Having driven across the country a few times over the years, Kamloops has always been a stop along the way. Since they are located on the main highway going through British Columbia, anyone driving through would know this great city. The unique landscape of Kamloops is one to take in anytime of year.
Located at the confluence of the South and North Thompson rivers in BC’s semi-arid grasslands, Kamloops is a hotbed of outdoor activities.
Sandstone canyons, grasslands and evergreen timberlands play host to incredible hiking, mountain biking and camping. Kamloops is also a major golfing destination, with around a dozen courses close by. More than 100 lakes and two major rivers provide great fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting and tubing.
Source hellobc.com
All the times we have driven through Kamloops or visited with a specific destination in mind, we have never really explored the area. Until recently that is. Late in October we had the opportunity to visit Kamloops BC for the weekend. Being just before Halloween, it was a spootacular time for the entire family. We were kept busy all weekend long and enjoyed discovering many local family attractions we had never experienced before. Two things that really stood out for us while we stayed there were the food and the accommodations.
We spent the weekend at the centrally located Ramada Kamloops. with lots of parking, a lounge, restaurant and many amenities, this hotel was a great spot to stay. Our room was quite comfortable and allowed for the family to have lots of room.
When booking your room you can add on a breakfast option or you can head into the restaurant on your own and order from their menu. The Burning Barrel Cookhouse has a great selection of items for all your meals throughout the day. we had dinner there one evening and enjoyed breakfast twice while staying. The food was beyond our expectations and my picky children were very pleased.
This was the calamari I ordered for an appetizer. The portions were quite generous.
I also ordered a steak for dinner , as did two of my kids. The veggies were all fresh and the steak was cooked perfectly.
From the Ramada website
Our hotel features both an onsite restaurant, Burning Barrel Cookhouse, and a Rooftop Lounge. The restaurant offers a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet serving Southern Barbecue Cuisine with delicious meats that are smoked in-house. Both the restaurant and lounge feature breathtaking panoramic views. The restaurant is open from noon to 12pm – late and the rooftop lounge is open from 3pm until 10pm.
No matter where we had to be during our stay, the Ramada was a great spot to get there from. The room was comfortable, the staff friendly and the hotel was very clean. All you could ask for when looking to have a weekend getaway with the family.
There are many restaurants to dine in and take-out from while in Kamloops. The Noble Pig is a very unique downtown location that we had the pleasure of checking out. we had a bit of a tight schedule or I would have loved to have stayed and enjoyed our dining experience a bit longer.
This was the four cheese dip we ordered to share when we first arrived. OMG It was so good! If you love cheese, it is a must. The toasted almonds were very tasty as well.
The fun atmosphere of this lively restaurant is great for anyone looking to dine out in Kamloops. With a bar area serving serving unique craft beers made right on location allows for a wonderful dining experience. There is pig decor throughout the restaurant and this family friendly location has a kids menu that will not disappoint. Paid parking in on the road, however there is free parking during the evening.
Like I said, I wish we had more time there. The food was so good as were our drinks!
The Noble Pig Brewhouse is Kamloops’ first and only Microbrewery that combines house made craft brewed beer, brewed by Trevor Zechel, and a unique beer fusion and scratch kitchen cuisine lead by our Chef, Jared Summers. It is an unpretentious neighborhood spot in a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.
I ordered the Porchetta and wish you could smell how good this was. The yummy smell instantly drew me in. The pork was cooked perfectly and the mixture of beets, squash and potatoes made this the perfect Fall comfort meal for me.
Of course I had to have it with a Mojito! YUm!
While there I was thinking how great of a spot this would be for a girls lunch or a date night. I can not wait to go back!
My teen ordered the Noble club and enjoyed every bite of it. Menu prices were pretty reasonable, portion sizes were good and food quality was amazing. we truly enjoyed out experience. We even took a quick tour of the on-sight micro brewery.
When dinner was finished we had a brief tour of the micro brewery inside the building. It was very interesting to see how beer is made and the entire process.
Next time you are driving through the area, why not stop in and stay a while. To see what else we were up to while we were exploring Kamloops, check out my Instagram and Twitter under the hashtags #explorekamloops
If you are planning a visit to the area, be sure to check out www.tourismkamloops.com for places to stay, eat and visit. You will be glad you did.
Disclosure- I was visiting the area as a guest of the tourism board. All food, attractions and accommodations were hosted. Opinions are honest and my own.
I have ave never been to Kamloops, however, I really want to take a road trip across the country and when we do it’s great to know that Kamloops has so much to see and do. We have stayed at other Ramada’s and this one looks great too. The room and food look exceptional and I’m pinning your post to my “Cross Canada Trip” board so I can reference it in the future.
I live in AB but our family live in SK so we never get to BC. This summer my daughter got married to a BC raised guy & the wedding was at Sicamous. OH My Goodness we want to get back to BC! This Ramada looks like a really nice spot for a stop.
I have never been to BC, but have always wanted to visit the province one day. When and if I plan a trip I will have to put a pit stop in Kamloops on the itinerary. It looks like you had a lovely stay there, and a wonderful place to visit.
That sounds awesome. Would love to exploring in the sandstone! I lived in Vancouver for about a month back in 2012, but have yet to venture my way back out that far west since! Really need to change that soon. Thanks for the info. 🙂
The food there looks amazing! I spied the calamari first because that’s one of my favourites. Love it. I’d love to explore Kamloops some day. Bc is so beautiful. Sounds like you had a great getaway!
I love microbreweries, the Noble Pig looks like a great stop for next time I visit my cousins! Kamloops is a little hidden gem, love the city.
I have never been up to British Columbia but I know it’s supposed to be absolutely gorgeous there. It looks like this is a great place to visit when I do get there. That food looks out rages.
