July 28th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Continuing the series of things to do in Missoula another favorite activity is the Missoula Smokejumpers Visitor Center. The Smokejumper Visitor Center is the largest active smokejumper base in the nation. The visitor center allows to learn about this unusual, demanding and sometimes deadly occupation. As you walk through the center you will visit the National Smokejumper Memorial, go inside a replica of a 1930′s lookout tower, and a tour of the smokejumper loft, where the smokejumpers work when they are not fighting fires. You can also tour the ready room and load masters room where the smokejumpers prepare for fire calls.
The center is a great addition to your agenda during your Missoula stay, being such a specialty, you will not find a better place to learn about wild-land fires and art of fighting them.
The visitor center is located just past the Missoula International Airport on Hwy 10. Tours are available at 10:00am and 11:00am, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00pm daily. This tour is free of charge. During the winter call at least 2 days ahead for appointment and reservation, 406-329-4972 mailbox 1 or 406-329-4900.
Tags: Missoula smokejumpers center, Smokejumpers visitor center, things to do in missoula
Posted in Things to do in Missoula | No Comments »
July 17th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
To continue with the suggestions of things to see and do in Missoula, we recommend a trip to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Majority of our guests say they booked a trip to Montana to see the great outdoors, but more specific they hope to view wildlife…from a safe distance. Montana has a wide variety of wildlife to view but depending on your route and timing it can be hit or miss. With this tour you can see some of that favorite animals, in a safe and controlled environment.
The Elk Country Visitor Center features hands-on conservation and hunting heritage exhibits for all ages. The Center also includes a Lewis and Clark display, a western wildlife diorama, and a state of the art conservation theater. Making this stop more the just another museum tour. You leave feeling like you took a walk through some of the most popular wildlife habits in North America.
The best part is this center is free to the public and open year round, unlike other attractions you don’t have to worry about it being closed during the off season.
Tags: Missoula, montana wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk foundation, to do missoula
Posted in Things to do in Missoula | No Comments »
July 9th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
The most asked questions we get from our guests is….What do you recommend doing/seeing? This is what makes staying at a Bed and Breakfast so great. We as Innkeepers can give you one on one, customized advice by local residents. No offense to our local hotels, but usually you get a college student who is just working their way through school and has not grown up in Missoula or gotten out to be a tourist in the area. So when you ask this question more often than not you get very little ideas or input, let alone a person that is finding the best fit for you and your time.
We decided to run a “top things to see and do in Missoula” for our blog followers in hopes that we can give you some pre-arrival ideas. Here is idea #1.
Regardless of your outdoor adventure desires, all who come to Missoula love the Caras park area. This park is located in the heart of the historic downtown area right on the banks of the Clark Fork river. Things to do just in this area can fill a whole day or pick from the list and spend 1 -2 hours enjoying the park.
Stroll/run/bike along the miles of flat trials that line both sides of the river. This path is part of the old railroad tracks that has been converted into a perfect trail to watch the river and the wildlife that it supports. The trail is lined with benches along the way offering many places to relax. 
You will find these benches perfect spots to watch the Osprey fish the river, swallows on insect patrol, all types of ducks and geese teaching their young (depending on the time of year you are here) as well as beavers chewing on the aspens or taking a swim. If wildlife watching is not your thing then maybe people watching is. Brennan’s wave is a man made kayak wave, that no matter what time of year, you will most likely find a kayaker playing in the wave.
The Missoula carousel hosts local carved wooden horses painted by multiple local artists. Even if you do not take a ride to try and capture the golden ring this is a great place to see. If youngsters are traveling with you, then the Dragon Hollow Playground is right next door.
If you come in the summer, Wednesday lunchtime or Thursday evening you will find the park alive with a local band performing, people dancing, and great local food vendors. Saturday and Sunday this area is full with our local farmers market.
The atmosphere and feel this area brings helps you capture what it is that makes Missoula a great place to visit and wish that you were staying longer.
Tags: Caras Park, Clark Fork River, Missoula, Missoula carousel, running trails, walking trails
Posted in Things to do in Missoula | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Summer is a perfect time for a motorcycle trip through Big Sky Country. With smaller highways that meander through mountain ranges, follow the river curves, or cut through the grain fields and pasture lands it a place to unwind, lean back and enjoy the summer breezes with breath taking scenery.
You will not find 5 lane highways and traffic jams to worry about but instead small towns with local flare and unhurried lifestyle to help you loosen up those tight muscles you get from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city.
Gibson Mansion prides itself in giving our Motorcycle guest preferential treatment. We know how your bikes are your pride and joy and we like to pamper them as well as you when you stay with us. So we offer you a choice in parking, either in our secure gated drive or right up on our porch!
After a long ride through the country side you may want to just relax in our private gardens. We can recommend and line you out with one of the many local restaurants that will deliver dinner right to you. Feel like going out? Not a problem we can call a cab so your bike can rest and you can let someone else do the driving for the evening. Does your bike need a little TLC tune up? Missoula Harley-Davidson can help get your bike in tip top shape.
Fuel yourself for another day of exploring Montana with our coffee/tea tray with fresh baked scones brought to your room and then a full gourmet breakfast in the dining room, all at the time you select.
Don’t let summer escape without seeing the Big Sky, plan your route and book your room it is that easy.
Tags: Harley-Davidson Missoula, missoula motorcycle rides, Montana rides, Motorcycle rides
Posted in Montana Travel | No Comments »
June 18th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Summer is the perfect time of year to get out and explore the great outdoors. Montana is ranked at the top for some of the best outdoor playgrounds with two National parks on its borders.
