Montana vacations?

[imojoebunny]

DH and I like national parks and the outdoors.  We have a 5 and 8 year old.   My Aunt and Uncle from the west coast and their adult kids and spouses go out there every summer.  We were thinking of going on a vacation and then meeting up with them for a couple of nights.  
Has as anyone been there with kids and has a rec for a good town/place? My kids like horse back riding and are fairly decent for their ages, but do to have horses, they are ok at fishing, and not bad 2 -3 mile hikers.  We are willing to drive around a bit and plan to stay for 7-10 days.

We are kind of open to whatever.  My DH has ridden his bicycle through the state a couple of times.  He loves it, but his places to stay suggestions (all camping) are more, "behind the gas station in that little town with the fire station."  

[konapoppy]

Just chiming in to say that I think Big Sky is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Not sure about activities with kids, but truly stunning.

[hamster]

Tagging myself so I remember to post later hamster

[LoveTrains]

I met Dennis Quaid at Chico Hot Springs in 2001.

[hamster]

We did a trip to Montana a few years ago, and I'm dying to go back.

We stayed in Lewiston, ID the first night and took Lolo pass to Missoula. It's cool, but curvey and a much longer way to get there. If you are from the PNW, its skipable, but if you aren't its a good intro to the scenery.

We stayed at this swanky Motel 6 in Missoula. It was a great location and super cheap, cause duh, its a motel 6. We did a lot of fishing in Missoula, on the Clark fork most notably. I got eaten alive by mosquitoes and fell in the water. Your requirement for Missoula is to go to Tamarack brewing and drink all the beer. It's a drunk stumble from the motel 6.

From there we went to Glacier NP. We camped at one of the only places that took reservations in the park. You couldn't walk anywhere, but the visitor center is a short drive and you can take a shuttle to the top. Wewere there 4th of July and hiked over snowand terrible conditions to hidden lake...Which was hidden in the fog.

From there we took the scenic route to Sandpoint, ID. I loved that section of the trip, but there wasn't anything there except a huge parade in BFE and a town full of asbestos from a nearby mine, lol.

@idaholakelady is also a great travel planner.

[my3bears]

I really liked Bozeman and Big Sky. I went in the winter though so not as helpful with summer activities. I remember Montana being one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I also remember the elevation did affect me - slight headache and short of breath, but we were there to ski so maybe our place was higher up than you would be? It wasn't anything that advil couldn't handle!

[Deleted]

imojoebunny @kirkette let me get the coffee made this morning and open my laptop. I'll have a full trip itinerary for you by the end of today :-)

[pattieice]

Glacier National Park! That is where my sister has lived and worked the past 6 summers. Breathtakingly beautiful.

[imojoebunny]

Feb 28, 2015 23:39:20 GMT -5 @rennido said:

So if you wanted to make it super awesome, what I would do is start at Kalispell/Whitefish/glacier NP
Then drive down to the halfway point (Missoula)-you will pass by Polson and drive next to Flathead-if you want you can stop in Big Fork and go boating if you want.
Stay in Missoula for a night or two, hike the M. Kids love to do that.

Then dive to Bozeman, you can hit up Livingston/Yellowstone or Big Sky-there is a good zip line there. Hiking is all over.

If you want, depending on when you go, you can always drive to Butte and I can show you around as well. You know if you come at the end of July you can hit up Evel Kneival days.

Anyway, that's if you have a ton of free time. Keep in mind we measure by how long it takes for you to get there, not my miles

Be careful, we might show up :-)  I think we will just have 7-8 days.  Great suggestions!  I kind of want to go to Livingston because my aunt's brother has a restaurant there, and they usually go there for a good bit of the summer, and DH wants to go to glacier.  Time for me to learn some geography of Montana and figure out the best/cheapest place to fly into.  

[Deleted]

imojoebunny give me some sideboards. Do you want to stay in one place all week, or are you open to moving hotels a few times? do you want a sort of "all inclusive" dude ranch (yes, that's a thing) or hotels and eating out every night?

[imojoebunny]

Mar 1, 2015 17:09:56 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

imojoebunny give me some sideboards. Do you want to stay in one place all week, or are you open to moving hotels a few times? do you want a sort of "all inclusive" dude ranch (yes, that's a thing) or hotels and eating out every night?

