8 Perfect Destinations For A Long Weekend In Montana
A picturesque, singly landlocked Mountain State, Montana stands out for its peerless earthly charm and multifarious topography. Flaunting the spellbinding Rockies, wide-ranging Northern Great Plains, roaring river valleys, immaculate trout-filled water bodies, and great rock formations, the Big Sky Country is an exemplary getaway spot for all vacationists, trailblazers, and nature conservationists worldwide. Although the Treasure State’s bustling metropolitan centers, such as Missoula, Bozeman, Billings, and the state capital, Helena, are predominantly the greatest tourist drawers, the innumerable picture-perfect locales scattered all over the state are likewise worth discovering on your refreshing weekend escapades.
Philipsburg
Philipsburg, labeled after the eminent mining engineer Philip Deidesheimer, is a homely town in Granite County situated on the Pintler Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Highway, more or less halfway betwixt Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Thanks to the town’s nearness to popular nature reserves and places where distinct mineral deposits like Sapphire gemstones have been uncovered, Philipsburg has, through the years, become one of the most sought-after refuges for outdoor enthusiasts. Also, shop for sapphires at local gem shops like Montana Gems & Sapphire Jewelry, inspect Philipsburg’s Granite County Museum & Mine Exhibit, hang out for a while at the Granite Ghost Town State Park and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and stay comfortably at Kaiser House Hotel.
Choteau
Set up in 1873 by A. B. Hamilton as a trading post and named in honor of Pierre Chouteau Jr., Choteau, the Teton Count seat of government, is located at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front. Bragging a seamless mix of spectacular panoramas, famed points of interest, and plentiful entertainment, Choteau welcomes trippers to survey Egg Mountain - one of the prominent paleontology sites of the Cretaceous period. As a component of the Montana Dinosaur Trail, the Old Trail Museum of Choteau houses ‘Maiasaura’ - the state fossil as well as many archaic objects mirroring the illustrious past. Moreover, check out a few wide-open spaces like the Teton Pass Ski Area, Lewis & Clark National Forest, Choteau City Park & Campground, Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management, on top of enjoying a pleasant stay at the Big Sky Motel.
Whitefish
One of the US’ grandest ski towns, Whitefish occupies the shores of the pristine Whitefish Lake at the Big Mountain’s base on the west side of the Continental Divide. Set at a stone’s throw from Glacier National Park, this Flathead County town fantastically blends small-town prettiness and modern comforts against an imposing background of the Northern Rocky Mountains. While in town, in addition to browsing the antique shops like Big Antiques, art galleries like FoR Fine Art - Whitefish Gallery, and contemporary eateries like Tupelo Grille, make a day trip to the Glacier National Park, tour the Whitefish Mountain Resort, trek the Whitefish Trail, participate in leisure-time activities at the Whitefish Lake State Park, and stay overnight at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Spare time from your crazy routines to be present at Under the Big Sky Music Festival, Huckleberry Days Arts Festival, Whitefish Trail Legacy Run, and Whitefish Winter Carnival.
Lewistown
Lewistown, the Fergus County shiretown sits precisely at Montana’s geographic center by the Big Spring Creek to Billings’s northwest and Great Falls’s southeast. Originally founded as a trading post on the Carroll Trail and christened Reed’s Fort, the settlement was rechristened after Major William H. Lewis and progressively metamorphosed into Judith Basin’s principal distribution hub. History buffs, besides learning about the area’s bygone days at the Central Montana Historical Museum, should embark on a sightseeing tour of the carefully maintained buildings in Lewistown’s five historic districts. A quintessential base for outdoorsy types, adrenaline junkies who visit this family-centric community can relax at either Super 8 by Wyndham Lewistown or The Calvert Hotel. Take some time off and try to be present at any of the town’s yearly fiesta,s such as the Independence Day festivities, Montana Winter Fair, Chokecherry Festival, Metis Celebration, and Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous.
Hamilton
Called in honor of J. W. Hamilton, this outdoor recreation haven is set at the nucleus of the ruggedly handsome Bitterroot Valley in Ravalli County of southwest Montana. Countless gift shops like Robbins on Main, breweries like Bitter Root Brewing, food joints like Maria’s Restaurant, and homelike Super 8 by Wyndham Hamilton line the town's Main Street. Also, drop by the stately Daly Mansion, the Ravalli County Museum at the one-time Ravalli County Courthouse, and the Hamilton Performing Arts Center - where the annual Bitterroot Performing Arts Series is hosted by the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council. The meandering Bitterroot River provides a quality environment for trout fishing activities.
Red Lodge
Red Lodge, the administrative capital of southern Montana’s Carbon County, is located alongside the Beartooth Mountains abutted by the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Red Lodge Commercial Historic District, of which the downtown is a part, comprises several landmark properties, including the Iris Theater, Carbon County Courthouse, and Carbon County Hospital & Sanitarium. Red Lodge’s downtown also includes a collection of museums like Carbon County Historical Society & Museum, art galleries like Carbon County Arts Guild & Depot Gallery, gift shops like Daisy’s General Store, eateries like Black Canyon Bistro, and superb hotels like The Pollard Hotel. The adjoining Red Lodge Mountain is excellent for skiing adventures amidst alpine sceneries.
West Yellowstone
Forming part of the Bozeman, MT Micropolitan Statistical Area, West Yellowstone is an all-season recreation destination in Gallatin County proximate to Yellowstone National Park’s western entrance. Wildlife observing is an all-year-long activity here, with the town’s plethoric gift shops like Crazy Bear Gifts, restaurants like Bullwinkle’s Saloon & Eatery, and accommodations like Gray Wolf Inn & Suites fulfilling the requirements of thousands of nature enthusiasts who annually visit the national park. Travelers get to take part in equestrian excursions at the Diamond P Ranch, ziplining at Yellowstone Zipline Adventure Park, whitewater rafting at the Gallatin River, watching grizzly bears and wolves at Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, and learning about the national park’s rich history at the Museum of Yellowstone. During the cold months, skiers can ski the cross-country ski trails of the Rendezvous Ski Trails System.
Stevensville
This untarnished Ravalli County town bounded by the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains is considered Montana’s primary permanent non-native settlement. Established by Jesuit Missionaries in 1841 on the native Bitterroot Salish tribe’s request and baptized after Issac Ingalls Stevens, Stevensville is widely known for offering stunning vistas of the impressive Bitterroot Valley. Heritage buffs should tour the historic St. Mary’s Mission, which, from April to October, together with other buildings on the mission complex, remains publicly accessible. The umpteen art galleries like Stevensville Art & Sculpture, River’s Mist Gallery & Gifts, and Sacajawea Gallery are apt for art fanatics, while Frontier Café, Blacksmith Brewing Company, Marie’s Italian Restaurant serving appetizing cuisines are must-stops for gourmands. Traverse the interpretive trails of Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and Kootenai Creek Trail and unwind after an exhaustive day at The Stevensville Hotel.
From the offbeat Choteau, housing some splendid fossils and artifacts, to Whitefish - Montana’s recreation capital, the entrancing small towns in the nation’s 4th most extensive and 8th least-populous state are its best-kept secrets that are waiting to welcome you all. If you are searching for comforting hamlets to settle in or locales to socialize on your weekend staycations, look no further than these Montana towns which are guaranteed to leave an indelible imprint on every out-of-towner.
