Explore The Great Outdoors In Montana

When many think about the Old West what they envision is Montana. The biggest attraction in Montana is its diverse landscape from high mountain ranges to endless plains. In the east of Montana you can visit the towns of Great Falls and Billings where you will get a rustic, Old West feel while enjoying a number of activities. East Montana also offers such activities as hunting, camping and fishing at the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There are a number of both ski and summer resorts to choose from in the Montana Rockies. Every year many visitors are drawn to the Glacier National Park because of its excellent scenery, recreational opportunities and excellent accommodations. Another well known attraction in Montana is Yellowstone National Park and draws many people each year.

A popular destination in Montana is Missoula which is located in five valleys. There are many recreational, shopping and entertainment options in this city along with the University of Montana. No matter which time of the year that you travel to Missoula you will find a variety of festivals, fairs and trade shows to attend. The most popular of these is in August with the Western Montana Fair. Then there is the impressive Historical Museum at Fort Missoula which sits on thirty-two acres and has seventeen thousand object and thirteen structures on display.

Although the largest city in Montana is Billings. You can stop by the Western Heritage Center and find a documented history of the Yellowstone River Valley's development from the time of the earliest settlers to current. For the art enthusiast there is the Yellowstone Art Museum which features many contemporary art pieces from the Rocky Mountains. Billings is also a popular destination for those who want to visit Yellowstone National Park since it is very close.

Then there is Bozeman which, although slow, has seen continual growth since the city was first founded. Today many tourists come to Bozeman and it is one of the largest agricultural centers in Montana. The city comes with a vary diverse popular of artists, ranchers and students. Many come to Bozeman for the Museum of the Rockies which not only has many excellent displays but also offers a planetarium. The for the outdoor individuals there is the Gallatin National Forest nearby which has 1.8 million areas and offers many different recreational activities.

When it comes to accommodations there is no shortage of both rustic and contemporary option in Montana. However, if you are looking for the top three then consider the following hotels. The first is Many Glacier Hotel located in Glacier National Park. This hotel has a beautiful setting with excellent scenery and very friendly service. Then there is the Gallatin Gateway Inn which is an older hotel with elegance. It has vast interior spaces as a result of a Spanish style building and features the days of luxury railroad travel in Montana. The final option is The Pollard in Red Lodge which is a historic hotel. At one time Buffalo Bill stayed at this hotel and although it still remains a small hotel it is an excellent accommodation option for those who truly want the historic experience when traveling to Montana.