10 Overlooked Towns In Montana Worth Visiting
In Montana, a great trip starts on a mural-bright main street and ends under a sky full of stars. In Red Lodge, Broadway Avenue sets the tone with colorful storefronts, festival energy, and art around every corner. Livingston keeps things lively with galleries downtown and the Livingston Roundup bringing July 4 swagger to town. Up by Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone adds wildlife time, depot history, and an easy theater night into the mix. Read on to discover the Montana towns that turn murals, rodeos, river history, and lake views into an unforgettable getaway.
Red Lodge
Founded in the late 19th century as a mining town, Red Lodge is an excellent blend of small-town charm and big outdoor adventure. The heart of the town is its colorful historic district, known as Broadway Avenue. The historic avenue is lined with vibrant buildings and tons of eye-catching murals, making it the perfect backdrop for the town’s festivals and parades.
A must-visit in town for art lovers would be the Carbon County Arts Guild and Depot Gallery, which features the works of nearly 150 different artists. Here, the exhibitions include artforms ranging from photography and paintings to precise sculpting and woodwork. Even catching a movie in Red Lodge gives you a taste of history. The town’s best-known theater, The Roman, is also the oldest continuously running movie-theater in the state. Red Lodge is a dream to both art lovers and history buffs, with plenty to catch your eye during your visit.
Hamilton
Montana is synonymous with farm life, so it comes as no surprise to see it is home to the thriving agricultural community of Hamilton. The town offers a lot of attractions that give visitors the ultimate farm experience, like visiting ABC Acres. Here, visitors can go on guided tours and strolls, learning about how livestock are taken care of, and other farming techniques and practices.
Visitors can also try their hands at horseback riding at Wilde-R-Farm, which has a 100-foot-by-200-foot outdoor riding arena, as well as two weather-free indoor arenas. Nature lovers and foragers must add the Swanson’s Mountain View Orchard in the nearby Corvallis to their list of stops, as the historic, family- operated orchard is well known for its variety of apples that grow on their land.
Livingston
Livingston is a hub for arts, culture, and local flavor. The downtown area is packed full of art, with over a dozen local galleries and studios. At the unique Blue Door Gallery, the artistic heart of local western themed sculptures, painters, and photographers have their work admired by newcomers and locals alike.
Also in the downtown area, you can find the town’s famous At The Yellowstone statue, the bronze memorial of Sacagawea, as well as the many incredible wildlife sculptures of local artist Joe Wayne. Those wanting to see an authentic Montana Rodeo are in luck in Livingston, as the town is home to Montana’s oldest rodeo, The Livingston Roundup. Held over the July 4th weekend, the town hosts one of the biggest rodeo events in the state, filled with fun, family friendly activities.
Stevensville
A good starting point if you plan on visiting the Bitterroot Mountains, Stevensville gives you plenty of opportunity to experience the wilderness of Montana. Located just a couple of miles from town is the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, a nearly 2,800 acre animal sanctuary that is home to over 200 species of birds, including osprey and waterfowl.
At the nearby Bitterroot National Forest, miles of exciting trails await eager hikers who want to explore the beautiful forest and its diverse wildlife. At the Lewis and Clark Legacy Park, the nearby River Park Trail and Bike Path offers yet another chance for birdwatching or simply enjoying a good walk along the scenic area while checking out the native Bitterroot plant species.
West Yellowstone
Neighboring the ever popular Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone welcomes the attention and tourism the nearby national park brings with a welcoming energy and plenty of fun things to do during your visit. If you ever wanted to feel close to nature’s animals in a safe environment, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is your best choice for getting a first-hand look at the beautiful Yellowstone wildlife. Open year-round, the center is not only home to grizzly bears and gray wolves, but also multiple birds of prey, including bald eagles and great horned owls.
The town also has deep history that can be explored at the Museum of Yellowstone. Set in a historic train depot, the museum is dedicated to showcasing the town’s emphasis on travel, including West Yellowstone’s famous rail service. For local and quirky fun, visitors can drop by the Playmill Theatre, where fun seasonal shows and musicals are put on by the local thespians and artists of the area.
Bigfork
The stunning resort town of Bigfork is a shining wonder of Flathead county. An exceptionally upscale town for its size, Bigfork is full of high end boutiques, fine restaurants, and art galleries to boot, while still having the natural wonder and opportunity for outdoor adventures that Montana is known for. Sitting right atop Flathead Lake, the town offers plenty of opportunity for kayaking, paddling, and other fun water based activities.
