Continuing our walk down travel memory lane with a dreamy drive through Montana to celebrate our dear friends, Kori & Drake’s Wedding in Bozeman. This post will be formatted a little bit differently because we moved locations each day so I’m ditching the repeat it, delete it, eat it format and instead ya’ll are just getting some random highlights.
If you haven’t been to Montana – it really is a must see. I grew up begging my parents, “Can we PLEASE go somewhere WARM for vacation instead of MT?!” Now that I live in CA I find myself missing our drives through the mountains. We did this trip with my parents (who btw celebrate their 29th anniversary today!) and it was a really wonderful get away!
DAY 1:
STAY:
Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown
The hotel had just opened when we stayed in March 2019 but we loved it and would definitely stay again. It had easy valet parking and a great complimentary breakfast. The rooms were spacious, clean, and each has a small kitchen if you were planning a longer stay!
FOOD & DRINK:
BBQ at The Snake Pit
Located just off I 90 in Kingston, ID this place has some freakin delicious BBQ. The aesthetic is very, um, rustic. But the food is consistently delicious and my parent’s consider this a MT road trip staple.
Dinner at Iza Restaurant
According to an article in the Missoulian they closed in Dec 2019 which is SO SAD because the food was good not only the first day but also delicious the next day when we ate it at 1 AM after Drake & Kori’s Wedding
After Dinner Drinks at The Dram Shop
Affordable Tap Room with tons of local MT beer walking distance from the hotel!
DAY 2:
STAY: The Lark Hotel, Bozeman MT
Great location, amazing service, but really thin walls. They put earplugs and white noise machines in the rooms for a reason.
ACTIVITIES:
Clark Fork Farmer’s Market:
If you have read our other travel posts you know we love a good farmer’s market. Before heading to Bozeman we walked from the Residence Inn to the Clark Fork Farmer’s Market. If you can tell from the photo below – we liked what we found. I would highly recommend you plan a Saturday morning in Missoula to see this!
DRAKE & KORI GET MARRIED!
Let me tell you, this was wedding goals. First, communication leading up to the wedding and their food and hotel recommendations were A +++. Then they bussed us to this unbelievable venue for a sweet and thoughtful ceremony, amazing dinner, bonfire complete with S’mores, and a bus-ride back to local bar to keep the night going. We were so touched to witness their love in a place that is special to all of us!
FOOD & DRINK:
Starky’s for Lunch
This restaurant has also closed and is apparently reopening as a place called Reverly! If it is anything like Starky’s it will be tasty.
DAY 3:
STAY: Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
When staying at Chico you have a lot of different lodging options. In the main building accommodations are more rustic and then there is also new construction that is 3-4 minute walk to the hotel lobby and pools. My dad sent us to the room farther away without realizing he had booked a suite. I will never really understand the middle of the room jacuzzi tub but I did appreciate the towel animals.
ACTIVITIES:
Hot Springs
The pools at Chico are always pretty full, but they are always clean and it’s cool to experience the natural hot-springs. Be warned natural hot springs are a little stinky (sulfar smell) but your nose will adjust.
Horse Riding
This was my first time on a horse and I LOVED IT! We were supposed to do a 2 hour trail ride but there was a storm passing through and it wasn’t safe to take the horses out of the stables. Even with an abbreviated ride it was still fun!
FOOD & DRINK:
Breakfast at JAM:
Great coffee & a breakfast sandwich that is , “right out of a hung-over boy’s dreams” – Gio
Lunch at Chico Salon:
Classic bar food and live music on site at the Chico resort.
Dinner in the Dining Room at Chico
Fine dining in the middle of the Mountains. I’ve been here multiple times and it has never disappointed.
Jacket: Marine Layer
DAY 4:
On day 4 we drove from Bozeman back to Spokane. It takes about 6 hr 30 minutes but you gain an hour back because you cross from Mountain to Pacific time. One stop you cannot miss is getting a Huckleberry Milkshake at the St. Regis Travel Center. Huckleberry’s are an Inland NW summer staple and this truck-stop turned tourist destination is a MT road trip classic. Gas up, look at the Live Trout Aquarium, grab lunch, and browse the MT gift shop while munching on the complementary popcorn.
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