1st trip to Great falls

[Loki610]

Rather than go camping in the mud and rain this weekend, I got roped into taking the old lady shopping in Great falls, neither of us have ever been there. What are good things to see/experience and where is the good shopping? Any recommended hotels and restaurants?

[fordtruckin]

lol good luck. The mall in GF kinda sucks but it does have a nice sporting goods store.I want to say its a Scheels. You can also go to the Big R. They are like UFA but a much larger selection IMO. I'd choose the Hampton Inn right off I15. Its also near several restaurants. Personally I like a the Golden Corral right near the hampton. Suprisingly enough they make a real good steak!!! gotta love all you can eat part too!
Enjoy your trip. When you head back north be sure to stop in Shelby and fuel up. It will be cheaper than once you cross the border.

[marlin1]

Scheels definately worth a stop . I liked Missoula better for sporting goods and stuff to see . Day trip to Helena was interesting as well

[varmit9]

best place to stay is the new holiday inn express, only been open about 4 months or less.
as for food golden coral is good, jackers is excellent is on 10th ave, breakfast try JB's, if you like BBQ or cajun you have to try goode q's it is down on 15 st and 4 ave small log house on the right hand side. there is a walmart, kmart and big bear sporting goods on the north side of the river, if you want to check out http://www.mitchellsupply.com/. you can also check out http://www.destinationgreatfalls.com

[marlin1]

yeah x2 on Jakers,sp? , that was the best food IMO

[berjerkin]

Wheat Montana Bakery, across the street from the mall on the west end. Have a bagel dog for lunch.

Big R is on the east end of 10 ave.
Big Bear is on the NW bypass.

Pick up some Coors on your way home!

[Elk Chaser]

Lots of places to go and to see. If you have time drop down to the fish hatchery and see the giant natural spring. Shopping is as stated by fellow members.

It has been a while since I was last there let alone lived there. A trip over to Helena will have you driving along the Missouri River. Along the way is the "Gates to the Mountain boat tour". If you stop at Wolf Creek and head up towards Holter Dam you will see where they filmed the bridge crossing in "The Untouchables".

Holter Dam = Velveta cheese+worm on a cheese hook or a roe bag

That was one one my favourite fishing spots also just down from the hatchery.

Have a great trip.

[Loki610]

Originally Posted by berjerkin

Pick up some Coors on your way home!

why is it better than the Coors here?

[threeforthree]

Originally Posted by marlin1

yeah x2 on Jakers,sp? , that was the best food IMO

X3 those little pastry balls and that whipped butter with icing sugar in it,,shxx Im drooling

[herc]

Originally Posted by Loki610

why is it better than the Coors here?

Coors original is probably what he meant and i totally agree. Only american beer i like.


One place you should check out is the Sip n Dip bar. Its upstairs in a motel... sorry can't remember the name of the motel. Soooo cheesy but very interesting and i can bet you'll meet some other Albertans in there.

[Loki610]

Thanks for the tips guys sounds like a lot of great places to eat!

[TheClash]

I'd go to kalispell rather than GF....but have a great time.

[Loki610]

Originally Posted by TheClash

I'd go to kalispell rather than GF....but have a great time.

that is the new plan as of this morning, any recommendations of things to do in Kali?

[TheClash]

there is a fantastic dive of a bbq restaurant in columbia falls just before you get to kalispell

http://backroom.dropzite.com/

as well there is decent mexican food in Kali as well...about as good as you are going to get this far north lol.

The sportsman ski haus is always a fun place to stop and shop..to me Kalispell is the king of last minute deals.....it doesn't always have the best prices on everything...but you will find incredible deals on certain items...for example, I have a friend that bought a pair of skis at the sportsman (they have everything from skis to guns)..they were last seasosn skis, regularly 900 bucks with bindings...he picked them up for 150 out the door.


as well...the walmart...I usually never go in a walmart, but I was persuaded to do so last time I was there....well they had the 1.3 liter powerades on for a dollar and then had a store wide coupon for 50 cents off.....so we bought like 30 powerades for 15 bucks.....silly little things like that I guess. as for other 'shopping" I am not the best to ask..I go there to snowboard or to golf lol...but definitely go to the back room..and get extra fried bread and honey butter

[Prdtrgttr]

Great Falls is a cool place to visit. Be sure to stop in at the airport and see all the great mounts there. There is a wall of dedication to a local boy from there, he was a great archer/hunter named Paul Schafer who lost his life in a tragic ski accident..
And of course, don't forget your Coors original.
Good luck with your trip.

