Hey LA, We’ve Got Your Weekend in Kalispell, Montana Itinerary Right Here

This summer, there are four airlines offering direct flights all summer long from Los Angeles, California, to Kalispell, which means it’s easier than ever to spend a long weekend in northwest Montana. If you’ve been thinking of planning a trip to explore Big Sky Country, this summer is the perfect time to visit. We’re breaking it all down by flight options and itinerary suggestions…

Flight Options: LA to Kalispell

United Airlines offers daily direct flights from LAX to Glacier Park International Airport (code: FCA), Allegiant Air has direct flights Thursday and Sundays, and Avelo flies from Burbank (BUR) to Kalispell Fridays and Mondays. Alaska Air also offers direct flights throughout the summer from LAX to Kalispell. All of that to say, if you’re ready to escape the busyness of southern California, we’d love to have you visit Kalispell.

Here’s what you need to know:

Glacier Park International Airport’s code is FCA

You can take a direct round-trip flight on Allegiant and Avelo for under $400

Car rentals are available at Glacier Park International Airport

Kalispell has a variety of hotels, motels and lodges to accommodate your preference; check out hotel options here

Your Weekend in Montana Itinerary

Day One

After you arrive in Kalispell and pick up your rental car, we recommend transitioning to mountain time with a visit to downtown Kalispell, where you can stroll local shops, sip on made-right-here beer/cider/wine and dig into an array of culinary offerings. Keep tonight’s dinner casual with dinner DeSoto Grill.

Day Two

Your first full day is all about adventure. Let’s get started!

Breakfast:

Before you set out, be sure to fuel up with coffee and/or breakfast at Ceres Bakery, Bonjour Bakery and Bistro or Montana Coffee Traders.

After breakfast, head out for a morning of activities. If you’re looking for things to do, we recommend taking a guided kayaking tour on Flathead Lake with Sea Me Paddle, cruising the lake with Far West Boat Tours or setting out on a horseback trail ride with Montana Horse Works or Swan Mountain Outfitters.

Lunch:

Dig into local fare at one of Kalispell’s food trucks, including The Corndog House, D & T BBQ or Rescue Dog.

Following lunch, be sure to stroll Kalispell’s Main Street and check out local shops to pick up a Montana souvenir or simply to do a little shopping. Be sure to check out Western Outdoor, Sage & Cedar, The Toggery, Honey Home, Rocky Mountain Outfitters and Sportsman & Ski Haus.

And since you’re so close to Glacier National Park in Kalispell (we’re a scenic 32 miles from the park’s west entrance), plan to head into the park in mid- to late-afternoon. While you need a vehicle reservation to enter many areas of the park, after 3 p.m. a reservation is no longer needed. We recommend hitting the west entrance (or the North Fork) between 3 and 4 p.m. This will still give you ample time to cruise the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the daylight, as it doesn’t get dark here until around 10 p.m. Insider tip: if you want to go into the park before 3 p.m., log into recreation.gov and see if you can snag a reservation.

Dinner:

Return to Kalispell and grab a late bite (and maybe even catch live music) at The KM Bar, visit local favorite Moose’s Saloon for pizza or Brannigan’s Pub.

Day Three

Today was made for taking a deeper dive into what Kalispell has to offer, from museums to hikes and trails to cherries.

Breakfast:

Start the morning off at Sable Coffee, Sykes Diner or City Brew Coffee, or try a smoothie at Kalispell Nutrition.

Spend the morning exploring Kalispell’s history, with visits to the Conrad Mansion Museum, Hockaday Museum of Art and Northwest Montana History Museum. Take a deeper dive into Kalispell’s past with a docent-led tour at the Conrad Mansion.

Lunch:

Continue your day with an elevated lunch at Bonelli’s Bistro, Waters Edge Winery or Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

For your final afternoon, we recommend hitting the trails for a hike, walk or mountain biking adventure. Local trail recommendations include Lone Pine State Park, Herron Park, the Parkline Trail in downtown Kalispell and the Great Northern Rail Trail. After working up a sweat (or simply taking in the views of Montana’s Flathead Valley), sip on a huckleberry milkshake at Norm’s News.

Dinner:

For your final dinner in Kalispell, take your time and enjoy culinary offerings at Big Mountain Ciderworks, The House of S&M, MontaVino Winery or Hops Downtown Grill.

Need more ideas for your weekend in Kalispell? Visit discoverkalispell.com or call us at 406-758-2811. You can also swing into our Visitor Information Center located at 17 South Main Street (inside the Flathead Beacon building).

Book Your Stay

No matter your lodging preference, Kalispell has an array of options. From family-friendly accommodations to historic stays, explore our offerings below.