Glacier National Park – Conrad Mansion
Flathead Lake – Trails
Kalispell, MT (pop. 22,761) is the largest city in northwest Montana. Kalispell is located on U.S. Highway 93, north of Missoula. Vast area of wilderness are near Kalispell. And Glacier National Park is nearby.
For family fun go to Kalispell’s Woodland Water Park. Two three-storied water slides and a six-lane lap pool are big hits. This facility is outdoors, so open only during warm weather months, mid-June through late August.
If time allows while you are visiting in Kalispell and Glacier National Park, experience excitement at Glacier Highline. Lots of family fun here: Glacier Highline offers a zipline, climbing wall, inflatable water course, plus an aerial adventure course. Glacier Highline is on U.S. Highway 2, east of Kalispell between Columbia Falls and West Glacier.
Montana Raceway Park draws big crowds during summer months in Kalispell. Racing fans are entertained by racers driving hobby stocks, bombers, cruisers, Formula 1/Indy cars, and more. All very entertaining for families.
For a glimpse of what life was like for the rich in Kalispell during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tour Conrad Mansion Museum. A mansion, indeed, with three floors, 26 rooms, and eight fireplaces.
This historic home is filled with period furnishing and possessions of the Conrad family who built and owned the mansion. Visitors see the family’s clothing, artwork, taxidermy, and children’s toys and dolls. The Conrad Mansion is of the same vintage as Biltmore House (historic Vanderbilt home) in Asheville, North Carolina.
Hockaday Museum of Art is a must visit, too. Hockaday has impressive permanent collections consisting of paintings, sculptures, Native American artifacts, and more. The building that houses the collections is an architectural gem, to admire in and of itself.
If you love culture, the Glacier Symphony and Chorale in Kalispell offers amazing programs. For dates, times, and venues check the symphony’s Web site.
History buffs will want to view exhibits at the Northwest Montana History Museum. Artifacts of Native American culture are featured in this museum, among other exhibits on northwest Montana history. A touch table is a cool “exhibit.” Visitors can put their hands on and touch antlers, fur, and leather. The museum is housed in old school building near downtown Kalispell. The museum is open Monday thru Friday and charges a modest admission fee.
Kalispell hosts the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo. Concerts, rodeo, carnival rides, and thousands of hand-crafted exhibits make this a wonderful event for all. Great for family fun. In 2020, this event runs August 19-23.
Glacier National Park is near Kalispell. In Glacier, visitors see some of North America’s most spectacular landscape. Viewing high mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes, fed by melting snows, is an experience to last a lifetime.
Flathead Lake is another major attraction. The lake is located a few miles south of Kalispell on U.S. highway 93. Flathead Lake is great for fishing and water sports. It is the largest, natural freshwater lake in the West. Flathead Lake is about 30 miles long and 12 to 14 miles wide.
Dragon boats cruising on a wilderness lake is not what you’d expect to see in Montana. Be surprised. The Annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival is the latest outdoor entertainment in the Kalispell area. Hong Kong inspired dragon boats, with twenty paddlers for power, race across Flathead Lake. As many as 45 teams compete. Fun for all. In 2020, this event is at Wayfarers State Park south of Bigfork and runs September 12-13.
There are plenty of trails for hiking and biking around Kalispell. The Great Northern Rail Trail is very popular. As the name suggests, part of the trail is built on the route followed by the old Great Northern Railroad. Great Northern Rail Trail is several miles of paved trail and is just south of Kalispell. Great Northern Rail Trail runs from the town of Somers of the north shore of Flathead Lake west to the village of Kila and Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area.
Horseback riding is another favorite activity. Try some action at Lonesome Dove Guest Ranch near Kalispell. (406) 756-3056
Craft breweries are common in Montana. In Kalispell, head for SunRift Brewing Company in the downtown area. Beers always have interesting names, no exception here: Sundown Honey Brown, Blonde Bomber, and Sol-Gravy Stout are a few of the brews served at SunRift.
For many coffee drinkers, Starbucks is a regular destination. Kalispell has four stores. The Starbucks on Main Street (U.S, highway 93) is easy to find downtown a couple of blocks north of the county courthouse. Another is in Kalispell’s Target store.
Tourists can choose from many good restaurants in Kalispell. Vivienne’s Fifth Street Cafe is very popular. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch. The sandwiches and daily specials are extra good. Rocco’s Restaurant, located east of Kalispell on U.S. Highway 2, is another favorite dining spot.
The Montana Club restaurant is in the downtown area just off Main Street. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For this reason, the Montana Club is a good choice. Sometimes it’s hard to find a restaurant that serves breakfast.
Favorite Kalispell Lodging:
| Kaslispell has excellent lodging | |
|---|---|
| Red Lion Hotel | (406) 751-5050 |
| Kalispell Grand Hotel | (406) 755-8100 |
| Hampton Inn | (406) 755-7900 |
| Country Inn & Suites by Radisson | (406) 751-9000 |
Favorite Kalispell Restaurants:
- Vivienne’s Fifth Street Café
- Montana Club
- Mudman Burgers
- Montana Coffee Traders
- Ceres Bakery
- Sweet Peaks (for ice cream)
- ScottiBelli’s Ristorante Italiano
- Rocco’s Restaurant
Top Ethnic Cuisine:
- Scottibelli’s (Italian)
- Casa Mexico
- Chinatown Restaurant
- Blue Samurai Sushi Bar & Grill (Japanese)
- Edelweiss Bistro (German, in Missoula, Montana)
Attractions (magnifique):
View map of Kalispell. Use two fingers to navigate on map. View map, terrain or satellite images.
Car rentals are available at the Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell: Avis (406) 257-2727, Hertz (406) 758-2220, Alamo (406) 257-7144. For taxi service in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls call Glacier Taxi (406) 250-3603. Arrow Shuttle also provides ground transportation in the Kalispell area (406) 300-2301.
Kalispell is a friendly city to visit. The great Montana wilderness beckons nearby.
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Copyright © 2019 John Sandy