15 Greatest Issues to Do in Billings, Montana, in 2023

If you happen to’re searching for issues to do in Billings, Montana, you’ve come to the suitable place. I’ve put collectively a listing of my favorite actions and sights on this great metropolis.

I used to be born and raised in Billings till leaving for college. Within the final decade, the town has been rising and altering, with many extra alternatives for residents and guests alike.

Nowadays, I’ve moved again to work remotely from home and I’m excited to share all of the enjoyable issues to see and locations to go to in Billings – my hometown.

15 Greatest Issues to Do in Billings

Whether or not you’re a nature lover, historical past buff, or simply searching for some enjoyable household actions, you’ll discover one thing on this that appeals to you. Billings is among the best destinations to visit in Montana, and Montana is among the best places to visit in the US.

Listed below are the 15 finest issues to do in Billings.

1. Go on a Nature and Historical past Tour

The Billings Western Tour is among the most original issues to do in Billings if you happen to’re fascinated with studying in regards to the space’s historical past and tradition. This tour takes you to a few of the most essential historic websites in Billings, together with the Little Bighorn Battlefield Nationwide Monument, Pictograph Cave State Park, and Chief A lot Coups State Park.

This can be a nice exercise for historical past buffs and people who wish to be taught extra in regards to the space’s wealthy historic and pure heritage. Tours usually final round six hours and admission to every park is included.

2. Strive Horseback Using

Horseback using is among the finest issues to do in Billings if you happen to love animals and the good outside. There are a number of ranches within the space that supply horseback using classes and path rides. This can be a nice exercise for households, teams of mates, or anybody who desires to expertise the fantastic thing about Montana’s panorama from a unique perspective.

Most ranches provide beginner-friendly rides, so it doesn’t matter if you happen to’ve by no means been on a horse earlier than. I like to recommend getting outdoors of Billings and heading to Livingston, MT, for this guided horseback trek by means of Blue Flower Path. On the tour, you’ll be able to experience within the countryside and revel in beautiful views of the native mountains.

Planning on visiting different places in Montana? See these different posts:

3. Go to Yellowstone Nationwide Park

Yellowstone National Park is among the hottest issues to see close to Billings and the doorway is lower than 2 hours away. This world-famous park is dwelling to an unbelievable number of wildlife, together with bison, elk, bears, and wolves. It’s also possible to see a few of the world’s most spectacular geothermal options right here, resembling geysers and sizzling springs.

There are a number of issues to do in Yellowstone, relying in your pursuits. You may go mountaineering, tenting, fishing, or sightseeing. If you happen to’re taking a day journey from Billings, I like to recommend beginning the day early, and having your personal automotive. The park could be very fashionable and I counsel getting ready to enter with a little bit persistence.

For additional steering, you should buy a self-guided audio tour. That is a straightforward and cheap technique to be taught extra in regards to the park as you drive and discover. It’s also possible to guide a private tour from West Yellowstone, however you’ll should drive there first.

4. Have a Llama Encounter

Spending time with llamas is among the extra distinctive issues to do close to Billings. Chances are you’ll assume that the animal is strictly South American, however they’re raised in Montana as effectively.

If you happen to’d like to steer, hug, brush, and feed a llama, there’s a llama encounter exercise provided in Livingston, roughly an hour and a half west of Billings. This can be a enjoyable 2 hour cease to coordinate along with your Yellowstone go to, if time permits.

5. Embark on a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is an effective way to discover with household or mates and is only one of many enjoyable actions to do in Billings. There are a number of corporations that supply scavenger hunts, which generally final round two hours. It’s an awesome exercise for many who wish to see the town in a brand new and distinctive method.

Scavenger hunts are additionally good for teams as a result of they encourage teamwork and communication. I like to recommend trying out the Billings scavenger hunt, which takes you to a few of the hottest landmarks within the metropolis, and guides you in the direction of some cool hidden gems.

