Kalispell

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Kalispell [1] is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park.

[edit] 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 valley offers a variety of recreational activities including skiing, water sports, climbing and old fashion exploring. Flathead Lake is the USA's largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Glacier Park International Aiport is 10 miles to the northeast on U.S. Highway 2. It offers regular flights to several areas in the Northwest; Missoula, the Puget Sound area (Seattle/Tacoma) at Sea-Tac Airport, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. It also offers seasonal flights to Chicago-O'Hare and Atlanta-Hartsfield.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] By bus

[edit] Get around

Walking, driving, or biking are the only ways to get around Kalispell. The city is small and compact, and operates on a simple grid system, so finding your way shouldn't be a problem.

[edit] See

[edit] Do

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit] Buy

For cross-border shoppers, the commercial area just north of the city proper on HWY 93 should fulfill your consumer needs. Stores include:

• Target, which is superior to Wal-Mart in the following ways: quality products; knowledgeable staff; wide aisles; not crowded; uncensored books, music and movies; good prices; clean; overall attractiveness.
• Borders Books Music & Café, with a phenomenal music section that includes a system allowing you to listen to a CD before you buy it. Also includes a Seattle’s Best Coffee franchise.
• Bed Bath And Beyond
• 'Best Buy Electronics

Across the street:

• Costco
• Lowe’s Home Improvement
• Starbucks

For those who prefer the more traditional shopping mall, the Kalispell Center Mall is located at 20 North Main Street. Anchored by JCPenney and Herberger’s department stores, it also includes the Red Lion Hotel.

Also in town:

• Vann's Electronics (see web site)
• Shopko
• Walmart
• Home Depot

[edit] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Norm's News, 34 Main Street. A combination soda fountain/newsstand, this establisment 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, in the Kalispell Center Mall at 20 North Main Street. Affordable mix of Greek and all-American cuisine (e.g. hot dogs).
• Los Caporales Mexican Restaurant (at least 3 locations) -- Real mexican food, like enchiladas mole or verdes with real corn tortillas.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Splurge

• Capers, 121 Main Street. Voted the best fine dining in the county in 2007, this restaurant is owned by local chef Douglas Day and specializes in orgnaic beef, buffalo and Pacific Northwest seafood.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

• Best Western White Oak Grand, : 4824 US Highway 93 S, : +1 406 857-2400, Website: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=27076
• Motel 6, : 1540 US 93 South, : +1 406 752-6355, Website: http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0290

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

• Glacier National Park