Attractions and Things To do in Montana

Montana’s untouched natural landmarks are enormously appealing to most travelers as well. Neither the beauty of Yellowstone National Park nor the enchanting landscape dotted with glittering mountains of Glacier National Park can be beaten. 

There are plenty of opportunities for those who long to relax. Big Sky Country’s one-of-a-kind hot springs are worth attention. In contrast, adventurers are also welcome to this place since they are able to explore numerous unique spots. Indeed, they can go sightseeing underground!

Uncover the reasons behind Montana’s nicknames with the catalogue below of its special activities and attractions.

Glacier National Park is located in Northwest Montana. This adorable place encompasses everything from mountain ranges, a large stretch of thin forests, and alpine meadows to magnificent waterfall cascades, myriad shimmering lakes, and glaciers. Its heavenly beauty catches the eyes of tourists who consider it as indispensable part of their forthcoming journey.

The one and only concreted path, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, joins St. Mary to Apgar Village and West Glacier. The path which is an engineering miracle intersects the Continental Divide at the 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. This fragment of the Glacier National Park also has a tremendous value to discoverers.

Its 700-mile-long walking trails attract multiple sightseers. Grinnell Glacier, Ptarmigan Tunnel and the peculiar Highline Trail are the most popular routes. Ordinary folks usually prefer day hiking. Nevertheless, exist ones who choose to be outside deep into the night.

There are 10 national forests in Montana which cover about 20 million acres. Many of them can be found in the western part of The Last Best Place, from the Kootenai to the Custer-Gallatin. These natural marvels should be visited in order to get maximum benefit from one’s jaunt.

At any rate, five national forests are a short-drive away from Missoula, where is the University of Montana. But the Lolo National Forest encircles the city which makes it easier to be found. Moreover, its location provides visitors a backyard entrance to points such as Rattlesnake and Blue Mountain National Recreation Areas.

Bozeman has a similar function. It is a magical door that opens into the green world of national forests. All of these soothing areas are sources of fascination to wide audience. However, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is believed to be enthralling.

Big Sky Resort which is roughly an hour-long drive south of Bozeman has 5,750 skiable acres.  Countless explorers who are into skiing overstay their welcome in order to get best out of it. Resort’s slopes are famous for their natural beauty and the thick blanket of snow. Every year falls approximately 400 inches of snow in this area. 

 Dropping in this paradise can change one’s life for better. With its heated eight-person lifts, energetic base of the mountain full of occasions, restaurants and aprèski entertainment can make anyone feel vivacious.

Big Sky is merely one of numerous resorts in Montana. Whitefish Mountain Resort is another destination with a splendid view of Glacier National Park. South of it is the wondrous Lost Trail Powder Mountain. Other easily accessible locations are Montana Snowbowl and Bridger Bowl.

Fly fishing is an activity of trying to catch fish using a hook that looks like an insect in order to entice the fish. The film ”A River Runs Through It” which was adapted from a 1972 short novel by Norman Maclean connected Montana with fly fishing. However, this fishing technique hadn’t been unfamiliar to anglers before 20th century. 

The compelling story of the movie mainly unfolds on the Blackfoot River. Notwithstanding, several capturing scenes were produced on the Gallatin River. Both rivers are a home to incredible sea creatures. Other large rivers are Madison, Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.

Thereby, Montana is a great place to take up fly fishing as it is spread all over the state. The simplest method of trying Montana fly fishing is by going to a local guide shop. This sport is extremely appropriate for fishing lovers.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery center provides a shelter for animals that are not able to live on their own. It is picturesquely situated close to the western part of Yellowstone National Park, in the city of Yellowstone.

The center creates a golden opportunity to meet enormous grizzly bears and grey wolves. Seeing them in their place is extraordinarily intriguing. Additionally, this stop may enhance the chance of learning something new about their demeanor.

Some other activities that are available are observing the bears’ forage, spending time with them and listening to the wolves’ frightening howls. It would be unwise to visit Montana and not to scan this place with your own eyes.

Website: www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org
Address: 201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, United States

Museum of Rockies which is connected to Smithsonian Institution is located in Bozeman. It is noted not only for its planetarium but also for its large exhibitions of dinosaur eggs and dinosaurs. The wondrous assemblage includes skeletons and lifelike specimens of countless types of animals that existed in the state.

T- Rex skeleton, alias Big Mike, stands at the entrance of the museum. Other archaic monuments are the largest Tyrannosaurus skull in the world and a T-Rex thighbone. Clearly, there are a great number of dinosaurs as the museum’s collection is one of the most diverse in the US.

Nonetheless, the museum does not only consist of dinosaurs. Other central themes are locals of the area, Western artwork displays, and the Tinsley House which is an original pioneer log home from 18th century. Visiting this museum feels like taking a step back in time.

Website: museumoftherockies.org
Address: 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States

Yellowstone National Park is the very first national park in Montana. As it is more than 2 million acres in size, it looks like a planet full of startling pieces that can be researched. It can be gone in through either the West Entrance or the North Entrance.

The West Entrance leads to a geyser paradise. The noteworthy Madison Junction is 14 miles away from the entrance. And then the road divides into two. Norris Geyser Basin, where is the Steamboat Geyser is north of the Madison Junction. The Lower, Midway, and Upper Geyser Basins are south of the Junction.

The North Entrance can be reached after an hour and a half drive from Bozeman through Paradise Valley. Behind the park’s fence is the Boling River, another miracle that worth a visit. It is possible to see the Mammoth Hot springs walking through the park.

