Glacier
 

We will be staying in Glacier in Aug 2011. My husband, my son who is 14 and myself are going. Any suggestions on things not to miss seeing. We will be there for 3 days. Also staying in Missoula on way up and Great Falls on way back. Appreciate any info on these 2 places also.

Hopefully you are hikers. Glacier is a hiking park with wonderfull hikes both in East Glacier, West Glacier and Many Glacier.
Be sure to drive or take the FREE shuttle on Going to the Sun Road. Outstanding and is the reason many visitors come to the park.

Don't miss this museum just outside Glacier:

http://www.browningmontana.com/museum.html

If you haven't done so already, check out the NPS website for Glacier NP. There's a lot of good information there on what to see and do. www.nps.gov/glac

I also hope that you are hikers because that's the best way to see the park. Ask the rangers for recommendations on hikes--they can suggest ones that are good for your level of hiking and ones that match your interests for scenery and wildlife. We got some great suggestions for hikes from the rangers that we might not have otherwise considered.

Agree w/ above thoughts esp. about Going to the Sun Road & the NP website...the newsletter will have lots of suggestions. We also took a boat trip from Many Glacier hotel w/ a ranger which involved a small amt. of hiking & garnered a lot of good info. There was a performer at Many Glacier at nt which we all enjoyed, and a lecture that I enjoyed. Near Great Falls is a buffalo jump (state park) where the natives drove buffalo off a cliff...very interesting, along w/ the Lewis & Clark Museum. One of my favorite places!

Switzerland in miniature!!! Head smashed in Buffalo Jump I also suggest. You will LOVE it!

Would add a float trip on the Flathead River if time allows.

Where are you staying in Missoula?

I would take some time to check out the kayakers near Caras Park downtown. And I'd take some time to walk around downtown Missoula. It's a fun place, and there are outdoor concerts every Thursday night during the summer. There are a lot of great restaurants, too. We especially love Biga Pizza (wood-fired pizzas).

In Great Falls, I'd check out the Charlie Russell Museum, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and then walk to Giant Springs State Park. I'd also check out the Buffalo Jump in Ulm. There are less great options for food in Great Falls, but MacKenzie River Pizza is a good option or Bert & Ernies.