PENTICTON: A Place to Stay Forever
Credit: Visit Penticton
The name Penticton is commonly translated from the Interior Salish word snpintktn as “a place to stay forever.”
And after just one visit to the city, you’ll know why.
Nestled between two lakes in the heart of wine country is breathtaking Penticton, British Columbia.
It’s home to more than 200 local wineries, eight craft breweries, distilleries, and cideries, and boasts more than 30 annual festivals all year round. There are five beautiful beaches, an extensive trail network, and a scenic backdrop of the mountains.
In short, it’s the perfect destination for memorable, impactful events. Read on to learn more about the compact, but cozy walkable city and all it has to offer for your next meeting or event.
EXPERIENCE
Credit: BC Ale Trail
Penticton Ale Trail – If your group is looking for a unique experience, try the Penticton Ale Trail, a craft beer crawl that takes visitors to eight craft breweries in the city, all within walking distance of convention centres and major accommodations. The city is also home to one of the province’s first carbon-neutral craft breweries – Tin Whistle – if your group is particular about sustainability. The trail will allow you and your guests to enjoy delicious food and recommended beer pairings.
Credit: District Wine Village
Wine Experiences – You can’t visit Penticton without tasting the wine. There are more than 180 wineries within a 30-km radius from large operations to family-run wineries. Wine tours are everywhere in Penticton so choose one or two (or three – we won’t judge!) to visit with your group.
For a truly unique experience, visit the District Wine Village, the first of its kind in Canada. This wine village is home to 16 artisan producers all in one stunning location.
Credit: Visit Penticton
Team Building – There’s no shortage of team building adventures in the small city. Try challenging your team in an escape room. Or, organize a golf tournament at one of the many local courses. Visit Penticton will help your team have a meaningful experience with whatever adventure you choose.
VENUE
Credit: Visit Penticton
Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre – Looking to get the real Penticton experience? Book your next event at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre located right on the shores of the Okanagan Lake. The resort includes 273 guest rooms and suites each with its own balcony. The on-site conference centre can cater for groups from 10 to 1,000 with more than 32,000 square feet of flexible meeting spaces.
Credit: Visit Penticton
Penticton Trade & Convention Centre – The Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (PTCC) is the largest dedicated convention centre in B.C.’s interior. There are more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space within the facility, meaning plenty of room for your next large event. You can’t beat PTCC’s location as it’s just 10 minutes from the Penticton Regional Airport with more than 900 hotel rooms within a 10-minute walk.
The PTCC also boasts its own in-house catering team that doesn’t conform to the “cookie-cutter” convention menus.
Credit: Visit Penticton
South Okanagan Events Centre – Looking to book your next trade show? Try the South Okanagan Events Centre – a 5,000-seat multipurpose venue and part of the 400,000 square-foot complex that includes the PTCC, Okanagan Hockey School Training Centre and the Memorial Arena. This facility can accommodate just about any event with 95,000 square feet of meeting space area.
FOOD
Credit: Poplar Grove Winery
The Restaurant at Poplar Grove – If drinking great wine and eating amazing food is on your list of things to do in Penticton, look no further than The Restaurant at Poplar Grove. Situated on Poplar Grove Winery, the restaurant offers exceptional views of Okanagan Lake. Eat here and experience the inventive, rotating menu that uses local and seasonal ingredients to create unforgettable dishes, like the Manilla clams, or the BBQ pork jowl.
The Restaurant at Poplar Grove also has the capacity to host large and small gatherings with beautiful spaces both inside and outside the facility.
Credit: Visit Penticton
The Hooded Merganser – Looking for dinner with a view? Try The Hooded Merganser set on Okanagan Lake. The place serves up South Okanagan contemporary cuisine using only the freshest ingredients right from their very own farm. The food is as unique as the architecture of the building itself. You won’t want to miss this spot!
Credit: Visit Penticton
Elma – Also set on Lake Okanagan is Elma, a Turkish-inspired restaurant that will wow even the pickiest visitor. Transport your guests to Turkey at Elma with a menu that’s chock-full of traditional Turkish fare and a space that features tiles, lighting, and décor straight from the homeland.
The space features two floors and an expansive outdoor patio. Ask to sit on the second floor for spectacular views of the lake – you won’t be sorry you did.
BEVERAGE
Credit: TIME Family of Wines
TIME Winery & Kitchen – There’s no better place for happy hour than visiting Penticton’s first downtown winery, TIME Winery & Kitchen. Built within a historic and updated movie theatre, the winery is located just steps away from hotels and conference facilities. At the winery, you can experience the tasting bar, where you can discover new wines alongside curated casual dishes.
Hosting a small meeting? Try booking the Wine Cellar which can seat 42 people for a seated dinner or 60 people for a standing reception.
Credit: BC Ale Trail
Slackwater Brewing – If your guests prefer beer to wine, check out Slackwater Brewing right in the heart of the entertainment district in downtown Penticton. The brewery boasts 12 taps, all with craft beer that have been brewed on-site. Sit on the outdoor second-story patio for the full effect while you munch on their classic nachos while drinking an ice-cold IPA.
Credit: Visit Penticton
Wayne & Freda – Get caffeinated at Wayne & Freda, a locally-owned café in downtown Penticton. Enjoy speciality drip coffee and espresso beverages on the large, outdoor patio. Or grab a quick breakfast sandwich to go. It’s a must-visit for locals and tourists alike.
For more information on everything Penticton has to offer, please visit VisitPenticton.com.
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