Montana is a massive state in the northwest region of the United States. More than one million people live in Montana, and there are almost one hundred and fifty thousand square miles to explore. It is the fourth largest state in size and has some of the most beautiful wilderness in the entire country. There are a variety of things to do in Montana, so it is an excellent place for anyone and everyone to visit. There are national parks, battlefields, historical monuments, animal and nature preserves, resorts, and much more.
If you are planning on making Montana your next destination, make the most out of your trip by arranging your schedule to fit in all of the best tourist attractions. Here are the top attractions in Montana.
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Seeing Glacier National Park is a must during a trip to Montana. The park spans over one million acres and includes mountain ranges, lakes, plants, and animals.
At the park, guests can hike over seven hundred miles of trails that range from easy to advanced difficulty.
Rangers are available in the park to lead educational programs, hikes, and tours of the park by boat, bus, foot, raft, or horseback. For more extended visits, over one thousand campsites are available to reserve.
Glacier National Park is an excellent place to bike, fish, and boat throughout the park. In the winter, trails are snow-covered and great for cross-country skiing.
A popular attraction in the park is Going-to-the-Sun Road. The fifty-mile-long road runs through the middle of the park and is a popular route to drive for its views and surrounding nature.
Address: Glacier National Park, MT
Also Read: Things To Bring When Exploring The National Parks
Yellowstone National Park is a great place to see when you visit Montana. Even though only three percent of the park is in Montana, there are still thousands of miles to explore in its southern part.
There is a visitors center and entrance to the park in West Yellowstone, Montana, to give visitors information about the park’s Montana part.
In the winter, skiing and snowshoeing are popular, and there are trails for beginners and experienced skiers.
The west part of the park also contains many geysers, springs, and other popular water features. These are popular attractions, so they will be crowded but are worth visiting since they are so beautiful.
Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Also Read: Top 10 Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park
Are you looking for an adventure? Then head to Lewis & Clark Trail where you can take a walk through the shoes of America’s most famous trailblazers. The historic trail diverges through some of Montana’s most beautiful natural scenery.
Lewis & Clark made a wealth of discoveries in Montana, where they traversed more land than any other state.
The most famous of landmarks along their historic trail is Giant Springs. The picturesque flowing water comprises one of the largest freshwater springs in the world.
Their trail also rolls through Heritage Park, which features numerous attractions like the Visitor Center, Rivers Edge Trail, and the shortest river in the world.
Address: 248 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802
Also Read: Top 10 Tourist Attractions In Missoula, Montana
The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is one of the most historically significant attractions in Montana.
It memorializes the Battle of Little Bighorn, which took place in 1876. Multiple Indian Tribes defeated the US Army during the battle for control of the land.
The monument has a visitor center with information on the battle and the history of the site. Guests can walk a short trail through the battlefield or take a tour along a road that runs through the site.
At the top of Last Stand Hill is a memorial for all the people who fought in the battle. Park Rangers are available to give “Battle Talks,” and there are special events throughout the year, including battle reenactments.
Address: Interstate 90 Frontage Rd, Crow Agency, MT 59022
The Museum of the Rockies is one of the best things to see in Montana for anyone interested in Dinosaurs.
The museum partially focuses on paleontology and has the most extensive collection of dinosaur remains in the country.
Additionally, there is a focus on the history and people of the Rocky Mountains, hence the name.
The main exhibit has the largest Tyrannosaurus skull unearthed today and one of the only two complete T-Rex skeletons in the world.
Other exhibits include academic areas on various dinosaurs, Yellowstone Park, the Children’s Discovery Center, and a few rotating exhibits that change yearly.
There is also a planetarium in the museum with a dome theater with daily shows projected on the dome.
Address: 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park and a visit to the lake is one of the best things to do in Montana. The lake is located on the west side of the park and stretches ten miles long and five hundred feet deep.
The lake is surrounded by hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountains. Guests can also see different animals like bears and moose near the lake.
Lake McDonald Lodge is the best place to stay when visiting since it sits on the lake and gives perfect views of the surrounding landscape.
The lodge has cabin-style rooms to rent, restaurants, and shopping. The lodge also offers park activities such as tours, horseback riding, and educational talks from park rangers.
Address: Glacier National Park, MT
Also Read: 25 Most Beautiful Lakes in the USA
Visiting the Montana Historical Society Museum is perfect for anyone looking for educational things to do in Montana.
The museum is located in Helena, Montana, and educates visitors on the history of the state. The state’s history goes back twelve thousand years, so there is a lot to learn about at the museum.
The museum exhibits contain art, old artifacts, archaeological items, and more to preserve the state’s history and unique rotating exhibits.
Many exhibitions also include education on the Native Americans who originally lived in Montana and items from their homes, daily lives, and weapons.
The museum has an extensive art, photo, oral, and manuscript archive collection in addition to the exhibits.