That looks like an amazing place! I love exploring microbreweries. They do such amazing things with beers. I also love those cozy rooms and that yummy food.
Exactly. This kind of place with brewery is one of the good place to capture good story. Like how they make their first beer, their challenges, their best sellers,etc.
Kamloops looks like a great place to go with the family. My husband would probably spend all day at that brewery area.
This looks like a super great area to explore with my family. Lovely views, food, brews, what else can you ask for!
Everything looks so tasty! That calamari looks so good! I want one of everything you had!
I have never been to Kamloops before but I hope to go to British Columbia in the near future. Looks like you had a great stay at the Ramada. Your room looks nice and your food (and drink) look delicious!
It would be fun to spend a little time out there. The Noble Pig Brewhouse looked like an awesome place to eat! It’s cool that you were able to check out the microbrewery too!
I feel like we need a road trip after your little sneak peek at Kamloops! All of the food looked SO delicious and the Ramada seems like a relaxing place to stay.
That looks like a great place for some good food. Everything looks so delicious. I could really go for some of that right about now.
The room looks fabulous! The food looks delicious! Kamloops is most definitely worth the stay. Time to plan a holiday!
I haven’t been to Kamloops for so long but it looks like I need to go back. It’s such a great area.
I have never been to BC but its going on my list now! Sounds fabulous!
Those fool look so good!! Would love to try that four cheese dip!
Ooopss.. I mean those FOODS look really good! Wish I could visit one day!
Calamari, cheese dip, and the sandwich count me! The food looks good and I’m starving.
Everything looks so good! I’d probably have to order the entire menu so I could taste it all.
The food looks absolutely delish. I haven’t been out west in ages. I think a trip is in order.
We have never been to Kamloops. It looks like a wonderful place to explore.
I would love to take the kids to Kamloops! It looks like a lot of fun. I love those cozy rooms. We love to be comfy when we travel.
I would like to visit Kamloops just for that food at Noble Pig Brewhouse! It looks like there are many more things to enjoy there also. I bet my family would have a fantastic time. Plus we already know what hotel to stay at!
The main city park there is amazing! Can’t wait to go back! I’m cravin’ the Nobel Club.
I had not heard of Kamloops before. I have always wanted to visit Canada, so this area would be on my bucket list for sure!
This looks like such an awesome place to visit. All of that food also looks like it was so delicious!
That food though. I am hung up on how yummy it looks! Makes me want to visit.
I definitely want to do more travel within BC. I’ve only driven through Kamloops on my way elsewhere, but I’m hoping to visit the Cariboo area next summer!
Added to my travel list it sounds like the perfect getaway for us.
Everyone always says that calamari is good but I’ve yet to try it. I think I might get brave and order it next time we are out.
I’m never been to Kamloops, but this sounds like the perfect getaway! And all the food looks delicious!
Kamloops is on our way to visit my parents’! Great ideas for our next visit!
The food look ssooo good! I really want to visit western Canada someday!
All the food looks like it was heavenly! I hope to trek out west one of these days! I bet it would be quite the experience.
Yum all this food looks so yummy! Kamloops sounds like a great stop to visit! I have not been to Kamloops but hopefully one day!
Mmm, this food looks fabulous! I’ve actually never heard about Kamloops until I read this post.
I had not heard of Kamloops but it sounds like an incredible destination for active and adventurous people. The golf and hiking and food are all perfect.
I never had the chance to go to Kamloops. Actually, before reading this post, I didn’t even know what it was. The food looks fabulous!
What a great looking place to spend some time the rooms looks cosy and that food looks absolutely delicious!
I was visiting Alberta this past summer and we made it to the BC border! Alas we didn’t get to spend much time there. Would love to explore Kamloops!
I have never even heard of Kamloops before! Now I want to go!
Sounds like a great place to visit. The food all looks so delicious.
I’m so glad I ran across your post! We go to Vancouver, BC frequently and I was just telling my husband that I’d like to explore more of BC. I’ve never heard of Kamloops!
The food looks exquisite and so yummy! I would like to visit this place soon!
Fantastic looking meal! That porcetta and calamari look delish!!
It is great to hear that the Noble Club is reasonably priced and offers a delicious range of snacks. I love the sound of the four cheese dip and the mojito.
Great foodie pictures at your visit Kamloops. I would love to visit BC one day.
This all sounds great and I just love food.
This looks like a wonderful place to visit with family. And the food looks delicious!
I’m a sucker for cheese dip. That one looks so good.
what an interesting place and the food, oh my, the calamari alone and ill be happy!
Not sure I will ever venture that way but the underlying message is when we do travel, we should search for unusual places to visit. Thanks
I have never been up to British Columbia but I know it’s supposed to be so nice. The food looks delicious.
I would love to go there. There is a lot to do for sure!
The food look so delicious! I love your pics. Kamloops seems to be a great place to visit, there would be many things to do. And I would love to try these dishes.
This sounds like a great place to check out. I have never been to British Columbia before.
The food pictures are so wonderful. It would be fun to visit.
Looks like there were plenty of good eats there! And it’s always cool to tour facilities where things are made like a winery or brewery!
Oh the whole place especially the foods looks great and delicious.
This looks like such an amazing place. All of that food looks so delicious.
Omg that hotel looks incredible. I’m a foodie so I was literally drooling at all the yummy foods. Now I want some cheese dip too.
I’ve been to Vancouver but not Kamploops. This looks like a nice place to stay and the food looks incredibly delicious. I’m drooling over that plate of calamari.
How great! Looks like such a nice getaway. And the food… wow!
Ive stayed at Ramada before and wasn’t too impressed. I definitely expected more. It’s not what I’m used to but I’m glad you enjoyed yoursekf.