Columbia Falls Guidebook

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Columbia Falls Guidebook

Breweries & Distilleries

If there is one thing Montanans are known for, it’s their love of a good beverage. From Montana roasted coffee to local brews and spirits, specialty cocktails to organic ginger beer, be sure to put beverages on your Montana bucket list too.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sacred Waters Brewing Company
3250 U.S. Hwy 2 E
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
If there is one thing Montanans are known for, it’s their love of a good beverage. From Montana roasted coffee to local brews and spirits, specialty cocktails to organic ginger beer, be sure to put beverages on your Montana bucket list too.
Backslope Brewing’s commitment to the community is reflected in the kitchen as well with its focus on using locally sourced products and the belief that food is meaningful and best enjoyed when shared with friends.
143 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Backslope Brewing
1107 9th St W
143 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Backslope Brewing’s commitment to the community is reflected in the kitchen as well with its focus on using locally sourced products and the belief that food is meaningful and best enjoyed when shared with friends.
Have you ever had a taste or a smell that instantly transported you back to that time and place where you originally had it? A physical sense that becomes woven into the very fabric of a memory? At Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits we do our best to make that kind of thing happen — every day. At Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits, we’re on a mission to create some of the best handcrafted spirits in the world. We’re half alchemists, half artists. We distill and taste and tweak and do it over and over until we’ve created something of such immutable character we’re proud to put our name on it, pour it into a glass and serve it up to you with style.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits
2134 U.S. Hwy 2 E
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Have you ever had a taste or a smell that instantly transported you back to that time and place where you originally had it? A physical sense that becomes woven into the very fabric of a memory? At Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits we do our best to make that kind of thing happen — every day. At Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits, we’re on a mission to create some of the best handcrafted spirits in the world. We’re half alchemists, half artists. We distill and taste and tweak and do it over and over until we’ve created something of such immutable character we’re proud to put our name on it, pour it into a glass and serve it up to you with style.
Established in 2011, Glacier Sun Winery is the Flathead Valley’s premier full production winery creating new and interesting wines. Sourcing grapes from eastern Washington, we make a variety of Red, White, Fruit, and Dessert wines. Famously known for our Huckleberry Peach wine, we also use local fruits to create our rotating selection of fruit wines.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Glacier Sun Winery
3250 U.S. Hwy 2 E
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Established in 2011, Glacier Sun Winery is the Flathead Valley’s premier full production winery creating new and interesting wines. Sourcing grapes from eastern Washington, we make a variety of Red, White, Fruit, and Dessert wines. Famously known for our Huckleberry Peach wine, we also use local fruits to create our rotating selection of fruit wines.

