Things To Do In Montana?????

there is the Old Prison Museum in Deer Lodge (between Missoula and Butte). Also an Auto Museum. http://www.pcmaf.org/prison.htm

In Phillipsburg, (between Butte and Missoula) it's an old western type town, you can go to a gem store and 'mine' for sapphires (there is a bucket you buy, and sift thru it-I'm going to do this) Montana sapphires are the highest quality sapphires you will find in the US, there is also an old style candy store.

In Butte, you can visit the Berkley Pit, Butte is an old copper mining town, and that's where they mined for copper. There is some sort of observation deck there. Also there is a Granite Mountain Mining Memorial (my family's name is up there). Here is a website that tells you how to get there: http://www.takemytrip.com/06glacier/06_29a.htm

Evel Knievel is buried in Butte as well, and there is a museum that has some of his stuff in there.

There is a statue commemorating women in the mountainside: http://ourladyoftherockies.net/

I can only recommend going to Nancy's and getting a pasty (beef, onions, and potatoes in a pastry pocked and smothered in gravy). Or you can go to Pork Chop John's and get a pork chop sandwich, if you don't like the 'fast food' feel, go to the Freeway Tavern and get a Wop Chop (a pork chop pounded flat, then battered and fried) served on a bun with pickles and onions.

That's all I know, if you're into folf, there are some courses in the area too. I can find out more if you like.

concertaholicshirt wrote:

I asked this in one of the main Missoula threads, but those discussions move to quickly and it seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle (sorry if you responded and I missed it.) Anyway, due to the FreqFlier timing, I need to get to town a couple of days early. Landing Friday night and thinking of heading straight out to a hotel in Helena and doing Saturday there, and then swinging through Butte in the afternoon on the way back to Missoula Sat night. It seems like there are a few interesting things in those places, but not necessarily enough to fill much more than the time I have.

Can anyone recommend anything special in those areas? Any museums (I'm a Bierstadt Whore and will go out of my way to see his work)? Any funky tours run by locals (e.g. ghost, local shenanigans, etc.)? Outdoor activities? Restaurants? Anything on the road to or from those places that is worth a stop?

That's what I'm thinking, but....... any better ideas that I need to consider for must-sees in other areas of Montana? Thanks!

You could go see Pearl Jam?

I understand one can get dental floss by the crop.

It may be too far for you but I would consider driving to Glacier/Waterton National Park. Glacier is the US side and Waterton is the Canadian side. It's about a three hour drive but well worth it. We visit both frequently and you won't be disappointed. For a few pictures look up Going-to-the-sun highway or the Prince of Wales hotel.
Going to Waterton would require a passport. Let me know if you want more information. I could give you some ideas.

cattle

"To those who suggested the parks, I'm in CO quite a bit, and will be hitting those mountains again before this trip. Unless it's Grand Canyonesque, it's probably not required viewing for me if it's far away from Missoula. But I agree that the country out there is phenomenal."

You wont go wrong no matter what you choose but as someone who just drove across the country and took in several national parks (as well as having been to many others on previous trips) dont be fooled by bundling this with other spots. Been to CO lots of times and there are zero spots in CO where you can be driving and have a buffalo walk past you.

Seriously you will have a blast however you slice it -- of all of the parks I have been to I only enjoyed Yosemite more than Yellowstone. It truly is very different -- I liked the Grand Canyon but it was 'more of the same' once the initial stunning beauty set in. Yellowstone is the size of Delaware & Rhode Island together and it extremely diverse.

Otherwise, I agree with 81 -- drink beer! (And enjoy the show!) Good luck.

5against1- wrote:

Where does mary jane like to hang out as I'm flying in from PA :geek: :geek:

Going to hit up Glacier as it's not to far away from Missoula. Also anyone know anything about the drive from Spokane, WA to Missoula?

Thanks and look forward to meeting some cool jammers that weekend.

you best not hang out with Mary Jane if she is 'from' Montana...find someone who is driving to there from a different state.

DS1119 wrote:

There's rattlesnakes in Montana isn't there? :fp:

yes, but they don't hang out in the bars eating steak and catsup

can't wait to get me a big ol montana steak....