6. Drive the Beartooth Freeway

The Beartooth Highway is among the most scenic drives within the nation and is situated simply over an hour south of Billings. This 68-mile stretch of highway takes you thru stunning alpine surroundings, together with glaciers, lakes, and mountain peaks, as you climb to almost 11,000 ft. Cease for scenic viewpoints and mountaineering as you drive – see extra on mountaineering in #7.

In your method again to Billings, you’ll be able to cease in Purple Lodge for lunch or to stretch your legs. This charming city is situated on the base of the Beartooth Mountains and is a good place to probe for an hour or two. Cease right here, or proceed your scenic highway journey to the lesser travelled Yellowstone Nationwide Park entrance close to Cooke Metropolis.

Understand that the Beartooth Freeway is just open from late Might-October (snow pending), so plan your journey accordingly. Be ready for the climate altering. The go can abruptly shut any time of 12 months as a consequence of climate situations.

7. Hike the Beartooth Mountains

If you happen to’re searching for issues to do close to Billings in summer season, fall, or spring that contain being outside, mountaineering is a good possibility. Visiting the Beartooth mountains is a high vacationer attraction for guests and locals alike. These mountains are a few of the tallest in Montana and provide beautiful views, making them the proper place to hike.

There are a number of trails to select from, ranging in issue. I like to recommend stopping on the ranger station for particular suggestions.

My private mountaineering favourites within the space embody:

• Mystic Lake: This average path climbs as much as stunning lake views. It’s 5.5 miles, (8.9 km), and usually takes round 3 hours. If you wish to hike farther, and even attempt some backcountry tenting, you’ll be able to hike down alongside the lake.
• Off the Beaten Path: I did this superior 26-mile one-way hike for my honeymoon. It options loads of climbing by means of altering terrain and also you’ll must coordinate automobiles, or determine a shuttle. It would take you 2-3 days to finish so that you’ll must deliver backpacking gear. You may lease gear at out of doors outlets like REI.
• Elk Lake: If you happen to don’t have time for a one-way journey however wish to expertise the fantastic thing about East Rosebud within the Beartooths, do that 6.7 mile hike that usually takes lower than 3 hours. Carry a fishing pole and cease for a couple of hours on the stunning Elk Lake.
• Glacier Lake: You’ll want all-wheel drive to entry the trailhead through meandering filth roads. This 4.5 mile, (7.4 km), hike will take round 3 hours to finish. The highway resulting in this trailhead can also be an awesome place for boondock tenting – my favorite getaway spot from Billings.

8. Discover the Rimrocks

Exploring the Rimrocks is among the extra uncommon issues to do in Billings. These towering sandstone cliffs run alongside the north finish of city. They’re stunning from under and provide nice viewpoints from above.

There are a number of trails that wind by means of the Rimrocks, so you’ll be able to discover them at your personal tempo. I like to recommend beginning at Swords Park, which is situated on the northeast facet of city. That’s the place I at all times like to start my hikes.

From there, you’ll be able to take the Rimrocks Path in both course, which is a straightforward and scenic hike that can take you to a few of the finest viewpoints within the space. When you have a motorbike, you may as well experience this path as effectively.

9. Go Wine Tasting at Yellowstone Cellars Vineyard

Visiting a vineyard is among the romantic issues to do in Billings. Yellowstone Cellars Winery is a good place to go for a tasting or tour.

They provide quite a lot of crimson and white wine, the employees is pleasant and educated, they usually provide charcuterie boards and some different plates if you wish to seize some lunch. Additionally they have music nearly each weekend all year long.

The vineyard is situated in the course of the city and is straightforward to get to. It’s really the one vineyard on the town and, as a wine lover, I used to be completely happy to search out good wine so native to me. Visiting a vineyard is nice for {couples} for a date evening that wish to discover romantic actions in Billings.

Tackle: 1335 Vacation Cir, Billings, MT, 59101, USA

10. Play within the Snow within the Beartooth Mountains

If it’s not mountaineering season, then it’s in all probability snow and ski season in Montana. And if you happen to’re visiting Billings within the winter, then you definitely’ll undoubtedly wish to head as much as the Beartooth Mountains (about an hour south) for some snow-filled enjoyable. Snowboarding is unquestionably the most effective issues to do in Billings in winter.

