Montana's cultural landscape is on par with its natural one. Between the state's two national parks, discover some of the West's most captivating museums. Western Montana's Glacier Country and Montana's Yellowstone Country are teeming with arts and history hot spots-from the fastest-growing contemporary art museum in the intermountain West and one of the world's largest and most famous collections of dinosaur fossils, to museums housing unique treasures like a 7.5-foot sturgeon and one of the world's first personal computers.
We've curated park-to-park tours of Montana's many impressive and important museums, offering a cultural experience that history buffs, art aficionados, and anyone in between will treasure. View the work of renowned artists, and some of the most fascinating exhibits of historical artifacts providing glimpses into the Old West, railroad days, pioneer settlements, American Indian heritage, and our national parks-to name a handful.
Between stops, enjoy the charming small towns that make up the heart and soul of the region, featuring warm western welcomes, historic downtowns, local shops and art galleries, theater and live music, exceptionally good food and 40+ breweries and distilleries throughout the region.
Bigfork
A cultural center in the heart of Bigfork to view Montana art and craft exhibits and experience educational arts and culture programs.
525 Electric Ave.
406.837.6927
Website
Missoula
An interpretive center dedicated to the history of Bonner, surrounding neighborhoods and the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers.
9397 State Highway 200
406.258.6335; 406.258.6134
Website
Troy
A Troy attraction housed in a Great Northern Railway depot featuring Troy-related historical items, surrounded by a frisbee golf (FOLF) course and a nature trail.
629 E. Missoula Ave.
406.295.4540
Website
Kalispell
The architecturally remarkable mansion of Charles Conrad, Kalispell’s founder, including period furniture and exquisite gardens.
330 Woodland Ave.
406.755.2166
Website
Missoula
A 187-acre recreation area on the Clark Fork River and site of the historic Hellgate Treaty, which created the Flathead Reservation.
11249 Mullan Road
406.542.5500
Website
Hamilton
The historic, furnished, 24,000-square-foot home of copper king Marcus Daly, surrounded by gorgeous botanical gardens and an arboretum with 27 species of trees.
251 Eastside Highway
406.363.6004
Website
Darby
The first official ranger station in Darby now serving as an educational and interpretive center for U.S. Forest Service history.
712 N. Main St.
406.821.3913
Website
Darby
A historic log homestead—one of the first hand-hewn cabins in the area—featuring an extensive collection of early settler domestic artifacts and work implements.
101 E. Tanner Ave.
406.821.3753
Website
Browning
A unique collection of Western and American Indian art and memorabilia, including cowboy antiques and collectibles for sale.
215 First Ave. SE
406.338.7413
Stevensville
The home of Montana's first Catholic church and the state's first permanent European settlement includes interpretive signs and exhibits plus period furnishings and artifacts.
99 Fort Owen Ranch Road
406.273.4253
Website
Ronan
The site of the first church in Ronan includes a historic schoolhouse, dovetailed log house, tool shed and farm machinery building, plus a beautiful view of Sheep’s Head Mountain.
518 Round Butte Road
406.676.5210
Greenough
A hotel, saloon and cabins still standing from Montana’s boom and bust mining days—named one of America’s coolest ghost town’s by Travel + Leisure magazine.
From State Highway 200, about 30 miles east of Missoula, turn south between mile markers 22 and 23.
406.329.3914
Website
West Yellowstone
A self-guided tour of a historic, museum-quality, Union Pacific executive rail car offering a glimpse into the golden days of the railroad.
315 Yellowstone Ave.
406.646.7365
Website
Bozeman
A world-renowned, Information Age museum featuring thought-provoking exhibits and stories of innovation that span 4,000 years, including robotics, artificial intelligence, the Space Age, quantum computing and more.
2023 Stadium Drive, Suite 1A
406.582.1288
Website
Red Lodge
A museum housed in the first labor Temple in Montana, displaying the history of Carbon Country including legendary family rodeo and gun collections, American Indian artifacts, interactive coal and hard rock mine exhibits, plus hands-on children’s activities.
224 N. Broadway
406.446.3667
Website
Fromberg
A historic railroad depot museum displaying homesteader history of the Clarks Fork Valley, including a doctor’s office and homesteader cabin.
101 E. River Road
406.668.7650
Website
Cooke City
A museum with exhibits depicting the history of Cooke City, Silver Gate and Colter Pass, including Cooke City settlement by prospectors and investment companies and the building of the Beartooth Highway—an engineering feat.
206 W. Main St.
406.838.2203
Website
Big Timber
A historical look at the geology, mining, ranching and sheep industry of Sweet Grass County, including a research library and archives, plus (during the summer) the Lewis and Clark garden.
2 S. Frontage Road
406.932.5126
Website
Cameron
Interpretive services on natural attractions and the effects of the strongest recorded earthquake in the Rockies.
317 U.S. Highway 287
406.682.7620
Website
Livingston
The site of the first Crow Indian Reservation, the history of which is directly related to the development of Bozeman, Montana, the creation of Yellowstone National Park, and the movement of Montana Territory to statehood.
