If you’re looking for the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana, that means you already know that this gem of a city is worth a visit. Sure, it’s the gateway to Glacier National Park, but it offers so many more unique sights and adventures.
For example, there are more than 2 million acres of national forest outside of the national park perfect for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. There are also a ton of water adventures given Kalispell’s close proximity to the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S. Oh and mountains? There are a lot of those, including two big ski resorts perfect for getting your shred on.
Downtown Kalispell also has a bunch of cultural activities like museums, shopping, restaurants, and breweries worth exploring. Basically, there’s a little something for everyone in this historic town! To help you navigate all it has to offer, here’s a round up of the best activities in Kalispell, Montana.
This article is sponsored by Discover Kalispell, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me and keep this site running!
11 Things to Do in Kalispell, Montana
Before diving into all the fun things to do in Kalispell, Montana, let me give you a sense of where it is first.
Where is Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is located in the northwest section of Montana just ~1.5 hours south of the Canadian border. It’s about a 1.5-hour flight from Seattle or 4-hour drive from Spokane, so it’s an easy trip to make for Pacific Northwest locals. In fact, many consider the northwest section of Montana to be part of the PNW!
This mountain town of ~25,000 residents is best known for skiing and Glacier National Park. Its prime position in the Flathead Valley means it’s surrounded by stunning mountainscapes and plenty of outdoor activities no matter the time of year.
Weather wise, Kalispell experiences daytime temperatures in the 80s during the summer. While it can get a bit humid, the town’s ideal location on the edge of the Pacific Northwest makes it milder humidity-wise than other areas of the state.
Come winter temperatures drop to below freezing, with daytime temperatures often hovering in the low 30s or 20s. This means Kalispell is often transformed into a snowy winter wonderland!
What is there to do in Kalispell, Montana
Now that we have the logistics out of the way, let’s dive into all the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana. Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more activities I discover on future visits!
Visit Conrad Mansion Museum
website | 330 Woodland Ave (get directions) | price: ~$5-$20 pp | best for: history, vintage, and architecture buffs
I’ll admit that I don’t often prioritize visiting historic homes when I travel, which is weird because I absolutely love architecture and antique hunting. I think it’s because I worry they won’t be worth the time spent. Well, I’m here to tell you that the Conrad Mansion Museum in Kalispell is 100% worth it. In fact, this is my favorite attraction in the city!
The 1895 historic mansion was the home of Charles Conrad, the founder of Kalispell and a Montana pioneer. You can tour the 26-room estate on a self-guided tour year-round, but I highly recommend taking a guided tour with one of the docents. If you’re visiting in winter, they only offer tours if they can gather a group of 10 or more (call ahead to ask). But in summer and fall you can join one of the 3 tours they host daily.
It’s unbelievable how well they were able to preserve the Conrad Mansion. Most of the furniture is original, including a ton of pieces that highlight just how technologically advanced the estate was for its time. For example, the Conrads lived with indoor plumbing, a washer and dryer, elevator, house-wide communication system, and more. The docent will show you how most of it worked, which really helps the tour feel like an immersion back in time.
Pro tip: When you’re done with the tour, head across the street to Woodland Park for a pretty stroll. If you have kids in tow and are visiting in summer, consider carving out time at the famous Woodland Water Park!
Explore downtown Kalispell
website | S Main St (get directions) | best for: shopping
Kalispell has an adorable downtown area full of historic architecture, quaint shops, and yummy eateries. And since there’s no sales tax in Montana, it’s the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs.
I recommend spending a few hours combing the 4 blocks of Main Street that run between 1st St E and 5th St E, plus 1st Ave E and 1st Ave W that run parallel along either side of Main Street. Pop into any of the local shops that catch your eye, paying special attention to some of my favorites:
- Honey Home & Design – Aesthetic home store with new and vintage finds
- Sassafras Arts Crafts – Co-op of more than 50 local artists
- The Montana Scene – Trendy and witty screen-printed shirts and accessories
- Kalispell Antiques Market – Antique mall in Western Outdoor‘s basement
- Wheat Montana – Bakery with a ton of take-home pantry staples and the best cinnamon rolls in town
- Ceres Bakery – Another beloved bakery known for breads and pastries
- Sweet Peaks Ice Cream – Perfect for a creamy treat!
If you love history, Kalispell also has a few museums and historic buildings worth seeking out. Pop into any of these to take a break from shopping:
- Northwest Montana History Museum – History of the Flathead Valley, including Native American culture, pioneer history, and the timber industry
- Hockaday Museum of Art – Contemporary art inside the historic Carnegie Library
- Historic Courthouse – Beautiful government building
The Northwest Montana History Museum offers guided historic walking tours in summer. Consider joining one to get even more immersed in the area’s history!
