“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Brian Reyes
OCCUPATION: Fashion Designer, Brian Reyes
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bigfork, Montana
HOTEL: Family Home (my boyfriend’s)
RESTAURANT: Echo Lake Café and The Grateful Bread
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: July 4th and Christmas – an annual tradition.
INSIDER SECRET: The Sitting Duck is the best bar in town. It has an amazing outdoor porch perched right on the top of Woods Bay, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset and catch up on the latest local “what’s-what”.
HOLIDAY RECOMMENDATION: July 4th Parade and fireworks – if you’re able to be in town over the holiday the town parade is like something straight out of a movie set. There are decorated trucks from the 1930′s, local beauty pageants and streets lined with toddlers catching all the candy tossed from the floats. The fireworks are the best in town (or in the West, for that matter.) They start at about 11pm on HWY 83. It’s hosted by a local rancher and is a private event, but it’s amazing!

4th of July parade, Bigfork, Montana. Photo Brian Reyes.

Breakfast pancakes at Echo Lake Cafe.