101 Great Ideas

  1. Experience American Indian culture by staying the night in a tipi.
  2. Sleep under the big blue sky—and maybe catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights—at one of Western Montana's many campgrounds.
  3. Pick your own sweet cherries from an orchard in Montana's Flathead Valley.
  4. Hit fresh powder at one of Glacier County's six full-service ski areas.
  5. Experience a Montana tradition and channel your inner cowboy at a local small-town rodeo.
  6. Ski down the backside of Whitefish Mountain Resort. You'll feel like you have the mountain to yourself. Plus, it offers views of the peaks of Glacier National Park.
  7. Western Montana is home to great mountain biking trails. Try the Whitefish Trail, Blue Mountain or the Hiawatha Rail Trail.
  8. See Western Montana from an aerial point of view on a helicopter tour with Glacier Jet Center.
  9. Experience the arts by catching a play at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
  10. Centuries in the MakingExperience American Indian culture by staying the night in a tipi.
  11. Cast your line into one of Western Montana's blue-ribbon trout streams.
  12. Discover beautiful Glacier Country in winter via snowmobile. Try the trails in Seeley Lake, the Bitterroot Valley and the Flathead Valley.
  13. Relive the excitement of the discovery of the Old West by taking a wagon ride.
  14. Visit the unique habitat of the Ninepipes National Wildlife Refuge. Follow it up with a visit to Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana.
  15. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Going-to-the-Sun Road on a historic red bus tour.
  16. Find the perfect souvenir at one of Glacier Country's many antique stores.
  17. Montana is home to many species of wildlife–keep your eyes open and your camera ready.
  18. Rediscover your inner child by sledding down the snowy hills of Glacier Country.
  19. Rent a canoe and enjoy the peace and serenity of Montana's lakes and rivers.
  20. A Downhill HavenHit fresh powder at one of Glacier County's six full-service ski areas.
  21. Visit the Glacier Institute for a hands-on educational adventure.
  22. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the Clearwater Canoe Trail near Seeley Lake.
  23. Stroll through Missoula's historic districts.
  24. Join Missoulians for lunch and live music at Caras Park every Wednesday from June – August.
  25. Take a step into history with a visit to the Conrad Mansion Museum in Kalispell.
  26. Visit Flathead Lake's Wild Horse Island on a guided kayaking or boat tour.
  27. Peruse the work of Montana artists at a local art gallery.
  28. Rent wave runners and head to a nearby lake.
  29. Stop by the local chamber or visitor information center and ask about historical walking tour information.
  30. Cowboy UpExperience a Montana tradition and channel your inner cowboy at a local small-town rodeo.
  31. Take in a skijoring competition (skiing behind a horse) in Whitefish.
  32. Play a game of miniature golf.
  33. Mine for sapphires near Philipsburg. Complete your day with a visit to The Sweet Palace.
  34. Rent your own raft and float one of the region's rivers. Or, better yet, arrange a whitewater adventure or scenic float with a local guiding company.
  35. Take advantage of the region's plentiful snowfall and go snowshoeing.
  36. Spend the night in a cozy cabin.
  37. See the Grizzlies up close. Catch a game at the University of Montana.
  38. Rent a sailboat and set sail on beautiful Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
  39. Experience an American Indian Pow Wow celebration.
  40. Go with a GuideMontana has great guides. Take a guided trip, with options ranging from llama trekking to whitewater rafting and fishing to trail rides.
  41. Rent a motorcycle and cruise the roads and byways of Western Montana.
  42. Sleep in a train car in Essex.
  43. Kayak the man-made Brennan's Wave on the Clark Fork in downtown Missoula .
  44. Race go carts on Highway 2 in Coram.
  45. Admire the wildflowers. Western Montana is home to the Bitterroot, Indian Paintbrush and Bear Grass (to name a few).
  46. Bike through 11 tunnels and over nine steel trestles along the Hiawatha Rail trail.
  47. Meet a Great Horned Owl at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, a birders' paradise.
  48. See beautiful views and bison at the National Bison Range in Moiese.
  49. Take a gondola ride at Whitefish Mountain Resort and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views.
  50. Ride a Red BusRelax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Going-to-the-Sun Road on a historic red bus tour.
