Located in the great state of Montana, Billings MT is a wonderful place to live if you like the great outdoors.
Billings Montana is the largest city in the state and it has a lot of native American history especially with the crown nation and then railroad history is the popular trade and distribution center that began in the 1880s.
If you have any interest at all in expanding your horizons, getting to know a new place, or just having some adventure, then make the effort to visit Billings. The drive from Billings to Yellowstone along the Beartooth Highway is surreal. You won’t be disappointed.
Here’s our list of the best things to do in Billings MT
1. Lake Elmo State Park
Lake Elmo State Park is a 120 acre protected area in the southern part of the state near Minneapolis. It contains a large lake and several smaller lakes and provides recreational activities all year round.
It has a 1.2-mile hiking trail around the lake, and most visitors just come for the natural beauty of the park. It offers a stunning view of Lake Elmo and the surrounding hills, forests, and mountains. A 200-acre off-leash dog park is on the west bank of the Ohio River, near downtown, and it’s used by local dog owners.
The park was quiet and peaceful, a wonderful place to visit if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
Lake Elmo visitors can enjoy the lake by taking out non-motorized boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. There’s a good chance that the lake will be well-stocked with bass and other species of fish.
This is the best place in Minnesota for a picnic or to watch a sunset over the lake. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon and a nice place for a picnic. It’s a perfect place for fishing and swimming, too.
2. Yellowstone River
One of the most iconic sights in and near Billings is the Yellowstone River. This is a beautiful area with breathtaking scenery, making it the perfect place for a relaxing getaway or a place to do some outdoor recreation. The
Yellowstone River Valley is a narrow valley located in southwestern Montana, approximately 15 miles from downtown Billings. It is an important part of the National Wild and Scenic River system.
With hundreds of miles of hiking trails along the rim of beautiful geysers, hot springs, and other spectacular features of the park, you will find so many recreational activities to do with your friends and family.
Rafting the Snake River in Idaho is one of the most popular white water adventures in the world. You can do it in an oar boat, a kayak, a sit-on-top paddleboard, or even a tube. It’s a thrilling experience no matter what method you use.
3. Yellowstone Art Museum
In Billings, Montana’s downtown district, the Yellowstone Art Museum primarily showcases artwork from the Rocky Mountains region, northern Plains regions, and other areas of the Northern Plains.
The YAM Museum has one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the Western Hemisphere. It regularly features exhibitions from local, national, and international artists.
Tours & Things to do hand-picked by our insiders
One of the eye-catching art is larger than life-size sculptures by Nathan Sawaya. And these are built from lego bricks. builds life-size (and sometimes larger-than-life) sculptures from Lego bricks
The main gallery of the main museum has bright colors, and it’s hard not to notice the many paintings, sculptures, and other works of art on display. But there’s another part of the museum where you can go to see objects that have been removed from the public eye for preservation purposes. It’s called the Visible Vault, and it’s amazing!
You can enjoy “YAM” in numerous ways. One of the best is by taking a self-guided tour of the facility. In addition to providing a wonderful visual experience for the visitors, the Museum also hosts a wide variety of educational programs, including children’s activities to adult education classes.
The museum has live music and art exhibitions every first Friday. The museum is open late and has live music and art exhibitions. The other events at the museum include YAM Yoga at the Yam, an annual art auction, and YAM Free Days throughout the year.
4. Moss Mansion
The Moss Mansion is a magnificent example of Victorian architecture and was once home to one of the earliest and most prominent pioneer families in Billings. It offers a unique window into how the city grew and prospered in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Built from iconic red sandstone and designed by the same architect as the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the home was built in 1903 and has a range of period antiques and other historical memorabilia that takes you back in time.
Moss Mansion Historical House is a stunning example of the early 20th-century “garage sale” style of architecture. The old Billings Hotel is now a symbol of early history and development in Billings, and the interior and many of the original furnishings and decorations of the home have been well preserved.
Guided tours of the mansion are available any time the house and grounds are open for visitation. The tours give you the opportunity to explore the magnificent main house, the west wing and the pool house in detail.
5. Pictograph Cave State Park
Scenic five-mile drive southeast of Billings is where you’ll find a unique state park called Pictograph Cave State Park.
This is one of the most unique and beautiful parks in the United States. It’s located just outside of Billings and is known for being the home of the pictograph, ghost, and middle caves which have some of the most well preserved and dated rock paintings in all of North America dating back to prehistoric times.
This is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the entire world. It’s located just north of San Francisco in the City by the Bay. There are several different tours you can take, each with its own educational significance.
It’s filled with amazing archaeological wonders, as well as amazing hiking trails. There are approximately 30,000 Pictographs, Middle Iconographic, and Ghost Cave Artifacts inside the park, including a robust collection of over 100 cave paintings (some over 2,000 years old).
6. Zoo Montana
If you want to experience a zoo that has a wide variety of different species and local wildlife, then visit Zoo Montana. It is an accredited zoo in Montana. It’s unique because it’s a nonprofit zoo, a sanctuary that is open to the public and also home to animals rescued from cruelty and abuse. “ZooMontana” is not a typical zoo experience.
It was founded in 1986 and features only zoos that are located in the southern Rockies. Many of the animals are native to the south-central part of the United States and have been living in this region for generations. The zoo includes grizzly bears, gray wolves, and great horned owls.
Many of the animals at Zoo Montana have been here for years and have been given a second chance at this zoo. They are very happy to live here and are treated like family by the staff and the other animals.
Most people like the zoo for the animals. It’s one of the best places for families to go. There’s a low admission price that makes it affordable for everyone.
