Cherry orchards in bloom along Flathead Lake are a springtime treasure. Photo by Chuck Haney
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Northwest Montana is a treasure trove of opportunity. Anchored by Flathead Lake, the area is rich with cultural and recreational activities that are defined by the surrounding landscape. Kalispell is nestled within the Flathead Valley on the north shore of Flathead Lake and is crowned to the east by the Swan Mountains that lead to Glacier National Park. The town serves as an excellent basecamp for an exploratory visit of the area, giving visitors easy access to outdoor adventure, leisurely shopping, fine dining, and immersion in agriculture.
The Kalispell region is known for its unique microclimate influenced by Flathead Lake, which supports the growth of a number of fruits and vegetables. Among them is the cherry, an ingredient added to many local menus, offering a true taste of Kalispell.
“There’s nothing like fresh fruit that has ripened on the tree,” says Cindy O’Dell, who operates the family-owned Farmers O’Dell Orchard. She is among a cohort of orchardists who provide u-pick activities, which give visitors an intimate connection to the food that they eat. “It becomes an experience rather than just getting food,” she says.
Located on the east side of Flathead Lake, Farmers O’Dell tends nearly 400 cherry trees and seeks to restore ecological integrity and biodiversity with natural landscapes. With beautiful scenery perfumed by cherry blossoms in May and cherries ripening in July and August, visitors can drive by and witness a type of agriculture unique to this region of Montana, and even carve out time to participate.
The Kalispell region is known for its unique microclimate influenced by Flathead Lake, which supports the growth of a number of fruits and vegetables. Among them is the cherry, an ingredient added to many local menus, offering a true taste of Kalispell.
From top: Fresh-picked Flathead Lake cherries abound in July and August.
With growers along Flathead Lake and farms and ranches dotting Kalispell and the surrounding valley, many restaurants and purveyors in the region seek to showcase local ingredients (and area-produced foods equally shine at area farmers markets).
Glacier Distilling Company, founded by Nic and Victoria Lee, is opened year-round and is conveniently located along U.S. Highway 2 between Kalispell and Glacier National Park. At the tasting room, visitors can enjoy house-made cocktails and sample a variety of spirits.
“One of the things that is really important to us as a distillery is that we use local ingredients,” says marketing coordinator Jessica McCollam. “Our barley and rye are 100-percent Montana grown. We source Flathead cherries, local honey, pears, plums, and apples, as well as hand-picked wild huckleberries. We’re really focused on using real ingredients so you can taste Montana in every sip.”
Big Mountain Ciderworks, operated by the Desmul family, takes its own spin on the idea of local: ciders are made from its on-site orchard as well as from apples sourced from the Northwest U.S. The family began planting apple and pear trees in 2012 and today produces ciders and apple-centric food from its taproom and restaurant located at the northern edge of Kalispell.
“It’s a unique experience to be able to go to a cidery and look out the window and see the apples and pears in the backyard,” says co-owner Jennifer Desmul. “Being orchard-to-glass, we offer that local flavor.”
Among a variety of restaurants in the area—including Sykes Diner serving fresh local food for decades and Norm’s Soda Fountain with its huckleberry ice cream and vintage ice cream parlor—DeSoto Grill is deeply rooted in community. Located in downtown Kalispell, owners Shawna and Willie Steele are committed to deluxe Montana barbecue and have created a restaurant that’s a melding of jovial hospitality, rustic ambiance, and smoked perfection. Housed in an old blacksmith shop, DeSoto sports an open kitchen where the chefs put finishing touches on house-smoked meats, classic vegetable sides, and luxurious desserts. And beyond the food, DeSoto is a proud host of The Big Shindig car show each summer.
In addition to area museums, local boutiques, and opportunities for live music, Kalispell is surrounded by a landscape abounding with recreational adventure. This includes picking wild huckleberries in the forest, enjoying agritourism such as a visit to Longview Lavender Farm, hiking or biking at several nearby state parks or on local trails, touring Flathead Lake on the water, driving several scenic routes that seasonally boast snow-capped peaks, cherry blossoms, or golden larch trees, and of course, a trip to Glacier National Park.
Whatever the time of year, a visit to Kalispell is sure to be a rich experience that can be tailored to fit a variety of interests while remaining firmly rooted in the ethos of Montana. Beautiful landscapes lead to vibrant farms, ranches, and purveyors which lead to people invested in this statewide community.
YOUR WEEKEND IN KALISPELL
DAY ONE
Stroll Kalispell’s Main Street and check out local shops: Western Outdoor, Sage & Cedar, The Toggery, Swappers Stop Shop, Princess and Buck, The MOD Hive, and Sassafras Arts, Crafts & Antiques.
Dine at DeSoto Grill.
DAY TWO
Enjoy coffee and breakfast at Ceres Bakery.
Visit Glacier National Park (it’s a scenic 32 miles from Kalispell to the park’s west entrance). Hike Trail of the Cedars or drive Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Enjoy lunch at Big Mountain Ciderworks, Waters Edge Winery, or Buffalo Hill Golf Club.
Hike, walk, or mountain bike at Lone Pine State Park, Herron Park, the Parkline Trail in downtown Kalispell, or the Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana (rent bicycles at Wheaton’s Cycle).
Return to Kalispell and grab a late bite (and maybe even catch live music) at Moose’s Saloon, Brannigan’s Pub, or Bias Brewing.
DAY THREE
Start the morning off at Sable Coffee, Sykes Diner, or Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli.
Take a Longview Lavender Farm tour and try your hand at making lavender products.
Eat lunch at Harbor Grille in Lakeside at the marina on the west shore of Flathead Lake or The Sitting Duck on the east shore of the lake.
From Lakeside, take a guided kayaking tour on Flathead Lake with Sea Me Paddle or cruise the lake with Far West Boat Tours.
Head back to downtown Kalispell for a trip to Norm’s Soda Fountain for a huckleberry milkshake.
Visit the Conrad Mansion Museum, Glacier Art Museum, or Northwest Montana History Museum.
Enjoy savory offerings at the Freestone Restaurant or Mercantile Steak.
Catch live music, attend a local event, or enjoy a live performance at Wachholz College Center.
