When you’re searching 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 mountaineering and fishing, to snowboarding and purchasing. On this submit, I’ll listing the very best issues to do in Missoula.
Whether or not you’re an area, or simply passing by, make sure to try these superb sights.
I grew up a couple of hours away from Missoula, MT – in Billings. I visited many instances as a child and all the time 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With the river within the middle of the outdated city, meandering bike-friendly paths, its proximity to the mountains, and the quirky, form folks of Missoula, there’s lots to like on this distinctive Montana city. Let’s dive in!
Listed here are the 15 high 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 couple of trails to select from primarily based on the extent of issue you wish to sort out.
When mountaineering on this space, there’s a reasonably good likelihood you’ll be crossing some river streams, and climbing over obstacles like boulders and fallen bushes – all a part of the journey.
When you’re new to the world, seize an professional information. They’ll offer you snacks, lunch, and even a kayak so you may benefit from the enjoyable mountain lakes. It’s an ideal means 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 strategy 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 permit you to expertise, and see, a little bit of all the pieces on the town.
Digital and self-paced scavenger hunts are fairly well-liked as of late. They’re a good way to get the household or a gaggle of associates collectively to discover and study a brand new place.
The usual scavenger hunt requires a automobile to get to every level. Nonetheless, you may alternatively request a particular carless model when you favor.
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 number of the best-kept secrets and techniques in Montana. The tour consists of superb views, a soak in a scorching spring, (a couple of if you want), and loads of time to calm down and benefit from the lovely surroundings.
Fashionable scorching springs like Lolo Scorching Springs and Jerry Johnson scorching springs are straightforward to discover by yourself when you’ve got a automobile. Jerry Johnson is my private favorite as a result of it additionally features a quick however lovely hike within the forest.
Nonetheless, more often than not you may count on to share these pure swimming pools with plenty 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 outdoor on foot. Why not rent an area mountaineering fanatic that additionally occurs to be an expert photographer? That is the right mixture to get each superb views, and pictures to doc your expertise.
The photographer will take you on a hike of your alternative, from straightforward to average issue, and seize the great thing about the world by their lens. This is a superb choice for guests that wish to see Missoula’s pure surroundings however won’t ensure the place to go.
Choices on your hike may 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 numerous totally 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 associates 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 numerous 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 revel in.
For a really immersive expertise, contemplate reserving an all-inclusive lodging and fishing journey. For any fishing fanatic, this can be a dream come true.
6. Go to a Present on the Wilma Theater
The Wilma Theater is a world-class theater positioned within the coronary heart of Missoula. It’s some of the well-liked leisure venues on the town and often hosts big-name performers.
When you’re searching for one thing extra laid again, many smaller exhibits and occasions happen on the Wilma all year long. These embrace stay 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 school.
It doesn’t matter what you’re searching for, the Wilma Theater is bound to have one thing that can 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 positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Missoula. MAM options each everlasting and rotating exhibitions, with a lot of them outdoor in an “Artwork Park”, in addition to a wide range of academic applications.
Some of the well-liked sights at MAM is First Friday. It is a strategy to see plenty of the native artwork galleries, together with MAM, totally free. Simply present up on the primary Friday of every month from 5pm – 8pm, to sip wine, eat snacks, and revel in artwork.
MAM additionally provides a wide range of courses and workshops for each adults and kids. These are glorious alternatives to study new expertise, or attempt your hand at a special sort of artwork.
When you’re searching for a singular strategy to spend a day, the Missoula Artwork Museum is a superb choice.
8. Ski at Snow Bowl
When you’re searching for issues to do in Missoula in winter, downhill snowboarding is a superb alternative. Missoula is residence to Snow Bowl, and you may get there in lower than half-hour. The views from the highest of the mountain are unbelievable, and there’s one thing for skiers and snowboarders of all ranges. I’ve skied this mountain a handful of instances and all the time loved the bluebird days and powder.
When you don’t have your individual gear, no worries! You’ll be able to lease 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 revel in a day of snowboarding or snowboarding.
Snow Bowl truly provides loads of summer season actions as effectively, together with mountaineering, biking, and zip line excursions. It doesn’t matter what exercise you select, you may resolve 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. Lease Snow Gear and Go Discover
Go to the Final Finest Ski and Paddle Store for your whole outside rental wants for winter or summer season. You can too reserve your gear on-line and easily decide up what you want whenever you arrive.
Lease cross-country ski gear within the winter and put together to discover native mountaineering trails. A neighborhood favorite is to go 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 in the course of the chilly winter months.
When you’re not up for cross-country snowboarding, you can even go for snowshoeing. It is a a lot simpler exercise to choose up rapidly and begin having fun with. Plus, it may be finished virtually anyplace. Simply make sure to keep away from designated cross-country trails which can be groomed.
