Missoula is a city that is found in the west of Montana. It is located along the Clark Fork River and has a population of around 75,000 people. This makes Missoula the second biggest city in the state of Montana. Missoula is home to the University of Montana and is the county seat for Missoula County.
As an important city in western Montana, Missoula has a lot of attractions and hosts many visitors every year. Missoula is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, nightlife, museums, theater, and historical landmarks.
Your Overview: Fun Things to Do in Missoula
Perhaps one of the most fun things to do in Missoula to start getting to know the town is visiting the Missoula Farmer's Market. This farmer's market is held on Saturday mornings. This is a great place to mingle with locals and buy fresh produce, meats, and cheeses. You can also buy delicious baked goods at the Missoula Farmer's Market.
If you want to visit one of the top Missoula destinations for exploring the outdoors, head to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area.
You can visit the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area year round to hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, and cross-country ski. There are also a lot of educational facilities and exhibits at this recreation area where you can learn about the natural habitats, flora, and fauna of the Missoula area.
Another one of the best attractions in Missoula is the Fort Missoula Museum. This is one of the main museums in the city. The Fort Missoula Museum features a re-creation of a Western town as it was in the late 19th century.
Family Things to Do in Missoula with Kids
You should easily be able to keep the kids happy in Missoula. Kids are often fascinated with a visit to the Garnet Ghost Town. The Garnet Ghost Town is located nearby in Drummond. The town is preserved as how it was in the 1890's when it was abandoned. The town itself dates to the 1860s.
The Children's Museum of Missoula is a good spot especially for toddlers and younger children.
The Children's Museum of Missoula is found within the Missoula Public Library. If you're looking for family things to do in Missoula, you should check out all the educational resources the Children's Museum of Missoula provides to youngsters.
Tight Purse Strings: Free and Cheap Things to Do
You can head to the Blue Mountain Recreational Area if you want to explore Missoula without spending any money.
The Blue Mountain Recreational Area is located close to the city. It offers great opportunities to explore the Missoula Valley as well as the Rattlesnake and Sapphire Mountains. There are 41 miles of trails scattered throughout the Blue Mountain Recreational Area. These trails are great for hiking and jogging.
Another option for free and cheap things to do in Missoula is to tour the St. Francis Xavier Church. It's inexpensive to tour this church and check out its stained glass windows and impressive organ. The St. Francis Xavier Church is located on West Pine Street.
Explore the Heart of the City with Things to Do in Downtown Missoula
Caras Park is a park located in downtown Missoula.
This is a very popular venue for many different types of event in the city. It is certainly a spot to check out if you're looking for things to do in downtown Missoula. Caras Park is located right on the Clark Fork River.
One iconic Missoula landmark found within Caras Park is a Carousel for Missoula. Adults and kids alike can enjoy this one-of-a-kind attraction in downtown Missoula.
The Wilma Theatre is a major attraction in the downtown area. The theatre was first opened in 1921, so it has a long history as a primary venue in the city. This is a great venue for seeing live music performances.
Things to Do in Missoula at Night
Though Missoula is a small city, it does offer some nightlife options to be aware of. At the end of the day, you can check out some of the great places for having a pint of craft beer or cider in Missoula. Check out Highlander Beer or Western Cider Co.
Another popular spot for things to do in Missoula at night is The Rhino. The Rhino is a bar located on Ryman Street.
The Wilma is an important spot to mention in any discussion about nightlife in Missoula. This is a music venue that's located on South Higgins Avenue.
Romantic Things to Do
Couples often love the simple, old-fashioned charm of the city of Missoula. There are a lot of romantic parks and spots downtown to enjoy for couples.
For a lovely getaway to rekindle romance, try a stay at the Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast. This bed and breakfast is located in a wildlife habitat that covers 20 acres. The plot of land overlooks Missoula and therefore offers some great views. The Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast is found on Dead Man Gulch Road. This is a perfect spot to check out for romantic things to do.
Looking for Unusual? Cool Things to Do in Missoula
Among Montana cities, Missoula is known as being the city with some of the strangest attractions. One of the most noteworthy is the notorious cat sculpture located in the downtown area. This sculpture was created in 1992.
It is entitled "Cattin' Around" and was created as a public art project. It is located outside of a parking garage and is certainly a cool piece of artwork that's unlike anything you've seen elsewhere.
Another strange Missoula attraction that is something of a secret is the Elk Country Visitor Center. The Elk Country Visitor Center has what's known as the "wall of elk heads."
This is a collection of stuffed elk heads. Visitors are always impressed with the enormous size of these imposing creatures. The Elk Country Visitor Center is devoted to preserving the wildlife and habitat of the natural areas of Missoula.
Indoor or Outdoor Things to Do (Weather Dependent)
You may need indoor or outdoor things to do depending on the weather during your time in Missoula. Head to the Southgate Mall located near the intersection of South Avenue West and Route 93. This is a shopping mall that also offers a lot of dining options and a movie theater.
You can start exploring Missoula to learn more about this unique western Montana city. Although Missoula is a relatively small city, it is also a city that offers a lot to both residents and visitors. As one of the most important centers for culture in Montana, Missoula will impress you with its many attractions.