I think we would like to limit it to two towns, so 3-4 nights in each.  I think we would like a dude sort of ranch, my kids are pretty cute little riders and have been riding for a year now.  
We are fine with little cabins where we can cook dinner and breakfast, then go out to lunch.

Clean is our most important feature, along with separate rooms for us and our kids.   

We we don't have an exact budget, but I would like to think we could pull off between $1400 and $2500 for lodging for 7 nights, depending.  

[LoveTrains]

Mar 1, 2015 0:28:15 GMT -5 @rennido said:

Mar 1, 2015 0:06:33 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

I met Dennis Quaid at Chico Hot Springs in 2001.

He lives near there and goes to the restaurant a lot.
I think he also plays in a band at the bar some time.
Amazing food. Nice guy.

Yes his band was playing at the bar!!!

Oh man that is really going back. 

It was the summer I worked at Yellowstone. Best.summer.ever.

[lizlemon19]

I wanna do this so bad!!

[imojoebunny]

So, I am looking at prices... Dude ranch is out. DH doesn't want to drive much, so wants to mostly just stay around glacier, maybe stay some place by Flathead lake?

Any ideas in that corner of the world.@rennido and @idaholakelady

I am excited, assuming we can find places to stay...

[carilyn]

Lurker here. If either of your kids are into dinosaurs and you're near Bozeman, you need to go to the Museum of the Rockies. They have a ton of dinosaur fossils and the largest collection of T-Rex specimens in the world. There is also a cool space exhibit, some American history, a cute kids area that is all About Yellowstone, and a few other exhibits. 

My kids also really liked Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. It's halfway between Missoula and Bozeman. It's an old ranch with a lot of things to look at and activities for the kids.

[v]

Guys, how is the weather in late September? We want to take an 8 day trip in the fall and I'm thinking that maybe Yellowstone/Grand Teton/Glacier (or some combo of those) would be a nice way to spend it -- but it would have to be the third or fourth week of September because of my husband's work schedule. Is it very cold there then?

[imojoebunny]

Mar 1, 2015 20:49:04 GMT -5 @rennido said:

I would fly in to Missoula then.
Hike the M, go to the Carousel carouselformissoula.com/
Wander Downtown

Drive up to Flathead-go around the right side of the lake-Stay in Big Fork. (I'll research places)

Drive up to Kalispell and/or Whitefish. I love Whitefish. Downtown area is great.

I haven't been to Glacier in years...but it's gorgeous...Definitely do Going to the Sun road. I'll try and remember what else is a must. I remember hiking to a lake (I forgot which one) and it was so clear you couldn't tell how deep it was, and the water was practically turquoise.

Suggestions in Big Fork, White Fish, or Missoula to stay would be appreciated.  

We are going to stay at this place in Glacier.  We had to book it because there are not many places (with a room for the kids and a room for us anyway), and they fill up fast.  www.glacierparkinc.com/st_mary_lodge_and_resort.php

We will also spend one night in Missoula.  

Then we will have 3 nights to go to Whitefish and Big Fork.  If we didn't have the kids we would try to do more, but my little guy is about as flexible as a steal rod.  

[Cowbells]

If you are looking for a place to stay around Whitefish, I highly recommend renting a condo at Ptarmigan Village (http://www.ptarmiganvillage.com/).  We rented last year through VRBO.  It's about 5 minutes from downtown Whitefish and two minutes from the Whitefish Mountain ski resort.  In the summer there are a ton of things to do at the ski resort, zip lining, aerial adventure, alpine slide, ride the gondola to the top of the mountain.  My kids LOVED it!  With your condo rental you also get private beach access to Whitefish lake.  The condo community has two pools (one indoor, one outdoor) and lots of hiking trails around it.  My husband and I loved it because it's secluded.  We actually felt like we were able to unplug. 

When we asked out kids if they wanted to go back to Whitefish or Disney World this year for vacation they actually really had to think about it before they answered Disney World.

[Deleted]

v imojoebunny @kirkette @shoegal (for fun travel)


OMG I have typed this message like 5 times and my computer kept eating it. So frustrating!


June and September are my favorite months in Montana. Not too hot, not too many tourists. But the weather can be a bit mercurial. 70 degrees at lunch and 15 and snowing sideways by dinner. Just be prepared. Dress in layers and always wear sunscreen. I’ve been sunburned at 45 degrees.


