Things to Do
Museums & Galleries
Whether you are seeking knowledge, inspiration, or a peaceful place to look at beautiful art and interesting artifacts, Vernon is proud to have a fine lineup of museums to explore.
This magnificent place has inspired masterful works over the centuries that you can see on display in one of our many art galleries and museums.
From intimate mountainside venues to the largest public gallery in the North Okanagan, discover a wide range of art and history in beautiful settings.
Caetani Centre
Caetani Centre features a gallery of Sveva Caetani’s recapitulation series and offers both guided and self-led heritage tours of the house and grounds leading you through 125+ years of intrigue, rumours, and secrets that have defined the home.
The Canadian Wildlife Museum and Gift Shop
Located just minutes north of Vernon, the Canadian Wildlife museum is a destination where nature comes alive. Featuring over 350 mounted specimens, this 4,000 square foot facility showcases Canadian wildlife in a variety of exhibits and dioramas. The museum includes 120+ birds of prey, 115 different species of Canadian wildlife, and a beautiful butterfly and moth collection.
Gallery Odin at SilverStar Mountain Resort
Experience a true celebration of two-and-three dimensional Canadian artistry. The inspirational Gallery Odin is an intimate venue perched in the pines atop Silver Star Mountain and showcasing Canadian talent in a way that attracts a global audience.
Gallery Vertigo
Gallery Vertigo is a hub for artistic innovation in Vernon. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, drop in to check out the latest exhibit, enjoy the reading nook, or chat up local studio artists for the latest scoop on the local art scene.
Headbones Gallery
Catch the latest exhibit at Headbones Gallery. The gallery specializes in drawing and contemporary works on paper and a small emphasis on sculpture.
Heidi Thompson Art Gallery
The gallery features abstract and land-based paintings by internationally exhibited artists including Heidi Thompson, Bryan Ryley, David Alexander and sculptures by Deborah Wilson. The gallery's aim is to present works of art that capture beauty – not by painting a landscape as we see it with trees, mountains, clouds or sunsets; rather by painting the essence of nature using abstract elements of colour, light, patterns, texture, movement and space.
The Museum and Archives of Vernon
Take a stroll through Okanagan history at the Museum and Archives of Vernon. The museum maintains a comprehensive archive of the region’s history and features exhibits of both indigenous and modern historical importance.
Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum
Paddlewheel was a bustling centre of commerce and shipbuilding more than 100 years ago. Now you can experience it as a museum with memorabilia, photos, and a scale replica of Okanagan Landing in 1914.
Vernon Community Arts Centre Gallery
Come and view the works of emerging and established artists who are members of the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. This welcoming facility also offers art classes and workshops for all ages and ability levels.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery
As the largest public gallery in the North Okanagan and offering up to 20 exhibitions a year, VPAG is an important part of cultural tourism in the region. VPAG presents exhibitions featuring emerging, mid-career and established artists working in a variety of media, including paintings, sculpture, video and installation art.