10. Lease a Bike and Journey the Clark Fork Path
The Clark Fork Path is a straightforward paved path that runs alongside the river – you may go even additional east if you wish to journey on gravel. So far as issues to do in Missoula in summer season, it’s an ideal spot for biking, strolling, operating, or rollerblading throughout hotter months. It’s nice for all ages and offers you an excellent really feel for Missoula nature with out having to depart the town limits, and even downtown.
Wandering on this path by foot or bike was all the time a favorite Saturday exercise for me, earlier than heading downtown for a meal, or assembly a pal for a espresso.
Biking is likely one of the best methods to get round in Missoula. In truth, 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 lease a motorbike and hit the paths.
Native bike store Bitterroot Path can lease you all of the gear you want. They’ll additionally provide you with a map and present you the place to journey earlier than sending you in your means. Plus, they can provide different suggestions for the place to go when you’d wish to journey one thing a bit extra technical.
Once you’re prepared for a break, you may 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, attempt driving over to the bottom of Sentinal Peak, the place you may hike the “M” for some spectacular metropolis views.
11. Be taught to Kayak
Missoula is the right place to discover ways to kayak. With the Clark Fork River operating by city, there are many locations to follow your new expertise. Plus, the town created a “wave” – generally known as Brennan’s Wave – within the middle of city the place kayaking fans can follow their strikes.
You’ll be able to take a newbie kayaking class, or polish up your whitewater by Zootown Surfers. They’ll offer 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 may head out by yourself and discover the river.
Be sure you keep away from areas with fast-moving water, or the place swimming is prohibited. If you wish to discover these areas, all the time contemplate going with a information who is aware of the river effectively. When you don’t wish to kayak on the river your self, I’ve all the time had enjoyable going to Caras park simply to look at the kayakers play on the wave.
12. Float the Clark Fork on an Innertube
You understand it’s summertime in Missoula when you may spot teams of individuals floating down the river on tubes. It is a enjoyable exercise and excellent for warm summer season days. You’ll be able to lease tubes from a number of locations on the town, together with Clark Fork Yacht Membership. Except you may coordinate with a gaggle of individuals and vehicles, you must also ebook a shuttle journey 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 lease your tube from. In any other case, ask an area floating information. I all the time 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, all the time hold your security in thoughts on the river. Be certain that to double-check the river situations, float with different folks, 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 superb 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 stay 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 searching for one thing to do with the youngsters, your associate, 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 positioned at Caras Park downtown.
14. Go to Flathead Lake
When you’re searching for further issues to do close to Missoula, there are many choices inside a couple of hours drive. Montanans love spending scorching days on a lake. Flathead lake is about an hour’s drive from Missoula and is the biggest pure freshwater lake west of the Mississippi within the contiguous United States.
This big lake provides tons of alternatives for water sports activities. You’ll be able to lease gear akin to jet skis, velocity boats, and kayaks. Select your excellent water sport mode and let the enjoyable instances start. I personally take pleasure in paddle boarding alongside the shore.
Be sure you seize a field of Flathead cherries in your means 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 effectively price a visit for exploring when you’re within the Missoula space. Throughout the park itself, there’s loads of mountaineering and scenic driving to do. Once you’re prepared for one thing extra, attempt a full-day whitewater rafting journey.
It is a nice strategy to see a number of the most lovely elements 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 superb journey for households or teams that wish to expertise Glacier Nationwide Park in a singular and memorable means.
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 overview a number of the mostly requested questions on Missoula, MT.
Is Missoula Montana Price Visiting?
Completely! Missoula is a wonderful city with loads of issues to do. It’s excellent for a weekend getaway or an extended trip. Out of doors fans, 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 outdoor. And Missoula is a superb place to just do that.
How Do I Spend a Day in Missoula?
There are numerous methods to spend a day in Missoula. For the outside fanatic, there’s loads of mountaineering, 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 overview, high favourites embrace:
- Discover downtown
- Go for a hike or bike journey
- 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 outside recreation alternatives. It’s additionally identified for its thriving arts and meals scene.
In a comparatively conservative state, Missoula is understood for being open-minded. In truth, Montanans that don’t stay in Missoula typically consult with it because the “hippie” metropolis. Missoula additionally has its personal slogan of “hold 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 outside actions, Missoula provides far more than that. You’re additionally certain to like the downtown space and all it has to supply. From there, take a while to choose a couple of of your favorite actions from the listing above.
Now that you already know a number of the greatest actions in Missoula, it’s time to begin planning your journey. Whether or not you’re searching for outside adventures, cultural experiences, or only a enjoyable trip, Missoula has one thing for everybody. I all the time look ahead to my Missoula journeys and I do know you’ll love them too!
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