Experience Flathead Lake
website | get directions | best for: water sports and views
Kalispell may be best known to out-of-towners for its access to nearby mountain ranges, but it’s also a short drive from Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S. This massive lake is nearly 200-square miles and boasts 185 miles of shoreline to explore. You can do so via the various parks and loading points, or stay at one of the 140 campsites scattered around it.
During the summer, people flock to explore the lake’s crystal clear water. Renting a kayak or paddle board is a popular activity, which you can do with local outfitters like Sea Me Paddle. Sea Me also offers guided tours to Wild Horse Island and Somers Bay if you’d like a narration of the area as you paddle.
Another popular summer activity is taking a boat tour with Far West Boat Tours. They leave right from Flathead Harbor, home to the Harbor Grille, a popular dockside bar and restaurant with stunning views of the lake. Though boat tours stop in winter, the restaurant is open year-round serving excellent burgers, clam chowder, and craft cocktails.
In winter Flathead Lake rarely freezes completely, but various pockets are sturdy enough to allow for ice skating and ice fishing. If you’re new to ice fishing, you can book an excursion with a company like Big Sky Fishing Charters: home of Howes, A-Able & MoFisch Charters. But if that’s not of interest, you can take in the views at Volunteer Park right next to Harbor Grille. Basically, no matter what time of year you visit, Flathead Lake is one of the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana!
Walk Somers Beach State Park
website | 558 Somers Rd (get directions) | price: ~$4-$8 pp | best for: beach walk
Somers Beach State Park is one of the attractions to seek out in winter along Flathead Lake. That’s because the season’s low tides reveal a massive expanse of beach perfect for walks and snowman making. You may even see locals shoveling snow off the shallow parts of the water to reveal perfect ice for skating or a pick up hockey game.
Catch views at Lone Pine State Park
website | 300 Lone Pine Rd (get directions) | price: $4-$8 | best for: views of Flathead Valley
Lone Pine State Park sits on a bluff overlooking the Flathead Valley. This means it’s the perfect spot for catching views of the lake, Glacier National Park, and Jewel Basin.
The park covers 279 acres and offers 7.5 miles of trails to explore anytime of year. In winter you can rent snowshoes at the visitors center for $5 per person. The park also has an archery range open year-round for those who want to work on their marksmanship.
Traveling with someone who needs assistance? Lone Pine State Park also offers all-terrain wheelchair rentals free of charge as conditions allow.
Ski Blacktail Mountain
website | 13990 Blacktail Rd (get directions) | price: ~$45-$75pp | best for: downhill & Nordic skiing
Ask anyone and they’ll say one of the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana is ski. Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is one of the lesser-known nearby ski resorts. It’s where the locals go to cruise gentle green, blue, and black trails that offer breathtaking views of Flathead Valley.
While most ski resorts require you to take a lift to access the trails, you start going down the mountain right from the parking lot at Blacktail Mountain. This makes it convenient for people who are more about the après ski life because they can go right into the lodge to enjoy mountain views over a drink.
Blacktail Mountain offers full gear rentals for ~$55 per person, or less if you just need items like boots or a helmet. New riders can also sign up for ski and snowboard classes.
I consider myself a solidly mediocre snowboarder. Greens and blues are my preference, so I love how Blacktail Mountain caters to my skill level perfectly. Even the blacks are less steep than other resorts I’ve been to, and there’s a section of “glades” with plenty of space between trees that make it more accessible to those just getting comfortable with this type of terrain. The trails are also long enough to feel worthwhile, but not so long that your muscles are screaming in pain. All in all, Black Mountain Ski Area is my kind of place!
For lunch, I recommend stopping at Muley’s Bar & Grill on the top floor of the lodge. While there’s a grab-and-go cafeteria, this full service restaurant offers stunning views of the mountains and excellent food. Don’t miss the smash burger and chicken soup if available!
Eat at Kalispell’s many awesome restaurants
I had to create a whole separate article about the best places to eat in Kalispell because there are too many to count. But if you only have time for a few, make sure not to miss these institutions loved by locals.
Bonelli’s Bistro
website | 38 1st Ave E (get directions) | cuisine: Italian | best for: sandwiches and cakes
Bonelli’s Bistro is a casual Italian cafe that offers sandwiches by day and heartier entrees at night. For lunch, I recommend getting their meatball sub. The balls are slightly crisp and have the perfect ratio of sauce to bread.
No matter what time of day you visit, finish your meal with tiramisu for dessert. It’s extra moist and has a pronounced espresso flavor without being boozy. Trust me, you aren’t going to want to share!
The Spot
website | 51 Woodland Park Dr (get directions) | cuisine: American | best for: doughnuts
The Spot is a drive thru doughnut and biscuit shop that’s only open until 2 PM, but you want to get there before 9:30 AM because they start selling out. Yup, they’re that good.
