Downtown Region: Kalispell, Montana

Priding itself as the commercial hub and county seat of the Flathead Valley, Kalispell is surrounded by towering mountains, pristine lakes and fertile valleys. Kalispell was founded in 1891 and is now a bustling small city and home to rich history, culture, commercial activity and outdoor recreation. As the 7th largest city in Montana and the largest city in northwest Montana, Kalispell proper has a population of approximately 20,000 residents as of 2007 census. Kalispell's economy has evolved quite a bit from the town's inception and is becoming a hotbed for more progressive industries.

Kalispell enjoys a balanced mix of arts and entertainment, restaurants, pubs, shopping, health and beauty boutiques and professional businesses. Kalispell is known for its several art galleries, artisan boutiques and outdoor apparel businesses. There is no shortage of places to shop here, including the Kalispell Center Mall. Restaurants featuring local game and other epicurean delights as well as good ol' fashion American cuisine can readily be found in Kalispell. Several historically recognized buildings and homes are staples of the maple-lined avenues. The Hockaday Center for the Arts and the Central School Museum are touted museums of the city. Downtown Kalispell offers many of the amenities of a big city with historic small town charm.

Greater Kalispell is riddled with 27 public parks covering 393 acres, 13 of which are in the city limits. These lush havens provide picnic areas and pavilions, several sports facilities, leisure areas, wildlife viewing, hiking, sledding, a water park and a community garden. Woodland Park is one of the more popular with a large pond that attracts migrating waterfowl, ice skating rink, skate park, water park, baseball fields, walking paths, several picnic pavilions and rose gardens. Buffalo Hill Golf Course shares the city limit boundary and offers 27 scenic holes designed in part by Arnold Palmer. Eight other golf courses are not too far away in various areas of the Flathead Valley.

Kalispell is centrally located to all the Flathead Valley attractions. Downtown events, such as Art in the Park or evening music productions are right at hand. Whitefish Mountain Resort is just 20 miles north. Flathead Lake is less than 10 miles south. Glacier National Park is just over 30 miles northeast. If you spin a dial, no matter where the pointer pointed, there would be a gorgeous freshwater lake within 45 minutes drive in that direction. That goes the same for recreational hotspots and solitude.

With a local community college and hospital, Kalispell is a complete little city. The overwhelming feeling of community in downtown Kalispell will be a welcome change from the doldrums you are leaving behind. Welcome to Kalispell!

Northwest Montana Homes & Land

Highlights

Downtown Region: Kalispell, Montana