Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Begin your Western Montana arts and culture tour in the Bitterroot Valley. Visit the historic Daly Mansion in Hamilton , home of Copper King Marcus Daly. This 24,000 square foot estate features an astounding 25 bedrooms and is fully furnished with period furniture and artwork. Stroll the impeccably manicured mansion grounds at the Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum. Today, the mansion serves as a vibrant hub for local arts and entertainment.
While in Hamilton, stop by the Ravalli County Museum & Historical Society. Explore rare and unique collections highlighting American Indian heritage and the history of the Bitterroot Valley. Families will appreciate the Children’s Discovery Room, complete with a makerspace, magnet wall, puzzles and games.
Next, head up U.S. Highway 93 to Stevensville—Montana's “First Best Place”—and take a guided tour of the Historic St. Mary's Mission. Explore the well-preserved buildings and grounds of what is considered the first permanent non-Indigenous settlement in Montana, established in collaboration with the Bitterroot Salish people.
At the northern end of the valley in the town of Lolo, walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark at Travelers' Rest State Park Visitor Center and Museum. This historic crossroads served as a campsite and trail junction for the American Indians—namely the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Nez Perce tribes, and also as a campsite for the Corps of Discovery. Adjacent to Travelers' Rest at the Holt Heritage Museum get a glimpse of the Old West through an interpretive area, authentic teepees, horse-drawn wagons, and a large rodeo and cowboy collection. Note: It’s open by appointment only.
End your day in Western Montana's arts and culture hub of Missoula . Stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown—once home to the historic Missoula Mercantile—which features its own rich history and curated art collection.
For more information about museum tours, seasons and hours of operation, and admission fees, contact each museum separately.
For more on Western Montana arts and culture, and where to eat, drink and stay in the region:
Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Begin your day in the heart of downtown Missoula’s arts scene—the Missoula Art Museum. View diverse and thought-provoking work in the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection and rotating exhibits of contemporary art relevant to the community, state and region.
Next, make your way to the University of Montana campus to visit the internationally renowned Montana Museum of Art & Culture. Home to nearly 12,000 pieces, it houses the state’s largest and most comprehensive collection. The museum spans centuries and cultures, with an eclectic mix of artworks, from Indigenous art that honors the region’s heritage to contemporary pieces that challenge and inspire.
From there, stroll through the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, a 32-acre site with more than 20 preserved structures. See one of the few remaining teepee burners—a wood waste burner named for its shape—and explore exhibits on Fort Missoula’s history, including its role as a WWII internment camp, the all-Black 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, and the ancient Glacial Lake Missoula. Don’t miss the fully restored urban streetcar in the Trolley Barn, or the climb the Sliderock Lookout. While you're there, visit the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History for an in-depth look at U.S. war history from the Revolutionary War to the present.
For a glimpse into the life of a smokejumper—a firefighter trained to parachute into remote wildland fires), visit the Missoula Smokejumper Visitor Center, a working training center and popular visitor attraction. A 45-minute tour takes you through the working smokejumper facility, including a reconstructed fire lookout tower.
Then head to the Museum of Mountain Flying—located on the Missoula Airport grounds—for a fascinating look at aviation history in the northern Rockies. Explore vintage aircraft, memorabilia and artifacts, and learn about the daring pilots who navigated Montana’s challenging terrain and unpredictable flying conditions. The museum’s centerpiece is Miss Montana, a beautifully restored C-47 that flew smokejumpers and cargo during WWII and participated in the 2019 D-Day commemoration in Normandy.
Test your wildlife knowledge at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor Center. The interactive displays allow you to hear an elk bugle, handle antlers, watch conservation films and view world-record elk mounts. There's also a walking trail on the grounds.
Grab dinner in downtown Missoula where you'll find no shortage of breweries, distilleries and places to eat, no matter your taste.
For more information about museum tours, seasons and hours of operation, and admission fees, contact each museum separately.
For more on Western Montana arts and culture, and where to eat, drink and stay in the region:
Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Travel north from Missoula to the Flathead Indian Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Take a self-guided tour of the St. Ignatius Mission, the walls and ceiling of which are adorned with 58 murals by Brother Joseph Carignano. Browse the on-site museum and gift shop, as well as the historic log home, which was the original Sisters' residence.
In Charlo, across from the scenic Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana celebrates the history and culture of the Tribal Nations in the region with artifacts, historical photographs, traditional beadwork, weaponry, mounted wildlife and an American Indian camp. Take a stroll on the short nature trail for spectacular views of the Mission Mountains.
