1. Overview
Located at the northwest edge of the Yellowstone River Valley, with striking rimrocks and sandstone cliffs cutting through town, Billings, Montana is an ideal place to get outdoors and explore. You’ll find numerous parks and trails, many along the Yellowstone River.
2. Outdoor Activities
Visitors can check out various historic and cultural attractions, including the Western Heritage Center and Moss Mansion. Pictograph Cave State Park’s rock paintings are just outside of town, along with Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site where the Battle of the Greasy Grass took place.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
The Rimrocks, towering at 200 to 500 feet, slice through the Billings landscape. With the rushing Yellowstone River and Montana’s big sky, it’s a stunning locale for outdoor recreation. Popular activities include:
- Golfing
- Walking, hiking, and biking trails like Swords Park Trail and Dutcher Trail
- Rafting and fishing in local rivers
Four Dances Recreation Area, bordered by the Yellowstone River, is notable for hiking and wildlife watching.
3. Cultural Exploration
Learn About Montana’s Western Heritage
Located at 2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59101-2305, USA, the Western Heritage Center offers collections and exhibits focusing on the Yellowstone River Valley and the northern High Plains region, including Northern Wyoming and far-western North Dakota.
Children will enjoy hands-on experiences that teach the history of Native Americans, the railway, and the Yellowstone River. Being a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, it features special exhibitions and artifacts from its permanent collection.
See the Animals at ZooMontana
At ZooMontana, located at 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106, USA, you can explore forests housing animals from North America and Asia. Expect to see wildlife such as bald eagles, river otters, grizzly bears, wolves, and Siberian tigers. The zoo spans over 70 wood-acred land with a lovely creek flowing through.
Tour Moss Mansion
The impressive sandstone mansion, built in 1903 at 914 Division St, Billings, MT 59101-1921, USA, is open for guided tours. Preserved by the prominent Billings’ Moss family, the home showcases the lifestyle of early 20th-century Billings with original fixtures and furnishings.
4. Local Delights
Get Caffeinated
Billings is home to numerous coffee and tea houses, especially in Downtown Billings, which is filled with choices. You can enjoy fantastic shopping, restaurants, art galleries, and historic points of interest.
Visit the Yellowstone County Museum
Located near the airport at 1950 Terminal Cir, Billings, MT 59105, USA, this museum focuses on the history of Montana and the Northern Plains. Exhibits offer insights into Native Americans, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the railroad, and regional settlement.
5. Festivals and Events
Billings hosts various major events throughout the year, many centered around agricultural themes. Notably, MontanaFair in August celebrates agriculture with farm competitions, carnival rides, music, and more, held at MetraPark. The Magic City Blues Festival, Montana’s urban music festival, also occurs in August.
In October, the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) and HarvestFest take place, featuring arts and crafts, fresh produce, and live entertainment.
6. Recreation and Relaxation
Hang Out at Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park offers open lawns for picnicking and trails for scenic walks along the Yellowstone River, where you can enjoy wildlife and two small lakes, Josephine and Cochran.
Walk the Brewery District
Billings boasts an informal downtown brewery district with six breweries, two distilleries, and a cider house. Utilizing an online map can help guide you through this vibrant locale while exploring historical points of interest.
Peruse Art at the Yellowstone Art Museum
As the largest contemporary art museum in Montana, the Yellowstone Art Museum features contemporary works from the northern Rocky Mountain and Plains regions, housing a collection of over 7,500 objects.
7. Historical Sites
Experience Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
This battlefield memorializes the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry and the Lakota and Cheyenne’s final armed efforts for their way of life during the infamous “Custer’s Last Stand.” Visitors can tour the museum area, battlefield, and Custer National Cemetery.
Check Out the Pictographs
Pictograph State Park offers a glimpse into the prehistoric people who once inhabited the area. A loop trail allows visitors to view over 100 pictographs, with some dating back over 2,000 years, and the park is open daily for exploration.