Mission, Meredith Ranch Road
Website
Yellowstone National Park
A historic district featuring 35 Army-era structures from the first development of administrative and concession facilities in Yellowstone National Park.
2 Barracks St.
406.581.7071
Website
Bozeman
A historic jail turned western heritage museum featuring relics of American Indian tribes, a model of Fort Ellis, period fashions, guns and other artifacts, including jail cells and hanging gallows.
317 W. Main St.
406.522.8122
Website
Greycliff
A 98-acre black-tailed prairie dog conservation and viewing area giving visitors a glimpse of these highly entertaining little critters as they dash from hole to hole and sound their “chirpy” alarms. Interpretive displays tell the tale of what Lewis & Clark referred to as “barking squirrels.”
Old U.S. Highway 10
406.445.2326
Website
West Yellowstone
A nonprofit wildlife park and educational facility featuring live grizzly bears and gray wolves, as well as otter and raptor exhibits and a naturalist cabin.
201 S. Canyon St.
406.646.7001
Website
Dillon
An authentic homesteader’s log cabin featuring mining and agricultural equipment, a natural history exhibit, a one-room schoolhouse and more.
15 S. Montana St.
406.683.5027
Website
Ovando
Back in 1897, this building in the heart of Ovando was a saloon dubbed the “Bucket of Blood,” but today it hosts a collection of local memorabilia honoring the town’s past.
314 Main St.
406.793.5685
Website
Townsend
A local area history museum and library with a catalog of local newspapers, census records and hard copies of the Townsend Star, all dating back well over a century.
133 N. Walnut St.
406.266.5252
Website
Butte
A firehall dating back to 1900 now houses paper records and photographs in its publicly accessible reading room to catalog the history of Butte and Silver Bow County.
17 W. Quartz St.
406.782.3280
Website
Townsend
Built in 1875-1876 by pioneers, and moved in 1952 to make rooms for the expansion of Canon Ferry, this historic church serves as a community center and hosts a variety of live performances during the summer months.
3497 Highway 284
406.266.3710
Website
Butte
Copper King William A. Clark made a fortune with smelters, electric power companies, newspapers, railroads and mining. His first mansion was built in Butte between 1884-1888, with materials costing $250,000. View hand-carved staircases and frescoed ceilings in this 30-room home.
219 W. Granite Street
406.782.7580
Website
Anaconda
Located in the historic City Hall, this gallery and museum hosts rotating art exhibits ranging from heritage arts to contemporary artists from Montana and around the world.
401 E. Commercial Ave.
406.563.2422
Website
Helena
This kid-friendly STEM museum features interactive activities and exhibits pertaining to science, technology, engineering and math.
995 Carousel Way
406.457.1800
Website
Deer Lodge
One man’s lifelong collection of western memorabilia includes more than 300 handguns and rifles, some made famous by figures like Billy the Kid and Doc Holliday.
1105 Main St.
406.846.3111
Website
Helena
Highlights of this museum and library’s collection of Masonic items, books and manuscripts include the Masonic apron of Meriwether Lewis, plus a depiction of Montana’s first-recorded Masonic meeting.
425 N. Park Ave.
406.442.7774
Website
Philipsburg
An old hotel remodeled to showcase a mining exhibit and a Ghost Town Hall of Fame dedicated to the history of Montana’s ghost towns. Home to the Ghost Town Hall of Fame, an evolving display of historical exhibits, and a replica of an old bank with a coin collection found beneath a miner's cabin. An underground silver mine has been re-created in the museum basement.
135 S. Sansome St.
406.859.3020
Website
Helena
A 17,000-square-foot community art museum housing a vast range of art media, from historical to contemporary, with a focus on curating innovative exhibits.
12 E. Lawrence St.
406.442.6400
Website
Before you set out on your Montana museum tour, be sure to map out your trip and plan ahead. Some museums in the region are open seasonally and have limited hours, and a few are only open by appointment. Plan your time by getting a feel in advance for how long a self-guided or guided tour of each museum might be, and research ahead for fees—some museums offer free admission, others charge a fee, while others encourage a donation.
Check each region for more information:
Another great resource for history tour planning, the Montana Historical Society documents all the buildings in Montana that have been placed on the National Register of Historic places.
Lodging is part of the adventure, and Montana's western hospitality is second to none. From authentic guest ranches and mountain resorts to quaint bed-and-breakfasts and historic downtown hotels, there’s a stay that sums up your idyllic Montana getaway.
For more on lodging, visit glaciermt.com/stay and visityellowstonecountry.com/places-to-stay.
Montana is well-versed in the art of food and drink. Our top-notch culinary scene is on display throughout the region, where local chefs dish up creative genius no matter your taste. Our drinks are spot on, too, with breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries crafting up works of fine art. You'll also find a number of historic, western bars in the region, brimming with authentic Montana character.
For more on where to dine and drink, visit glaciermt.com/eat and visityellowstonecountry.com/food-and-drink.
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