If you’re short on time, just get some of their doughnuts because the breakfast sandwiches are made to order. My favorite flavor is the classic vanilla with sprinkles. It has just enough sweetness to feel nostalgic, but not so much that it overpowers the pillowy, yeasty dough.
Norm’s Soda Fountain
website | 34 S Main St (get directions) | cuisine: American | best for: huckleberry shake
Norm’s is an old school soda fountain that serves retro food like burgers, sandwiches, malts, egg creams, root beer floats, and shakes. They also have a huge wall lined with jars of candy that you can buy in bulk, so this is a dream for both kids and kids at heart.
The huckleberry shake is the pro order. It has chunks of berries in it so you know it’s made with the real stuff, not artificial syrup. Get it topped with whipped cream and a cherry for an extra decadent feel!
Moose’s Saloon
website | 173 N Main St (get directions) | cuisine: American | best for: pizza and beer
Moose’s Saloon is a Kalispell institution. It’s dark and moody like a saloon bar, but is good for kids thanks to its arcade games and pizza. The pizza is like frozen pizza, but homemade, if that makes sense. It’s somewhat thin with crispy edges flecked with burnt cheese that’s extremely addictive. Wash it down with some beer they serve in ice cold mugs that form little slushy crystals around the edges.
Sykes Diner
website | 202 2nd Ave W (get directions) | cuisine: American | best for: chicken fried steak
Sykes Diner is a must visit for the best breakfast in town. You can expect huge portions of classics like omelets, Benedicts, pancakes, and the like. But the pro order is Sykes’ chicken fried steak. It has the perfect seasoning and crunch to stand up against their umami bomb sausage gravy. Add mushrooms to make it even more savory!
Grab beer or cider
Thanks to a big craft beer and cider scene, checking out the breweries is one of the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana. Here are some of my favorites.
Big Mountain Ciderworks
website | 1051 Old Reserve Dr (get directions) | best for: expansive space and views
Big Mountain Ciderworks is a family-owned orchard and cidery that sits on a stunning property. The taproom sits in an iconic red industrial barn that has plenty of windows for taking in views of the valley. If you’re lucky, you’ll see horses on the nearby farm basking in the open space dotted by mountains in the distance.
You’ll also notice lines of apple and pear trees dotting the property. Those are Big Mountain’s orchards that supply the base of their hard ciders. Get a flight so you can try as many as possible. My favorites are the semi-sweet ciders that strike the perfect balance of not too sweet and super crisp.
Big Mountain is also known for having great food. People rave about their burgers, but you can also find flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, and more. If it’s on the menu, don’t miss the queso! It’s oh-so addictive.
Pro tip: They have a rotating collection of local art for sale on the walls. We bought a stunning picture of bison by local artist Sarah Bramme!
Bias Brewing
website | 412 S Main St (get directions) | best for: convenient downtown location
Bias Brewing is a cool spot to unwind right in downtown Kalispell. In summer they have a cool rooftop patio overlooking Main Street. Come winter, they offer cozy outdoor igloos you can rent for your party. No matter when you visit, you can expect excellent beers ranging from IPAs to sours. If available, get their mocha stout and blackberry sour!
Sacred Waters brewing
website | 3250 US Hwy 2 E (get directions) | best for: live music
Sacred Waters Brewing is a large taphouse and restaurant a bit outside of downtown Kalispell. They often host live music, so it’s a happening place where locals come to connect. If available, don’t miss their poblano Serrano pepper beer and guava sour!
Partake in Kalispell’s coffee culture
One of the things that most surprised me about Kalispell is just how much coffee there is. You’ll see a ton of drive thru spots and coffee shops, sometimes right across the street from each other! Here are some of my favorites.
Colter Coffee
website | 424 S Main St (get directions) | best for: house roasted coffee
This button of a coffee shop in downtown Kalispell is in the most charming brick building. It’s quite large with a few pockets of semi-private spaces where locals like to hole up and get some work done. Colter roasts their own coffee, so it’s perfect for picking up a few bags to take home as souvenirs. If you want a drink to stay, don’t miss the honey bee latte.
Sable Coffee
website | 625 Treeline Rd Suite C (get directions) | best for: lattes
Sable Coffee is a glam coffee spot a bit outside downtown Kalispell. They offer drive thru, but the gorgeous chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling fireplace will beckon you to come in and stay awhile. Their cinnamon roll latte is the perfect drink to enjoy while you do!
Visit Glacier National Park
website | get directions | price: ~$20-$35 per vehicle | best for: hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
Glacier National Park requires timed vehicle reservations June – September.
One of the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana isn’t technically in Kalispell at all. It’s Glacier National Park, just about 40 minutes northeast of the city.
Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and, along with its sister park Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, is recognized as a World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve, and the world’s first International Peace Park. It spans more than one million acres and 1,500 square miles, meaning there’s a lot to do.
Most people flock to Glacier National Park in summer and fall for its seemingly countless hiking trails, which is why the park requires a timed vehicle reservation this time of year in addition to the $35 park entry fee. However, if you visit in winter, you don’t need to make a reservation and the daily vehicle fee is reduced to $25.
While Glacier National Park is open year round, most of the roads are inaccessible in winter due to snow, including the majority of the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. But there are a few benefits to this. First, it means there are way less people. Second, it makes visiting the park during a day trip much more manageable, especially if it’s your first time. We visited in winter and loved how we were able to see much of what was open on the west side in a reasonable 5-hour excursion.
What’s open in winter
If you’re interested in visiting in winter, prepare to go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to make the most of your visit. There are a bunch of trails still open in the park and you can even cross-country ski or snowshoe on the Going-to-the-Sun Road! Spikes on your shoes can also work if you prefer more traditional hiking.
Don’t want to have to plan your trip alone? Book a guided tour with Tour Glacier. This is what we did and it was SO NICE to not have to think about our itinerary. Our guide Gavin was so informative, giving us history and nature facts throughout the day. He picked us up from our hotel and took us to all the areas open in and around the park, which included:
- Hungry Horse Dam
- The Old Belton Bridge
- Lake McDonald (the park’s largest lake)
- McDonald Creek Trail (our snowshoe path)
- Lake McDonald Lodge (the point where the Going-to-the-Sun Road closes to vehicle traffic for the season)
We saw barely a soul the whole time. The largest “crowd” was at the Lake McDonald Lodge, but it wasn’t even that many people. Many of them were cross-country skiing on the closed portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so we didn’t cross paths. All in all, visiting Glacier National Park in winter ended up being my favorite way to get introduced to the park!
Pro tip: If you explore the park on your own, grab a packed lunch from Park Provisions before entering Glacier National Park. Then hit up the Huckleberry Patch on the way home for dessert and souvenirs!
Explore nearby hiking and biking trails
Glacier National Park may get all the recognition, but the 2.4 million-acre Flathead National Forest surrounding Kalispell offers even more outdoor adventures. And since it doesn’t require a timed entry, it’s where locals flock to when all the tourists are in the national park.
Here are some nearby trails, hikes, and parks to explore both in and around downtown Kalispell. For more ideas, check out what locals recommend on Alltrails.
Kalispell Parkline Trail
website | get directions | best for: urban walk/run
This 2-mile paved path runs right through downtown Kalipsell and is a popular spot for dog walkers, runners, and bladers. SunRift Brewery sits right on it if you’d prefer to grab a beer and people watch!
Great Northern Historical Trail
website | get directions | best for: biking
If you’d like a paved path with a bit more mileage, check out Great Northern Historical Trail, also known as Rails to Trails (an added bonus: the Parkline Trail connects to the Rail Trail). Rails to Trails is a 22.6-mile paved path that runs between the towns of Somers and Kila. You may see runners training for a longer race, but this trail is especially popular for biking. You can rent e-bikes from Wheaton Cycles.
Herron Park
website | 2310 Foys Lake Rd (get directions) | best for: hiking, biking, Nordic skiing, and horseback riding
Herron Park started as Flathead Valley’s only public equestrian park, but it’s since expanded to offer ~40 miles of multi-use paths. Here are some of the most popular trails.
Jewel Basin
get directions | best for: a challenging hike to epic views
If you’re looking for one of the most quintessential hiking areas outside of Glacier National Park, Jewel Basin is it. The Switchback Trail is a 6.6-mile, out-and-back hike popular during warmer months for stunning alpine vistas dotted with wildflowers and pretty foliage. Other trail options include the 5.2-mile Strawberry Lake Trail, 6.6-mile Mount Aeneas Trail, and the 6.3-mile Birch Lake Trail.
Where to stay in Kalispell
I highly recommend staying downtown so you’re near all the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana. While you’ll find some chain hotels, one locally-owned option is Switchback Suites. It’s a small boutique hotel that has 8 units, each beautifully decorated and named after local mountains. In fact, each suite has an iconic topographic mural of the mountain they’re named after!
We stayed in the Mount Merritt Suite. I loved the fact that they provided local coffee, comfy beddings, and the most delicious-smelling toiletries. The fan with white noise for sleeping was also a sweet bonus!
Map of Kalispell, MT
Here’s a map with all the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana. Use it to get a sense of place as you plan your itinerary!
More to explore beyond Montana
After you experience all these fun things to do in Kalispell, Montana, check out my other guides to for more travel inspiration.
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