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Spectacular Okanagan Valley scenery in the
cradle of the nearby mountain range, pristine pine-fringed lakes,
blossom-filled gardens, abundant orchards and vineyards, sandy beaches,
and first-class amenities—they all combine in Kelowna. Although
relatively undiscovered, Kelowna is easily accessible and ready to host
visitors from throughout the world. The Kelowna International Airport
connects visitors and residents alike to many major North American
cities. Kelowna is a quick 60-minute flight from Calgary or Vancouver
and just 70 minutes from Seattle. Direct flights to Toronto are also
available year-round. A variety of accommodation and dining options
abound with choices ranging from Lakeside Resorts, Vacation Home Rentals and
cozy Bed & Breakfast’s.
With a population of more than 106,000,
Kelowna is the largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Bordering Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is well known for its hot summers and
temperate winters.
Attractions
Kelowna boasts all the amenities of a major city - fine dining, unique
shops and vibrant culture - yet orchards and vineyards thrive within a
10-minute drive of the downtown core. Spectacular vistas await those
ready to explore. A delightful day can be spent sampling the
award-winning wares of our numerous internationally-acclaimed wineries,
while several championship golf courses draw enthusiasts from all parts
of the globe.
Situated on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake mid-way between Penticton
in the south and Vernon in the north, Kelowna residents and tourists
alike find the lake offers wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming
or fishing. The nearby mountains attract hikers, skiers and outdoor
enthusiasts of all descriptions. Three major ski hills are within a
one-hour drive.
Business Opportunities
Kelowna has been rated among the most cost competitive places to do
business in the Pacific Region of North America. To learn more about the
Kelowna's excellent business climate, visit Invest Kelowna .
Industry
Kelowna has become the main marketing and distribution centre of the
Okanagan Valley, with a flourishing tree fruit industry and a growing
light industrial sector that competes on a world scale. Best known for
forestry and the manufacture of boats, plastics, fibreglass, body armour
and oil field equipment, Kelowna also has a growing high technology
sector that includes aerospace development and service.
Kelowna's international airport is one of the top ten airports in
Canada, serving over one million passengers annually.
Amenities
Prospera Place, a 6,000-seat multi-purpose facility that’s home to the
Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, attracts major
entertainers and events to the heart of our Cultural District.
The new Rotary Centre for the Arts is a significant feature of the
district, which was named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2003.
Waterfront Park is a showcase of the area with lagoons, an outdoor
amphitheatre and a wooden boardwalk that links Tugboat Beach and the
residential area to the north with the Grand Okanagan Hotel and the
downtown.
Stuart Park, located on the Waterfront Promenade across from City Hall
on Water Street, will be developed over the next several years.
History
Kelowna was incorporated in May 1905 when our population consisted of
600 people and farming was the economic mainstay of the region. Today
more than 106,000 people call Kelowna home and we’re considered by many
to be one of the most liveable cities in Canada. Visit our Heritage
webpage for more information on how Kelowna is preserving our Historical
buildings and culture.
Quick Facts
Kelowna is home to more than 106,000 people.
The Central Okanagan Regional District has a population of 167,000.
Kelowna encompasses 214 km2 of land and 48 km2 of water area
Kelowna is 344 metres (1,129 feet) above sea level.
Okanagan Lake is 110 km long.
The average daytime high during July and August is 27.4 C.
The average daytime high during December and January is -0.3 C. The
average low is -7.7 C.
Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and 28 cm of
rain.
Total annual precipitation is 366.4 mm. (280.7 mm. of rain and 105.5 cm.
of snow).
The new W.R. Bennett Bridge opened in May 2008, and has replaced the old
Okanagan Lake Bridge (built in 1958) as the only vehicular crossing over
Okanagan Lake. Named after former Premier William R. Bennett, the bridge
is five lanes in width and almost 1063 meters in length. It remains the
only floating bridge in Canada.
Kelowna General Hospital is the largest and most comprehensive in the
southern interior of B.C. with a full treatment cancer clinic.
Kelowna is home to several local theatre groups, a symphony orchestra,
museums and numerous art galleries.
UBC Okanagan opened in September 2005.
Okanagan College offers university and transfer programs, as well as a
wide range of adult education and trades courses.
Big White Ski Resort
If you’re after fantastic snow, don’t look
any further than Big White!