For a deeper understanding of the rich history and vibrant culture of the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai tribes, visit the Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo. This thoughtfully curated center offers exhibits that highlight the tribes’ deep connection to the land, traditional lifeways and the enduring strength of their communities. Beyond the exhibits, the center hosts hands-on workshops and demonstrations, including traditional crafts, dance regalia making and seasonal powwows.
North of Pablo you'll arrive in Polson , located at the southern end of Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The one-of-a-kind Miracle of America Museum houses an eclectic, expansive Americana collection. Explore vintage planes, helicopters and motorcycles, historic farm equipment and frontier homes, an Area 51 exhibit, and more.
If time permits, stretch your legs on the Polson Interpretive Trail, which connects Polson's Salish, Sacajawea and Riverside parks. View interpretive signs along the way, depicting tribal and city history in Kootenai, Salish and English.
Your last museum stop of the day is the Polson Flathead Lake Museum, home of the Flathead Lake Monster, Nessie, where you can also learn about life as an early homesteader in the region.
From Polson, drive up the west side of the lake, taking in breathtaking views along the way. Arrive in Kalispell and overnight at the historic Kalispell Grand Hotel.
For more information about museum tours, seasons and hours of operation, and admission fees, contact each museum separately.
For more on Western Montana arts and culture, and where to eat, drink and stay in the region:
Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Wake up and take a Historic Walking Tour of downtown Kalispell, offered by the Northwest Montana History Museum. This guided tour explores the town’s railroad roots and historic architecture, with stops at significant buildings and stories from Kalispell’s past. Don't miss downtown's boutiques, coffee shops and eateries along the way. After the tour, step inside the museum—housed in Kalispell’s original Central School—to explore engaging exhibits and artifacts that share the story of the Flathead Valley, Indigenous cultures, the vanished town of Demersville, and pioneer Frank Bird Linderman.
Next, visit Kalispell's Glacier Art Museum, housed in a historic Carnegie Library. The museum showcases the work of influential Montana artists and includes a Glacier National Park gallery featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs and literature inspired by this part of the Crown of the Continent.
End your time in Kalispell with a tour of the architecturally exquisite Conrad Mansion Museum and gardens, home of Charles E. Conrad—Kalispell founder and pivotal figure in the settlement of the Northwest. This beautifully preserved 13,000-square-foot Norman-style mansion offers a glimpse into turn-of-the-century life, complete with original furnishings, detailed woodwork and stories that bring the Gilded Age of Montana to life. Docent-led tours provide rich context about the Conrad family and their lasting impact on the region.
From Kalispell, head half an hour north to Whitefish. Explore the town’s storied skiing legacy at the Ski Heritage Center and Ski Museum, where exhibits showcase the evolution of local ski culture, vintage gear and the history of Whitefish Mountain Resort. It's a must-visit for winter sports enthusiasts and anyone curious about the roots of recreation in the region.
Continue east to Essex, about an hour from Whitefish, and check in to LOGE Glacier, formerly the Izaak Walton Inn. Stay in a cozy, converted caboose or luxury railcar for a one-of-a-kind lodging experience with incredible views of Glacier National Park.
Western Montana’s Glacier Country
From Essex, follow U.S. Highway 2 for a scenic 30-minute drive along the eastern edge of Glacier National Park. Watch for the Blackfeet Nation Bison Reserve on your way to the historic Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The lodge, with its striking architecture, sits just across from the 1913 train depot, where Amtrak’s Empire Builder continues to stop today. If time allows, play a round on Montana’s oldest grass greens golf course. Daily Red Bus Tours depart from the lodge, and Sun Tours offer powerful insight into the park’s landscape and history from the perspective of the Blackfeet Nation.
From East Glacier Park, head to Browning and visit the Museum of the Plains Indian where you'll find arts and crafts of the Northern Plains Tribes, and historical exhibits of tribal clothing, weapons, and everyday household items.
Close out your arts and culture exploration of Western Montana with a visit to Lodgepole Gallery, an American Indian art gallery displaying contemporary and traditional fine art, including Blackfoot Indian art and intricate Blackfeet Indian beadwork. Spend the night in an on-site cabin offering scenic, prairie lake and Rocky Mountain views.
For more information about museum tours, seasons and hours of operation, and admission fees, contact each museum separately.
For more on Western Montana arts and culture, and where to eat, drink and stay in the region:
Always check road reports and weather conditions when traveling through Montana in the wintertime.
If you’re flying in:
Glacier Country Airports
Yellowstone Country Airports
If you’re renting a car:
Glacier Country Car Rentals
Yellowstone Country Car Rentals
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
