Dine Out and Experience Something New
One of the best parts of eating out is trying somewhere that is new, or at least new to you. Many people return to the same restaurant repeatedly because they have come to know the staff and the menu. While this can be a comfortable routine, it is just that – routine. Instead of heading to that same old diner, or ordering takeout from the same fast food joint on the corner, maybe you should try something new. Here are a few restaurants in Great Falls, Montana that you might not have tried yet.
Indigo is located at 518 Central Avenue, and it was voted the best fine dining restaurant in Great Falls, Montana. They offer a martini bar, a smoking casino, and a wide variety of dining options. If you want to take that special someone out for a night on the town, Indigo could be the place to go.
Bert & Ernie’s Tavern & Grill, located at 300 First Avenue, has many home-style American foods on their menu. The tavern also has a huge selection of micro-brewed beers available. This is a nice place to gather with some friends or family.
At 4800 Tenth Avenue South in Great Falls, Montana, you will find the Loft Family restaurant. The restaurant offers an espresso bar, burgers, and a whopping 16 different kinds of omelet. If you are looking for a place to head to on a weekend morning, check out this place. You could come back for months and never have the same type of omelet!
If you lived in the area your entire life and tried all of the restaurants listed here, don’t worry. You can find many more places to dine in your great city, and it won’t take you and your taste buds long to find a new place to try!
September 4, 2010 No Comments
Are Relatives Coming to Visit?
Living in Great Falls is certainly wonderful. You will never be at a loss for things to see and do, and you have all of the advantages of living in a thriving city that manages to retain a small town atmosphere. It is an ideal place to make a home and raise your family. Due to all these great things, you might find that you have friends and relatives from all over the state coming to visit you quite often.
While it is nice that you will be able to spend time with your family and friends, they are going to need somewhere to stay. If you do not have a large house with several extra bedrooms, it can become quite crowded in the home. Instead of trying to cram everyone into your place, you can check out the Great Falls, Montana motels and hotels. You will be able to find a number of these accommodations throughout the area, so no matter where you are living your friends will never be far away.
Having your visiting loved ones stay in Great Falls, Montana motels rather than in your home is a great idea for many reasons. You don’t have to worry about losing the privacy of your home, or your space. Your visitors will find that they have more freedom to do as they please as well. They can come and go to the motels as they please, and they will not have to worry about waking you up when they come in late at night. This is especially helpful if you have to wake up and go to work the next morning.
Since you are already living in the area, it’s a good idea for you to be the one that checks out the different motels available. Find one that will suit their needs and their budget.
September 1, 2010 No Comments
Always Plan Your Trips Carefully
Getting ready for a vacation is always an exciting time. When your vacation destination happens to be Great Falls, Montana, that excitement level can double. The city has plenty of attractions for everyone in the family, and there are many places to visit and explore outside of the town as well. However, you need to make sure that you plan accordingly before you head off on your trip. A little bit of preparation is the key to making sure that you have a great time and that you don’t experience any little hiccups along the way.
In addition to planning all of the places that you will go, the trails you will hike, and the fishing you will do, you need to make sure that you have a good place to stay. You can find some excellent Great Falls, Montana motels and hotels in the area. Accommodations are available to fit any budget and taste. In fact, the prices of the Great Falls accommodations are quite reasonable compared to many other vacation destinations. No matter where you want to stay, whether in the heart of the city or closer to the edges of town, you will find a motel or hotel available.
Before you book your Great Falls, Montana motels, you will want to check out their online sites. This will give you an idea of the way your room is going to look, the size of the room, and the location.
Always compare the location of the motel to the other sites in the city that you want to visit. If you can find a motel or hotel that is within walking distance of some of the things that you want to see, you will be able to save some money on the gas that you have to put in your rental vehicle.
August 30, 2010 No Comments
Tips for Smooth Real Estate Transactions
The Great Falls, Montana real estate market mirrors the real estate markets just about everywhere else. For the current and future residents of Great Falls, this might seem like a fairly unfortunate state of affairs, but that doesn’t have to be the case. With greater numbers of houses on the market, home sellers really do have to get competitive and creative to make the sale, but with some sacrifice, it’s possible to get an offer that you can live with. For buyers, this situation is about as sweet as it gets. With larger numbers of homes available in Great Falls, buyers are more likely to find a great deal on a home, even if it’s their first time buying.
