Things to do & places to visit in Missoula, Montana, United States

Peacefully tucked away in the heart of the northern Rocky Mountains, Missoula is the perfect spot for a weekend of history, culture and outdoor fun. Home to the University of Montana, one of the most architecturally distinguished academic institutions in the country, the city offers a number of intellectually stimulating attractions. Spend a few hours browsing through the exhibits at the Art Museum of Missoula or take a trip back in time at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. The city's close proximity to three major rivers and acres of lush forest means visitors can also enjoy a host of recreational activities, from fly fishing and kayaking to hiking and biking. Missoula's historic downtown area has classic early-century buildings and boasts unique shops, galleries, fine dining and a lively nightlife. With kids in tow, don't miss Dragon Hollow, a magical playground that features an extraordinary hand-carved carousel.

Missoula city in Montana, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 7:37.

Top things to do (28)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Rattlesnake National Recreation Area (109 reviews)
- Great Views and Hikes
Hiking Trails

An all-season recreation area, this wilderness region is designated to promote the watershed, recreational, wildlife and educational values of the land. See more..
5.0 Missoula Farmer's Market (103 reviews)
- Great Produce
Flea & Street Markets

Lots of beautiful produce and flowers. The fresh huckleberries were fabulous and I had a wonderful brownie too. I hear the line for fresh squeezed lemonade made with local honey can become very long, but we did not have to wait and it was indeed very tasty. There are 3 streets with vendors, but the prime area seems to be nearest the river. The craft vendors are mostly on the other two streets. See more..
5.0 Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures - Day Tours (100 reviews)
- Amazing 1/2 day rafting trip!
Water Sports

It was our family’s first time rafting (kids 13 & 11) and we had a blast. Our guide, Brendan, had a calming and confident personality to help relax our son’s nervous energy around the size of the rapids. By the end of the trip, our son’s river confidence had switched and he was jumping off the boat into the Clark Forks’ cooling waters. My 13 yr old wants to come back next summer for a full day trip! See more..
5.0 St. Francis Xavier Church (59 reviews)
- incredible interior
Churches & Cathedrals

The paintings, the windows ... OMIGOD. This unknown gem, at least unknown outside Missoula is one of the most beautiful old churches I've ever seen. The paintings could have kept us there for hours. See more..
5.0 Imagine Nation Brewing Co (22 reviews)
- Great double IPA
Breweries

Of course, no inside seating because of COVID, but social distancing table on the patio. I had the Freedom Fighter double IPA, very good. See more..
5.0 McCormick Park (16 reviews)
- The sights and the atmosphere
Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Parks • Playgrounds

When we came to Missoula On March 30 I didnt have a definate plan in mind I looked up things on the Internet and one of the places I found was McCormick Park, it was so beautiful and peaceful, and very handicapped accessible which is nice for my daughter who is in a wheelchair, we walked all the way around and I got great pictures. See more..
5.0 Mount Jumbo North Peak Trail (12 reviews)
- Wildflowers and Vistas
Spent 1-2 hours Mountains • Hiking Trails • Forests

This is a great time to visit the Missoula City Open Space starting at the dirt parking lot and trail access kiosk near the end of Lincoln Hills Drive. The lupine, bitterroot, penstemon, cushion buckwheat, Indian paintbrush, and many other flowers are blooming now, and this is a great place to walk for views toward Missoula, East Missoula, and the Rattlesnake Peaks. The elevation at the parking lot is about 3700', and two of the shorter trails from this lot go to Mt. Jumbo (4768') and the North Peak (4440'--more like a long ridge with a high point). While the trail up Jumbo is steep in places, this route has much less elevation to gain than the trail at the end of Cherry Street, and the trail up the North Peak is not steep at all. To find these trails, walk to the saddle and watch for trails that head either north, for the North Peak, or south for Jumbo. See more..
5.0 Dana Gallery (8 reviews)
- Best Gallery in Missoula
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Galleries

One of the largest galleries of fine art in Montana, Dana Gallery offers a diverse group of nationally recognized artists painting everything from traditional western to abstract art in mixed media. A staple in the Missoula arts scene since 1996, Dana Gallery is committed to bringing both experienced masters and emerging local artists to the spotlight. A must see for art lovers of all types. See more..
5.0 Missoula Winery and Event Center (7 reviews)
- A wonderful evening with friends
Saturday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards

