Discover a Storied Landscape
2-Day Itinerary
If it’s a storied experience you’re after, then you’ve come to the right place. Leave the guidebooks, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready to embark on a soul-stirring journey. Starting in Great Falls – the museum capital of Montana!
Great Falls, MT | Art, culture, restored buildings, and the mighty Missouri River. Spend an afternoon exploring Great Falls and you’ll quickly fall in love with the city’s historic presence. But before you do, head downtown and start your morning off slow with a handcrafted drink and pastry from a local favorite, Crooked Tree Coffee.
River's Edge Trail | With your taste buds satisfied (and a coffee to go), take to the outdoors for a scenic walk or bike ride along the River’s Edge Trail. Winding along the Missouri River for 53 miles, the River’s Edge Trail leads to many historic attractions and is a great spot for birding, wildlife spotting, and even nighttime stargazing from the river overlooks.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for the 29 art sculptures and murals along the way – many designed by local artists.
C.M. Russell Museum | Continue your morning delighting in the art and soul of the American West! Known for his breathtaking masterpieces, Charlie Russell is one of the most well-known artists in the western art world – and most of his intimate work, home, and studio are on display right here in Great Falls. Come meet the “original cowboy artist!”
Choose your afternoon adventure:
The best learning is the kind that can be experienced. Go on a hunt for the storied “falls”, visit an award-winning museum, or unearth Montana’s past with a quick road trip.
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Follow Lewis & Clark | You may have read about Lewis & Clark, but nothing paints their iconic journey quite like being there yourself. Relive the expedition right where it happened at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center – it has North America’s most extensive collection of the expedition.
Explore the Falls | The most common Great Falls’ question: Where are the falls? Spread across the Missouri River, there are five waterfalls – many flowing today and roaring come spring!
Discover Montana's Origins | Head northeast and you’ll find yourself in historic Fort Benton, the very first settlement in Montana. Venture over the Old Fort Benton Bridge and watch time slow down as you uncover Montana’s birthplace.
5th & Wine | After a full day exploring, enrich your taste buds with dinner and drinks! Offering fine dining in a relaxing atmosphere, 5th & Wine makes for the perfect cozy evening in. In town over the weekend? Be sure to check out their brunch options! They source their ingredients seasonally from local producers.
Today’s a Jurassic day! Soak in the present while stepping into a prehistoric past as we pack up and head west toward the Montana Dinosaur Trail.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump | A must-see on your way out, take a slight detour and stop at the largest bison cliff jump in North America. An integral part of the Native American culture, First Peoples Buffalo Jump is a preserved archaeological site with remnants of both drive lines and compacted buffalo remains.
Old Trail Museum | Kick off your prehistoric adventure at the Old Trail Museum in Choteau – our first stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Learn about Egg Mountain, explore unique exhibits, and interact with real fossil remains.
The Montana Dinosaur Center | Dinosaurs roamed through the mountains long ago. And now you get the chance to travel back in time, uncovering their story piece by piece, and possibly making a discovery of your own. Continue your dinosaur journey at The Montana Dinosaur Center!
Half-Day Site Tour | Join an expert paleontologist team as they lead you through a live excavation site tour. Though you won’t be doing any digging, you will see plenty of dinosaur bones along the way! Reservation required.
Full-Day Dig Expedition | Learn the basics of field paleontology, how to identify fossils, and then take part in a dino dig – searching for dinosaur remains on an active fossil site. Reservation required.
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See the Dinosaurs | In addition to being an active dig site, the Montana Dinosaur Center is home to the world’s longest dinosaur model, the first baby dinosaur fossils, and so much more! Free admission.
Dupuyer, MT | On the verge of the Rocky Mountain front, end your trip taking in the vast wilderness and scenic views surrounding the community of Dupuyer.
Buffalo Joes Eatery & Saloon | One step into Buffalo Joes and you’ll find yourself immediately transported to the old west. Lean into the spirit of the day with a bison burger or order a pizza for two.
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Stargazing | To get lost in the night sky is a privilege all on its own. Grab your blanket and binoculars and head toward Swift Dam – stopping to take in the stars, planets, and maybe even the Northern Lights!
Buffalo Wallow Motel | Grab a late-night drink or call it a day. Whatever your preference, find your oasis and reflect on your grand expedition at the nearby Buffalo Wallow Motel.
Trip Add-Ons
Add a day, swap an adventure, or continue your way through Central Montana – the adventure is in the journey.
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