Kalispell
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The 2010 population was 19,927.
Understand
Kalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Valley is a unique area of Montana originally created by the forces of glacier processes. The valley is a testament to the wonders nature can create.
Today, the Flathead Valley offers a variety of recreational activities including skiing (considering world class Whitefish Mountain Resort is nearby), fishing, camping, water sports, climbing and old fashioned exploring. The city of Kalispell is full of shopping and restaurants and is also just north of Flathead Lake, which is the USA's largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
Kalispell is part of the market region of Spokane, Washington, despite being in a different time zone. Local Montana over-the-air TV networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, etc. have their weekday primetime from 7 pm to 10 pm, while those from Spokane are from 9 pm to midnight (which is quite unusual).
Get in
By plane
Glacier Park International Airport is 10 miles to the northeast on U.S. Highway 2. It offers regular flights to: Missoula, the Puget Sound area (Seattle/Tacoma) at Sea-Tac Airport, Las Vegas, Oakland, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. It also offers seasonal flights to Chicago-O'Hare and Atlanta-Hartsfield.
By train
The Empire Builder Amtrak route serves Whitefish, 20 miles north of Kalispell, which runs west to Spokane and Seattle and east through the northern Plains, terminating at Chicago.
By car
To access Kalispell, you can take either Exit 96 on I-90 near Missoula and head north on U.S. 93, or take Exit 364 on I-15 at Shelby and head west past Glacier National Park. U.S. 2 continues west through the mountains into northern Idaho and eventually reaches Spokane from the north, while U.S. 93 heads northwest into British Columbia, eventually reaching Cranbrook.
By bus
- Rimrock Stagelines operates once daily between Missoula and Kalispell as well as the Whitefish Amtrak Station.
- Airport Shuttle Express of Calgary Canada operates a year-round "charter van" service between Kalispell, Kalispell Airport, Whitefish and Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise.
Get around
Walk, drive, bike, or take the Flathead County Eagle Transit to get around. The city isn't too large, so you shouldn't get lost.
See
- Conrad Mansion, 330 Woodland Ave, ☏ +1 406 755-2166. Tours May-Oct. 10AM-5PM.
- Flathead Lake. 15 miles south of Kalispell on US Hwy 93. Largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
- Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 406 755-5268. Hours:10AM-5PM, Tues-Sat. Price: $5.
Do
- Big Mountain Golf Club, 3230 Us Highway 93 N, ☏ +1 406 751-1950. 18 Holes, Built in 1996, Designed By Andy North and Roger B. Packard
Buy
North Kalispell is the shopping area of the city. Stores include most of the nationwide chains.
For those who prefer the more traditional shopping mall, the Kalispell Center Mall is at 20 North Main Street. Anchored by JCPenney and Herberger’s department stores, it also includes a Red Lion Hotel.
Eat
Budget
- Norm's News, 34 Main St. A combination soda fountain/newsstand, this establishment offers the usual soda fountain fare (shakes, soda, floats, burgers, etc) as well as a wide selection of candy, magazines, and newspapers.
- Anna's Gyros and Pizza, 20 North Main St (Kalispell Center Mall). Affordable mix of Greek and all-American cuisine (e.g. corn dogs and souvlaki).
- Los Caporales Mexican Restaurant. (at least 3 locations)- Real mexican food, like enchiladas mole or verdes with real corn tortillas.
Mid-range
- A few miles south of Kalispell in the town of Somers is Tiebucker's Pub and Eatery. Satisfactory food, friendly rural ambience and service. Includes a bar/lounge that previously featured live music, but this has since been discontinued.
Splurge
- Capers, 121 Main St. Voted the best fine dining in Flathead County in 2007, this restaurant is owned by local chef Douglas Day and specializes in organic beef, buffalo and Pacific Northwest seafood.
Drink
- Ridge Distillery, 19 Artemisia Way, ☏ +1 406 756-5964.
- Tamarack Alehouse & Grill, 105 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT, ☏ +1 406 844-0244. Open daily at 11AM.
Sleep
- Best Western White Oak Grand, 4824 US Highway 93 S, ☏ +1 406 857-2400, fax: +1 406 857-2401. $84-$130.
- Motel 6, 1540 US 93 South, ☏ +1 406 752-6355, fax: +1 406 752-6358. $40.
- Red Lion Hotel, 20 North Main St (downtown at the Kalispell Center Mall), ☏ +1 406 751-5050, fax: +1 406 751-5051, kalispellsales@redlion.com. $75-$100.
Connect
- Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, 15 Depot Park, toll-free: +1-888-888-2308.
Stay safe
Roads outside of town are mostly two-lane and winding. Naturally, use extra caution when snowing. It is advisable to turn on lights during the day in any rain. This gives better visibility of your vehicle to oncoming traffic.
Cope
Go next
- Glacier National Park
- Cranbrook in British Columbia, Canada
- Missoula, Montana
- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
| Routes through Kalispell |
| Spokane ← Libby ← | W  E
|
→ Columbia Falls → Shelby |
| Cranbrook ← Whitefish ← | N  S
|
→ Polson → Missoula |