If you’re looking for family fun and adventure this winter, then don’t miss the ZooMontana Winter Wonders Program this year! They have fun holiday programs, such as a Santa visit, and it’s the perfect way to get the whole family together before the holiday rush begins.
7. Yellowstone national park
Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit. Its majestic wildlife, magnificent geysers and fascinating landscapes are breathtaking. A great day trip from Jackson Hole is to take the drive to Morning Glory Pool.
The world-famous Yellowstone National Park is located about 250 miles west of Billings. It can be reached in four hours by car. Hot Springs National Park in West Virginia is one of the most unique places on earth. It has many natural wonders, including more hydrothermal features than any other place on earth. That includes Yellowstone, which has special designation as the “Crown Jewel” of the national park system.
Yellowstone National Park’s Beartooth Highway is a great option for exploring Yellowstone from Billings mt. It offers an extremely scenic approach to the park from Billings.
The Beartooth Highway is open all year long, and it’s one of the most scenic routes in the U.S. When you take the time to explore this magnificent area, you won’t be hurried through it. It’s a great road trip to take with your family, friends, or that special someone.
This is a gorgeous stretch of road with spectacular views of the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains.
8. Pompeys Pillar
There are thousands of ancient landmarks all over the world. Some of them are famous for something as dramatic as a stone column like the one in “Pompeys Pillar.
This amazing historical landmark is over 200 years old and stands in the middle of Yellowstone Valley. It was the first sign of human beings in the Yellowstone valley.
This magnificent historical monument is a great example of what was once found in the area of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park. It was built by Captain William Clark, one of Lewis and Clark’s scouts, who visited the area in 1805 and 1806.
You’ll love the historic sites in Lancaster County Pennsylvania – they include the home of George Washington, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and the inspiration for the town of Gettysburg.
9. DanWalt Gardens
DanWalt Gardens is a new community in San Marcos that is the result of an innovative partnership between the San Marcos Downtown Development Authority and the San Marcos Water District.
DanWalt Gardens is a beautiful place to visit to get some peace and quiet. Filled with beautiful flowers and other local plants, the beautiful annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees displayed throughout the year, and the statues and hardscape contribute to that beauty.
10. Alberta Bair Theater
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Billings Montana, you’ll find lots of options at the Alberta Bair Theater, especially if you’re into performing arts.
Whether you’re a local talent or a visitor, you’ll find lots to see at the Alberta Bair Theater. It’s located at 1700 W. Grand Ave. in the downtown Phoenix area.
You can expect classical music, jazz and country music, opera and ballet, and even other live events at the Alberta Bair Theatre. It’s a great place for a live music experience.
11. Western Heritage Center
The Western Heritage Center is the premier museum in the Upper Yellowstone county, preserving stories and history of the Upper Yellowstone region.
The current Museum of Early Missouri History is housed within the historic 1901 former Billings Library. It’s the world’s largest science and technology museum. It features exhibits that change every month, ranging from the indigenous culture of various nations to nature research and big scientific discoveries.
The museum offers a wide variety of activities for the public, including a High Noon Lecture Series, a historic walking tour, and exhibits for visitors of all ages.
You’re on your own out there. There are no guided tours, but you should feel free to explore the exhibits on your own and ask any staff member for help when needed.
12. Swords Park Trail
If you’re looking for outdoor activities to do in the Billings MT area, check out the Swords Park Trail. It’s just outside of town and very user-friendly. Swords Park is located at the northeast corner of Interstate 90 and Highway 14 in Helena. The park entrance is on the south side of I-90, just east of Exit 237.
The park road runs east and west along the northern edge of the park. The east/west section of the road is known as Swords Trail.
Swords Park is a great place for hiking, biking, and for those that prefer, skiing.
13. Downtown Billings
The downtown district of Billings is growing into a cultural hub of the Greater Yellowstone region. You’ll discover unique local shopping opportunities and sidewalk patio meals. With so many great cultural attractions and performance venues in the heart of town, it’s no wonder Powder River Arts District is often referred to as “Theater Row.”
The historic Alberta Bair Theater is a great place to see a show. Downtown Billings hosts many other signature events of the city, such as the Fourth of July parade, Taste of Billings, and the Western Montana Fair. In the Heart of Texas,
It’s springtime and it’s time to harvest. Patrick’s Day parade, downtown celebrates the fall season with an annual HarvestFest that features the finale of the summer’s Farmers Market.
14. Dehler Park
A great place to visit if you are a sports fan is Dehler Park in Montana. It’s the home of a minor league baseball team, the Mustangs. If you’re a baseball fan, you can see a game here without having to travel very far.
In the spring and summer months, the Mustang games are intense, and the locals have a strong sense of sportsmanship.
15. Four Dances Recreation Area
This is a great place for outdoor recreational activity. It’s a very popular recreation area for both visitors and locals. It’s located just south of Billings, along the Yellowstone River.
One of the most beautiful outdoor recreation areas in the Billings area is the Flathead National Forest. It has a wealth of outdoor activities that are perfect for all seasons.
A popular place to visit for its natural beauty is the San Juan Basin area, which includes the Medicine Bow, Bighorn, and Greater Green River Basins. It’s well-known for sagebrush, grasslands, and Ponderosa Pines.
Hiking is the most popular activity at the Four Dances recreation area.
There are several trails, and since it’s such a pretty place to be, people often choose to walk or jog on the trails, even though it’s not always the easiest or most convenient thing to do. One of the trails in the park is shown in the video above.
Great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Most useful information for the travellers.