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To all you non-Canadians, take heed: this tip's for you. The trip from Vancouver to Kamloops has evolved significantly over the years. It's most recent incarnation, via the Coquihalla Hwy, is a beautiful but very unhistorical 3 hour jaunt. For those of you looking to travel as the pioneers did in the 19th century, take the TransCanada Hwy from Hope to Kamloops. The trip is an hour longer, but there's no toll, and there are plenty of gems along the way. At Hope in the Fraser Valley, follow the signs for the #1 Hwy. Once past hope, you're in to the scenic Fraser Canyon. There are many great stops along the way for pictures and activities, including historic Yale, Hell's Gate tram, and the Ashcroft Teahouse. To get the full effect, plan to spend the whole day on the 4 hour route. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Kamloops Transit is not very good. Because the city is so large for such a small population, the Transit Authority has really had to stretch it's resources in order to accomodate the most people. The problem is that the resources are small to begin with because nobody rides the bus due to poor service... You get the picture.
In addition, the routes have changed recently to include the local university, but time calculations weren't very well down, and now a number of the buses are often off schedule.
If you are not in any kind of hurry, the bus is the cheapest motorized transportation around Kamloops. If you are staying in the downtown core, the transit exchange is located at Thompson Park Mall. All the routes have stops here, so you can catch any one of them. Leave a Comment Theme: Bus
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If you're travelling from Calgary, the fastest route to Kamloops (and to Vancouver, coincidentally) is via Rogers Pass in the Rocky Mountains. The trip is absolutely spectacular. Make sure you give yourself the whole day so that you have time to stop for photo ops!
The route goes something like this. Calgary to Banff is about 1-2 hours. There is lots to see in Banff, so take the opportunity to stop. By the time you reach Banff, you are in the heart of the Rocky range. From Banff, it's about 3 hours to Revelstoke, with Field and Golden on the way. Revelstoke is charming, take the opportunity to stop for lunch, and visit the lower dam just north of the town. From Revelstoke to Kamloops, it's another 3 hours. You'll pass by Craighellachie (spelling?), the site of the CPR's last spike, Salmon Arm, on the Shuswap lake, and Chase, on the Little Shuswap. Shuswap is a great place to stop, lots of campsites, and warm summer water. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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If you want to get to Kamloops from Edmonton, the fastest route is via Jasper and the Thompson River route. From Edmonton, you will head West to Jasper (haven't been this route since I was about 8 yrs. old, so don't know what the conditions are like now!). Once in Jasper, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt. Edith Clavell, the Marmott Range, and Pyramid Mountain! From there, you continue West to Tete Jaune Cache, and then turn South. The drive is gorgeous! Stop to take photos of Mt. Robson, the Pyramid Falls and Little Hell's Gate. You will then pass through Blue River and on to Clearwater. Clearwater is the gateway to Wells Grey Provincial Park, a huge park with lots of camping, hiking, fishing(?), and great photo ops! Continue south for another few hours, via Little Fort and Barriere, and you hit Kamloops! All in all, I'm under the impression that the drive takes from 8-10 hours, more depending on traffic and weather. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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The BC Wildlife Park is a pretty fun place to visit. Although it does have animals in captivity (some that I'm not necessarily cool with), most are kept in very large and naturally landscaped pens. The park features mainly Canadian wildlife, such as bears, deer, racoons, several bird species, and so on. There are several interactive exhibits, and lots of activities for kids. Also, there is a mini-train that runs through the park, which is very cheap and fun.
The Park is open all year. The best times to go are in the summer, when all the animals are kicking around, and around Christmas, when the park puts on Wildlights. Wildlights features thousands of Christmas lights that light up the park, as well as some special activities, camp fires and the like. Leave a Comment Address: Hwy 1 East of KamloopsDirections: Follow Hwy 1 out of Kamloops East. It's about a 20 minute drive from downtown. Buses run out there occasionally (check a schedule). Don't take a cab, it will cost dearly.Website: www.kamloopswildlife.org
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Visiting Two River Junction is a great way to spend your evening. The dinner theatre is tons of fun with local history mixed with classic tunes and a cast of great characters.
Two River Junction was introduced to complement the Rocky Mountaineer train that passes through Kamloops from April to October every year. Thousands of guest pour through Kamloops, and many of them spend their evening learning a little of the local history.
I used to work for TRJ, so I know quite a bit about the inside workings. You will generally arrive and be greeted by some very well dressed hosts and servers (think period costume...). You have a chance to meet your table mates, order a glass of wine, and then head for the delicious buffet (try the salmon!). After dinner, the show gets underway. The show runs for about an hour, and includes audience involvement, so sit close to the stage!
All in all the event is great. The only downside is the cost. Tickets run about $40 per person, which makes the evening a little expensive. It is a lot of fun though, and I've had very few people tell me it wasn't worth their time and money.
