8 Best Museums In Montana
Montana’s story comes alive behind museum doors. From locked prison corridors and frontier collectibles to world-class dinosaur fossils and hands-on tech history, the state’s best exhibits cover far more than scenery. Walk the cell blocks at the Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum Complex, stand beneath towering skeletons at the Museum of the Rockies, and trace 4,000 years of innovation at the American Computer and Robotics Museum. Together, these eight stops make an unforgettable museum-hopping itinerary across Big Sky Country.
Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum Complex
In Deer Lodge, Montana, a meadowland surrounded by mountain ranges, is the Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum Complex. Built in the 1800s by convict labor, this 24-foot-high prison housed prisoners until 1979. Shortly after, it opened to the public. Now, visitors are able to walk around the courtyard, explore cell blocks and maximum-security cells, and view photo exhibits near the gallows. Visitors can also take a Ghost Tour of the grounds and learn what hides in the shadows after hours.
What makes this complex unlike any other is that it contains five unique museums inside its walls, with entry to all museums covered under one fee. The museums include the Old Montana Prison, the Powell County Museum, which tells the story of the town, the Frontier Montana Museum featuring cowboy collectibles, Yesterdays Playthings, containing toys dating back to the 19th century, and the Montana Auto Collection, housing more than 200 vehicles. At the Prison Cow Ice Cream Shop, located on-site, visitors can enjoy a cold scoop of homemade ice cream. Nearby, and keeping with the jailhouse theme of the museum, is the Cell Block Tavern, a tavern and pizzeria that features a variety of American dishes.
Museum of the Rockies
Those looking for a venue that contains a vast, world-renowned collection of dinosaur fossils, as well as exhibits of Native and regional history, visit the Museum of the Rockies. This beautiful museum, located in Bozeman, features six primary, permanent exhibits and two to three temporary exhibits that change yearly. One of the most popular exhibits is the Siebel Dinosaur Complex, which contains one of the world's largest collections of North American dinosaurs. Displays include the Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and a near-complete Allosaurus, known as ‘Big Al.’
The seasonal Living History Farm invites visitors of all ages to step back in time with this immersive exhibit showcasing the agricultural history of Montana. Explore Yellowstone is an interactive children’s exhibit providing a collection of Yellowstone wildlife sculptures and small-scale items. Attend one of the events, lectures, and workshops offered, such as Cosmos and Coffee and Raptor Meet and Greet. The museum also includes the Taylor Planetarium, a large, 40-foot dome containing 110 reclining seats. After spending the day exploring the museum, grab something to eat at Sidewinders American Grill. Get some fresh air at Langohr Gardens, a park that features trails, garden plots, and a nature/wildlife viewing area.
Miracle of America Museum
Known as the ‘Smithsonian of the West,’ the Miracle of America Museum is located in the town of Polson. This unique museum is filled with character, with as many as 18,000 visitors annually coming from all over the world to see more than 340,000 objects. From sculptures to interactive displays, there is something for everyone to enjoy. As the most diversified and largest museum, thousands of artifacts are scattered across dozens of buildings. Sculptures are found throughout the grounds, including space ships and UFOs, model trains, jet planes, and a classic tractor.
Galleries feature topics such as Militaria, containing army vehicles, war memorabilia, and collectibles. Visitors can also check out a variety of vintage vehicles in the Transportation section of the museum, from a 1914 Model T to a Big Boys Tonka Toy. Additionally, the grounds include a large ‘Pioneer Village’ featuring a dental office, a school, a doctor’s office, barns, a shoe shop, and more. The Miracle of America Museum is surrounded by Flathead recreational spots, including Finley Point State Park and Boettcher Park, where visitors can spend time relaxing by the water and enjoying the natural surroundings.
Conrad Mansion Museum
In the vibrant mountain town of Kalispell sits the Conrad Mansion Museum. Built in 1895, the museum offers a glimpse into the life of the affluent Montana pioneer Charles Conrad and his family estate. Learn about the family with year-round guided tours of this 26-room, 13,000-square-foot home. Visitors can also choose to explore the mansion themselves and see what luxury living was like in the late 1800s. Each of the three floors in the mansion is restored to its original condition and contains original furniture, documents, books, toys, China, and clothing. Take a walk around the outside grounds and beautiful gardens that are accessible year-round. The museum also hosts events such as Find the Leprechaun, Fairy Walks in the Garden, Historical Clothing Tours, and more. Towards the center of town, visitors can find a number of restaurants and hotels, such as the Desoto Grill, offering excellent food in a unique, funky Forge building. For those looking to book a room or suite, the Sherman Lodge, located in downtown Kalispell, provides luxury accommodations in a convenient location.