The most important thing to remember if you’re thinking about buying or selling is that you must keep realistic expectations. Sellers must complete thorough research into the current market before choosing a price, because the housing prices have lowered dramatically over the last few years. By assigning a price that is too high, you are guaranteeing that your house will remain on the market for several months while less expensive houses are sold immediately. Even if you get smart and lower the price after a few months, you could still suffer the lack of a sale. Buyers will want to know what’s wrong with your house that has kept it from selling for so long.
As a buyer seeking Great Falls, Montana real estate, you should also be realistic. By setting your sights too high, you could suffer heartbreak when you find out that your finances just won’t allow you to make the purchase. If you do manage to squeak in and buy it, you might end up with a nightmare on your hands as you struggle to keep up with payments. Find an agent that you trust and listen to his or her advice.
August 18, 2010 No Comments
Stay Close to the Action
If you are planning your first trip to Great Falls, Montana, then you should prepare to be a little bit surprised. For a Main Street, America town, Great Falls has an exciting vibe and great shopping. The arts and music in Great Falls are well developed, and there are restaurants that will satisfy every craving. To be sure that you get to experience everything that Great Falls has to offer, you should first search the hotels that are close to center of town. By doing so, you will be able to walk to most of the places of interest.
Most of the Great Falls, Montana motels and hotels are budget options, which means that you should easily find rooms for less than one hundred dollars per night. These are often chain establishments that you can find anywhere in the nation. The benefit of staying with a big-name hotel is that you can always expect the same level of service, wherever you may be. Most hotels offer similar amenities, so you can count on packing your swimsuit for the pool and receiving your free breakfast at the same time each morning.
There are quite a few locally owned hotels in Great Falls, as well. The proprietors take great pride in providing a quality stay with as many comforts as your heart desires. These local accommodations often partner with other businesses in the area, too, so you might find that there are several discounts for eateries in Great Falls. In addition, there are a number of bed and breakfast establishments, where you can expect to receive a gourmet breakfast after a night spent in home-style comfort. These bed and breakfasts are mostly converted homes that feature uniquely decorated rooms, so you experience a truly remarkable stay, instead of a clinical hotel room.
August 16, 2010 No Comments
No Better Time to Buy
It is a great time for homebuyers in Great Falls, Montana. As with many other cities throughout the country, the housing prices are at their lowest point in years. The Great Falls, Montana real estate market is definitely on the mend, though, and the housing prices are one reason that people are venturing out and making offers on new homes for the first time. If you are thinking about buying a home in Great Falls, then you should contact a real estate agent to ask them about the purchasing process. 
Your Great Falls, Montana real estate agent should be knowledgeable about the trends in the real estate market. Different neighborhoods will experience different pricing strategies, so prepare several questions about the communities that you like. More desirable communities may enjoy higher housing prices, because the homes sell more quickly, no matter what the state of the economy. In most cases, the value of a home is determined by the square footage and the condition of the property. The price is determined by how many people want it.
If you’re ready to purchase a house, then you should first visit a mortgage lender to secure pre-qualification. This will let you and any sellers know just how much house you can afford. There is nothing more heartbreaking than finding your dream house, only to discover that you just can’t afford it. Having a pre-qualification letter can also be an excellent negotiating tool, because the seller can be certain that your financing will not fall through at the closing table.
Once you have your pre-qualification letter, interview a few real estate agents to decide which one best fits your needs. Several Realtors deal mainly within their niche market, so you want to find one that works with buyers just like you.
August 13, 2010 No Comments
Luxurious Accommodations Await You
The Great Falls, Montana motels and hotels vary in luxury and amenities. Many people choose the chain hotels for their trip because the service always remains the same, no matter where the hotel may be. Many of the chain hotels in Great Falls are located near the downtown area, too, which means that you would be within walking distance of the restaurants, bars, and art galleries. There is a lot to be said for comfort, affordability, and convenience.
If you are hoping to find something a little more luxurious, with personal service and a home-style flair, then you should check out one of the local bed and breakfasts. These are often harder to reserve, because there are a very limited number of rooms with each bed and breakfast, and many people crave the cozy interiors and quaint charm that a locally run inn can provide. The Charlie Russell Manor is a local Great Falls landmark, and it draws guests from all over the country. There are only five rooms available at any given time, however, so planning ahead is pretty important. Other bed and breakfasts in the area are housed in historic mansions, so you can only imagine the opulence and comfort that your stay would provide.
