Museums

Four Indoor Activities to Experience While Traveling in Central Montana

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Bright sunshine, warm temps and long and leisurely summer days are what we look forward to all year. Sometimes though it’s great to take a break, get indoors and explore. Here are four fun indoor activities in four different communities in Central Montana. Carousel Rest Area of Shelby Located on US Hwy 2, this carousel, technically the Carousel Rest Area of Shelby, is great for the kiddos, and adults come away with some pretty big … Read more

Epic Country Drive in Central Montana – Over the Bear Paw Mountains, Into the Upper Missouri Breaks

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History, mountains, rugged river breaks, a national monument and a ferry ride – this drive covers all of these and it is beyond epic! It was a sunny Saturday morning and we had a yearning for some quiet county back roads and amazingly diverse scenery – that’s all it took to stir up excitement for this drive. My first advice – this is a seasonal drive and definitely a no-go when roads are muddy or … Read more

Spend Three Days Exploring Central Montana After Visiting Glacier National Park

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After you’ve absorbed all of the majestic beauty on a visit to Glacier National Park, save some time to explore the region on the eastern side of this national icon. Central Montana has a mix of it all when it comes to geography – mountains, rivers and plains. Day 1 in Central Montana After leaving East Glacier and then Browning, turn south on US Hwy 89 and follow this route that hugs the east slope … Read more

Yellowstone to Glacier Through Central Montana’s Scenic Corridor

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Looking for road trip ideas? Visit one or both of Montana’s national parks, take scenic US Hwy 89 between them and you won’t be disappointed. Limited traffic, small town charm, and plenty of things to do all combine for a memorable trip. Let’s start where you exit Yellowstone National Park and work our way north to Glacier National Park. Gardiner is the first town just outside Yellowstone’s north boundary. In about 55 miles US Hwy … Read more

Highlights of the Hi-Line in Central Montana

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We’ve heard it called quirky, iconic, historic, scenic, and a step back in time. Those monikers all describe US Hwy 2 as it stretches across Montana for about 650 miles. Locals call it Montana’s Hi-Line since it’s the northernmost route traversing the state from east to west. We call it an interesting and fun drive. Let’s talk about some of the gems along US Hwy 2 in Central Montana. On our western edge, travelers are … Read more

Favorite Things to do in Meagher County

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On my last visit to Meagher County I starting counting the reasons why people came to vacation in the area. I saw hikers, hunters, campers, retired couples out for a getaway, and people who came to soak in the thermal springs. All in all, that covered quite a variety of people. Here’s a bit of history of the area. The largest town in the county is really a small quaint town of about 1,000 people. … Read more

Learning About Rocks, Unique Art and History in Central Montana

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A “city” made out of rocks, people made out of trees and a lesson in history – the fun way to learn! Kids love exploring and I know three that are always up for an adventure. Read along while I reflect on some recent experiences. Let’s talk geology and geography. I took the kids to an area called Rock City six miles north of Valier, Montana. I wasn’t sure what their reaction would be. This … Read more

Waterfalls, Hot Springs and a Mountain Stream – Your Perfect Central Montana Weekend

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Choose your weekend and begin exploring the diverse landscapes of Central Montana. This weekend suggestion will have you visiting a state park, doing your choice of activities – from hiking, fishing, floating, seeking out a waterfall, adding to your bird life-list and soaking in hot springs. Let’s start! We’ll begin by leaving Great Falls and driving east on a highway of many numbers – US Hwys 87 and 89 and MT Hwys 3 & 200 … Read more

Three Historic Jails in Central Montana

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Three small communities in Central Montana have some interesting jail history that you can view today. Square Butte, Montana , once a stop along the Milwaukee Railroad as it traveled from Great Falls to Lewistown, has a granite jail built from locally quarried ashlar granite. As you drive in to this little community there is even a sign that says “Historic Jail 3 Blocks”. There really aren’t “blocks” in this community but it probably is … Read more

Four Urban Trails in Central Montana

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Easily accessible, scenic and historic trails weave through several of Central Montana’s communities and offer a variety of recreation and scenery. Lewistown Trail System The Lewistown Trail System has 24 miles of trail for walking and running. Find the trailhead on Main Street (211 E Main) in the business district. The trail system connects all of Lewistown’s public schools, a nice perk for kids and teachers who want to bike or walk to school. Big … Read more