Glacier National Park (GNP) and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) are both amazing, but they are different. GNP is all steep mountain peaks, winding roads, hiking, cool lodges and mountain goats. YNP has more wide-open mountain vistas, buffalo everywhere, thermal features and hiking. The two parks are a 6-7 hour drive apart. Ideally, you’d fly in to Bozeman and do YNP, then drive to Glacier and do GNP, then fly out of Kalispell or Missoula. OR, you could fly in to Bozeman, do YNP and Grand Teton NP (which is south of Yellowstone), and then fly out of Jackson Hole or Idaho Falls

If you end up driving between YNP and GNP, let me know, I can recommend some really neat “out of the way” (but en route) places.


I’m familiar with Bozeman and Yellowstone. Bozeman is a good supply point. We have grocery stores and a Costco.


I’d spend the first day/ night in Bozeman, checking the town out and getting acclimated to the altitude. Bozeman is at 5,000 feet. If you feel nauseous or have a headache, take some ibuprofen and drink a lot of water.


Downtown Bozeman is the place to be for restaurants and bars. Mackenzie River Pizza Co is great for kids. The Garage has great soups and sandwiches. Nova Café and Cateye Café are great for breakfast. Check the events calendar and know what’s happening. Main Street is closed down in Thursday evenings in July and August for Music on Main. They waive the open container law and have live music. It can get a little rowdy. The Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts is the first weekend of August, and has a bunch of activities linked to it. While in the area you must eat a bison burger and drink a local beer (Bozeone Amber is a favorite). There is also a cider house, wine bar and a handful of distilleries.


I’m partial to staying downtown. The Lark Motel should be done by early June and the Element by Westin by September. All the usual chain hotels can be found on North 7th and North 19th avenues.

A stroll on Bozeman’s trail system would be a great way to stretch your legs after dinner. Park at the Bozeman Public Library and walk up Peete’s Hill for a view of the town. Hike the M (take water and snacks, as it’s all uphill and kids can get tired). Walk around the campus of Montana State University. Take a walking tour to explore the community’s history and culture.


The Museum of the Rockies is great. It’s the home museum for Jack Horner, the paleontologist who was the inspiration for the guy in “Jurassic Park.” It also has a living history farm that’s great.


On day two I’d head over to the Madison Valley, through Ennis and into Virginia City. It was the second territorial capital and has neat old buildings, museum, opportunities for kids to pan for gold and fish, etc. It’s kind a fun “old west ghost town” experience. You could stay that night in Ennis, West Yellowstone, or at a lodge in YNP. I’ve stayed at the Old Faithful Inn and thought it was amazing.


Days three through five I’d spend in Yellowstone National Park, moving counter clockwise from West Yellowstone to Mammoth Hot Springs and exiting at Gardiner, Montana. Hike, check out the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, see the hot pots, see buffalo.


I would leave the park on day five and spend the night at Chico Hot Springs, which is about half an hour from Mammoth. They have great pools, a very nice restaurant, and opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, massages, etc. It’s one of my favorite places.


If you happen to be in the area over the 4th of July, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo is pretty great. Tickets go fast, so buy them in advance. Chico is about 50 miles from Livingston. Livingston is about an hour from Bozeman.


Day 6 you could head back to Bozeman, or stay again in Chico, then drive back to Bozeman for your flight.


Let me know if you have any questions! I’d be happy to loan you a cooler or something while you’re in town

[Deleted]

@idaholakelady, OMG I WANT TO GOOOOOOOO - this sounds AWESOME. Can we all mee up at Chico Hot Springs ASAP please? (Well, when it's a teensy bit warmer.)

[BAMFMrsB]

We're going to Yellowstone/Big Sky in Sept. DH is running a race out there so we're tacking on a week for vacation. DS will be 3 by then so I hope he can enjoy it!

[v]

@idaholakelady -- so helpful! Thanks so much. If we go this route, I will definitely be bothering you for places to stop in-between and such.

[Deleted]

Just here to say that i love Chico Hot Springs. <3

We're moving to Bozeman in April and reading this has me even more excited (if that is even possible).

[Deleted]

Mar 2, 2015 11:25:38 GMT -5 @roseyposey said:

Just here to say that i love Chico Hot Springs. <3

We're moving to Bozeman in April and reading this has me even more excited (if that is even possible).

You're in good company. Apparently Jessica Biel and Justin Tomberlake are moving to MT to raise their daughter too!

