Three Getaway Itineraries to Bring Some Excitement to Your Adventure

Are those nights of binge-watching Netflix together getting a tad, let’s say, repetitive? Looking for another way to bring some excitement to your adventures? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. 

After more than two years of home-bound confinement, it’s okay to look for a little something more to do…with your loved one or friends. Check out these ideas for a getaway on Kamloops’ North Shore.

1. Outdoor Love

This itinerary is for those who like to spend time outdoors on two wheels. Speed down singletrack dirt, cruise around on smooth and scenic trails, and finish the day with cold, local brews.

A day of adrenaline requires fuel. Head over to Red Beard Cafe where brunch is served until 3pm. That means you can start the day late if you’d rather indulge in some extra snooze time. Don’t forget to inquire about their Caffeine Crunk Juice, it may be just the pick-me-up you’re after.

Fueled and ready to go, head for the cross-country network of blue and green trails in Lac Du Bois Grasslands. Do a couple of laps, chase each other down the mountain, laugh—why not find that inner child again? For a more gentle bike cruise, try the 40-km Rivers Trail with routes along Aviation Way, around MacArthur Island Park, or northbound along the North Thompson River towards Westsyde Centennial Park.

Finish the day with craft brews and bites at Bright Eye Brewing. Sample a flight of beers and dig into their array of shared small plates, like the Bright Brewery Board with a mix of artisan cheese, house-baked crackers, and charcuterie meats.

2. Fun and Games

If playful is more your style, then there are plenty of ways to enjoy entertainment. For sand and sun, head to Overlander Beach Park. Here you can practice your beach volleyball skills, run a match of soccer, test your balance skimboarding, or simply bask in the sun along the Thompson River shoreline. Pack a picnic and your pup (this is a dog-friendly beach) to keep the fun going all afternoon. 

Grab a caffeine hit from 5Bean Brewbar & Café before taking your discs to the McArthur Island Disc Golf Club course for a round of 18. Maybe place some bets on who will win. The loser(s) can buy ice cream.

Finish up at The Fun Factor Centre for arcade, mini bowling, laser tag, and bumper cars. If you’re up for the challenge, see who can score the most points on your Fun Card. Top the day off with a scoop of ice cream from family-owned and operated The Ice Cream Social, courtesy of the disc golf loser... hint - we hear they have flights of ice cream!

3. Foodie Frolic

If you and your crew prefer to stroll the shops and dine out, the North Shore has that too. There are a variety of second-hand shops if you like to treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind vintage shop finds. Or you can wander the stores at the Tranquille and Fortune intersection, the Brock Shop, Westsyde Mall, or Northhills Shopping Centre to work up an appetite for an evening of libations.

Hit happy hour and cocktails at Sandbar Grill as stop one on your foodie frolic. Celebrate with your loved one or your friends, overlooking the scenic Thompson River. This is Kamloops’ only licensed waterfront patio, so pull up a chair and stay awhile. Next up, head to Hacienda Cielito Lindo for authentic Mexican flavours. This popular place serves up traditional soups, enchiladas, tacos, and more from unique regions around Mexico. Finish the night with beers and cheers at Bright Eye Brewing.

Get off the couch, turn off Netflix, and do something new on Kamloops’ North Shore.