Spend the Day Exploring Kamloops...
Are you wondering what to do in Kamloops? How abour going for a walking tour of our city and learning about its history. Kamloops is the anglicized version of the Shuswap word "Tk'əmlúps", meaning 'meeting of thewaters'. It is where the North Thompson River diverges with the South Thompson River. Founded as a fur trading post in 1811, Kamloops became incorporated in 1893, shortly after the gold rush of the 1860’s and the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880’s brought growth and prosperity to the area. Today, with a population of over 90,000, Kamloops is the 37th largest metropolitan area in Canada.
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Start your tour at the Kamloops Museum and Archives, located the corner of 2nd Avenue and Seymour Street in the bright gold building. From there walk down to the old courthouse and check out the old courtroom before heading to the Kamloops Art Gallery located in the library on Victoria Street. Then, stop for a vegetarian lunch at “The Art We Are” where you can buy local arts and crafts. Then cross the railway tracks over the pedestrian bridge and make your way to the Interior Savings Center – the home of the Blazers, Kamloops own hockey team. From there, walk along the rivers trail to the Red Bridge, Kamloops most famous landmark. Built first in 1887, then again in 1912 and finally in 1937, the bridge acted as a connection to area First Nations.
Engineers keep predicting the end of its days but it keeps outliving their expectations. However, one day the bridge’s work life will end and plans are already in the works to preserve it as a heritage site because this beloved bridge is the heart of Kamloops. On your way back to Riverside Park, stroll through The Labyrinth– a large circle made of cobblestone where people go to reflect. When you get to the center, clap your hands and you will be surprised. There is no echo.
Engineers keep predicting the end of its days but it keeps outliving their expectations. However, one day the bridge’s work life will end and plans are already in the works to preserve it as a heritage site because this beloved bridge is the heart of Kamloops. On your way back to Riverside Park, stroll through The Labyrinth– a large circle made of cobblestone where people go to reflect. When you get to the center, clap your hands and you will be surprised. There is no echo.
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Next, stop by the Peter Wing Rotary Rose Garden, in Riverside Park. It is dedicated to former Kamloops mayor Peter Wing– the first mayor in North America of Chinese descent. A section of the garden was also dedicated to Princess Diana in 1998. Finally visit the mini red bridge in Uji Feature Garden, named for Kamloops sister city in Japan and end your tour on the pier where you can watch the sunset over the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers.
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Yoga instructor Yvette teaches a class at the Labyrinth between Pioneer and Riverside Parks
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HOW TO GET THERE...
For more information about things to do in Kamloops and upcoming events drop by the Visitor Center at 1290 Trans Canada Hwy W or visit the tourism Kamloops website at www.tourismkamloops.com |
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To learn about other interesting off the beaten path places to visit in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, buy my book Teresa the Traveler Tells You WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE. Available online in print and e-book!
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