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    Urban Bliss Life » Travel » Montana » Things to do in Kalispell Montana

    Published: September 15, 2015 / Updated: May 28, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Things to do in Kalispell Montana

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    Happy Travel Tuesday! Today we continue our Travel Bliss: Western Montana series with a look at things to do in Kalispell Montana.

    Flathead Lake Montana | Travel Bliss on UrbanBlissLife.com

    After leaving the National Bison Range in Dixon, Montana, we continued driving north to Kalispell. The most beautiful part of the drive was the long and windy course around Flathead Lake.

    Jump to:
    • Flathead Lake
    • Things to do in Kalispell, Montana
    • Norm's News
    • Hop's Downtown Grill
    • Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell
    • More Montana travel ideas

    Flathead Lake

    Flathead Lake Montana | Travel Bliss on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Flathead Lake Montana | Travel Bliss on UrbanBlissLife.com

    I wish we had time to stop and lounge at Flathead Lake, but alas, we did not. The drive around the massive 200-square mile lake was beautiful, and I can see why hundreds of people from around the country choose Flathead Lake as their second home away from home.

    If you do get a chance to stay here, you have a myriad of activities at your fingertips: boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, cherry picking. . . you can visit Discover Kalispell for more info.

    Things to do in Kalispell, Montana

    Our next "home away from home" stop on our Oregon - Idaho - Montana road trip was Kalispell, Montana. Situated between the college town of Missoula, north of Flathead Lake, and just south of White Fish, Kalispell, Montana is a quaint western town that's a great little stop on your way to adventures up at White Fish Mountain Resort or at Glacier National Park.

    things to do in Kalispell Montana: country western store

    Kalispell is part old school cowboy, part modern adventure seeker; a mix of families who have lived in the area for several generations, young outdoor-loving singles, and a large number of seasonal residents who live here for 3-6 months out of the year.

    During the summer, you can check out ThursdayFest! on Thursday nights, where the town center has a few streets closed off and everyone converges for live music, food trucks, and family fun.

    things to do in Kalispell Montana: food festival
    things to do in Kalispell Montana: food carts
    Travel Bliss: Where to Eat & Drink in Kalispell, Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Norm's News

    Norm's News
    34 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901
    Phone:(406) 756-5466

    things to do in Kalispell Montana: Norm's News
    things to do in Kalispell Montana: Norm's News ice cream

    One of my family's favorite things to do in Kalispell, Montana was visit Norm's News, right on Main Street. A classic soda fountain shop, Norm's News sells rows and rows of magazines and newspapers, bins of colorful candy, and traditional soda shop shakes (when in Montana, you must try the huckleberry shake!), burgers & fries, and smoothies... at low prices that seem like a blast from the past as well. I couldn't believe it when two children's ice cream cones were less than $3.00!

    Hop's Downtown Grill

    Hop's Downtown Grill
    121 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901
    (406) 755-7687

    For dinner in Kalispell, check out Hop's Downtown Grill, right down the street from Norm's News.

    Hop's Grill in Kalispell Montana

    With super friendly, attentive staff, Hop's is a great family spot where you can choose from a large selection of local and national beer (hence, the name of the restaurant), as well as delicious pub food. The burgers are huge (and yes, you can get an elk burger here), and they have some interesting appetizer selections.

    things to do in Kalispell Montana: Hops Grill

    My kids' liked the burger & chips as well as the noodles from the kids' menu, but the centerpiece that my whole family can't stop talking about: the home fries, which we still affectionately refer to as the Jenga fries.

    Travel Bliss: Where to Eat & Drink in Kalispell, Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com

    See? Jenga! ;)

    Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell

    If you'll be spending the night in Kalispell, the Red Lion Hotel is one of the larger hotels in town, and is also the town's largest meeting space. There were weddings, conferences, and meetings happening while we stayed here. It's also attached to the mall, so if you happen to forget something during your travels, you can walk right on through to a variety of stores.

    red lion hotel in Kalispell Montana
    antler chandelier at red lion hotel in Kalispell Montana
    antler chandelier at red lion hotel in Kalispell Montana

    The lobby is my favorite part of the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. Above your head hangs a larger than life antler chandelier. It's mesmerizing and beautiful. 
     

    guest room at red lion hotel in Kalispell Montana

    The family suites are very spacious, with plenty of space to kick back and relax while you're in town. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

    Red Lion Hotel - Kalispell
    Kalispell Center Mall
    20 N Main St
    Kalispell, MT 59901
    (406) 751-5050

    Kalispell was a good spot to serve as our home base while we adventured in White Fish Mountain Resort and Glacier National Park.

    I'll be sharing those experiences in the next two posts of my Travel Bliss: Western Montana series!

    More Montana travel ideas

    • Travel Tips to Glacier National Park in Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com Visiting Glacier National Park
    • Whitefish Mountain Resort travel Montana tips on UrbanBlissLife.com Whitefish Mountain Resort Summer Activities
    • Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com Things to do in Missoula, Montana with Kids
    • Where to Eat & Drink in Missoula, Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com Places to Eat in Missoula, Montana
    Many thanks to Glacier Country Tourism and Discover Kalispell  for their incredible hospitality while we were in Missoula & planning an amazing itinerary for us. Lodging and some of the meals in this article were comped. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.
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      Comments

      1. Monica Louie says

        September 15, 2015 at 3:24 pm

        My dad would be right at home in Kalispell with the boot selection, cheap ice cream, elk burger, and antler chandelier! Looks like we need to plan a family trip! Those Jenga fries look good!!

        Reply
      2. Ali says

        September 15, 2015 at 1:33 pm

        That lake! Those boots! The ice cream! We really need to make a family trip out to Montana.

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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