Local Food Favorites

Providing handmade dishes that combine quality Montana grown products and Mediterranean ingredients fusing traditional and contemporary culinary trends. With a focus on fresh and local ingredients visitors will find a a cozy atmosphere accompanied by menu that is sustainable, seasonal, and delicious.
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Three Forks Grille
729 Nucleus Ave
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Providing handmade dishes that combine quality Montana grown products and Mediterranean ingredients fusing traditional and contemporary culinary trends. With a focus on fresh and local ingredients visitors will find a a cozy atmosphere accompanied by menu that is sustainable, seasonal, and delicious.
Montana Coffee Traders expanded to the east side of the valley in 2004 when it re-opened the old Pines Café doors in Columbia Falls, offering a full breakfast and lunch menu. Sit and stay awhile or take away our brown-bag “Hiker” to nearby Glacier National Park.
113 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Montana Coffee Traders
30 9th St W
113 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Montana Coffee Traders expanded to the east side of the valley in 2004 when it re-opened the old Pines Café doors in Columbia Falls, offering a full breakfast and lunch menu. Sit and stay awhile or take away our brown-bag “Hiker” to nearby Glacier National Park.
Really good sandwiches!
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Laurie's Deli
330 9th St W
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Really good sandwiches!
This famous little restaurant in Columbia Falls Montana continues to win awards for outstanding oriental and American cuisine made from scratch. Fresh ingredients are prepared by hand and cooked to order. Even the egg rolls are hand rolled by Chef Tien who has meticulously crafted every dish to be mouthwatering, healthy and authentic.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tien's Place Oriental Dining
329 9th St W
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This famous little restaurant in Columbia Falls Montana continues to win awards for outstanding oriental and American cuisine made from scratch. Fresh ingredients are prepared by hand and cooked to order. Even the egg rolls are hand rolled by Chef Tien who has meticulously crafted every dish to be mouthwatering, healthy and authentic.
The Nite Owl restaurant was purchased by Steve Marquesen in 1979. When our family took over The Nite Owl was just a small hometown cafe. Today we have the same good home cooking in the Nite Owl, with a friendly atmosphere. Over the years we have added a casino with 20 poker and keno machines. In 1984 we started the Back Room, we specialize in BBQ ribs, chicken, pizza and assorted salads. Today the Nite Owl is still a family run business. We are locally owned and operated and if you stop in you will still see Steve working away with his Partners Jay and Jana!
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nite Owl & Back Room Restaurants
522 9th St W
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Nite Owl restaurant was purchased by Steve Marquesen in 1979. When our family took over The Nite Owl was just a small hometown cafe. Today we have the same good home cooking in the Nite Owl, with a friendly atmosphere. Over the years we have added a casino with 20 poker and keno machines. In 1984 we started the Back Room, we specialize in BBQ ribs, chicken, pizza and assorted salads. Today the Nite Owl is still a family run business. We are locally owned and operated and if you stop in you will still see Steve working away with his Partners Jay and Jana!
Uptown Hearth offers real-time baking, a full coffee bar and a brunch and breakfast menu in Uptown Columbia Falls. Where food is art, creativity is king and the space feels like home, in the heart of Columbia Falls. We are open Wed-Friday 7AM-4PM. Sat-Sun: 7AM-1PM. Closed Monday & Tuesday
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Uptown Hearth
619 Nucleus Ave
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Uptown Hearth offers real-time baking, a full coffee bar and a brunch and breakfast menu in Uptown Columbia Falls. Where food is art, creativity is king and the space feels like home, in the heart of Columbia Falls. We are open Wed-Friday 7AM-4PM. Sat-Sun: 7AM-1PM. Closed Monday & Tuesday
Sunday – 3:00pm-9:00pm Monday – CLOSED Tuesday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Wednesday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Thursday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Friday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm DELIVERY STARTS AT 4:30PM (see below)
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
North Fork Pizza
605 Nucleus Ave
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunday – 3:00pm-9:00pm Monday – CLOSED Tuesday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Wednesday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Thursday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Friday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday – 3:00pm – 9:00pm DELIVERY STARTS AT 4:30PM (see below)

Local Coffee Stops

Odd Fellows Coffee House is located in the heart of Columbia Falls. They are “a family-owned coffee shop that just opened in downtown Columbia Falls, right on the way to beautiful Glacier National Park! Stop on in for your caffeine fix, free wifi, and (hopefully) some good conversation! ” “Looking for espresso, a little snack, or some wifi to get your stuff done? We’ve got you covered at Odd Fellows, with local pastries and Italian coffee.” They are open from 7am-5pm. Odd Fellows takes time to make your coffee to your liking, has superb customer service skills, and always great you with a smile and a warm hello.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Odd Fellows Coffee House
111 6th St W
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Odd Fellows Coffee House is located in the heart of Columbia Falls. They are “a family-owned coffee shop that just opened in downtown Columbia Falls, right on the way to beautiful Glacier National Park! Stop on in for your caffeine fix, free wifi, and (hopefully) some good conversation! ” “Looking for espresso, a little snack, or some wifi to get your stuff done? We’ve got you covered at Odd Fellows, with local pastries and Italian coffee.” They are open from 7am-5pm. Odd Fellows takes time to make your coffee to your liking, has superb customer service skills, and always great you with a smile and a warm hello.
Awesome, local, affordably priced coffee!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cowgirl Coffee
3796 U.S. Hwy 2 E
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Awesome, local, affordably priced coffee!