The Montana Winery offers a taste of the Last Best Place – Montana, with a hint of French Style! The grapes are sourced out of the Colombia Valley, Washington, but take on the Montana attitude as we work our magic at Montana Winery. It starts with the careful choices of our French Vintner and the simple beauty and warmth of our Montana home. The Montana Winery is located in Missoula, a place where 5 valleys and 3 rivers intersect, forming a stunning backdrop full of recreational activities and of course the diverse cultural influences provided by the University of Montana. See more..
4.5 A Carousel for Missoula (612 reviews)
- Cheap entertainment thats simple fun!
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

This beautiful carousel, completed in 1995, was the brainchild and vision of a local Missoula cabinet-maker, who carved much of the structure himself and also trained an enthusiastic team of volunteers to assist in the project. See more..
4.5 Garnet Ghost Town (402 reviews)
- Wonderful View on days gone by...
Ghost Towns

The road up from I90 was bumpy and not suitable for wet/rainy conditions. It has a lot of blind turns and you need a decent 4 wheel drive to make the trip. With that said it was a beautiful drive nonetheless. If the off-road experience is not your thing, take US200 for an easier drive. Views are still spectacular. The ghost town is well preserved and for us it was worth the trip. The nostalgia and throw back imagination made it worth it. Due to COVID we were not able to go inside buildings but you were able to peek in through windowsill See more..
4.5 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (281 reviews)
- Foundation closed but worth a brief visit
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Sadly the foundation is closed Indefinitely due to flooding and renovation. Not all is lost though. There is a 1/2 mile loop trail with interesting signposts regarding elk. I recommend you walk this trail. It's an easy walk no hills to climb, you don't need to be a hiker. See more..
4.5 University of Montana (244 reviews)
- Beautiful Campus
Educational sites

This scenic university campus spans 200 acres at the base of a mountain and borders the Clark Fork River. Founded in 1893, Montana's leading liberal arts institution enrolls 13,000 students. See more..
4.5 Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center (238 reviews)
- Fantastic For The Whole Family
Speciality Museums

The smokejumper center is a great place to visit regardless of the weather outside. A majority of this visit is indoors, so hot days and rainy days will seem the same to you. You will get an overview of the center and what people do here. See equipment specific to fighting wildland fires and jumping from planes into dangerous situations. Dependig on the season you visit and the number of fires being fought, you will probably meet a few of the wonderful men and women of the center. People of all ages will enjoy this visit. See more..
4.5 Caras Park (194 reviews)
- Nice park
Parks

This scenic downtown park on the banks of the Clark Fork River is the home of the popular Missoula carousel and a great place for a family outing, with a large jungle gym, walking and bike paths, frequent special events and concerts. See more..
4.5 Fort Missoula Museum (151 reviews)
- Great historic visit
Natural History Museums • History Museums

Located at one of Montana's first military posts, this museum houses rotating exhibits and devotes an entire wing to the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. A recreated Western town of the late 1800s takes visitors back in time to the days of carriage houses and homestead cabins. See more..
4.5 Dragon Hollow Play Area (88 reviews)
- Open
Playgrounds

This fun and festive playground is literally a kid's dream-come-true: In 2001, it was designed by and dedicated to the children of Missoula. In 2019, the play area was refurbished and expanded. The work allowed the enhancement of features for children with disabilities. Poured-in-place rubber surfacing accommodates wheelchairs, and many new play features were added for children of all abilities. See more..
4.5 Big Sky Brewing (83 reviews)
- Friendly staff, cool atmosphere, affordable beers
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Big Sky Brewing has friendly staff who will let you sample beers before you select one. The beers are very affordable ($4 for a 16oz IPA). The atmosphere is cool and don’t forget to check out the merchandise, they have a lot of high quality gear. See more..
4.5 Missoula Art Museum (74 reviews)
- Wonderful Artu Museum
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Founded in 1975 and accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1987, MAM is emerging as the leading contemporary art museum in the Intermountain West. MAM is a spectacular attraction in the heart of Missoula's historic downtown: a fully accessible, free, public museum that boasts eight exhibition spaces, a library, education center, and an inviting information lounge. See more..
4.5 Splash Montana (72 reviews)
- Awesome waterpark!!!
Water Parks

Great waterpark right in town - and the price is right! Only about $4 for an adult and our kids were entertained all afternoon. Several slides, lazy river, and two additional pools. Word to the wise: bring a padlock for the lockers. We didn't have one and so they sold us one for $3. All in all a fantastic experience!!! See more..
4.5 Montgomery Distillery (60 reviews)
- Good!
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Distilleries

A craft distillery using traditional methods and Montana ingredients to create fine spirits & cocktails. See more..
4.5 Bayern Brewery (59 reviews)
- The Best beers and German food!
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Breweries

