When you’re on the lookout for an excellent place to go to, Missoula, Montana is a great spot to discover! There are many issues to do on this charming city, from mountain climbing and fishing, to snowboarding and procuring. On this put up, I’ll checklist the very best issues to do in Missoula.
Whether or not you’re an area, or simply passing via, make sure to take a look at these wonderful sights.
I grew up a number of hours away from Missoula, MT – in Billings. I visited many instances as a child and at all times cherished the texture of this city. As an grownup, I lived in Missoula for 3 years and loved each minute of it.
With the river within the heart of the outdated city, meandering bike-friendly paths, its proximity to the mountains, and the quirky, sort individuals of Missoula, there’s so much to like on this distinctive Montana city. Let’s dive in!
Listed here are the 15 prime issues to do in Missoula, MT.
1. Discover the Nationwide Bitterroot Forest
The Bitterroot’s deep, glacier-carved gorges present beautiful views of excessive mountains towering above the rippling streams and lakes. There are fairly a number of trails to select from primarily based on the extent of problem you wish to deal with.
When mountain climbing on this space, there’s a fairly good probability you’ll be crossing some river streams, and climbing over obstacles like boulders and fallen timber – all a part of the journey.
When you’re new to the realm, seize an skilled information. They’ll give you snacks, lunch, and even a kayak so you possibly can benefit from the stress-free mountain lakes. It’s an ideal approach to hook up with nature; an enormous draw for most individuals visiting any a part of Montana.
2. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
What higher method to get a really feel for a city than to discover it with a enjoyable scavenger hunt? This is likely one of the most original issues to do in Missoula because it’ll will let you expertise, and see, a little bit of all the pieces on the town.
Digital and self-paced scavenger hunts are fairly fashionable today. They’re a good way to get the household or a bunch of pals collectively to discover and study a brand new place.
The usual scavenger hunt requires a automotive to get to every level. Nevertheless, you possibly can alternatively request a particular carless model in case you choose.
3. Go to the Scorching Springs
Do you know there are a number of pure scorching springs close to Missoula?
This Scorching Springs Tour will take you on a brief drive to a few of the best-kept secrets and techniques in Montana. The tour consists of wonderful views, a soak in a scorching spring, (multiple if you want), and loads of time to chill out and benefit from the lovely surroundings.
Fashionable scorching springs like Lolo Scorching Springs and Jerry Johnson scorching springs are simple to discover by yourself when you’ve got a automotive. Jerry Johnson is my private favorite as a result of it additionally features a quick however lovely hike within the forest.
Nevertheless, more often than not you possibly can anticipate to share these pure swimming pools with quite a lot of different guests. That is what makes a “non-public” tour a really distinctive expertise!
4. Hike with Skilled Photographer
Missoula has tons of choices for exploring the good open air on foot. Why not rent an area mountain climbing fanatic that additionally occurs to be knowledgeable photographer? That is the right mixture to get each wonderful views, and images to doc your expertise.
The photographer will take you on a hike of your selection, from simple to average problem, and seize the great thing about the realm via their lens. This is a wonderful possibility for guests that wish to see Missoula’s pure surroundings however may not make certain the place to go.
Choices to your hike would possibly embrace:
- Pattee Canyon
- Rattlesnake Nationwide Recreation (a part of the Lolo Nationwide Forest)
- Blue Mountain Nationwide Recreation
5. Go Fly Fishing
Montana is world-famous for its fly fishing. It was first made well-known within the film “A River Runs By way of It” with Brad Pitt. There are a lot of completely different rivers and creeks to select from, together with the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River, and Rock Creek. I personally don’t fish, however my brothers and pricey pals that do take pleasure in this pastime, love the Missoula space for fishing.
When you’re new to fly fishing, don’t fear! There are a lot of skilled guides in Missoula that can provide you a crash course and present you the very best spots. They’ll present all of the gear you want, so all you must do is present up and luxuriate in.
For a really immersive expertise, contemplate reserving an all-inclusive lodging and fishing journey. For any fishing fanatic, it is a dream come true.
6. Go to a Present on the Wilma Theater
The Wilma Theater is a world-class theater situated within the coronary heart of Missoula. It’s one of the vital fashionable leisure venues on the town and often hosts big-name performers.
When you’re on the lookout for one thing extra laid again, many smaller exhibits and occasions happen on the Wilma all year long. These embrace dwell music, stand-up comedy, movie festivals, and extra. I’ve had some enjoyable instances on the Wilma, attending each concert events and movie festivals there throughout faculty.
It doesn’t matter what you’re on the lookout for, the Wilma Theater is certain to have one thing that may entertain you. Test their web site to see what’s on throughout your go to.