Sightseeing

Hungry Horse Dam is one of the largest concrete arch dams in the US, standing 564 feet tall and offering a rare opportunity to walk or drive across it. Completed in 1953, the dam was constructed to store water for the Columbia River Power System which includes the Grand Coulee Dam downstream in Washington. The dam and Visitor Center are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and are well worth a visit to discover its history and soak in the views. Upstream of the dam stretches Hungry Horse Reservoir 34 miles into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, surrounded by 25 majestic mountain peaks. While most large reservoirs are inundated with water sports enthusiasts, the Hungry Horse reservoir enjoys a relatively secret existence. A rarely heard of drive around the entire reservoir is possible on a mostly gravel road, which also offers access to several boat launches and trail heads. This is remote lake and mountain terrain with lush forest and undergrowth, infamous huckleberries, and teeming with native wildlife including our notorious grizzly and black bears. Camping, boating and the many variations thereof at Hungry Horse Reservoir are very popular among the locals. In summer you may spot campers sunning themselves on islands, or a herd of stand-up-paddle-boarders crawling across the lake’s surface. Motor boats are popular too, with miles and miles to explore and vantages to find. Throughout the summer, foragers are also common sites – folks who go out to gather wild morel mushrooms and huckleberries to sell them to the locavore restaurant market. When you head to Hungry Horse Reservoir, don’t forget to bring a plant identification guide and a container for your berry finds!
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hungry Horse Reservoir
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hungry Horse Dam is one of the largest concrete arch dams in the US, standing 564 feet tall and offering a rare opportunity to walk or drive across it. Completed in 1953, the dam was constructed to store water for the Columbia River Power System which includes the Grand Coulee Dam downstream in Washington. The dam and Visitor Center are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and are well worth a visit to discover its history and soak in the views. Upstream of the dam stretches Hungry Horse Reservoir 34 miles into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, surrounded by 25 majestic mountain peaks. While most large reservoirs are inundated with water sports enthusiasts, the Hungry Horse reservoir enjoys a relatively secret existence. A rarely heard of drive around the entire reservoir is possible on a mostly gravel road, which also offers access to several boat launches and trail heads. This is remote lake and mountain terrain with lush forest and undergrowth, infamous huckleberries, and teeming with native wildlife including our notorious grizzly and black bears. Camping, boating and the many variations thereof at Hungry Horse Reservoir are very popular among the locals. In summer you may spot campers sunning themselves on islands, or a herd of stand-up-paddle-boarders crawling across the lake’s surface. Motor boats are popular too, with miles and miles to explore and vantages to find. Throughout the summer, foragers are also common sites – folks who go out to gather wild morel mushrooms and huckleberries to sell them to the locavore restaurant market. When you head to Hungry Horse Reservoir, don’t forget to bring a plant identification guide and a container for your berry finds!
The North Fork is a fabled remote place with just a few mid-century luxuries, like two saloons, BBQ, gourmet pizza and world-famous huckleberry bear claws. Here, the North Fork of the Flathead River flows from Canada through a protected watershed 84 miles to its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead. The broad U shaped valley offers stunning views into the distance of the peaks in the Northwest corner of Glacier National Park. The North Fork Road is referred to as the “back door” to Glacier, offering ample access to multiple remote experiences like river running, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more both on Flathead National Forest and in Glacier National Park. There are two entrances to Glacier National Park on the North Fork Road. The Camas Road entrance will bring you to Apgar Village and Going-to-the-Sun Road, while a 25 mile drive on a gravel road to Polebridge will reward you with access to Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake and the Inside North Fork Road (note – the Inside North Fork Road is extremely remote – check at the ranger station for road conditions before you commit to the drive). Several US Forest Service cabins are available for rent “up the North Fork” and there are also multiple river access points along the road to the Canadian border (note – you cannot cross the border once you reach it, and you should have spare tires on hand should you decide to make the drive beyond Polebridge). While exploring the North Fork area, you will notice both summer and year round residences along the way, perched to take in incredible views. The entire North Fork is off the grid – this is real remote living at its finest. Head north out of Columbia Falls on hwy 486 to access the North Fork.
62 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery
265 Polebridge Loop
62 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The North Fork is a fabled remote place with just a few mid-century luxuries, like two saloons, BBQ, gourmet pizza and world-famous huckleberry bear claws. Here, the North Fork of the Flathead River flows from Canada through a protected watershed 84 miles to its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead. The broad U shaped valley offers stunning views into the distance of the peaks in the Northwest corner of Glacier National Park. The North Fork Road is referred to as the “back door” to Glacier, offering ample access to multiple remote experiences like river running, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more both on Flathead National Forest and in Glacier National Park. There are two entrances to Glacier National Park on the North Fork Road. The Camas Road entrance will bring you to Apgar Village and Going-to-the-Sun Road, while a 25 mile drive on a gravel road to Polebridge will reward you with access to Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake and the Inside North Fork Road (note – the Inside North Fork Road is extremely remote – check at the ranger station for road conditions before you commit to the drive). Several US Forest Service cabins are available for rent “up the North Fork” and there are also multiple river access points along the road to the Canadian border (note – you cannot cross the border once you reach it, and you should have spare tires on hand should you decide to make the drive beyond Polebridge). While exploring the North Fork area, you will notice both summer and year round residences along the way, perched to take in incredible views. The entire North Fork is off the grid – this is real remote living at its finest. Head north out of Columbia Falls on hwy 486 to access the North Fork.
The Columbia Falls area, including Glacier National Park and its surrounding communities are enveloped by the Flathead National Forest. Pristine forests are dotted with lakes, rivers and streams, criss-crossed by trails and dotted with campgrounds, boat launches and trail heads. In a nutshell, the Flathead forest is a gem of accessible public lands that provides priceless recreation year round. From the Martin City area, explore Desert Mountain and the views its road to the mountain top offers of Badrock Canyon, Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake McDonald and the peaks of Glacier. The mountain sides are covered with huckleberries in the summer time – take a wild plant guide with you and fill some containers with the beautiful sweet tart purple berries. In winter the snowmobiling is a great way to take in all of those sights on groomed trails. The Flathead National Forest is traversed by tons of trails, both gated and un-gated, making the heart of the wilderness accessible. If you happen to have your family dog on vacation with you and want to get the co-hiking experience, you are going to want to head to Forest Service land, as dogs are not allowed on trails in Glacier Park. If you prefer to gaze at peaks from afar, boating on one of the sparkling lakes is good for the soul. You will find excellent fly-fishing, wading, paddle boarding, sailing, motor boating and swimming on many lakes, streams and rivers that are less mainstream and less frequently visited than the popular and well known haunts in Glacier Park. The Flathead National Forest is full of special jewels tucked into the Crown of the Continent.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flathead National Forest
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Columbia Falls area, including Glacier National Park and its surrounding communities are enveloped by the Flathead National Forest. Pristine forests are dotted with lakes, rivers and streams, criss-crossed by trails and dotted with campgrounds, boat launches and trail heads. In a nutshell, the Flathead forest is a gem of accessible public lands that provides priceless recreation year round. From the Martin City area, explore Desert Mountain and the views its road to the mountain top offers of Badrock Canyon, Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake McDonald and the peaks of Glacier. The mountain sides are covered with huckleberries in the summer time – take a wild plant guide with you and fill some containers with the beautiful sweet tart purple berries. In winter the snowmobiling is a great way to take in all of those sights on groomed trails. The Flathead National Forest is traversed by tons of trails, both gated and un-gated, making the heart of the wilderness accessible. If you happen to have your family dog on vacation with you and want to get the co-hiking experience, you are going to want to head to Forest Service land, as dogs are not allowed on trails in Glacier Park. If you prefer to gaze at peaks from afar, boating on one of the sparkling lakes is good for the soul. You will find excellent fly-fishing, wading, paddle boarding, sailing, motor boating and swimming on many lakes, streams and rivers that are less mainstream and less frequently visited than the popular and well known haunts in Glacier Park. The Flathead National Forest is full of special jewels tucked into the Crown of the Continent.

