The Ultimate Montana History And Heritage Vacation Itinerary

There are so many exciting historical and cultural adventures to experience in Montana. The state’s natural beauty leaves tourists from across the globe in awe every year. However, there are several historic destinations to experience Montana’s heritage. From the best museums, festivals, and cultural experiences, Montana continues to draw scores of travelers from all over the world. As the fourth largest state in United States, there are a plethora of things to see, do, and experience during your visit. To help you map out your trip, we have outlined the top places, destinations, and hubs to help you build your itinerary. Of course we give you the best of a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Read on to learn about the perfect Montana history and heritage vacation itinerary.

Montanan Dining

If you are looking for some dining options in Billings, Ten, inside the Northern Hotel, has burgers and steak nachos on their lounge menu. Live music on Fri and Sat evenings. Dinner menu is very pricey. Head to the 1 ½ mile long Billings Brew Trail. You can visit six breweries, two distilleries and one cider house. Info at visitbillings.com

Have breakfast with the locals at the downtown Billings Stella’s. It has been around for 40 years and they are known for their cinnamon rolls and bakery.

If you are continuing to the Southeast direction in the state, another great stop for a meal is the Black Iron Grill that works very closely with local ranchers for their meat. Milescityrestaurant.com

Grab dinner at the Land of Magic Steakhouse in Manhattan, Montana. It is 20 minutes to the city of Bozeman from there. Dinner is very pricey so look at the “on the lighter side” menu they have. Steaks and burgers reasonably priced.

If you are have food allergies or dietary restrictions, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Montana’s best dishes and restaurants. To help you find out how, be sure to read our guide on how to plan a trip around food allergies and still eat well.

Montana Museums

If you have inclement weather and want to head indoors you can visit the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings. It has an extensive collection of contemporary art, specifically of the Rocky Mountains and Northern Plains regions. $ 15 ages 18 and older. artmuseum.org

To see what events and entertainment are scheduled in Billings for the days you are looking to be there, look at Billings365.com

Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is a great choice if you have a bad weather day. It covers the regional history including Indian history and dinosaurs to name a few. You will also see a complete T-Rex skeleton. There is also a 30 minute planetarium show and a docent-led tour included in admission. $ 14.50 ages 18 and older. Museumoftherockies.org

If you like to see the top museums whenever you go on vacation, be sure to check out our guide on the best Santa Fe  museums and tours you need to experience.

Capital City Attractions

Of course, there are dozens of incredible attractions in Montana’s capital city of Helena. Start your visit off by checking out the Montana State Capitol building, located right at 130 East Sixth Avenue. Next, head over to the Holter Museum of Art to see some contemporary art from local Northwestern and national artists. Other popular attractions include ExplorationWorks which has hands-on exhibits and programs for kids and families. The Helena Historic District and the Montana Military Museum are other options for history lovers. If you have the time, you may even want to check out the Original Governor’s Mansion, the Cathedral of Saint Helena, and Kindrick Field to see some baseball.

Miles City & The Bucking Horse Sale

Another worthwhile museum is the Waterworks Art Museum which is next to the Yellowstone River in Miles City. $5 admission. Wtrworks.org

If you can be in Miles City for the third weekend in May, you can spend time with all the cowboys and cowgirls from Montana at the Bucking Horse Sale.

This four-day event incorporates a mix of horse races, bronc rides, grand rodeo entries, and bull riding. Even better, there is country music, evening dancing, and a strict ‘boots-and-denim’ dress code. Learn more at buckinghorsesale.com

Experience Native American History, Culture, & Heritage

When you are in Billings, pay a visit to the Native Ways Primitive Campground in order to learn about native American life. Here, you can experience an overnight or two  in a Sioux or Crow Indian tipi. As soon as you arrive in the parking lot, you will hike to your tipi camping site, where you will have a picnic table, lantern, and sink. When you make your reservation, ask them to set up all bedding so you don’t have to bring a sleeping bag. Then, you can enjoy a nightly campfire to enjoy some time in the outdoors. The popular attraction is open from March to November. To learn more, contact nwpcmt@gmail.com

If you are looking to explore the Native American experience Montana is the right place. Visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Crow Agency which is just south of Billings. It is where the Sioux and Cheyenne defeated the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry and General George Armstrong Custer. You can take the audio cell phone tour (406-214-3148) and stop along the 4 ½ miles and soak in what took place here. You can also see the hill where Custer had his” last stand”. You also might be able to catch a ranger-led talk about the battle. Entrance fee of $ 25 per car but there are six days each year where there is no charge. Start in the visitors center and watch the 25 minute movie for your orientation. www.nps.gov or call 406-638-3216

To see the many options for Native American tourism in Montana, go to visitmt.com/guidebook and download the Indian Country guide. There are celebrations, pow-wows and events throughout the year. See if any of those dates match up while you are there.

