MISSOULA AND WESTERN MONTANA - Montana and Wyoming - page 265

ce—you can buy everything from soap to moccasins to saltwater taffy—and bargain hunters
should know that singing the Star Spangled Banner will earn you a discount. There are also
a number of art galleries, gift shops, and jewelry stores in town.
In tiny Bigfork, art is the thing, so stop in at a few galleries during your visit. You could
cover the entire town, easily, in a day. Several artists have their own galleries in Bigfork to
represent their work exclusively. Other galleries include the avant-garde Sacred Dancing
Gallery (573 Electric Ave., 406/837-7273, www.sacreddancinggallery.com , 10am-8pm
daily mid-June-Oct., shorter hours May-mid-June), which represents more than 50
renowned contemporary and representational artists including Tom Gilleon, Robert Duer-
loo, and Karen Bezuidenhout, among others. The colorful and playful ArtFusion (471
Electric Ave., 406/837-3256) represents more than 60 Montana artists including ceram-
icists, painters, jewelers, and photographers.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are a handful of places to stay in St. Ignatius, including the no-frills Sunset Motel
(32670 U.S. 93, St. Ignatius, 406/745-3900, www.stignatiussunsetmotel.com , $64-75). The
rooms are rustic and spotless and the service is warm and friendly. Plus, you shouldn't miss
the malt shop. The Bear Spirit Lodge B&B (38712 St. Mary's Lake Rd., St. Ignatius, 406/
745-3089, www.bearspiritlodge.com , rooms $100-115, tipis $75) is a cozy place in a phe-
nomenal setting, and the hosts, Ann and Great Bear, are beyond compare. Take a sauna or a
hot tub under the starry skies, and you will never want to leave this welcoming place.
There are plenty of choices for lodging in Polson and Bigfork, but a room with a
view in these parts can get pretty expensive. Among the best bargains in the area is the
rustic Mission Mountain Resort (3 minutes from Polson on Hwy. 35, 406/883-1883,
www.polsonmtresort.com , from $75 for 2 people), a collection of cabins and lodge rooms
on 80 acres set back from the lake.
The waterfront Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort (49708 U.S. 93 E., Polson, 406/
883-3636 or 800/882-6363, www.kwataqnuk.com , $80-171), which is owned and operated
by the Flathead Nation, has 112 guest rooms and an extensive menu of activities that in-
cludes lake cruises, boat rentals, fishing tours, and plenty of gaming at the on-site casino.
Pets are permitted for a $20-per-night fee. For standard pet-friendly accommodations right
on the lake, try America's Best Value Port Polson Inn (49825 U.S. Hwy. 93, Polson, 406/
883-5385 or 800/654-0682, www.bestvalueinn.com , $79-300).
Luxuriousness and prices rise as you get closer to Bigfork. Depending on the size
of your group, a vacation rental can be the most economical choice. Among several