“It’s the snow” is our motto and we live up to our name with an average
750cm (24.5ft) of Okanagan Champagne Powder falling annually. Our
bountiful, dry powder is legendary and was awarded “Best Powder” by Ski
Canada Magazine in 2008!
Located in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, Big White is uniquely
blessed with sunny weather, dry powder and a mild average temperature of
-5C (23 F). With 118 market runs fanning from the summit, 2,565 acres of
skiable terrain, and 16 lifts, there‘s a great selection of terrain for
everyone with deep powder bowls, wide-open glades, and great fall-line
cruising.
For the ultimate park experience, head to our award winning TELUS
Terrain Park which is the best progressive park in North America.
To top it off, slalom through the spectacular “Snowghosts” (snow caked
trees) which create a magical backdrop in our winter playground.
You may be coming to Big White simply for the skiing and snowboarding,
but you’ll soon discover you can have a true Canadian adventure.
You can explore snow covered hills by snowmobile, explore backcountry on
cross country skis and snowshoes, sleigh ride through the wilderness or
mush behind a husky.
As BC’s premier family destination, we have a great range of events and
activities for the entire family including night skiing, snow tubing,
ice skating, mini z’s, fireworks and carnivals just to name a few…
If you’re after relaxation, soak up the sunset in a steaming hot tub,
sit by the fire sipping hot chocolate, tantalize your senses at one of
the luxurious day spas or stroll through our enticing retail outlets.
After a day on the slopes, take your entertainment and dining experience
to new heights with a feast of restaurants, lounges, coffee houses,
delis, bakeries, cozy pubs and bars. Whatever you’re after, we have a
scene to suit your pace.
Getting to Big White is easy, located just 56km (35miles) southeast of
Kelowna there are plenty of travel options. Major airlines fly daily
into Kelowna’s international airport which is the major gateway into
BC’s interior.
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Houston Texas
is a vibrant international city that heartily enjoys its tradition of
being a place of firsts. General Sam Houston, the city’s heroic
namesake, was the first president of the Republic of Texas. Houston, the
city, was the first word spoken from the surface of the moon and the
first to build an air-conditioned sports stadium.
Houston
surgeons have performed numerous firsts in heart surgery, and the city
is leading the medical community in making cancer history.
Known around the world for NASA Space Center in the Clear Lake area and
Texas Medical Center, Houston is also the proud home of a dizzying array
of performing arts groups, professional sports teams, shopping
destinations and great restaurants.
Relaxing is easy, with great golf courses, beautiful parks, sumptuous
spas, inspiring museums and spectacular shopping. For family fun, there
are amusement parks, a world-class zoo, the aquarium, the Children’s
Museum and many festivals and special events throughout the year.
Nearby Galveston, the gem of the Gulf Coast, combines fishing and beach
play with charming architecture, great eating and a good dose of
history. Kemah’s Boardwalk delights young and old with restaurants and
carnival rides all with a view of the bay. Katy’s claim to fame includes
some of the country’s best outlet shopping and natural wonders to savor
the quiet outdoors.
No matter if you want a shopping spree, a quiet stroll, a gourmet meal,
a game of golf or a family outing, Houston fits the bill
Houston’s
Backyard: Clear Lake and Katy
Just 20 miles from downtown Houston, is Kemah Boardwalk. Once a sleepy
fishing village, Kemah is now a bustling destination with an authentic
Coney Island amusement park atmosphere complete with carnival games,
Ferris wheel and a small train to explore the area.
In the nearby community of Clear Lake, NASA offers both entertainment
and education. Explore a space shuttle mock-up, an IMAX theater and
hundreds of hands-on exhibits throughout Rocket Park and Mission Control
at Space Center Houston. Boating enthusiasts love the calm waters of
Clear Lake and enjoy sailing, water skiing and fishing on the many
public docks.
Also in the area is Old Seabrook with little shops specializing in
eclectic treasures and antiques stores filled with surprises and craft
markets two weekends a month.
It’s a sure bet you’ll find all the fun you need at the nearby Gulf
Greyhound Park where you can spend the day wagering on dog races or just
enjoy the charged atmosphere. Or if you want to wind down and get back
to nature, pull into Armand Bayou Nature Center. The center, with its
hiking trails, canoe rentals, and boat tours is a perfect place to learn
about the plants, wildlife, birds and landscape of the area in a
peaceful setting.