[Dr. Phil A]

The Crystal Inn up the hill across from the airport is very affordable with great beds. I think it is off Exit 278 (could be 277 don't quote me)

We stayed at this place if you want a quiet place and a great breakfast. Same place here in Alberta would cost twice as much. Bob Sr. also likes to hunt and fish.

http://www.greatfallsbedbreakfast.com/

Big R and Big Bear are the only two sporting goods places that I got to. Between the two they have most everything. Big R is a cross between Lammlies, UFA, Peavy Mart, and WSS/BP. Great customer service. You can expect that down there for sure.

Not sure if you are into pawn shops but there are about 6 of them on 10th ave.

If you get a chance head up to Fort Benton and have a look around. It was the last stop for boats on the Missouri River. Lots of history there.

People are friendly too.

[Loki610]

The lady booked us a room at a hotel right by the mall in Kalispell cant remember the name but she said its only $65, cant believe how cheap that is!

[TheClash]

if it is the outlaw inn..get ready for an interesting stay lol, but heck for 65 bucks who cares

[ÜberFly]

It's called the Red Lion Inn.

P

[doetracks]

Here is the last thread about Kalispell.

Coming in from the north, you'll hit all the "new" shopping areas. Through town on the south side is the older stuff.

Downtown is neat. The Bearfoots "den" is on the south side as well. Neat town

[Fox red lab]

Scheels and Big R are a must. There is also another store by the fairgrounds and Walmart called big bearsports or something along those lines. Although I have never been there I hear Eddy's Supper Club is legendary.

I also recommend a quick trip to Helena. If you're into flyfishing a quick stop at the town of Craig is interesting. It's 43 miles south of Great Falls towards Helena. 3 flyshops and 2 bars is pretty much all there is to the town. Issaks is a nice restaurant although it doesn't seem to fit the town. However, Uncle Joe's Bar does.

Have fun and drive safely.

[berjerkin]

Originally Posted by herc

Coors original is probably what he meant and i totally agree. Only american beer i like.


One place you should check out is the Sip n Dip bar. Its upstairs in a motel... sorry can't remember the name of the motel. Soooo cheesy but very interesting and i can bet you'll meet some other Albertans in there.

Yes, i meant coors original AKA yellowbellies.

Sip and Dip, oh the memories!
http://www.ohairemotorinn.com/?p=sipanddip

Say hi to Piano Pat.

Heritage Inn, Big R, Hoglands, WalMart, That Bar, Sheels, Herbergers, Fudruckers, Merry Go Round, The Playground, Many Casino's, Historic Downtown, The Falls, The Lewis and Clark Center, Historic City of Belt, Beers are free at some Casino's, $1 at the Heritage Inn Casinso (Max's). Have a great time in Great Falls. Prepare to spend some cash on sporting goods, clothes, hardware etc, at a much reduced rate then in Canada, Enjoy the Canadian $ Value. I just got home from there on Tuesday.

Originally Posted by Loki610

The lady booked us a room at a hotel right by the mall in Kalispell cant remember the name but she said its only $65, cant believe how cheap that is!

Diamond lil's?

[Loki610]

It was the travelodge we stayed at in Kalispell $54/night! right on mainstreet north of the highway and spitting/stumbling distance from Mooses Pub (awesome place) the Backroom BBQ and wheatland bakery were both worth the trip, best bbq brisket I've ever had! Sportsmans ski haus was awesome, got a new set of 64" shooting sticks for $44! being able to just walk over and shoulder a rifle from the rack sure felt strange! Wish i could have brought home a sweet little bullpup style .22lr Some of the pawn shops had piles of guns for cheap, even saw a few old 1911 style pistols for $40

[roger]

my last trip to mntana, stayed at a old old hotel and hot springs near elkton elkford elkhorn or something like that, presidents and digniatrys stayed there in its 125 year lifespan, saloon doors opened to a old western knotty floors that a million footsteps polish with every step...stepped back in time.
only wife and I in a hot spring on the top of a ridge with a full moon rising.
very cool.very cool indeed.
moussoulla 'sportsmans warehouse' 24hrs open.. also cool,
i should go again!

[Loki610]

I still cant get over how cheap it is to eat and drink there! we went to the best restaurants we could find and had a few drinks and it was rarely $40 with tip. Mooses pub was $2 for a mug of local micro brew, would have been only $48 to try every one!

[doetracks]

Don't even get me started on the beer prices down there!

Glad you had a good time. I should have mentioned that Piggybacks BBQ in Whitefish is good too.

Next time

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by roger

moussoulla 'sportsmans warehouse' 24hrs open.. also cool,
i should go again!

You are sadly mistaken sir, Their hours of opperation are as follows:

Missoula
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday
9:00 - 8:00
Friday - Saturday
9:00 - 9:00
Sunday
10:00 - 6:00
Contact Information
Address
2323 N Reserve St
Missoula, MT
59808-1327
Phone
(406) 523-9000
Fax
(406) 523-9001

[doetracks]

I just moved back to Canada from Missoula and was going to say that's historic info. LOL!!