About Missoula

Missoula is a colorful, tolerant, and unique Montana community with a distinctly nontraditional bent. Our population stands around 65,000 people with 12,000 University of Montana students.

Missoula is located in the convergence of five river valleys in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Getting There and Away

By Land: Interstate US 90 runs through Missoula west to east; Highway US 93 takes the north south axis. To find our office from US 90, take the Orange Street exit south on Orange Street until it turns into the boulevard of Stephens Avenue right before it goes by our office. Watch for a purple door.

By Air: Allegiant Air provides cheap shuttles between Missoula and Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Phoenix. Missoula International Airport is also served by Alaska Air, Delta, and United Airlines.

Eatz

For a reliable best of Missoula, see lists provided by the Missoula Independent or the Missoulian. I think the best breakfasts can be found at Paul’s Pancake Parlor and the Shack. My favorite fish taco is made at El Diablo’s. Tagliara, a great Italian deli is right next door. If you need a most complete deli then go to Wordens. You will also find a wonderful deli alongside the best salad bar in town at the Good Food Store.

Espresso: Coffee is good at the Good Food Store. Of course if you are downtown and want to learn how hippies visualize whirled peas, stop by for coffee at Butterfly Herbs. If you cannot get by without wi-fi, coffee and computers is downtown @ Break Expresso or @ City Brew. And don't miss the Liquid Planet nestled in a most wonderful used bookstore, the Book Exchange.

Fine Dining

For something fancy, try the Pearl Cafe.

Bistro dining can not get any better than at the Silk Road, home of the Risho brothers in karmic Lily reincarnation on hipstrip, see http://www.silkroadcatering.com.

Accomodations

Local flavor can be found on the shores of the Clark Fork at Goldsmith's or in the shadow of Mount Jumbo by Blossom's, see http://blossomsbnb.com or Foxglove Cottage which boasts a resplendent garden.

Hotels downtown on the Clark Fork River include the Doubletree and the Holiday Inn .

Stuff to do

For summer fun, float down the Blackfoot River on inner tubes. Hike year-round in the Rattlesnake Recreation and Wilderness area that starts and ends in Missoula. See http://montanakids.com/things_to_see_and_do/wild_places/rattlesnake.htm

Missoula also offers skateboarding, swimming and water slides, golfing, folfing, biking and motorcycling, camping and backpacking, kayaking, boating, and hunting and fishing. In the winter, Missoula delivers skiing, snowboarding, and hot-potting.

Gallery Night falls on the first Friday of any month, after five. Most downtown galleries feature art openings, live music, wine and cheese. During the summer you enjoy live local bands and food vendors at Caras Park at noon Wednesday or in the early evening Thursday. For further entertainment calendars see those in the Missoula Independent, Missoulian and the Lively Times.

Yellowstone Park is six hours away, and Glacier National Park is three hours from Missoula.

Summer Saturday morning Farmer’s Market, the People’s Market, and the Clark Fork Market set up shop in downtown Missoula. A stroll down Higgins could be a good time to get a facepaint, beanie baby mermaid, huckleberries, veggies, Uncle Bill’s sausage, baked goods and a breakfast beverage.