Consejos para la ciudad

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Must Do's In the Area

- The Columbia Falls Farmers’ Market fun begins in early June and continues every Monday and Thursday through mid-September. The markets open at 5 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. - Glacier National Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds for recreation, hiking, wildlife viewing, wildflower hunting and more. - If you love hiking, you couldn’t have selected a better place. With hundreds of miles of trails on the Flathead National Forest and in Glacier National Park, there is a hike for everyone.
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When Planning Your Adventure, Book these ahead!

Golfing Golf Flathead Valley – “Golf Destination of the Northwest” – Ranked among the “50 greatest golf destinations,” by Golf Digest, September 2000 Horseback Riding Sit in your saddle and relax while you enjoy the trails of Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest and Spencer Mountain on the back of a beautiful, trained horse. River Trips From Wild and Scenic to calm and serene, the three forks of the Flathead offer recreation, relaxation and excitement.
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Winter Options

- Night Of Lights in December and Cabin Fever Days in February are two winter festivals that bring out locals and draw in visitors for holiday fun and mid-winter revelry. - Glacier National Park attracts outdoor winter sport enthusiasts to the deep pure Montana snow for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in winter’s quiet. - Family-friendly skiing awaits you in the Flathead Valley and Columbia Falls is a convenient HQ for your upcoming ski adventure. - In the wintertime, Columbia Falls is the gateway to vast snowmobiling trails in Montana’s Flathead Valley.