Butte which was called the Richest Hill on Earth in the dim and distant past, is the state’s most significant town. In this city was set up copper mining business which bloomed promptly. Later it became Montana’s major city.

Despite the fact that mining industry ran down, this culture is preserved at the World Museum of Mining. The museum is encircled by a reestablished mining camp that consists of 36 outstanding constructions. It was a segment of an ancient society.

The Copper King Mansion is another building connected with mine industry. The mansion possesses 24 accommodations which gives a hint that the Richest Hill on Earth was a flourishing town. The Mineral Museum is a great location that is gazed in admiration as well since it contains 1,300 models.

Helena’s name was Last Chance Gulch in the remote past. At the present time, Montana’s capital owns appealing capitol structures and an ancient spot that is called Reeder’s Alley. The town is surrounded by the Helena-Lewis and Clark Forest and near to it is the Mount Helena City Park.

The capitol building which has been built by following the Greek Renaissance design, has a copper dome on its uppermost point. Charles M. Russell, a prominent painter, has a wall-painting in the building that illustrates Lewis and Clark getting together with the Salish Indians.

The town’s vicinity is one of the most alluring that exists since the city is encircled by a dense forest. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National forest covers 2 million acres. High entertaining activities that can be done there are fishing, walking and exploring.

Lewis and Clark Caverns is a park situated betwixt Butte and Bozeman. A visit center where one can find precise information about the caves and the walking paths are out of the park, on its aboveground site. In a like manner is located the park’s campground.

Lewis and Clark Caverns are amongst the most gigantic limestone caverns on the planet. There are tremendous underground chamber structures, railings and bats in the cave. The single method of exploring this pitch-dark kingdom is by joining a guided trip arranged by park personnel.

Three distinct tours are at hand throughout the hot months and one during the winter. There are no narrow areas en route since it follows a specific footpath. In spite of that, an uncommon three-hour Wild Cave Tour which requires creeping is in existence.

These hot springs are of different dimensions and are mainly encountered in the west part of the state. The most popular springs are Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort and Chico Hot Springs. Other remarkable steeping points are Lolo Hot Springs, Elkhorn Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Hot Springs.

Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort is an hour drive away from Missoula, near to the Clark Fork River in Paradise, Montana. The number of pools in the wondrous resort was increased a short time ago. It is also noted for its astonishing cottages and the beautiful Hardwood House Restaurant.

Chico Hot Springs is an amazing place to relax as well. It is located next to the Yellowstone River. Its enormous uncovered pool and its unique atmosphere make it special. It is an ideal place to let it all hang out and have fun.

The C.M Russell Museum situated in Great Falls memorializes the life and act of well-known US artist Charles M. Russell, alias Cowboy Artist. There are countless records and products connected with the artist’s occupation in the museum. Moreover, a package of his great paintings is held there.

Original Russell House and Studio is also a marvelous place to call since it is a source of inspiration. Russell Riders Garden is an extremely appropriate spot for wildlife lovers with its monuments of dangerous creatures.

Moreover, the Great Falls city suggests an abundance of options to take time off. For instance, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is an excellent spot to acquire first-hand knowledge of the local history. Another fun place to visit is the River’s Edge Trail.

Website: cmrussell.org
Address: 400 13th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401, United States

The Beartooth Highway is placed in southwest Montana and goes to Wyoming. It’s a great feat of engineering. In contrast to the Going-to-the-Sun roadway, it is not full to the gunwales. This 68-mile road crosses a mountain chain which makes its view breathtaking.

The highway starts from Red Lodge, Montana’s utmost small-scale town. Then clambers more than 5,000 feet in order to make it to Beartooth Pass (10,947 in height), which is on the far side of the Wyoming borderline. Thereafter keeps on west via Shoshone National Forest to the Yellowstone National Park.

The road is ordinarily accessible from May till October, affected by different weather conditions. Although it is not widely popular vis-à-vis other exciting Montana ventures, it is a place that should be included in the list.

The Moss Mansion Historic House Museum is a really essential estate in Billings. It was projected by a popular New York architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh at the beginning of the 20th century. His former prominent creations are the Plaza, Waldorf Astoria, Willard, and Copley Plaza hotels.

 The building consists of 23 incredibly big rooms. The manor stands out from the rest with its joinery, curtains, Persian rugs, furniture, and works of art. Its beauty can neither be depicted nor described. It should be seen with your own eyes in order to fully grasp the level of Henry’s skills.

Guided and not guided trips can be selected. In addition, the mansion offers transitory exhibitions such as periodic happenings and celebrations. Visiting this spot may expand your horizons as it looks like a realm from the ancient past.

Website: www.mossmansion.com
Address: 914 Division St, Billings, MT 59101, United States

The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument recalls and shows respect for those who departed this life in 1876 during the violent confrontation between the US Army and Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. It is known as one of the most famous historical landmarks in the US. Moreover, it is considered an extremely significant place since it marks an important event that led to rapprochement. This worth-seeing spot involves a center for sightseers, a museum, the seventh Cavalry Memorial, the Custer National Cemetery, and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield.

Address: I-90 Frontage Rd, Crow Agency, MT 59022, United States

The Western Heritage Center is created in 1971, in Billings. In the center are kept 17,000 objets d’art, 6,000 of which are old photographs of the Yellowstone River region. They are really important since they reveal a lot about the region’s early history and culture.

Being connected with the Smithsonian Institution, the museum preserves a unique assemblage of items relating to the Northern High Plains and Yellowstone River Valley. Activities that it offers are formal talks on serious subjects, educational programs, and seminars.

Website: www.ywhc.org
Address: 2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59101, United States