This place is awesome! They have a great selection of beer. We had a flight of #5 1/2 cups of beers to taste for $7,; they also have a larger flight and you can get more tastes. The German food was so awesome. I love German food and this was fantastic. I had the grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut, warm German potato salad and rye bread for $14,. It was so good and served with a variety of mustard and ketchup choices. Try the Maui onion mustard and the curry ketchup . They were my favorites. My husband had a beef and pork patty sandwich, it too, was so good. They have a traditional and different menu If you want to explore so many great choices for both food and beer. The patio area is beautiful with a fire pit in the center, and chess board with 3 foot high pieces,hanging baskets of flowers, and picnic style tables on one side and regular tables and chairs on the other. Wait staff is so friendly and attentive. When we are in the area again, we will for sure be back. See more..
4.5 Blue Mountain Recreational Area (56 reviews)
- Disc Golf Haven
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Jogging Paths & Tracks

Do you like to throw discs? The folf course has some excellent terrain, huge tees, strategically grown trees (lol), and tons of friendly folfers See more..
4.5 Pattee Canyon (34 reviews)
- Beautiful woods
Hiking Trails

Pattee Canyon doesn't have the sweeping vistas of more remote mountains, bit these are very attractive and peaceful woods. You can lose yourself in nature without actually getting lost. There are anough trails here that a hiker can make multiple trips without repetition. A ftt cyclist can cover it in a day. See more..
4.5 Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery (25 reviews)
- Great Organic Wine and Friendly Staff
Saturday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Located in the Rattlesnake Valley, a mile south of the Rattlesnake Wilderness and Recreation Area, the 7.5 acre vineyard and winery are nestled on 21.5 acres with beautiful mountain views. Grizzlies can get here, and might have already visited. Long summer days give the French-American hybrid grapes the sunlight they need to ripen for the fall harvest. Big Sky Beekeepers' bees pollinate the St. Pepin grapes and produce light, sweet honey right here. See more..
4.5 Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium (21 reviews)
- Do not miss
Temporarily closed - Closed until Jun 1, 2023 Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums • Science Museums • Children's Museums

This property is temporary closed Our museum is currently closed while we build our new home. Visit our website for more information and to learn about this exciting next chapter of the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium! As we continue to expand the reach and impact of our education programs, at the same time we’re moving toward the dream that started our organization more than a decade ago – opening a premier education facility featuring a tropical butterfly house and insectarium. There could not be a more exciting time to support our work. Igniting lifelong curiosity and awe for the natural world. Whether it’s through our unique education programs or the experiences and hands-on learning opportunities for all ages in our future facility, our efforts inspire an appreciation and understanding of “The Little Things That Run the World” (Edward O. Wilson, 1987). See more..
4.5 Boone and Crockett Club (20 reviews)
- great museum
Natural History Museums • Nature & Wildlife Areas

A citizens group founded by T.R. Roosevelt along with a group of concerned individuals to save wildlife and Yellowstone. It was the first effective conservation measure in the US. See more..
4.5 The Roxy Theater (15 reviews)
- Best popcorn + there's beer/wine
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Theaters

The Roxy Theater is a non-profit arthouse theater dedicated to bringing Missoula the finest in new and classic films and intimate live events. Bringing the world to our town, we stand for community and connectivity. Our two main cinemas present weekly screenings of new and classic films from around the world. Our third stage supports live music, theater, comedy, dance and cultural events. See more..
4.5 Historic Ninemile Remount Depot Visitor Center (13 reviews)
- Nice side trip if you are in the Missoula area
Saturday: Visitor Centers

This historic ranger station is just under a half hour drive from Missoula and is an interesting place to visit. It includes the story of the Forest Service use of mules, an active forest fire fighting ranger station, and a pleasant walking trail that is about a mile from the visitors center. The mule service is covered by a self guided walking tour taking you around the depot plus a visitors center (closed for renovations while I was there (June 2021) but should be open next month). The tour covers the different areas that were used for the mules such as the corrals, blacksmith shop, barn, and scales. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the buildings because they are in use today for the active ranger station. About a mile from the station is the Grand Menard Discovery Trail, which is a nice walk through a forest of Douglas-Fir and Ponderosa Pines. The trail is about a mile long and and a trail map is available at the visitors center. See more..
4.0 Montana Snowbowl (72 reviews)
- Love it.
Ski & Snowboard Areas

Montana's popular ski area features the "Paradise," a three-mile long scenic trail, and the "Grizzly," which drops skiers 2,000 vertical feet through steep terrain. Beginners will find slim pickings, but the pros will have a blast with the numerous offerings at this 950-acre skiers' haven. See more..