My travels from the U.S. East Coast into the Missoula International Airport in Western Montana took me by surprise by how seamless it was—MIA-DFW-MSO—and proved that no matter where visitors hail from in the U.S., they’ll find it’s easy to get to this region of Montana, which includes iconic Glacier National Park.
When they arrive, they’re sure to be as blown away by the region’s beauty, culinary prowess, inclusivity and resorts as I was. Whether it’s a hike in Glacier National Park, glamping at Paws Up Montana, a late-afternoon stroll through Missoula, lunch at a historic mansion in Kalispell or mouthwatering dining throughout the region, visitors will be wowed by a destination that’s home to forward-thinking cities, eye-popping museums, small towns oozing with charm, awe-inspiring landscapes and outdoor activities galore.
Artsy Missoula
This city, nestled in the heart of the northern Rockies of Western Montana, has been dubbed the “cultural center of Montana” and as I strolled its lively downtown streets, with its myriad art galleries, live music venues and artsy vibe, it became evident why. This was even more hammered in when I toured the city’s new building for the Montana Museum of Art and Culture (MMAC). The museum’s collection is vast with close to 12,000 objects that range from works by Picasso and Andy Warhol to a full samurai suit and Japanese temple lanterns as well as works of art that “describe the aesthetic development of the Rocky Mountain west.” The 125+-year-old MMAC offers a window into the area’s unique history and culture and the treasures it holds.
For clients who want to dive into the local scene, downtown Missoula is home to 43 local restaurants including 1889, which is considered one of the city’s finest eating establishments with a private dining room and such chef creations as grilled bison bistro fillet and halibut entrees as well as crab cakes and a Southern-style charcuterie. Another top recommendation is Pangea, where groups of friends or families can take over the 800-sf Barrel Room featuring original 1900s arched brick and stone walls. Make sure you tell clients to order the Mt. Jumbo Carrot Cake—trying to devour the whole 7-lb piece will be a fun experience. Side note: What surprised me most in our culinary journey through Western Montana was the variety of yummy zero-proof cocktails on the menu.
In Missoula, hotel picks include the uber-modern Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula, which inhabits a historic building and features an art collection that wows as well as a decor befitting a NYC boutique hotel. Next door, you’ll find its sister property, the AC Hotel Missoula Downtown, home to the city’s only rooftop bar.
The Outdoors Call in Montana
The city is also the gateway to Paws Up Montana, one of the state’s—if not the country’s—most extraordinarily beautiful luxury ranch resorts. In this 37,000-acre resort, your clients can choose from accommodations that range from glamping in safari-style tents in the middle of nature to green o’s uber-luxe, forest-embraced Tree Haus, elevated 23 ft. in the air, as well as expansive ranch-style homes. There’s also 70+ wilderness adventures to choose from—among a long list, you’ll find horseback riding, ATV tours, hiking, archery, canoeing, dogsledding, snowshoeing and ranch sorting. And the gastronomy throughout is James Beard-level divine.
Onward to Glacier National Park
Located between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park, Kalispell—the hub of Montana’s Flathead Valley—beckons with a charm that will have your clients swooning. Here, recommend a tour of Conrad Mansion Museum—whose history dates back almost 130 years—or opt for an outdoor adventure, one of the most unique of which is a 3-hour wine and cheese llama trek outing in nearby Swan Mountain.
Heading to the town of Whitefish, gateway to the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park, your clients will find a lively destination that is made for bonding with outdoor exploration in the national park and an enchanting downtown where visitors will find home-grown shops and buzzy restaurants, welcoming hotels and spectacular scenery for as far as the eye can see.
National park enthusiasts will want to take advantage of all of this iconic park’s offerings, including Red Bus Tours in vintage 1930s buses with roll-back tops that provide full views of the mountains. They can also opt for 1-hour narrated historic boat cruise on Lake McDonald, with eye-popping views of the forest and mountains. Another must is a hike along one of the park’s many trails such as a 1-hour easy hike with Glacier Guides that we opted for that took us through the forest and proved mesmerizing. For cycling enthusiasts, you can coordinate for your clients to rent bicycles and take a ride on the Going-to-the-Sun Road (ideal in spring before the road opens to cars).
Back in town, your clients can call the boutique, 86-room Firebrand Hotel home, offering quick access to the area’s outdoor adventures and funky downtown. For a local dining experience, recommend Tupelo Grille, which specializes in Southern cuisine such as shrimp & grits. Firebrand’s sister property, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, is the only full-service resort on the lake. Here, accommodation options include multiple 4-bedroom residences that come with the full board of hotel amenities, including access to the lakefront and marina (where one finds the Tiki Bar).
For more information, visit glaciermt.com.
