Vernon: History, Art and Nature

Vernon offers a range of ways to shape your stay: a historic house with several tour formats, a hiking experience through a native grassland ecosystem, and venues offering art and science. When comparing accommodations, you can start by considering which of these interests you want to shape your trip. The experiences also vary in format, from private tours by appointment to interactive exhibits and gallery programs.

Historic House and Art at the Caetani Centre

The Caetani Centre offers guided, self-guided or private tours of its historic house, which is more than 130 years old. If you are interested in the house, you can choose from these three tour formats. Tour dates may change; check them before planning your trip.

The tours feature haute couture, art and home movies. Visitors also get a look at Sveva Caetani’s “Arts and Life” exhibition. Fashion, art and home movies are presented alongside the named exhibition as distinct themes of the visit. The contents of “Arts and Life” may change; keep this in mind if this exhibition is a deciding factor in your plans.

Private guided tours are available year-round by appointment for families, book clubs, interest groups, businesses and other groups. This makes the option appealing for a group visit, too; however, an appointment must be arranged. Booking arrangements may change, so confirm them as you plan.

Hiking Experience and Science

The Grasslands Trail at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre offers self-guided or guided hiking experiences through a rare and endangered native grassland ecosystem. Unlike the tours at the Caetani Centre, the focus here is on hiking through this grassland. When choosing what interests you, you can therefore distinguish between the house and collection on the one hand and an experience in nature on the other. Operations are seasonal; check visiting conditions before your trip.

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre has free on-site parking. This also provides a practical detail about getting to the centre when planning your visit. Check practical details before setting out.

The Okanagan Science Centre has interactive exhibits on sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, mechanics, astronomy, and space science. The offerings cover several areas of science and have a different focus from the historic house, art programs or grasslands. The mix of exhibits may change; check which topics are currently featured before your visit.

Art Programs and Events

The Vernon Public Art Gallery offers programs for the community, including artist talks, film screenings and workshops. Special events include Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, Riot on the Roof and Art After Dark. The programs and events offer different points of interest for art lovers, from talks and workshops to specially named events. As program dates change regularly, check the current schedule before planning a visit.

For the broader travel overview: North Okanagan.