Northwest Montana is known for wildlife, Rugged Mountain scenes and Glacier National Park. The Park is celebrating its 100th year of magnificent Mountain peaks and glaciers, making it the perfect year to come and explore the endless beauty.
Continue to explore the Montana landscape and visit Yellowstone National Park on its southern border. Melting pots, pristine rivers, and wildlife abound in this wonderful park.
Many visitors find these two parks the perfect combination for their summer vacation. As you plan your route you will find that Missoula is situated half-way between these two treasures. This makes Missoula and our Inn the perfect resting point in your adventure. Missoula is known for its Arts, History, and love of diversity. Concerts in the parks, endless walking trails, smoke jumpers center, numerous museums, or local talent playing in the pubs there is always something taking place. Spend the evening exploring Missoula and then enjoy one of the many fabulous local restaurants.
Make this summer vacation a time of relaxing in Montana, you will wish you never had to go back to the city!
Tags: Glacier National Park, Missoula, Montana Travel, Yellowstone National Park
Posted in Montana Travel | No Comments »
May 24th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
You have pictured your wedding hundreds of times. Perhaps it is something small – just your close friends and family. Or maybe you visualize something grandiose. Here at the Gibson Mansion, we have the ability to fulfill these dreams, and make that day memorable and enjoyable. Our inn in Missoula is ideal for indoor or outdoor events. The Victorian bed and breakfast has lovely parlors and living rooms with hardwood floor and stained glass for the indoor wedding. Or, a Montana wedding may take palace on the Veranda, Patio or Gazebo to enjoy mountain views and garden colors on a warm summer afternoon.
We hope you will talk with us about holding your event here – we have four guestrooms that could be perfect for visiting family, or use the Master Room at our Montana bed and breakfast for your honeymoon night.
Tags: Missoula Weddings, Montana weddings, wedding location
Posted in At the Mansion | No Comments »
May 21st, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”…. The same can be said about the travel reviews posted in the Internet world. We are thrilled to report that Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast reviews are at the top of the chart! Read what past guests have written about us on Tripadvisor or BedandBreakfast.com. These reviews are unbiased and express what our guest feel about their recent visit with us. Better yet come stay with us and read the guestbooks comments in each of our rooms for yourselves. Then give us a review on your experience. We look forward to serving you in the near future.
Tags: Missoula Bed and Breakfast, Missoula lodging, missoula reviews
Posted in Montana Travel | No Comments »
May 11th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Yellowheaded Blackbirds, Male and Female—
Originally uploaded by Trpster*
A new king of the bird feeder has been crowned! For the last 7 years the bird feeder at our B & B has had a definite hierarchy. The male Red Winged Black Birds have ruled the house with the sparrow and finches eating the seed thrown out to the peasants below. This last week we had our first Yellow-headed Blackbird and our Red Wings have resigned their throne and joined the peasants at the foot of the feeder.
The male Yellow-headed Blackbird has taken residence in the our poplar trees and love the daily supply of birdseed from our feeder. With the loud and exceedingly harsh call, they appear to be annoucing their kingdom and enjoy flying from one tree to the next surveying the land.
I love this time of year as we watch our migratory birds return to their summer grounds. The gardens are a symphony of bird calls with the variety of birds chiming in to announce their return. The Garden room by far has the best perch to watch and listen to them all, recline on the fainting couch in this room as you gaze out the large picture window into the gardens.
Tags: Birds, Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast, Missoula Bed and Breakfast, Missoula Birding, Missoula Birdwatching, Montana birding, Yellowheaded blackbird
Posted in Birding in the area | No Comments »
April 30th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
MCT opens this weekend with the musical production of Peter Pan. The MCT which is known for using local children and adults to produce high quality musicals and this current production just adds to that list. The production runs April 30-May 2, 5-9, 12-16,2010 with matinee’s on Saturday and Sunday’s.
The MCT threatre is located in the Historic Downtown Missoula and only 2 miles from our Missoula B & B. Enjoy a full evening by dining out at one of the many wonderful restaurants in our downtown, take in the play, and relax with a nightcap cocktail in the parlor of the Mansion or by the fire in your private quarters of the Master suite. Make it a weekend get-away and we can assist with dinner reservations, tickets, and other events happening in Missoula that weekend.
Tags: bed and breakfast missoula, Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast, mct peter pan, MCT plays, mct productions, Missoula Bed and Breakfast, missoula children's theatre, Missoula mt, missoula mt bed and breakfast, Montana bed and breakfast, peter pan missoula mct
Posted in missoula events | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
If you have never attended Meet Me in Missoula , then don’t miss this one. Missoula seems to come out of its winter slumber and burst at the seams with arts and culture. Local businesses and event organizers have banded together to kick off the beginning of Missoula’s busy tourist season. With the return of green mountains surrounding our valley city, so also returns Farmers markets, First Friday Gallery Walk, and arts and cultural events spring to life. You’ll find several theater and music events from the Cabaret to the Symphony, the International wildlife Film festival to Peter Pan, it is all happening this weekend.
Experience the spring awakening, Meet Me at Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast and take in the weekend of festivities while enjoying the Luxuries of the Mansion.
Tags: first friday missoula, Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast, meet me in missoula, missoula arts and cultural, Missoula Bed and Breakfast
Posted in missoula events | No Comments »