Of course, sometimes luxury just isn’t on your wish list. Many people truly prefer to enjoy the great outdoors over marble appointed baths. If that is the case for you, then you can check out one of the four campgrounds located in the Great Falls area. The campgrounds welcome campers of all kinds, from those that prefer to pitch a tent to the people that appreciate a top of the line RV. You can enjoy nightly cookouts by a campfire and make friends from among the other campers in the campground. It’s a great way to enjoy the nature that Great Falls offers.
August 11, 2010 No Comments
Keep that Local Pride
The people of Great Falls, Montana take serious pride in buying as many local products as possible. With so many farms in the area, buying local produce is quite easy for Great Falls residents. Finding other local vendors might not be as easy, however, but there is no reason to give up too easily. You can still find great local growers and artisans, as long as you know where to look.
The best place to familiarize yourself with Montana vendors is at the Made in Montana Marketplace. This takes place every March, and features hundreds of local vendors. You will be able to find much more than just produce, because the vendors here provide furniture, home décor, jewelry, handbags, clothing, art, photography, skin care products, and gourmet foods. Your pets will even enjoy the homemade pet food and chew toys that are available.
Since it only happens once per year, you can imagine that it draws quite a crowd. The list of vendors grows every year, but so does the list of attendees. The first day is always reserved for wholesale buyers, but the second day of the Made in Montana Marketplace is open to the public. That public usually equals about three thousand people, so you better arrive early if you really want to see the good stuff.
As always, you can count on your Great Falls, Montana neighbors to provide some of the very best products and services. Once you have tasted the artisan cheeses and tested the luxury handbags, you will never again want to make a trip to the local shopping mall. Most of the vendors keep regular shops or cater directly to clients, so you can enjoy the products all year and not just in March. Be sure to collect business cards from the vendors you favor so that you can shop to your heart’s content throughout the year.
August 9, 2010 No Comments
Enjoying Art and Life
Great Falls, Montana has a very active fine arts community, which you will quickly notice upon your first visit to the town. The residents of Great Falls take great pride in the natural beauty that surrounds them, and you can see that pride in every work of art they create. There are dozens of art galleries, shops, and museums scattered throughout the town, but the most notable museum in the city would probably be Paris Gibson Square.
Paris Gibson Square was once the city’s high school building, but it was rededicated as a center for arts and culture in 1977. Great Falls, Montana has declared the building a historic landmark and has placed it on the National Register. The building itself is a wonder of past architecture, with classic lines and a Tudor style. Inside the building, you will find some of the most beautiful contemporary art pieces in the northwest. There are seven different galleries, each with different themes. Once you have enjoyed your fill of the inside works, you can stroll through the garden and admire the amazing sculptures. Many of the works are by Montana artists, but you will also see plenty of national and international artists represented.
There are several community programs sponsored by Paris Gibson Square, too. You and your family can enjoy several different art classes, which are especially great for kids that are looking for after-school programs. You can try painting and sculpting, or you can join one of the yoga or Tai Chi classes. There are also many events throughout the year, including July’s Garden Walk and October’s A Night of Jazz and Spirits. Many of the events are for adults only, so be sure to check the age requirements with Paris Gibson Square before you plan a family outing.
August 5, 2010 No Comments
Celebrate American Explorers
Thomas Jefferson, one of the nation’s founding fathers, charged Lewis and Clark with exploring the previously uncharted west with the hopes of extending the country with new territories. These great explorers have become heroes to the residents of Great Falls, MT, and there is a museum in their honor. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is one of the most popular attractions in the Great Falls area, and it draws visitors from all over the country. The town members do not forget their great past, however, and revisit the museum as often as possible.
There are dozens of exhibits at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, many of which are permanent. The center brings in new exhibits on a regular basis to enrich the already informative displays. There is also a 158-seat theater that regularly shows educational films throughout the day, with details about Lewis and Clark’s trip and facts about the Native Americans and the American society during that era.
There are always new and exciting events taking place at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The residents of Great Falls love the Dugout Days, where children can take part in several activities and learning experiences over the course of a week. There are also exciting series, such as Indian Voices, where special guest lecturers present lessons and artifacts from specific points in Native American History. The Evening Lawn Chair series is another Great Falls favorite, with outdoor presentations and activities that center on the lives of American citizens during the days of Lewis and Clark.
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a fantastic way for families to learn together while still having fun. There is never a dull moment, and there is always something new to see. Gather the family together and take a trip, even if you’ve seen it before. You won’t be sorry.
August 3, 2010 No Comments