Either that, or you can simply enjoy the peaceful views of the Swan River Nature Trail. Known for its resorts, Bigfork has a wide range of excellent lodging choices for those visiting. One of the most popular in town choices is the Flathead Lake Lodge, which sits on 2,000 acres and has fun activities for guests, including horseback riding. For a luxurious getaway that still maintains its small town charm, Bigfork is an excellent choice for your next Montana trip.
Fort Benton
Known as “the birthplace of Montana” the historic little town of Fort Benton was the state’s first established settlement, and holds a significant role in the navigation of the Missouri River. This deep history is showcased for visitors with pride in the city’s Museums & Heritage Complex, which has eight different museums dedicated to educating about the history, lifestyle, and agriculture that is critical to Fort Benton.
Another chance to experience the wonder of the steamboat era is a visit to the historic Grand Union Hotel. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Montana. The town is home to many more historical attractions, like the State of Montana’s Lewis and Clark Memorial statue. Here, visitors can not only marvel at the heroically sized statue memorializing the explorers, but also walk along the same river shore and some of the various destinations that were visited by them and the Corps of Discovery during the 19th century.
Choteau
Choteau offers a beautiful overlook of Montana’s expansive big country landscape as it sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Front. The cozy town is an assortment of fun things to do while enjoying the laid back nature of the town. One of the popular stops for locals is the Roxy Theatre. At this family owned local staple, viewers enjoy new releases in Dolby surround sound in a setting that is dripping with classic, old school nostalgia. Choteau’s downtown is home to
During the spring, the Wild Wings Festival is the perfect chance to see nature. At this event, visitors can partake in birding tours, live photography sessions, and other fun events centered around the spring migration of snow geese and swans at the nearby Freezeout Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts will also love a visit to the Old Trail Museum, where exhibits like their interactive Rocky Mountain Front Interpretive Center showcase unique landscape and wildlife of the local area.
Polson
Sitting at the southern end of Flathead Lake, Polson combines breathtaking scenery with a heritage rich culture, making it a wonder to visit. Located in the heart of the Flathead Indian Reservation, the town of Polson holds deep historical significance to the Salish and Kootenai tribes. Visitors can learn about the town’s significant indigenous past at places like the Miracle of America Museum, and Three Chiefs Culture Center, both which exhibit the culture and history of the Salish, Pend d’Orielle, and Kootenai people.
Polson is also an incredible resort town, home to incredible inns, lodges and resorts without the large crowds that you find in other popular vacation spots in the area. One of the top rated inns in the town is the Red Lion Ridgewater Inn & Suites Polson, which comes complete with an indoor pool and whirlpool and is conveniently located near the town’s museums, parks, and other popular attractions.
Whitefish
Less than an hour from the lakes of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is home to its own natural scenic wonders and off-beat attractions. During the summer months, Whitefish Lake State Park & City Beach is the perfect place to spend the day paddleboarding, kayaking, and soaking in the town’s natural beauty. During the colder months, Whitefish Mountain Resort is the perfect destination for skiing, while also offering ziplines up Big Mountain during the summer.
One of Whitefish’s main attractions for tourists is the Giant Skeleton Whitefish, where wondrous, lit up displays that pay homage to nature and local artists. Speaking of art, Whitefish is home to numerous art galleries, including the Going To The Sun Gallery, which displays paintings, jewelry, and other local artwork dedicated to the local scenery. Throughout the year, the gallery hosts events that are perfect for a night out during your vacation, like Gallery Night, and Ladies Night. Whitefish is the perfect vacation getaway spot for art and outdoor lovers.
These Montana towns may fly under the radar but still give those lucky enough to visit them plenty to talk about. With Montana being well known for its natural landmarks and mountains, those coming to explore have a lot to appreciate from these towns as well. From affordable yet luxurious resorts, to up close views of the wildlife in their natural habitat, these overlooked places offer all of the outdoor adventures and charm of Montana while being more easygoing and laid back than other bigger attractions. With an emphasis on culture, and a shared appreciation of Montana’s natural beauty, these towns are sure to make your next Big Sky Country trip as memorable as ever.