Still close in, the city of Katy is west of Houston and is home to
several places worth visiting. Katy Mills Mall is a popular outlet mall
where you can spend the day hunting bargains. Don’t forget to visit the
Forbidden Gardens, a replica of the Beijing tomb of Emperor Qin. This
outdoor museum contains a 6,000-piece terra cotta army replicated to
one-third scale that illustrates Chinese history in the third century BC
and recreates the Middle Kingdom.
Worth the Drive: Galveston
Galveston has something for everyone! Whether it’s a day on the beach,
exploring the delightful shops or having a delicious dinner, you can’t
help but enjoy yourself. Seawolf Park is where the USS Cavalla, a World
War II submarine, and the USS Stewart, a destroyer escort, have
permanent homes. The beach also offers picnic sites, a playground and a
fishing pier. If fishing is your game, go to the 91st Street Pier, San
Luis Pass or West Bay for redfish, speckled trout or Spanish mackerel.
Several companies offer deep sea and bay fishing trips with experienced
captains and crew to help you reel in the big ones!
Galveston’s Victorian section, The Strand, is restored to its
19th-century charm, complete with candy makers, ice cream sellers and
stores with everything from funky T-shirts to fashions from Paris. The
Strand hosts an annual Mardi Gras celebration in February/March, and in
December revelers enjoy Dickens on the Strand, a riotous recreation of
Victorian London with chimney sweeps, Ebenezer Scrooge and Queen
Victoria. Driving onto the island, you can’t miss the colorful pyramids
of Moody Gardens promising fun and adventure inside the glass
enclosures. Galveston’s Schlitterbahn water park has year-round swimming
fun for all.
Just Down the Way: Old Town Spring
North of Houston, the early 20th century railroad village delights
visitors in Old Town Spring. More than 150 shops, restaurants and
galleries tempt you to find fabulous treasures. History buffs will want
to visit the Civil War Museum and the Spring Historical Museum. Each
fall, the Lake Conroe area’s Texas Renaissance Festival invites all
commoners and courtiers alike to celebrate with royalty, knights,
ladies-in-waiting and wizards at a carnival filled with wild rides,
artisans and fascinating shows.
•Two major
airports: Bush Intercontinental Airport IAH nd William P. Hobby Airport.
•Houston Airport System (HAS) is the fourth largest multi-airport system
in the U.S., the seventh largest international gateway in the country.
•Bush Intercontinental ranks third among U.S. airports for nonstop
destinations.
•METRORail, a 7.5-mile rail line connects downtown to the Museum
District, Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park.
•METRO operates more than 1,400 accessible buses.
•The city has the nation’s third largest fleet of taxis and, across the
board, up to four passengers can ride for the price of one.
Sports
•MLB: 2005 National League Champion Houston Astros.
•NBA: two-time World Champion Houston Rockets.
•WNBA: four-time World Champion Houston Comets.
•NFL: Houston Texans, the newest expansion team in the NFL.
•AHL: Calder Cup Champion Houston Aeros.
Multicultural Houston
•90 languages spoken throughout the area.
•Diverse population - 37.4 percent Hispanic, 49.3 percent Caucasian,
29.3 percent African-American and 5.3 percent Asian.
•83 consulates - the third largest consular corps in the nation.
Theater District
•One of only five cities in the U.S. with resident companies in the four
disciplines of the performing arts: Alley Theatre, Houston Ballet,
Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera
Museum District
•Home to 15 institutions, including The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,
the sixth largest museum in the country, and Houston Museum of Natural
Science.
Theme Parks
•Space Center Houston is the Official Visitors Center for NASA’s Johnson
Space Center.
•Others include SplashTown water park, Moody Gardens on Galveston
Island, Kemah Boardwalk and Downtown Aquarium.
Outdoors
•More than 165 public and private golf courses.
•Located 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
•Located 30 minutes from Clear Lake, a 2,000-acre destination for
boating enthusiasts.
•Third-largest pleasure boat basin in the U.S.
Business in Houston
•Texas Medical Center is home to 42+ nonprofit institutions, the largest
medical center in the world.
•U.S. energy headquarters with more than 5,000 energy-related
businesses.
•The Port of Houston, a $15-billion petrochemical complex, ranks number
one in the nation in foreign tonnage and second in total tonnage.
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