7. Go to the Missoula Artwork Museum
The Missoula Artwork Museum, (MAM), is a enjoyable artwork museum situated within the coronary heart of downtown Missoula. MAM options each everlasting and rotating exhibitions, with a lot of them open air in an “Artwork Park”, in addition to quite a lot of instructional packages.
Some of the fashionable sights at MAM is First Friday. This can be a method to see quite a lot of the native artwork galleries, together with MAM, at no cost. Simply present up on the primary Friday of every month from 5pm – 8pm, to sip wine, eat snacks, and luxuriate in artwork.
MAM additionally gives quite a lot of lessons and workshops for each adults and kids. These are glorious alternatives to be taught new abilities, or strive your hand at a special sort of artwork.
When you’re on the lookout for a singular method to spend a day, the Missoula Artwork Museum is a good possibility.
8. Ski at Snow Bowl
When you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Missoula in winter, downhill snowboarding is a good selection. Missoula is dwelling to Snow Bowl, and you will get there in lower than half-hour. The views from the highest of the mountain are unimaginable, and there’s one thing for skiers and snowboarders of all ranges. I’ve skied this mountain a handful of instances and at all times loved the bluebird days and powder.
When you don’t have your personal gear, no worries! You’ll be able to hire all the pieces you want on the resort and even rent an teacher. When you’re all arrange, head on as much as the slopes and luxuriate in a day of snowboarding or snowboarding.
Snow Bowl really gives loads of summer time actions as properly, together with mountain climbing, biking, and zip line excursions. It doesn’t matter what exercise you select, you possibly can determine to complete the day there, or cease for lunch at their lodge for native pub grub, like wood-fired pizza and burgers, accompanied by a brew.
9. Hire Snow Gear and Go Discover
Go to the Final Finest Ski and Paddle Store for your entire out of doors rental wants for winter or summer time. You can too reserve your gear on-line and easily choose up what you want if you arrive.
Hire cross-country ski gear within the winter and put together to discover native mountain climbing trails. A neighborhood favorite is to move to Pattee Canyon. Different choices embrace Rattlesnake Nationwide Recreation Space and Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails. I’ve discovered cross-country snowboarding in these areas is a good way to get in some much-needed contemporary air through the chilly winter months.
When you’re not up for cross-country snowboarding, you can even go for snowshoeing. This can be a a lot simpler exercise to select up shortly and begin having fun with. Plus, it may be achieved virtually wherever. Simply make sure to keep away from designated cross-country trails which might be groomed.
10. Hire a Bike and Journey the Clark Fork Path
The Clark Fork Path is a simple paved path that runs alongside the river – you possibly can go even additional east if you wish to experience on gravel. So far as issues to do in Missoula in summer time, it’s an ideal spot for biking, strolling, working, or rollerblading throughout hotter months. It’s nice for all ages and provides you an excellent really feel for Missoula nature with out having to go away town limits, and even downtown.
Wandering on this path by foot or bike was at all times a favorite Saturday exercise for me, earlier than heading downtown for a meal, or assembly a good friend for a espresso.
Biking is likely one of the best methods to get round in Missoula. The truth is, you’ll see locals hauling their groceries throughout city this manner. I’ve even seen couches and canoes on trailers behind bikes on the town – fairly a humorous sight for certain. If you wish to be part of the native bikers, then hire a motorcycle and hit the paths.
Native bike store Bitterroot Path can hire you all of the gear you want. They will additionally offer you a map and present you the place to experience earlier than sending you in your approach. Plus, they can provide different suggestions for the place to go in case you’d prefer to experience one thing slightly extra technical.
Once you’re prepared for a break, you possibly can cease at Caras Park, or the College of Montana, for a nap or picnic lunch – each alongside the path. If you wish to get in additional train and work up your coronary heart price, strive using over to the bottom of Sentinal Peak, the place you possibly can hike the “M” for some spectacular metropolis views.
11. Study to Kayak
Missoula is the right place to learn to kayak. With the Clark Fork River working via city, there are many locations to follow your new abilities. Plus, town created a “wave” – often known as Brennan’s Wave – within the heart of city the place kayaking lovers can follow their strikes.
You’ll be able to take a newbie kayaking class, or polish up your whitewater via Zootown Surfers. They’ll give you all of the gear you want and educate you all the pieces from primary strokes to river security. When you’re feeling assured, you possibly can head out by yourself and discover the river.
Remember to keep away from areas with fast-moving water, or the place swimming is prohibited. If you wish to discover these areas, at all times contemplate going with a information who is aware of the river properly. When you don’t wish to kayak on the river your self, I’ve at all times had enjoyable going to Caras park simply to look at the kayakers play on the wave.