  51. Shop sales tax free.
  52. Fly through the air on the zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
  53. Stop by and say hi to the friendly volunteers at the Ronan Visitor Center. They'll probably give you pie.
  54. See the world's finest wildlife films at the International Wildlife Film Festival.
  55. Ride the hand-carved carousel in Missoula.
  56. Experience the old west again on a wagon train or cattle drive.
  57. Kayak, canoe or boat on one of Western Montana's rivers or lakes.
  58. Hike the Ross Creek Cedar Trail and tantalize your senses with the unforgettable sites and refreshing scent of the old-growth cedar forest.
  59. Hike the M on Mount Sentinel overlooking Missoula.
  60. Let's Sail AwayRent a sailboat and set sail on beautiful Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
  61. Brave the rapids (with a guide) on the Alberton Gorge.
  62. Learn about Glacier National Park from an American Indian perspective with Sun Tours.
  63. Cut your teeth at Mission Falls—a popular ice climbing destination near St. Ignatius.
  64. Cozy up to your sweetie on a winter sleigh ride.
  65. Fill up your belly on wild huckleberries.
  66. Drive up to Polebridge in the North Fork. Spend an hour or a day. (We'd suggest a day). And while you're there, pick up some huckleberry coconut macaroon cookies.
  67. Pick up some homemade rolls or fresh produce at a local Hutterite colony near Cut Bank.
  68. Take a boat ride in Glacier National Park with Glacier Park Boat Company.
  69. Experience Broadway in Montana at a performance from the Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish.
  70. Swing AwaySwing your clubs on one of our golf courses.
  71. Stop at the Windmill Village in Ravalli for one of their fresh doughnuts.
  72. Kick up your heels and enjoy the nightlife in downtown Whitefish.
  73. Head to the heart of the wilderness for a boot-stomping good time at The Jack in the Lolo Wilderness.
  74. Visit the St. Mary Mission in Stevensville.
  75. Keep history alive with a stroll through the Tobacco Valley Historical Village in Eureka —a collection of restored buildings and structures from the 1880s to 1920s.
  76. Explore the interpretive trails at Savenac Nursery, a National Historic Site in Haugan.
  77. For a close-up view of animals, visit the Koo-Koo-Sint Bighorn Sheep Viewing Site near Plains.
  78. See mining history at the Mineral County Museum in Superior.
  79. Celebrate Montana's much-loved purple berry at The Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek.
  80. Flying with JoyFly through the air on the zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
  81. Take the scenic drive to Yaak on Route 508 and see Yaak Falls—a beautiful waterfall whose surrounding exposed rocks are some of the oldest in the world.
  82. Visit a farmers market and pick up locally grown and locally made goods.
  83. Catch live music in Missoula.
  84. Tour Glacier Country's breweries.
  85. Watch kayakers do their thing at the Bigfork Whitewater Festival on the Wild Mile.
  86. Drive the Montana Scenic Loop
  87. View a collection of scarecrows at Stevensville's annual Scarecrow Festival.
  88. Have dinner at the Belton Chalet in West Glacier.
  89. Sit on the porch at Lake McDonald Lodge and watch twilight linger.
  90. Hike it OutHike the M on Mount Sentinel overlooking Missoula.
  91. Do yoga on the shore of Flathead Lake.
  92. Ride Amtrak's Empire Builder from East Glacier to Whitefish.
  93. Treat yourself to a scoop of ice cream from Big Dipper in Missoula or Sweet Peaks in Whitefish.
  94. Catch a show at the Wilma Theater in Missoula.
  95. Listen to the sounds of the Glacier Symphony in the Flathead Valley.
  96. Drive the Looking Glass Highway (Hwy 49) along the eastern edge of Glacier National Park. It offers incredible views of the park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
  97. Visit a Montana State Park.
  98. Drive the East Side Highway between Hamilton and Florence.
  99. Visit the University of Montana in Missoula—the state's oldest university.
  100. Explore the North ForkDrive up to Polebridge in the North Fork. Spend an hour or a day. (We'd suggest a day). And while you're there, pick up some huckleberry coconut macaroon cookies.
  101. Take in the golden colors of our fall foliage. Try a drive along the southern border of Glacier National Park, through the Seeley-Swan Valley and down the Bitterroot Valley.