The number below is for Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, but they should be able to help you book tickets, or direct you to TRJ. Leave a Comment Address: Downtown KamloopsPhone: 1-877-460-3200 (Canada/US)Directions: By taxi: Ask for the Columbo Lodge. On foot: From Thompson Park Mall, head down past the train tracks to Lorne St. Follow the river east (right) for about 3 blocks. The tracks will cross the street, by then you should see the venue ahead on the left.Website: www.rockymountaineer.com/travel_experience/vacation_excursion/evening_entertainment.htm
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Sun Peaks resort is a ski hill about 60-75 minutes from downtown Kamloops. The hill is fantastic no matter what season you visit it in! Wintertime is great with skiing, snowboarding, and tons of great activities like ski races, concerts, and of course, many great restaurants and pubs. Lift tickets are getting a little pricy, about $50 CDN for a full day, but still better than Whistler! If you're more into the warm climates, like myself, you'll love Sun Peaks in the summer. The chair lifts run mid-June to September (check online for exact schedule). Lift tickets in summer are usually under $15 CDN for hikers and about $30 for mountain bikers. August is alpine blossom season, and there are beautiful flowers and events such as Music on the Mountain, featuring the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. Lots to see and do! To find the hill's website, type in Sun Peaks resort into any search engine, and voila! You have it. Leave a Comment Phone: 1-800-807-3257Directions: Head North on Hwy. 5 for 20 minutes, then turn off at the Heffley exit. Follow Heffley Road for about 45-60 minutes. In winter, be sure to have good winter tires, as the road can be a little slick.Website: www.sunpeaksresort.com
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Canada Day in Kamloops is one of my favorite days. Riverside Park turns into a carnival of sights and sounds. There are several featured events on Canada Day. Art in the Park runs during daylight hours and is a great place to find some amazing and interesting art. From paintings to sculpture to clothes to jewellery, there are tons of unique and fun things to buy. There are usually over 100 vendors at the park. Another great thing is the Mainstage, featuring tons of local talent. Many different groups participate, and there is music, dancing, and occasionally theatre. The multi-cultural food fare features tasty treats from all over the globe. Finally, the day finishes with a spectacular fireworks display. The show usually starts around 9:00, but get there early for the best seats. The fireworks are fired off between Riverside and Pioneer parks. Just follow the crowds. The one downfall of Canada Day is that it is extremely crowded, so if you are planning on going, don't drive. Take a bus or cab, or if you have to drive, park a few blocks away. Leave a Comment Address: Riverside ParkDirections: Riverside Park is in the downtown core, right next to the river (hence the name). Most people will be able to give you easy directions, and cab drivers will know where to go. Less than 10 min walk from the hostel.
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Okay, car lovers... this one's for you. Every summer, Kamloops plays host to several hundred classic and specialty cars for one great night in August. The hot night in the city event is an absolute must-see, even if you don't have a thing for vehicles. Some of the oldies are truly spectacular, well cared for and polished up for the show. The show has grown quite large in the last few years: the city closes down six downtown blocks to accomodate all the entries.
If you decide to visit, check with the Tourism BC Info Centre in Kamloops, or with your hotel. It's a very popular event, and anyone in tourism in Kamloops will know about it. The event is usually in early or mid-August. Leave a Comment Address: Downtown KamloopsDirections: If you go, just follow the crowd downtown. The show takes up Victoria St. from 1st Ave all the way to 6th Ave, along with some side streets.
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It is open from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday. The receptionist at the entrance of City Hall will be pleased to provide you with a Kamloops pin. Leave a Comment Address: 7 Victoria Street West in Downtown Kamloops
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- Howard Johnson Downtown
530 Columbia Street, Kamloops - The Thompson Hotel And Conference Center
650 Victoria Street, Kamloops - Howard Johnson Kamloops
610 West Columbia Street, Kamloops - Ramada Ltd 100 Mile House Bc
917 Alder Road, Kamloops - Ramada Inn Kamloops
555 West Columbia Street, Kamloops - Travelodge Kamloops
430 Columbia Street, Kamloops - Scott'S Inn & Restaurant
551 11th Avenue, Kamloops - Accent Inn Kamloops
1325 West Columbia Street (formerly Accent Inn Stay'n Save), Kamloops - Days Inn Kamloops (1285 W Trans Canada Hwy Kamloops Bc Cn)
1285 West Trans Canada Highway, Kamloops - Executive Inn Kamloops
540 Victoria St., Kamloops - Quality Inn Kamloops
1860 Rogers Place, Kamloops - Hampton Inn Kamloops (1245 Roger Way.)
1245 Rogers Way, Kamloops - Holiday Inn Express
1550 Versatile Dr., Kamloops - South Thompson Inn-Guest Ranch
3438 Shuswap Rd, Kamloops - Sandman Inn Kamloops (550 Columbia Street.)
550 Columbia St, Kamloops
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on June 21, 2004
on September 16, 2002