12. Float the Clark Fork on an Innertube
it’s summertime in Missoula when you possibly can spot teams of individuals floating down the river on tubes. This can be a enjoyable exercise and excellent for decent summer time days. You’ll be able to hire tubes from a number of locations on the town, together with Clark Fork Yacht Membership. Until you possibly can coordinate with a bunch of individuals and vehicles, you must also ebook a shuttle experience with them to begin and end your float.
For tips about the place to begin and finish your floating journey, discuss to the corporate you hire your tube from. In any other case, ask an area floating information. I at all times cherished floating the rivers on these days when it hit 90°F and above.
No matter route you select, make sure to pack sunscreen, hats, water, and snacks. After all, at all times preserve your security in thoughts on the river. Be certain to double-check the river circumstances, float with different individuals, keep away from ingesting an excessive amount of alcohol, and most significantly, benefit from the float!
13. Go to the Saturday Farmer’s Market
The Missoula Farmer’s Market is a good place to spend a Saturday morning. It runs from Could till October, and has tons of distributors that promote all the pieces from contemporary produce to flowers, mushrooms, and artisan items.
You’ll additionally discover dwell music, meals vehicles, and different family-friendly actions on the market. It’s the right place to spend a Saturday morning, whether or not you’re on the lookout for one thing to do with the youngsters, your companion, or alone. Listening to music whereas having fun with some contemporary produce is certainly one of my private favorite methods to spend a Saturday morning in Missoula.
The market is open from Could – October on Saturdays, from 8am till 1pm, and is situated at Caras Park downtown.
14. Go to Flathead Lake
When you’re on the lookout for extra issues to do close to Missoula, there are many choices inside a number of hours drive. Montanans love spending scorching days on a lake. Flathead lake is about an hour’s drive from Missoula and is the most important pure freshwater lake west of the Mississippi within the contiguous United States.
This enormous lake gives tons of alternatives for water sports activities. You’ll be able to hire gear corresponding to jet skis, velocity boats, and kayaks. Select your good water sport mode and let the enjoyable instances start. I personally take pleasure in paddle boarding alongside the shore.
Remember to seize a field of Flathead cherries in your approach again to Missoula – my household’s favorite street snack.
15. Go Whitewater Rafting
The enduring Glacier Nationwide Park is 2.5 hours, (137 miles), exterior of Missoula. It’s properly value a visit for exploring in case you’re within the Missoula space. Inside the park itself, there’s loads of mountain climbing and scenic driving to do. Once you’re prepared for one thing extra, strive a full-day whitewater rafting journey.
This can be a nice method to see a few of the most lovely components of Glacier Nationwide Park with out the crowds. You’ll float down the river, stopping alongside the way in which to benefit from the surroundings and wildlife. This is a wonderful journey for households or teams that wish to expertise Glacier Nationwide Park in a singular and memorable approach.
This tour consists of lunch and all of the gear you’ll want; simply present up along with your sense of journey and an additional pair of dry garments!
FAQs About Issues To Do in Missoula
Let’s evaluate a few of the mostly requested questions on Missoula, MT.
Is Missoula Montana Price Visiting?
Completely! Missoula is an attractive city with loads of issues to do. It’s good for a weekend getaway or an extended trip. Outside lovers, households, foodies, and everybody in between will love the actions this city has to supply.
When you want some inspiration for getting match, there’s nothing extra motivating then getting out within the lovely open air. And Missoula is a good place to do exactly that.
How Do I Spend a Day in Missoula?
There are a lot of methods to spend a day in Missoula. For the out of doors fanatic, there’s loads of mountain climbing, biking, and floating to do. Households can benefit from the river path, farmer’s market, and museums, and foodies will love all the good eating places and breweries on the town.
To evaluate, prime favourites embrace:
- Discover downtown
- Go for a hike or bike experience
- Stroll alongside the river
- Go to the farmer’s market
- Go to the native artwork museum
What’s Missoula Well-known For?
Missoula is most well-known for its out of doors recreation alternatives. It’s additionally identified for its thriving arts and meals scene.
In a comparatively conservative state, Missoula is thought for being open-minded. The truth is, Montanans that don’t dwell in Missoula typically confer with it because the “hippie” metropolis. Missoula additionally has its personal slogan of “preserve Missoula bizarre.” The underside line is that everybody is welcome!
Now You Know What To Do in Missoula
Whereas most cities in Montana provide a big number of out of doors actions, Missoula gives way more than that. You’re additionally certain to like the downtown space and all it has to supply. From there, take a while to select a number of of your favorite actions from the checklist above.
Now that you realize a few of the finest actions in Missoula, it’s time to begin planning your journey. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for out of doors adventures, cultural experiences, or only a stress-free trip, Missoula has one thing for everybody. I at all times sit up for my Missoula journeys and I do know you’ll love them too!
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