Serves Greek food - very good Greek food. It's a family owned business, run by a very nice couple. Their staff is friendly, and take the time out to chat with you about the food, and are always there when you need something. They have the BEST ribs I have ever had, and their greek potatoes are amazing. They also serve pitas with tzatziki dip - which is something you should try if you haven't. The They also have a lot of local wines that you can have with your meal, along with a variety of other beverages. It IS a family restaurant, so you can bring your children. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, and they also have a patio that you can be seated on when the weather is nice. If you are planning to go here, call ahead and make reservations - as they are always full of people!
  • '''Cordial Restaurant''', off HWY 97 (''Hill Rd Intersection''). Serves a variety of different chinese dishes. The people there are really nice, and the food is always good. I've never actually stayed in there and eaten, as we always get take out, but there is never anything to complain about regarding their food! They also have meals that you can order - and be wary, the meal that is supposed to be for one person, can actually feed two! It's a lot of food, and it's under 10$!
  • '''Winfield Chinese Restaurant''', in the Lakewood Mall area (Off HWY 97 - Oceola Rd Intersection). Never actually been here, or eaten here, but I hear it's pretty good. They have good ginger beef, and they used to serve North American food as well (I'm not entirely sure if they still do)
  • '''Mama Shpengi's''' across from IGA Mall area. They serve a variety of dishes.
  • Coffee shops

    We have two, and they basically serve the same things.
  • ''' Cafe Caliente''' off HWY 97 (Hill Rd Intersection) by the A&W.
  • ''' Cafe Latte''', off HWY 97 on Lodge Rd.
  • Both have patios, and are very cozy, artsy places to have some coffee.

    Drink

    If you want to sit and drink in a pub, then try either Woody's Pub, or Turtle Bay Marina - both have specials every night of the week, and both have a great staff.

    To buy alcohol, there are 3 different liquor stores:

  • '''Woody's Beer Store''', beside Woody's Pub. Good selection of alcohol, nice staff.
  • '''Lake Country Liquor Store''', in Cooper's Mall Area. Wide variety of alcohol - newer store.
  • '''Gov't Liquor Store''', in IGA Mall area. It's a gov't liquor store. The beer is warm, but it's cheaper!
  • Sleep

  • '''Camping''' - there are still a few campsites in Lake Country.
  • There is one in Oyama called '''Tween Lakes Resort''', [http://www.camping.bc.ca/Tween_Lakes_Resort_1107MID.aspx]. Only RV's are allowed to camp here, and it is a good idea to make reservations before hand.
  • Get out