Shop Local

Take a piece of Montana home.

Small-town business owners, artists and craftspeople, especially those with their own shops, boutiques, galleries or stores, are all part of what makes shopping on vacation so much fun. In Western Montana’s Glacier Country, the lifeblood and character of our region is built on small—oftentimes family-owned—businesses that play a large role in creating the personality of our communities, downtown corridors, shopping districts and outdoor markets.

Glacier Country has more than 75 communities brimming with opportunities to explore everything from old-fashioned general stores and candy shops, to funky boutiques, antique stores, trading posts, and artisan markets and fairs.

For shopping at flagship stores, head to Missoula’s Southgate Mall, the largest enclosed shopping center in Western Montana. This regional shopping hub is home to national chains, specialty shops, restaurants and entertainment, including a dine-in movie theater. Also check out Missoula SCHEELS, an outdoor lover’s paradise.

Think creatively when you’re food shopping in Western Montana. Our small towns boast local grocers and unique food co-ops, like Camas Organic Market in Hot Springs and the beloved Good Food Store in Missoula, complete with a bakery, espresso and smoothie bar, salad and antipasto bar, and a stir-fry made-to-order bar.

If you’re looking to browse locally-owned boutiques and art galleries, plan for a downtown stroll along Electric Avenue in Bigfork, Higgins Avenue in Missoula, Main Street in Hamilton, Main Street in Kalispell or Central Avenue in Whitefish.

You can’t leave Montana without sapphires and huckleberry treats—two of our favorite things. Visit Kehoe’s Agate Shop in Bigfork or The Huckleberry Patch in Arlee and Hungry Horse, head to Philipsburg and visit The Sapphire Gallery, Montana Gems and The Sweet Palace, or visit The Sapphire Shoppe in Columbia Falls.

You can also find plenty of made-in-Montana items at The Montana House in West Glacier; St. Regis Travel Center; Great Gray Gifts in Charlo; Second Nature Gifts & Goods in Polson; the 50,000 Silver Dollar Gift Shop in Haugan; Western Curios and Faught’s Blackfeet Trading Post, both in Browning; and Riecke’s Bayside Gallery in Bigfork. Added bonus: Montana has no state sales tax.

MADE IN MONTANA

1 AMERICAN INDIAN CRAFTS Take home a piece of American Indian culture and traditions with authentic turquoise jewelry, beadwork, leather goods, and other arts and crafts.

© GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM 2 LOCAL LEATHER Find premium leather bags, wallets, belts, and baby moccasins designed and stitched using cow and bison hides and a little Western Montana love.

© TAYLAR ROBBINS 3 LAVENDER Ever been to a lavender farm? We’ve got those and lavender goods, too, like tea, essential oil spray, sachet and even handmade, small-batch lavender chocolates.

© GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM 4 CHOCOLATE Montana flavors pair well with chocolate. Don’t leave without sampling huckleberry and Flathead cherry chocolates and chocolate beverages from local coffee traders.

© POSH CHOCOLAT