Glacier Country gives groups culture, history and stunning views in various outdoor activities for unforgettable Western Montana adventures.
Spend three days in Western Montana, beginning in Missoula. Check out the town’s local galleries, shops and attractions. From there, cruise north along Flathead Lake to Kalispell, a destination that pairs Glacier Country’s great outdoors with a vibrant downtown. Discover farm-to-fork dining, shopping and tastings at local breweries. Your trip culminates at the Crown of the Continent—Glacier National Park—where you’ll find guided tours and jaw-dropping scenery.
Duration: 3 Days
Available: Spring/Summer/Fall
This Itinerary is Ideal For: All
Day 1
Arrive in Missoula, Western Montana’s arts and culture hub. Explore downtown Missoula’s vibrant local scene. Numerous galleries, shops and boutiques line the main street and eateries range from food trucks to fine dining.
Credit Destination Missoula: Symphony in the Park at Caras Park, Missoula
To get a glimpse of Missoula’s rich history and contemporary culture, explore one (or more) of the 10 art galleries and museums scattered throughout the city. The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is the perfect stop for history buffs, while the Missoula Art Museum offers world-class art exhibits to peruse.
Credit Destination Missoula: Watching surfers on Brennan’s Wave along the Clark Fork River running through downtown Missoula.
Check in at a group-friendly Missoula hotel. If time permits, take to the Clark Fork River for a leisurely float. This eclectic mountain town is also home to numerous breweries, distilleries and its very own cidery, all offering tours and plenty of Western Montana flavor.
Day 2
Credit Discover Kalispell: Far West Boat Tour on Flathead Lake near Kalispell
Wake up in Missoula and enjoy breakfast at your hotel or sleuth out a local’s favorite hot spot. Head north to tour the National Bison Range, a national wildlife refuge prime for viewing antelope, deer, bighorn sheep and bison. Continue your scenic drive to Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Arrive in Kalispell, where history, style and opportunity collide at the center of your next adventure.
Credit Discover Kalispell: Purple Mountain Lavender overlooking Flathead Lake near Kalispell
Grab lunch at one of downtown Kalispell’s charming restaurants, then explore galleries, breweries and boutiques. Next, board the Montana Trolley for a tour of three diverse museums offering a glimpse into Kalispell’s past and present, including a Glacier National Park permanent art collection, “Crown of the Continent” at the Hockaday Museum of Art and Conrad Mansion Museum, the residence of Kalispell’s founder, Charles E. Conrad. The mansion was completed in 1895 and restored in period detail.
Check into your Kalispell hotel before enjoying an evening sunset cruise with spectacular views on Flathead Lake aboard the Far West and dinner afterward at Blue Canyon Restaurant.
Day 3
Wake up in Kalispell and enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to Glacier National Park for an interpretive tour with Sun Tours or a red bus tour of the stunningly gorgeous Going-to-the-Sun Road. The park boasts 1 million acres of mesmerizing peaks, expansive valleys, 200-plus waterfalls, hidden alpine lakes and American Indian history.
Credit Glacier Country Tourism: Red Bus Tours in Glacier National Park
Crest the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, where you’ll find mountain goats “hanging out.” Make sure to stop at one of the park’s three visitor centers before taking a short, guided hike. There are four food service establishments in the park serving both lunch and dinner.
Enjoy a relaxing evening in a historic Western Montana timbered lodge, and start planning your next Glacier Country getaway. Subscribe to the current issue of Leisure Group Travel for more amazing group adventures.
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