Fort Benton’s Charm Trail

I was definitely charmed!

A couple of weeks ago I was in Fort Benton”, MT and had a fun time exploring their Charm Trail. It was developed to encourage visitors to the community to check out businesses all around town. The Charm Trail began mostly with businesses on Front Street which runs along the pedestrian friendly levee, and has expanded to cover the town.

There are Charm Trail Maps listing the 66 participating businesses and telling what their charm is. Individual charms are $3 each and once you get into this, you’ll have a difficult time stopping. Most charms typify the business although I noticed one beauty salon has a witch charm! Here’s a short list of just a few of the charms – covered wagon, cabin, stagecoach, cannon, arrow head, western boot, canoe, Shep (famous local dog), six-shooter gun, cowboy, tepee, quilt square, swinging bar doors, saddle, steamboat and steamboat wheel. Of course there’s a martini glass at one local watering hole, a book at the library, scissors from a hair salon and a ferris wheel from the fairgrounds. And many more.

It’s fun to the point where you may need a couple of charm bracelets. Or, take the lead of one local tourism booster and get a large chain necklace for your collection. In addition to ending up with jewelry with memories, you’ll meet a lot of folks in this friendly, charming town.