Address: 225 Roberts St, Helena, MT 59620
When deciding what to do in Montana, visiting the State Capitol is a must. Located in Helena, the state capitol building was built in 1902, with additions to the building added later.
Entry to the capitol building is free. Inside the capitol building, guests can see different legislative halls, libraries, many beautiful staircases, and the rotunda dome.
The capitol building has booklets that help visitors take a self-guided tour of the facility. There are also scavenger hunts designed for kids.
Typical of state capitol buildings, Montana’s capitol building has an extensive collection of artwork that illustrates Montana’s past and present. The capitol building’s store is located across the street and sells books on the state’s history, souvenirs, and more.
Address: 1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, Mt 59601
Also Read: Top 10 Most Beautiful State Capitol Buildings in the USA
The C. M. Russell Museum Complex is one of the best Montana attractions that focus on art.
The museum is located in Great Falls, Montana, and has an extensive collection of artwork by Charles Marion Russell.
Russell’s work focuses on the American West and the life of cowboys. There is also work by other artists whose work focuses on a similar theme.
Inside the museum, visitors can explore sixteen different exhibits that have over three thousand pieces of art.
Some of the permanent exhibits include one on the bison, one on weapons used in the American West, and multiple on Russell’s life and works. Outside of the museum is a free sculpture garden with wildlife statues.
Address: 400 13th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
The Grizzley and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone is one of the best things to see in Montana for animal-lovers.
It is open every day of the year and focuses on protecting and educating guests about bears and wolves.
The animals live at the center because they could not survive in the wild, so the center provides them home and gives visitors a glimpse into their lives.
Some exhibits include two wolf habitats, seasonal bird habitats, and an educational museum.
A new exhibit has river otters native to the Yellowstone region of Montana and other water animals and amphibians. The exhibits are both inside and outside to illustrate how the animals live in the wild.
Address: 201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
The World Museum of Mining is located in Butte, Montana, at an old copper mine site. The mine, called the Orphan Girl Mine, was open for over 80 years and had silver, lead, and zinc.
There are over 60 exhibits at the museum. The exhibits have artifacts from the mining days, and there is a recreation of a mining town from the 1890s.
Many of the buildings in the town are originals from the mining period. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the mine that goes 100 feet underground and looks at what life was like in the mines and the equipment used in mining.
Address: 155 Museum Way, Butte, MT 59701
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is one of the wonderful outdoor places to go in Montana.
It was the first state park in Montana and remained the most popular. The park’s most famous attraction is the limestone caves open for swimming and exploring in the summer months.
In addition to the caves, guests can explore ten miles of hiking trails, part of which includes a self-guided, educational nature trail.
Other outdoor activities include fishing, bicycling, and hunting in designated areas. There are also campsites available to reserve for overnight trips.
Many events occur in the park throughout the year, such as themed hikes, week-long featuring animals and plants like bats, and many educational programs.
Address: 25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Road, Whitehall, MT 59759
The Moss Mansion was built in 1903 for banker and entrepreneur Preston Moss and his family.
The family lived in the home until the 1980s when the family asked that it become a public museum for preservation and education.
The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has also been featured in multiple films set in the time period that the estate was built in.
Guests can take a self-guided or guided tour of the home, watch a short educational film, and enjoy the magnificence of the house and its features.
The house costs approximately twenty-one times the average cost to build and has twenty-eight rooms and three stories.
Address: 914 Division St, Billings, MT 59101
Skiing at Big Sky Resort is one of the great things to do in Montana in the winter. The resort is on nearly six thousand acres of land, making it the second-largest ski resort in the United States.
In addition to skiing, there are areas for snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, fishing, and hunting.
There are also event spaces at the resort to host weddings, conferences, and other large events.
The tallest of four mountains at the resort is Lone Peak at 11,166 feet elevation.
Guests can take a two-way tram ride up the mountain, and experienced skiers can ski down the resort's most difficult slopes on the mountain.
There are trails at the resort for skiers of all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert).
Address: 50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716
ZooMontana is a zoo and botanical park located in Billings, Montana. There are approximately one hundred animals at the park that live in natural habitats similar to where they would live in the wild.
The park focuses on animals that are native to Montana, so many have outdoor habitats for most of or all of the years. Some animals include bears, wolves, bison, alpacas, and many reptiles.
The zoo has various gardens with native and nonnative plants, and a river runs through the zoo, adding to its beauty.
Also, The Science and Conservation Center at the zoo works with animal contraceptives to preserve wildlife. Many educational events are held at the zoo for people of all ages.
Address: 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106
Also Read: 30 Best Zoos in the USA
The Conrad Mansion was home to the Charles Conrad Family beginning in 1895 when it was built.
It is one of the most beautiful, historical places to visit in Montana, and it is part of the United States National Register of Historic Places.
For over twenty years, Charles Conrad ran a colossal trading and freight operation along the Missouri River, and his home represents how the wealthy lived in the early twentieth century.
