Arts & Culture

Things to Do

Our mountain town is filled to the brim with music, art, history and creativity. Whether you fancy a relaxed stroll through a museum or prefer to dance to kick-up-your-heels music, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your culture-loving appetite in Kalispell.

Surrounded by mountains and with glacial-fed waters flowing through northwest Montana, Kalispell is a place with 18-hour vibrancy, a destination where the outdoors are perfectly complemented by a strong undercurrent of arts and culture. This is where the history of the railroad meets a thriving community that honors its past, embraces the present and looks to the future.

Within Kalispell’s pulsing arts and culture scene is a beautiful mix of museums, performing arts, art galleries, tribal nations, street art and live music. To see the start of modern-day Kalispell, take an immersive stroll through the Conrad Mansion Museum or dive deeper at the Northwest Montana History Museum.

Soak up western art at the Hockaday Museum of Art or enjoy the work of today’s artists on a visit to Montana Modern Fine Art or on a self-guided mural tour throughout Kalispell.

If live music is more your style, time your visit to include a performance by the Glacier Symphony & Chorale or catch local and touring musicians at various venues in and around our mountain town.

To the south and east of Kalispell, you’ll find two of Montana’s Tribal Nations – the Blackfeet Nation and the Flathead Indian Reservation. With a history that dates back thousands of years, the story of Montana cannot be told without its tribal nations and their cultures and traditions.

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES: Art, History and a Montana Mansion

The soul of the Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Montana, is a mountain town that combines incredible access to the outdoors with the perfect amount of urban culture through museums, touchable history, live music, photographers, artists, creators and craftsmen. And while the mountains of Montana may beckon you to explore the outdoors, Kalispell’s museums, art galleries and […]

Flathead Indian Reservation: Meet the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes

Located directly south of Kalispell and encompassing the southern half of Flathead Lake is the Flathead Indian Reservation. This area has been inhabited for thousands of years and today is home to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. With 1.3 million acres, the reservation is made up of diverse landscapes, including the Jocko Valley and […]

Kalispell’s Entertainment Scene

6 Spots For Live Music As the hub of Montana’s Flathead Valley, it’s probably no surprise that Kalispell has a lively music and entertainment scene. A mountain town that combines western history with a vibrant downtown, musicians feel right at home and find inspiration from a variety of places, from wide-open spaces to snow-capped peaks […]

Murals in Montana: Kalispell’s Must-See Street Art

While our unfiltered mountain town is known more for its outdoor offerings and natural landscapes than its cultural scene, we’re here to tell you that Kalispell has a few tricks up our sleeves. Our town by the lake has heaping helpings of arts and culture, which are complemented by vibrant murals that adorn Kalispell’s downtown. […]

The Blackfeet Nation: Montana’s Blackfeet Indian Reservation – Living Along The Backbone Of The World

Located on the east side of Glacier National Park and a 90-minute drive from Kalispell is the Blackfeet Nation. Home to the Blackfeet Indian Tribe (Niisitapi), the reservation is 1.5 million acres and sits along the Backbone of the World – Glacier National Park. For thousands of years, the Blackfeet Tribe (as well as other […]

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Hockaday Museum of Art

Arts & Culture, Arts and Artisans, Downtown, Historic sites, Indoor Activities, Museums, Places to Go, Shopping, Tours & Sightseeing, Visual & Interactive Arts

The Hockaday Museum of Art’s mission is to enrich the cultural life of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park. Find original handiwork by local and regional artists in gift shop. ...

(406) 755-5268 website

Wachholz College Center

Arts & Culture, Indoor Activities, Performing Arts, Places to Go

Check out the lineup of the Glacier Symphony Orchestra and touring musicians. The Wachholz College Center is newly opened on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College. This uniquely designed 58,000 square-foot facility combines two distinct venues into one stunning building. A 1,000 seat performance and lecture hall with superb acoustics will serve as a performance venue for speakers, concer...

(406) 756-1400 website

Purple Mountain Lavender

Arts & Culture, Farm Experiences, Learning Experiences, Places to Go, Shopping, Spas & Wellness, Tours & Sightseeing, Visual & Interactive Arts, Wellness

Lavender farm near Kalispell, Montana, offering spectacular views of Flathead Lake and surrounding mountains. We are a family operated farm with an online store of our locally grown lavender products and our barn store open by appointment during summer months and offer private events and special group classes. ...

(406) 212-5626 website

Northwest Montana History Museum

Arts & Culture, Downtown, Historic sites, Indoor Activities, Museums, Places to Go, Shopping, Tours & Sightseeing, Visual & Interactive Arts

Northwest Montana’s premium history museum, featuring exhibitions on American Indian Culture, Flathead Valley History, Demersville, timber industry, and the School Bell Books & Gifts Store. Elegant rooms available for community events. ...

(406) 756-8381 website

The Heritage Museum

Arts & Culture, Indoor Activities, Museums, Places to Go, Tours & Sightseeing

The Heritage Museum main building is a unique historical 12-sided log structure with 2-story cupola built nearly 50 years ago. Inside are thousands of historical artifacts arranged in exhibits (wildlife, tribes, mining, logging, etc.) about the area’s past. The building sits on 12+ acres surrounded by other historic buildings and exhibits including 4 Model T Fords, 2 fire engines, a 1906 S...

(406) 293-7521 website

Two Kays Flower Farm

Arts & Culture, Farm Experiences, Learning Experiences, Parks & Gardens, Places to Go, Shopping, Tours & Sightseeing, Visual & Interactive Arts

Experience the charm of Two Kays Flower Farm with on-farm events and explore our self-serve flower stand brimming with vibrant blooms. Elevate any occasion with our exceptional event florals, meticulously curated to add a touch of natural beauty to every celebration. ...

(406) 360-4707 website

Crown of the Continent Discovery Center

Arts & Culture, Coffee Shops, Food & Drink, Glacier National Park, Indoor Activities, Learning Experiences, Places to Go, Restaurants, Tours & Sightseeing, Visual & Interactive Arts

The Crown of the Continent Discovery Center, located near West Glacier is a must stop when traveling to or from Glacier National Park. The center includes free interactive and interpretive displays, made in Montana product gift shop, local beers, ice cream and coffee. ...

(406) 387-4405 website

ImagineIF Libraries

Arts & Culture, Indoor Activities, Places to Go, Visual & Interactive Arts

ImagineIF Libraries provides free and equitable access to educational and recreational materials, programs and resources to promote literacy, and inspires lifelong learning to enrich the community. ...

(406) 758-5820 website

Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo

Arts & Culture, Arts and Artisans, Food & Drink, Food Truck, Horseback Riding, Local Fare, Outdoor Recreation, Performing Arts, Places to Go, Shopping, Tours & Sightseeing

Experience the excitement, heritage, and culture of NW Montana. The NW Montana Fair & Rodeo comes alive each year in August featuring three nights of PRCA Rodeo action and showcasing the very best. ...

(406) 758-5810 website

Conrad Mansion Museum

Antiques & Vintage, Arts & Culture, Arts and Artisans, Downtown, Historic sites, Indoor Activities, Museums, Places to Go, Shopping, Tours & Sightseeing

The Conrad Mansion is one of the most outstanding examples of luxurious pioneer living and period architecture in the Pacific Northwest. The building itself remains unchanged since Spokane, WA architect Kirtland Cutter designed and built the home in 1895 for Charles E. and Alicia Conrad. Visiting the Conrad Mansion today provides an extraordinary glimpse into the life of this wealthy pioneer famil...

(406) 755-2166 website