Kalispell, MT
Centrally located between Flathead Lake, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Glacier National Park, the bustling community of Kalispell has a notable Old West charm that effortlessly coincides with its lively arts and cultural scene. Kalispell's historic downtown district offers must-stop local restaurants and watering holes, plus art studios and galleries, and shops specializing in goods made right here in Montana. Tee up at one of Kalispell’s three golf clubs.
Chambers + Visitor Information
Annual Events
- Arts in the Park
- Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo
- Death by Chocolate Fundraiser
- Glacier Jazz Stampede
History
The quaint city of Kalispell, Montana sits among towering mountain ranges in a valley filled with crystal clear lakes. It is known for its outdoor oriented culture and its proximity to vast recreation areas like Glacier National Park and many other wilderness areas.
It was founded in 1887 as Demmersville but quickly turned into a ghost town as the Great Northern Railroad determined a city sight that it preferred. Kalispell became a city in 1891, just before the first railroad car pulled into Main Street, downtown Kalispell, on New Year's Day, 1892. A huge celebration took place immediately and a silver stake was nailed into the center tie to mark its beginning. Community members had donated silver coins to be melted down to make the stake. The railroad brought Kalispell many tourists, pioneers and businessmen. Over the years the railroad has turned the city into a booming industrial city with farmers, sawmills, and flour mills. As the largest city in northwest Montana, with a population of 13,000, it is also its trade center.
Kalispell today represents little of what it once meant to Native tribes like the Salish, Blackfoot, Kutenai, and Kalispel. Before pioneers moved into northern Montana, Native Americans hunted and gathered over a vast area of land. They subsided on buffalo, deer, and elk, and gathered plants like bitterroot, moss, wild onions, Indian potatoes, and sarvis berries. They created ways to preserve food so that it would last through colder months. In 1855 they were forced to surrender the land the claimed and move to Flathead Reservation, an area in the Lower Flathead River Basin. Around 4,000 members live on the Reservation today. You can learn more about their history by visiting a tribal museum, the People's Center, located in Pablo.
Upcoming Events
Dragons & Mythical Beasts
March 19th at 7:30 p.m.
Wachholz College Center 795 Grandview Drive Kalispell, MT
Movie Night at the Museum: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
March 25th at 7 p.m.
Northwest Montana History Museum 124 Second Avenue East Kalispell, Montana
Featured Listings
Best Western PLUS Flathead Lake Inn and Suites
Kalispell, MT 59901
406-857-2400 | 888-226-1003
Directions
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Hampton Inn Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.755.7900 | 800.426.7866
Directions
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The Glacier Institute
Glacier National Park, MT 59903
406.755.1211
Directions
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2FlyUs.com Hot Air Balloon Adventures
Kalispell, MT 59901
Abbrescia Gallery & Fine Art Restoration Studio
Kalispell, MT 59901
America's Best Value Inn - Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Ashley Creek Historic Venue at Snowline Acres
Kalispell, MT 59901
Best Western Plus Kalispell/Glacier Park West Hotel & Suites
Kalispell, MT 59901
Brash Rodeo - Winter Series
Kalispell, MT 59901
Farm to Market Floral
Kalispell, MT 59901
Flathead Celtic Festival
Kalispell, MT 59901
Hertz Rental Car - Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Highline Hospitality (Essential Parking Solutions)
Kalispell, MT 59901
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Homewood Suites by Hilton - Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Jerad Hill Photographer
Kalispell, MT 59901
Kalispell Business Improvement District & Downtown Association
Kalispell, MT 59901
Keller Williams - Angela Olsen Realtor
Kalispell, MT 59901
Live Hydration Spa Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Miracle League of Northwest Montana
Kalispell, MT 59901
Mountain Berry Bowls - Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phillips Studio & Gallery
Kalispell, MT 59901
Quality Inn Big Sky - Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
Rocky Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast
Kalispell, MT 59901
Snowline Acres Christmas Market
Kalispell, MT 59901
State of Mind Fishing Charters LLC
Kalispell, MT 59901
Sunflower Moose
Kalispell, MT 59901
Waters Edge Winery & Bistro Kalispell
Kalispell, MT 59901
