Montana has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. Because of wide-open spaces, and with views of Lone Peak, the Crazy Mountains, Paradise Valley and the Rockies, it’s known as Big Sky Country.
With high mountain ranges, wide-open prairies and astonishing national parks, the state genuinely fit the big sky moniker. With the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park, Montana is a place to go for outdoor enthusiasts. You can hike, camp, climb, fish, ski and just get away from it all.
You can find the Old West feel in Montana with its diverse landscape from mountains to endless plains.
In the eastern part of Montana, you can visit the towns of Great Falls and Billings where you will get a rustic, old-time feel while enjoying many activities. East Montana also offers the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, where you can go hunting, camping, and fishing. There are many ski and summer resorts in the Montana Rockies.
Glacier National Park draws a lot of visitors because of its unique scenery, recreational possibilities, and excellent accommodations. Another well-known attraction in Montana is Yellowstone National Park, which spans through three states.
Missoula
The city of Missoula, which is located in five valleys, is a popular destination in western Montana. You can find many recreational, shopping and entertainment options in this city as well as the University of Montana.
You will find a mixture of festivals, fairs, and trade exhibits to attend in Missoula, no matter which time of the year you visit it. Western Montana Fair in August is the most popular of these. Historical Museum at Fort Missoula sits on thirty-two acres and has seventeen thousand object and thirteen structures on display.
Billings
A railroad town, Billings is considered a big city in Montana. It is tucked into a prairie area and provides an excellent base to visit rest of the state. Billings is an attractive destination for those who want to visit Yellowstone National Park since it is very close.
The ambiance in the city is definitely one with a country and western theme. The downtown area has seen some redevelopment, but the town still retains an old-time railroad time influence.
Western Heritage Center shows a documented history of the Yellowstone River Valleys from the time of the earliest settlers to the present time. Yellowstone Art Museum features many contemporary art pieces from the Rocky Mountains for the art enthusiast.
Bozeman
Bozeman has seen continual growth since the city was first founded. Set at the end of a lush valley, the town is a slice of heaven located roughly 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park.
Town has a picket fence feel from the 1950’s and is surrounded by striking mountain ranges peaked with snow throughout the year.
You can find high-concept boutique hotels there, as well as restaurants that combine sophisticated flavors with laid-back, unaffected charm. And of course, there’s excellent craft beer everywhere in the town.
The city comes with a very diverse popular of artists, ranchers, and students. Although things aren’t out of control yet, Bozeman has become a bit of a hot spot for celebrities.
If you like to explore nature, the town is centrally placed to some of the best hiking and fishing locations. Gallatin National Forest is nearby, and Yellowstone is less than an hour away.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodations, there is no shortage of both rustic and contemporary option in Montana. Let’s take a look at some examples of historical ones.
The Many Glacier Hotel is located in Glacier National Park. It’s the largest hotel in the park and built by the Great Northern Railway in 1915. The hotel has a beautiful setting with excellent scenery.
The Pollard Hotel opened in 1893, and this historic hotel is located in the city center of the old mining town of Red Lodge. At one time Buffalo Bill stayed at this hotel. This hotel is an unique option for those who genuinely want historical experience in Montana.
It’s not just the sky that’s big in the Big Sky Country, but many other things in Montana are a little larger than life. Naturally, cold winters with temperatures of 28°F, or -2°C, turn away some people from the Land of the Shining Mountains, but the scenery is a feast for the eyes even in winter.