The mansion itself is thirteen thousand square feet with twenty-six rooms and the original furniture still in place.
The mansion is surrounded by three acres of gardens and walkways. Visitors can take a guided tour of the mansion, enjoy the gift shop, and walk through the gardens.
Address: 330 Woodland Ave, Kalispell, MT 59901
The Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum is located in the Elkhorn Mountains and has six acres of gardens. Trails are winding through the gardens and a garden center.
Over one thousand plants live in the gardens, and there are high-altitude plants, meaning they are native to Montana and the mountains.
Guests can take a guided tour of the gardens or explore on their own. The gift shop sells garden-themed books, clothing, and more.
There is also food for sale at the shop, or guests can bring their own and have a picnic in the park.
There are events held at the gardens throughout the year like tea days, seasonal festivals, and volunteer opportunities. The gardens can also have private events or weddings.
Address: 38 Tizer Lake Rd, Jefferson City, MT 59638
Also Read: Best Botanical Gardens in the US
One of the newest attractions in Montana is the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas.
It is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Jocko Valley, Montana. Entry to the garden is free, and it is intended to be a place for spiritual growth.
People of all faiths pilgrimage here, but the focus is on the Buddhist religion and the values that are important to Buddhas.
As the name suggests, there are more than one thousand statues in the garden. Guests can take a tour of the park and learn about the history of the site.
At the center of the garden is a twenty-four-foot-tall statue of Yum Chenmo, an important figure representing all Buddhas' birth.
Address: 34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821
One of the unique sights to see in Montana is the Ringing Rocks near Butte, Montana.
Ringing Rocks are a geological phenomenon. These rocks ring like a bell or gong when they are hit. However, if one rock is removed from the formation, it will not ring, so the rocks must stay together to remain ringing rocks.
The sounds come from a combination of the rocks’ materials and the pattern of the rock formation.
Entry to the area is free, and guests are welcome to explore the area, climb on the rocks, and of course, use a hammer or similar object to make sounds from the rocks!
Address: Whitehall, MT 59759
The American Computer & Robotics Museum has over four thousand years of history, starting with the earliest forms of communication, the first computers, and present technology.
The museum is located in Bozeman and has been rated one of the top things to do in Montana and won other prestigious awards. The museum opened in 1990 and is the oldest operating museum in its field.
Exhibits include interactive and educational displays on many subjects such as robots, artificial intelligence, computers, calculators, Apple, video games, and women in technology.
Additionally, events such as fundraisers, a computer science awards night, and special member nights are held at the museum.
Address: 2023 Stadium Dr, Bozeman, MT 59715
Whitefish Mountain Resort is located in Big Mountain in northwestern Montana near Glacier National Park.
The resort has three thousand acres for guests to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and snowmobile on. In the summer, guests can zipline down the mountains or take a mountain bike ride.
The lodging at the resorts allows guests to be right by the ski slopes for easy access. There are different types of lodging to choose from.
The small town of Whitefish is also nearby the resort. Whitefish is an old mining and railroad town that is over one hundred years old.
Besides shopping, bars, and restaurants, there is a farmer's market, a famous ice cream shop, and a beach.
Address: 1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937
Big Hole National Battlefield is a site from the Nez Perce War, a war that was fought between Native American tribes and the United States Army in 1877.
At the park, visitors can explore four trails that go to essential parts of the battlefield. The visitor center has a short film about the battle, the war, and the site’s history.
The center also has a display with some artifacts, pictures, and weapons from the war.
In the summer, rangers are spread throughout the park to give educational talks and help visitors make the most of their visit. Fishing is also allowed at the park.
Address: 16425 MT-43, Wisdom, MT 59761
In Billings, Montana, the Western Heritage Center preserves the Yellowstone River Valley region’s history and culture.
The center has a collection of over forty thousand artifacts, books, photographs, and more. The museum is one of the great Montana tourist attractions for people who enjoy history.
Visitors can take a tour of the collection, participate in educational programs for people of all ages, and explore the permanent and temporary interactive exhibits.
Some exhibits on display include the history of Billings, important women who contributed to the region throughout history, and American Indian tribes.
The building where the museum is located is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: 2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59101
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is one of the best vacation spots in Montana. Located in the south region of Paradise Valley, the resort was built in 1900 and offers guests a relaxing getaway.
It is open year-round and sits on more than one hundred and fifty acres.
There are various rooms and cabins available, and there are multiple dining options on-site with many different foods.
The highlight of the resort is the full-service spa. From massages, stone treatments, wraps, and more, all guests can find something here that will help them relax and detox.
Additionally, the convention center on-site is available for public and private events.
Address: 163 Chico Rd, Pray, MT 59065
There are many different things to do in Montana. This list covers some of the best and most popular Montana attractions. Visitors of all ages will enjoy spending time in Montana exploring the natural wonders, learning about the state's history, and relaxing at the beautiful resorts. No matter where you go in the state or what you want to see and do, there is something for everyone in Montana.