Red Lodge Mountain is a good place to go snowboarding, snowboarding, or simply to play within the snow. They provide a number of trails for each newbie and superior skiers, and if you happen to’re not into downhill snowboarding, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the snow in different methods.

There are additionally a number of sledding hills close by which is usually a enjoyable exercise to take pleasure in with children. And if you happen to’re searching for one thing a little bit extra off the crushed monitor, attempt cross-country snowboarding or snowshoeing on the native Nordic Heart.

11. Go Fishing

The Yellowstone River runs alongside the southern and japanese components of city and is a good place to go fishing. You may fish from the riverbanks at any public entry level, resembling Duck Creek Bridge and Riverfront Park, or head out on a ship. Different choices embody Lake Elmo, though you’ll need a boat or paddle board to fish right here.

If you wish to enterprise additional, there are mountain lakes to discover within the Beartooth vary as effectively. These lakes embody Wild Invoice Lake (a kid-friendly household favorite) and West Rosebud Lake. If you happen to don’t have your personal gear, you’ll be able to simply lease the whole lot you want from the Base Camp.

Fly fishing in Montana is unbelievable. Find out about the perfect spots in this guide.

12. Go to Moss Mansion

Moss Mansion is among the finest issues to do if you happen to’re fascinated with historic or architectural Billings vacationer sights. This historic dwelling was inbuilt 1903 and is now a museum. You may take a tour of the mansion, which incorporates authentic furnishings and fixtures.

The grounds are additionally stunning and well-maintained. They provide a backyard and gazebo. Plus, they’ve a enjoyable little reward store. Within the winter, the mansion is adorned for Christmas and is open for particular occasions.

Tackle: 914 Division St, Billings, MT, 59101, USA

13. Go on a Walkable Brewery Tour

There are a number of nice breweries on the town and most of them are situated downtown, so you’ll be able to simply go to a couple of on foot. An evening out sampling beers with mates is unquestionably considered one of my most well-liked Billings actions.

My favorite brewery is the Last Chance Pub and Cider Mill. They’ve an awesome taproom with a rotating choice of cider, beers, and different native drinks.

Different breweries within the downtown space are:

14. Wander Outdoor on the Audubon Heart

If you happen to’re searching for distinctive issues to do in Billings, the Audubon Center, which is devoted to nature conservation, is a good place to go for a scenic stroll or hike.

They’ve a number of miles of trails that wind by means of the woods and alongside the river. I’ve seen wildlife resembling deer, birds, and rabbits on my many visits there.

Try their schedule and calendar of events for different enjoyable issues to see in Billings, MT. Usually, there are organized occasions particularly catered to toddlers, children, and households to find out about native wildlife and flowers.

Tackle: 7026 S Billings Blvd, Billings, MT, 59101, USA

15. Go to the Clever Wonders Museum

This can be a cease for households with children underneath the age of 10. The Wise Wonders Museum is an interactive museum that focuses on hands-on STEM science and play.

That is considered one of my child’s favorite locations to go to in Billings – a lot in order that they love coming right here weekly. And if you happen to’re right here within the winter months when the children can’t play outside in the sunshine on a regular basis, it’s a life saver.

Children will love taking part in with displays about wind, gravity, water, and extra. It’s enjoyable for all ages! Age allowing, you’ll be able to allow them to play while you sit and revel in a cup of espresso on the store that shares area with the museum.

Billings is turning into much more family-friendly as of late, with different enjoyable actions popping up resembling indoor mountain climbing, and trampoline parks.

Tackle: 3024 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT, 59101, USA

FAQs About Billings

Nonetheless questioning what to do in what to do in Billings? Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Billings, MT.

Now You Know What to Do in Billings, MT

If you happen to’ve been questioning what to do in Billings, Montana, I hope this record has given you some concepts. From out of doors recreation to family-friendly actions, there’s one thing for everybody to take pleasure in in Huge Sky Nation.

Do you’ve every other recommendations of the perfect issues to do in Billings? Share them within the feedback under!

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