[ijack]

downtoearth

[hamster]

This thread is killing me!

[downtoearth]

Mar 1, 2015 17:30:45 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

Mar 1, 2015 17:09:56 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

imojoebunny give me some sideboards. Do you want to stay in one place all week, or are you open to moving hotels a few times? do you want a sort of "all inclusive" dude ranch (yes, that's a thing) or hotels and eating out every night?

I think we would like to limit it to two towns, so 3-4 nights in each.  I think we would like a dude sort of ranch, my kids are pretty cute little riders and have been riding for a year now.  
We are fine with little cabins where we can cook dinner and breakfast, then go out to lunch.

Clean is our most important feature, along with separate rooms for us and our kids.   

We we don't have an exact budget, but I would like to think we could pull off between $1400 and $2500 for lodging for 7 nights, depending.  

I just wrote a huge thing and it was swallowed.

Here's the gist -

Fly into Missoula or Bozeman for the best prices (and to be pretty close to the parks).  Bozeman for Yellowstone and Missoula for Glacier - unless Kalispell has some deals. 

It's tough to do both parks and relax at a resort/ranch in 7 days - so pick one area.

[Avoid Paws Up Ranch/Resort - bad for MT taxes and environment]

Glacier Area Ideas:

Love Holland Lake Lodge as a kid - stayed in the cabins, horse riding, lake swimming/fishing, near wilderness and a waterfall hike (even with small kids), canoes, islands, etc.  hollandlakelodge.com/

The whole Seely-Swan area is great - you can fly into Missoula, drive to Holland Lake area/Seely Swan and then head up to Glacier also.  I would try to stay in Glacier at their lodges b/c it is so pretty.  I would try to stay at Lake McDonald or Many Glacier areas - the east side lodge is great, but further from stuff.  You can book through the park service websites. Also don't forget passports to go to Waterton Lake National Park in Canada! 

Yellowstone Area Ideas:

I love Chico too.  They have rustic rooms without bathrooms and suites/hotel types and cabins.  www.chicohotsprings.com/  But MT has so many hot springs, that we can help you find a quick trip to one almost anywhere you decide to go.

I would probably fly into Bozeman and get a room not too far from the park.  It takes about 2 long days of driving and short walks/hikes to see a lot. It's nice if you're staying in the park.  I prefer Old Faithful area or Mammoth area, but you can also stay outside the park and day trip around.  Those are all booked through the park itself.  We usually camp, so I can only say something about Old Faithful lodge, which is great.

If you use West Yellowstone or Big Sky as a base, I would recommend VBRO - so many great condos/cabins that you could book there with separate rooms and we always have luck with Big Sky with using those services.  I've also been to the Rainbow Ranch in Big Sky area, which is beautiful with great food, but also probably pricey in the summer. 

Does that help?  If you are skipping parks and want more town-oriented activities or mtn biking/hiking ideas, let me know, I can branch out and suggest areas that are better for those.

ETA: Oh and I don't know the ages of your kids, but the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is one of the foremost dinosaur museums in the country and well worth it.  If you have a pass to your local science museum, bring that b/c a lot are transferrable and you can get in free for a day of fun with the kids (or half a day if you want to skip planetarium and such).  When we lived in Denver our Denver Zoo or Science and Nature pass both worked there for free and now our smaller city's museum works for there also. 

[downtoearth]

Mar 2, 2015 11:52:25 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Mar 2, 2015 11:25:38 GMT -5 @roseyposey said:

Just here to say that i love Chico Hot Springs. <3

We're moving to Bozeman in April and reading this has me even more excited (if that is even possible).

You're in good company. Apparently Jessica Biel and Justin Tomberlake are moving to MT to raise their daughter too!

We have a handful of celebrities who come here to get away... The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Letterman, Brokaw, John Lithgow, Phil Jackson, Batman (Michael Keaton), Ted Turner, Huey Lewis, I know there are more, but I can't think of them. Now @roseyposey is moving here to "get away."

[Deleted]

@rennido - Seattle, so the number of people is a significant improvement. I love Bozeman, I grew up going there a ton (I have family there).

You'll have to join @idaholakelady and I for drinks.

[CallingAllAngels]

My mom just emailed yesterday about a family trip to Yellowstone in summer 2016. We went to Big Sky (and spent a day snowmobiling in YNP) one Christmas in the late 1990s. This thread has me so excited to return, especially in the summer!