Daytrip to the US - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Prototype · 05-27-2007, 08:10 PM

My wife and I are looking to do a daytrip to the US, maybe possibly spending the night there to make the drive a little easier.

What's the closest 'worthwhile' US city/town, and for some strange reason, it needs to have a Target. Any ideas? And how long a drive are we looking at?

arsenal · 05-27-2007, 08:15 PM

Day trip from calgary is pretty tough.
You are looking at staying overnight for anything worth while.
Spokane you get to in about 7 hours. I think there is a target there. I know there is an outlet mall in post falls (about 10 minutes east of spokane).

Or you can go to Couer D'Alene. Which is about 30 minutes east of spokane.

CrusaderPi · 05-27-2007, 08:17 PM

Great Falls is 2ish hours past the border. Helena is a further 90 minutes.

Great Falls, for my money, is a nicer town, and is noteworthy for being the place where Dar was 'abducted'. Plus I was once left at a gas station by my travelling companions.

Helena has the Capitol and a fantastic church, more hotels, and some neat points of interest. Either is good. I prefer Helena.

getbak · 05-27-2007, 08:27 PM

Kalispell, Montana has the closest Target store (400km).

You would have to drive on the Going to the Sun highway through Glacier National Park to get there. The highway is closed during the winter, but should be open now, and I've heard it's a beautiful drive.

BlackArcher101 · 05-27-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

Kalispell, Montana has the closest Target store (400km).

You would have to drive on the Going to the Sun highway through Glacier National Park to get there. The highway is closed during the winter, but should be open now, and I've heard it's a beautiful drive.

The "Going To The Sun" Road is currently closed.

http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...roadstatus.cfm

getbak · 05-27-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

The "Going To The Sun" Road is currently closed.

http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...roadstatus.cfm

Well, there you go. The page I looked at said it is usually open in late-May or early-June, but I couldn't find the current conditions.

If you have to go around Glacier Park, Kalispell and Great Falls are probably close to the same distance.

BlackArcher101 · 05-27-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

Well, there you go. The page I looked at said it is usually open in late-May or early-June, but I couldn't find the current conditions.

If you have to go around Glacier Park, Kalispell and Great Falls are probably close to the same distance.

What's even more shocking is this page:
http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...plowstatus.cfm

Quote: 10-12 feet of snow still!!!

arsenal · 05-27-2007, 08:53 PM

I just did the calgary to great falls drive. It is not a fun drive. And you happen to get to the boarder when everyone else does, expect to be held up for about an hour.

Drunk Skunk · 05-27-2007, 09:39 PM

Do you need something specific from a Target store? There's one about 3 minutes from my house, might be able to help you out.

stuck_in_chuk · 05-27-2007, 09:44 PM

AHL Hockey is like a BBQ. You're either the Flames, or you're just meat.

I like that...

Cowboy89 · 05-27-2007, 09:46 PM

With gas prices increasing a trip to Montana combined with one night stay can be very close in price to a flight to Seattle. Seattle will at least have much better selection of goods and services compared to Montana. Horizon, Air Canada, and United have regular flights. Or you could fly to Vancouver and drive down if it's cheaper combined with rental car. Seattle is about an hour and a half away.

jolinar of malkshor · 05-27-2007, 10:31 PM

I suggest browning.....beautiful place.

habernac · 05-27-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I suggest browning.....beautiful place.

LOL!

yeah, Great Falls is probably the easiest. Nice interstate highway all the way down.

arsenal · 05-27-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

LOL!

yeah, Great Falls is probably the easiest. Nice interstate highway all the way down.

But boring as hell!!!

Gugstanley · 05-27-2007, 11:00 PM

I have a target 10 minutes from my house. They aren't worth a 10 minute drive let alone what you are planning

redforever · 05-28-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak

Kalispell, Montana has the closest Target store (400km).

You would have to drive on the Going to the Sun highway through Glacier National Park to get there. The highway is closed during the winter, but should be open now, and I've heard it's a beautiful drive.

No, you dont have to go via Going to the Sun Road. Head down south of Calgary, through Crowsnest etc and clear the border on the WEST side of Glacier National Park. Then you go through Eureka and are very close to Kalispell on that side. We used to summer vacation down there and drove that way all the time.

And yes, the Going to the Sun road is still closed, probably till at least June 15, sometimes longer if lots of snow cover. The pass is very high up on that road so sometimes is not opened till July.

metallicat · 05-28-2007, 06:10 AM

Spokane and Couer D'Alene for what it's worth, are very nice places to visit in my mind. Nothing spectacular, but I enjoyed both.

Superflyer · 05-28-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsenal

Day trip from calgary is pretty tough.
You are looking at staying overnight for anything worth while.
Spokane you get to in about 7 hours. I think there is a target there. I know there is an outlet mall in post falls (about 10 minutes east of spokane).

Or you can go to Couer D'Alene. Which is about 30 minutes east of spokane.

I went here last summer, took 2 weeks and went through the Kootenays and then down to Spokane and Coeur D'Alene. Very nice places, I enjoyed them alot.
The only thing is that they are quite a drive so I am glad that we took our time.
For a day trip you are SOL as it is not worth it unless you get up before the sun to start driving and go to Montana.
Stay the night and enjoy your self.

habernac · 05-28-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsenal

But boring as hell!!!

totally disagree. I love the buttes and wide open spaces. They don't call Montana "Big Sky country" for nothing. That, and you can do 130 with little fear of getting pulled over.

Burninator · 05-28-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Spokane and Couer D'Alene for what it's worth, are very nice places to visit in my mind. Nothing spectacular, but I enjoyed both.

I thought Spokane was a dump in every respect, but that's just my opinion. Cour D'Alena was way nicer, plus there is a theme park.