Missoula is a small town with big charm. You can spend a day
(or two, or three) exploring Missoula, and you can do this all on foot! Leaving
from the Comfort Inn, enjoy a day in our town exploring the arts and cultures,
outdoor recreational opportunities, or the guilt-free, tax-free shopping
opportunities in the downtown area. If you would rather cruise on a bike, do
not worry—the Comfort Inn has complimentary cruisers for our guests, so you can
explore in style.
Morning
After enjoying a delicious full & hot breakfast at the
Comfort Inn, set off on the Riverfront Trail system on your bike or your feet
and enjoy the quiet beauty of the Clark Fork River. Your destination? Hip
Strip, a trendy little section of Missoula located on the south side of the
Clark Fork. Located only 1 mile from the Comfort Inn, this is a great first
stop to get your day started. Enjoy a latte and a delicious hand baked pastry
at Le Petite Outre or treat yourself to a late brunch at Hob Nob on Higgins.
The shops in the Hip Strip open at 10am, so you won’t have to wait too long to
look through selections of books at Shakespeare & Co. or browse the new and
vintage clothing styles at the oh-so-trendy Betty’s Divine. Shopping not your
cup of tea? Check out the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, also located on
Higgins in the Hip Strip area.
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| Photo credit: Rio Chantel Photography |
Afternoon for the Shopper
If you are the type who likes to shop till you drop, downtown
Missoula is the place for you. From housewear at Copperopolis to trendy Montana
swag at The Montana Store and everything in between, Missoula’s downtown
shopping district has a shop for every style. There are several modern clothing
boutiques. Check out Cloth & Crown, One Eleven, and Mood. You won’t leave
disappointed. And when all shopping is tax free, you can shop 'til you drop
without any guilt!
The Missoula Antique Mall is a great place to shop for
antiques, books, old records and postcards, and more. Located a nice walk away
from downtown proper, the mall is located on Railroad Street in the old Montana Hotel building off an old cobble
street that shows a little history of Missoula.
Afternoon for the Hiker
There are several excellent hikes located a short distance
from downtown Missoula. For a nice casual stroll on mostly flat terrain
following a bubbling creek, check out Greenough Park. This is a lovely place to
spend a couple miles and a couple hours. Stop at Black Coffee Roasting Co. on
the way back from your outing to sample some of the finest bean coffee in town.
If you would rather hike a short but rewarding hike to
lovely views of Missoula and the surround valleys, check out the hike up Waterworks
Hill. This 3.5 mile, less than 500 foot elevation gain trail takes up the
“Peace Sign Hill” on the northern side of downtown is a great day trip with a
lot of bang for your hiking buck. From the top of Waterworks, you will see views of Missoula and the surrounding mountains.
Afternoon for the Art Lover
In Missoula, we pride ourselves on our art culture. There
are at least nine galleries or museums in downtown Missoula alone, and that is more than enough to fill an afternoon! Check out
The Missoula Art Museum for a rotating high quality selection of exhibits.
Radius and 4 Ravens Gallery also offer nice gallery options. As you wander through our downtown and surrounding areas, keep an eye out for local public art. You can take a class at Zootown Arts: learn to make pottery or simply go paint for an afternoon. There is plenty for any art lover to do in Missoula, and then some!
Happy Hour
Next up in your perfect Missoula day, get a snack and an adult beverage at one of our many happy
hour locations. We recommend Plonk from 4pm-6pm. Sample a cheese platter and
one of their many fine cocktails. Or, check out the Top Hat from 3pm-6pm, where
you can find unique home-style options like chicken and waffles or flat bread
pizzas. Or if beer is more your style, make your way to Tamarack Brewing, where pints
are only $3 during happy hour.
Evening
Cap off your perfect Missoula day with a nice dinner out at
Scotty’s Table, Red Bird, Top Hat, Pearl Café, or Plonk. If you like BBQ, check
out The Notorious P.I.G. for some delicious options. Five on Black is
also a great low key location, serving up very tasty and affordable build your own Brazilian bowls. After
dinner, enjoy a nightcap at one of our many local breweries or distilleries, or
catch a show at the Roxy or The Wilma!
Regardless of how you chose to spend your day in Missoula,
you will not be disappointed. With all this fun only a walking distance away
from your bed for the night, Missoula is your new favorite place.
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