Day 1 – The Heart of Kalispell
Downtown History Tour
Look into the past at one of our museums – or visit all three if time allows – and learn about Kalispell’s unique history. Visit the Conrad Mansion Museum, home of Kalispell’s founder, Charles E. Conrad and his family, on a docent-led tour. Explore the valley’s arts and culture scene at the Glacier Art Museum and soak up regional history at the Northwest Montana History Museum, located in the first school in Kalispell.
Shop Kalispell
Enjoy free time shopping in downtown boutiques, shops and stores that offer a mix of locally made products, as well as antiques, cowboy hats, jewelry, clothing, soaps and more. Be sure to swing into Montana Coffee Traders or Ceres Bakery for an afternoon pick-me-up. While shopping, make sure to visit The Toggery, Western Outdoor, Sage and Cedar and Design and Sassafras.
Cowboy Up: Evening Entertainment Ideas
The spirit of the West is alive and well in Kalispell and there are plenty of ways to incorporate the cowboy way of life into your itinerary. Shop for boots at Western Outdoor in Kalispell and enjoy a BBQ dinner at DeSoto Grill, followed by taking in rodeo action during the Brash Rodeo Summer Series or enjoy an evening with Western Montana’s longest-running rodeo in nearby Columbia Falls behind the world-famous Blue Moon. Events include bull riding, saddle bronc, team roping, barrel racing and more.
Day 2 – Glacier National Park
Tour options are plentiful in Glacier National Park. The key to an incredible experience: reserve your group reservations early.
Take a Sun Tour or Red Bus Tour
Climb aboard a historic red bus with the driver as your personal guide and set out on an interpretive tour through the Crown of the Continent. The iconic canvas-top tour buses were introduced in the 1930s and have since been restored as a gift from the Ford Motor Company. Back in the 1930s, the drivers had to jam the gears to get the reds to climb higher elevations, earning them the nickname of “jammers.” While the technology is a little more sophisticated these days, a red bus tour is a fantastic way to take in the sights and sounds of the park. Plus, they offer a variety of routes that can accommodate flexile timing. For a different perspective, Sun Tours provides a glimpse into the park from the perspective of the Blackfeet Tribe through interpretive tours in the Backbone of the World, including the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Take a Boat Ride on Historic Wooden Boats
Grab a seat aboard the DeSmet, a beautiful wooden boat on Lake McDonald. Cruise the pristine waters and listen to the captain or one of the park rangers provide commentary on the scenic tour. Glacier Park Boat Company offers several boat tours at various lakes in the park throughout the summer.
Evening Entertainment in Glacier National Park
If you are spending a full day in the park, don’t miss the Native American Speaks program. Listen to members from the Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille tribes share rich history and culture through singing, storytelling, presentations and hands-on learning. Ranger-led presentations are available and give attendees the chance to learn about various aspects of the park, from history to wildlife and everything in between. Most of the programs are free of charge, while some cultural presentations have a cost.
Day 3 – Farms, Flathead Lake and Live Performances
Lavender Tour
Learn the benefits of lavender as you tour Longview Lavender Farm and enjoy the lush landscapes, and views of the mountains, that surround it. Pick your own lavender or peruse the store where you can find everything from live plants to lavender-themed goodies.
Cruise on Flathead Lake with Far West
Enjoy the views from this double decker platform and take in the Montana landscapes in every direction. They offer a variety of cruises throughout the summer. See the latest schedule here. Private charters are available.
Star-Studded Evening Entertainment
Enjoy a live performance at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and take in Broadway-caliber talent from across the country as they deliver the finest live professional theater performances in the region. The newest and largest venue in Kalispell is the Wachholz College Center, located on the Flathead Valley Community College campus. The venue hosts a variety of performances in all genres of music, theater, film and dance, while also serving as the home to Glacier Symphony.
For more inspiration, explore here.
Contact our Group Sales Manager, Ben Gould for more information at [email protected] or call him at 406-758-2820.
