wendyk

My 10-year-old daughter and I will be taking the Empire Builder Amtrak through Montana at the end of October for a birthday present for her (she wanted a train ride). We will only be staying in Montana for two nights and then head home. What city, with a train stop, would have a decent hotel, some hiking, etc. I do not really want to go any farther west that Glacier. Is there anything in Cut Bank?

rkkwan

Glacier National Park is the main attraction along the Empire Builder route. No reason to travel all these miles and turn back anywhere else.

dwooddon

The Empire Builder does not go directly through Glacier Natl Park. Since you are going to be in that area, it would be a shame not to visit the park.

AMTRAK stops around Glacier Park are at East Glacier, Essex, West Glacier, and Whitefish. I assume you could get a rental car at any of them. My personal preference would be Whitefish. It's a neat little town and is a bit bigger than the other three so you'd have more choices for lodging, dining, etc.

With any luck, Going to the Sun Road will still be open at the end of October and you'll be able to see some magnificent scenery.

Have a great trip.

travlsolo2

I would agree with the suggestion of spending the two nights in Whitefish.

boom_boom

I did this trip from the Seattle end last September and it was great. Do spend some time in the Park and area. Whitefish is good, as is Columbia Falls. I've driven throuh Cutbank several times while living in Billings and there's nothing in Cut Bank worth getting off the train for unless you live there.

kureiff

Stay in Whitefish! And, no, there's nothing in Cut Bank except a giant statue of a penguin (as Cut Bank always has the coldest temperatures in Montana).

Fairhope

Some Fodorites think up the best trips. I wish I could be so creative

John

Further west than Glacier Park? Are you coming from the east?
If you are into trains, Essex Montana has the Isaac Walton Inn which is in the middle of nowhere and has hiking trails into Glacier park. The hotel is an old railroad stop refurbished tastefully. They even have 5 or 6 caboose that have been made into rooms seperate from the hotel.
web site;
www.izaakwaltoninn.com

Oh, yes, amtrak stops there.

WxWyWz

Are thEre stiLl dEntAl floSs fArmS in mOntAnA?

coach22

My family took this train from Chicago to Seattle in early Aug. We had a great time. I would recommend taking snacks and drinks on the train. Get reservations for meals early if possible. Sweatshirt, blanket, pillow recommended if you are traveling coach class. We got off the train at East Glacier Park. Rented a car(Dollar.. Very helpful) and traveled to The Resort at St Mary's Lodge(wonderful). From there we traveled to Babb and went into Many Glacier. They have all kind of trails and horseback riding. We had a great experience. One thing we would have done different would be take the Going to the Sun Rd and catch the train in Whitefish. No extra charge for that. We would have also gone into Alberta for a while. We will defn. go back. Hope you have a great trip.

fehgeddaboudit

We really liked MT in general and Whitefish and the Flathead Valley in particular. However, there seems to be a closed society there. If you are not caucasian, you will notice the difference in service, etc. from the locals. Also, beware the rising incidence of meth-related crime in that area.

Beyond that, enjoy GNP, hiking, biking, and Big Mountain for skiing, the Black Star Brewery tour and "internet cafe", the local-brew called Moose Drool -and- more!!