Nevada City Old Town Museum and Music Hall
Situated between Ennis and Sheridan, Montana, is the Nevada City Old Town Museum and Music Hall, an outdoor museum that, outside the Smithsonian, contains one of the largest collections of Old West artifacts. With one hundred buildings between 1863 and the early 1900s, such as a saloon and general store, visitors will feel as if they were living in the Gold Rush era. Artifacts are scattered throughout the buildings, and individuals can experience living history interpreters every Saturday & Sunday between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. This historic ghost town, dating back to the 1860s, includes two buildings, the Finney House and the Dr. Don L. Byam House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the entrance of the museum sits the Music Hall, featuring the largest public collection of automated music machines in North America. Down the road is Just an Experience, a bed and breakfast that offers a range of cute, comfortable cabins to stay the night and relax in beautiful natural surroundings. After a day of exploring the museum, head over to Virginia City and enjoy a cold drink, and get ready to laugh with a hilarious live comedy show at Brewery Follies.
World Museum of Mining
The World Museum of Mining, in Butte, Montana, opened in 1965 and is located on an inactive silver and zinc mine named the Orphan Girl. This large open-air museum complex spans 22 acres of land and includes a number of exhibits. The re-created 1890s mining town includes 15 historic structures featuring various artifacts and equipment that provide a look into the history of mining. Explore the Hell Roarin’ Gulch, a replica mining town from the 1890s that has over 50 exhibit buildings with many different original structures and equipment. Take a guided Orphan Girl Underground Tour, where visitors venture 100 feet into the mine vein to see the original shaft station of the Orphan Girl.
The museum is in close proximity to the historic district of Uptown Butte, filled with 19th-century architecture, shops, hotels, and restaurants. Visitors can book a room at the Copper King Hotel and Convention Center, featuring upscale accommodations and access to a spa, pool, and hot tubs. The Uptown Café has a wide selection of lunch and dinner options with signature items and daily specials that are sure to satisfy any appetite.
American Computer and Robotics Museum
For a unique, one-of-a-kind museum experience, head to Bozeman, Montana, home of the American Computer and Robotics Museum. With exhibits that span across 4,000 years of human history, visitors are sent on a detailed journey into the advancement of technology. The museum explores topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Cracking the Enigma Code. Permanent exhibits that are particularly popular include the NASA Apollo Program, which takes visitors on a journey following iconic space missions and artifacts.
At the IdeaLab, visitors can gain access to hands-on learning programs exploring the principles of computing. Programs include Quantum Girls: Free Weekend Workshop for girls ages 11 to 14 years old, Suds’ N’ Circuits: Programmable Plushies, and the extremely popular CTRL + ALT + CREATE: Retro Arcade Games. There are also various events held throughout the year, such as the Stibitz-Wilson Awards, Source Code: Stories from the Cutting Edge, and Secrets from the Archives. After visiting the museum, refuel at Café M, in the heart of downtown Bozeman, serving locally roasted Ghost Town Coffee Roasters coffee. At Feast Raw Bar and Bistro, get fresh seafood, locally sourced meats, and produce.
Montana Natural History Center
Known as the ‘gateway to the outdoors,’ Missoula is a place where artistic pursuits and outdoor adventure blend neatly together. The Montana Natural History Center is one such location that represents the importance of nature and art. Although it is a smaller museum, it holds a lot of interesting information and materials, with impressive displays on regional and local geology, ecosystems, fauna, and flora. With a mission to promote and cultivate stewardship, understanding, and appreciation of nature through education, the Montana Natural History Center does not disappoint. There is a wide range of exhibits that focus on local history and nature. Particularly, in Montana’s Ancient Past, visitors are able to delve into the rich fossil records of prehistoric Montana. Children can explore the Kids Discovery Room and the Native Adventure Garden, featuring natural structures that link healthy and creative play. The museum also hosts summer camp for kids and adult programs such as the Montana Master Naturalist Program and Discovery Days. After visiting the museum, head over to the nearby Clark Fork River and walk along the waterway. For a fresh snack, visit Bernice’s Bakery, a quaint shop that features cookies, cakes, coffee, muffins, and more.
Montana’s Museums at a Glance
Holding far more than scenic views, the wide-open spaces of Montana convey stories of community, exploration, and innovation. From immersive living history sites and historic prisons to underground adventures and high-tech science exhibits, these eight museums in Montana highlight the diversity of a state shaped by rugged terrain and human advancement. Whether interests lean toward history, science, or casual exploration, these museums provide engaging ways to connect with Montana’s innovation and heritage while uncovering the culture that stretches beneath the horizons of Big Sky Country.