Native American Reservation Camping

Native-led Apsaalooke Tours will take you around for one hour and give you their interpretation on the events that took place on the Little Bighorn Battlefield. $ 15 age 13 and older. Call 406-679-2790 for more information.

Stay overnight and try glamping at Apsaalooke Glamping. Pricing starts at $ 120/night in a tipi. Call 406-623-0453 for availability.

Another option there you have is visiting the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village. Catch a ½ day tour from Blackfeet artist Darrell Norman who discusses history and customs. He will travel with you in your car. $150 1-4 people. You can also stay there overnight in a tipi for $ 120 for two people. That includes a sleeping bag and blanket. A traditional Blackfeet dinner is also available for purchase. www.blackfeetculturecamp.com

Every August, Crow Agency becomes the Tepee Capital of the World when it hosts the largest American Indian encampment in the nation, and the largest gathering of the year for the Apsaalooke Nation. It is 60 miles south of Billings.

Lewis & Clark History

25 miles East of Billings you can catch some Lewis and Clark history. At Pompeys Pillar National Monument, which overlooks the Yellowstone River, you will see Captain William Clark’s signature from July 1806. You will also see etchings and drawings from settlers, traders and indians that have passed through this heavily traveled area. $ 7/vehicle. blm.gov

Entertainment In Bozeman Montana

To see events and entertainment scheduled in Bozeman for the dates you are there check out bozone.com and downtownbozeman.org

A great place to stay outside of Bozeman is the Howlers Inn B&B. You get a wonderful view of the Absaroka Mountains and overlook where the wolves play in their sanctuary right outside your door. Queen bed $ 170/night including breakfast.

Bozeman has the busiest airport in Montana and probably where you will fly into. It is 50 miles to Big Sky and 89 to Yellowstone Park.

Big Sky is a mountain town and is a gateway for Yellowstone National Park which is one hour away. The town is an excellent destination for solo travel journeys, or even family vacations. Big Sky is made up of a mountain, a canyon, and a meadow. The area is all about outdoor adventure. Skiing, fly fishing, floating(class I) and whitewater rafting on the lower(class III-IV) and upper Gallatin River( upper class II-III), hiking and mountain biking are all on the menu. The town arranges different hikes on Wed mornings in the summer. Most are 2-3 hours. bscomt.org

If you want a classic Montana menu, eat at The Corral in Gardiner. It is also attached to a motel that is centrally located and starts at $ 120/ night for two people with two queen beds. Corralbar.com

Great Falls Montana & Beyond

Heading to the Great Falls area and beyond, there is plenty to choose from. On a day you want to stay indoors, stop for a few hours at the small and impressive C.M. Russell Museum. Russell was an internationally known western artist who lived in Montana his entire life. $14 adults. cmrussell.org

13 miles south of Great Falls in Ulm go see the history of the Buffalo Jump at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. Learn about how herds of Bison were driven off of cliffs for thousands of years. They were used for their meat, and to make tools and clothing. Stateparks.mt.gov

Preparing For Montana Weather

Before you book your trip, it is important to prepare yourself for Montana weather. Staying prepared is fundamental to avoid common travel mishaps when visiting Big Sky Country. Since you will probably be at different elevations in different national parks and towns, layers are the way to go in your packing. During the summers, you can expert warm days and cool evenings. However, the winters tend to bring lots of sunshine and snow. To stay prepared, always travel with a light fleece, hat, and gloves. When you are planning activities outside, you should additionally be prepared with boots. This way, you can easily navigate whatever terrain is in front of you.

Missoula, Montana Historic Travel Adventures

Of course, there are plenty of exciting history and heritage tourism attractions in Missoula, Montana. Missoula is located right at the convergence of five mountain ranges, and is therefore often referred to as the “hub of five valleys.” Within this city of approximately 70,000, there are plenty of exciting destinations to experience. If you are an avid history lover, be sure to stop by the Old Montana Prison, as well as the abandoned Garnet Ghost Town. In addition, be sure to visit incredible museums such as the Fort Missoula Museum, Missoula Art Museum, or Children’s Museum of Missoula. In fact, you may even want to check out the Boone & Crockett Club, which was founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in the late 1800’s. If you often like to experience history while you travel, be sure to check out our guide to West Virginia historical tours as well.