30 Things To Do In Missoula | Destination Missoula (2024)

1

Fall In Love With A Cup Of Coffee

During a visit to town, be sure to check out a local coffee company,you just might fall in love . From roasters to coffee carts, and sho...

Read more

2

Explore Garnet Ghost Town

Montana's most intact ghost town was never built to last. Garnet endures along with the spirits of the rugged gold miners and their families...

Read more

3

Explore The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is more than just a museum. It's an experience that reveals the beauty, diversity and importance of elk co...

Read more

4

Go To A Winter Market

Experience a winter market in Missoula. The market opens on the weekends to the shoppers' delight, with locally made items and gifts for t...

Read more

5

Try Sign Making at Pine & Co.

Let your creativity loose at Pine & Company, a custom sign making studio located in the heart of downtown Missoula. Follow step by step...

Read more

6

Visit a Montana State Park

Take a day trip from Missoula to visit one of the many State Parks that are just a short drive outside of town. Montana's State Parks are ri...

Read more

7

Find a Food Truck

Here is Missoula, we love our food trucks. You've probably seen (and smelled!) these colorful mobile eateries sitting outside of breweries,...

Read more

8

Show Your Team Spirit At A Local Game

Missoula is home to the Montana Grizzlies football, basketball, volleyball, hockey and soccer teams. Missoula is also home to the Missoula P...

Read more

9

Eat At A Local Restaurant

Missoula's food scene is diverse with local restaurants all over town. From the unique feel of downtown, to the outer edges of Missoula ther...

Read more

10

Take an Adult Art Class at ZACC

Missoula is overflowing with creative people and artistic flare—just look at the traffic signal boxes scattered around town, all covered i...

Read more

11

Go Shopping, Montana Style

In Missoula we have lots of choices for the shopping enthusiast in all of us. Visit ourdowntown shopswith lots of uniquely Missoula prod...

Read more

12

Catch A Local Theatre Performance

Missoula has an abundance of talented stage performers. From the Missoula CommunityTheatre to the Hamilton Players, you will find somethin...

Read more

13

Check Out The Historical Museum At Fort Missoula

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula was established by community effort in 1975 to save what remained of original Fort Missoula, and to i...

Read more

14

Cool Off At A Water Park

Missoula was blessed with two new water parks in the last few years. Currents Aquatic Center, at McCormick Park, is an indoor facility compl...

Read more

15

Visit A Carousel For Missoula And Dragon Hollow

A Carousel for Missoula, a kid's paradise, is one of the first fully hand-carved carousels to be built in the United States since the Great...

Read more

16

Attend A Wine Tasting

Take a moment and enjoy a wine tasting while visiting Missoula. There area couple ofwineries in town, as well as some beautiful locati...

Read more

17

Enjoy a Performance at MCT

The MCT Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Missoula Children's Theater and the Missoula Community Theater. For the past 40 years,...

Read more

18

Drink Some Local Beer At A Missoula Brewery

Do you favor a frosty mug of beer on the warm summer days, and a heart-warming porter or stout in the dead of winter? Then you'll find yours...

Read more

19

Take A Historical Walking Tour Of Downtown Missoula

Missoula has one of the state’s most extensive listing of properties and places on the National Register of Historic Places. A walk throug...

Read more

20

Go Mountain Biking

There is nothing quite like enjoying the beauty of Montana on a bicycle. Explore the Rattlesnake recreation area or tour the old Hiawatha Ra...

Read more

21

Savor A Signature Drink From A Local Distillery

One of a kind co*cktails made from locally (and expertly) distilled liquors are being stirred and shaken right here in Missoula. If you are...

Read more

22

Spend An Afternoon Or Evening At Caras Park

Caras Park is Missoula's town square and is the site for many exciting events such as: Out to Lunch Downtown ToNight Garden City...

Read more

23

Check Out The Montana Natural History Center

The mission of the Montana Natural History Center is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature thro...

Read more

24

Check Out The Local Music Scene

The sounds of Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, and other famous musicians swell into the streets and rise up to th...

Read more

25

Learn About Aerial Firefighting At The Smokejumper Visitor Center

Learn about aerial firefighting at the Smokejumper Visitor Center. Smokejumpers are highly trained specialists who parachute into remote are...

Read more

26

Grab Pizza and Drinks Overlooking the Clark Fork River

Work up an appetite exploring Missoula and then treat yourself to hand tossed pizza overlooking the Clark Fork River. The dining scene at th...

Read more

27

Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga | SUP Yoga

Take yoga outside and on the water with SUP Yoga. Fun for all levels, on a yoga specific paddle board right in the heart of Missoula on th...

Read more

28

Stroll the Riverfront Walking Trail

The riverfront walking trail lines the north and south shores of the Clark Fork River in Downtown Missoula. A walk along the trail can take...

Read more

29

Head To Big Dipper For Some Ice Cream

With curious flavors such as Mango Habanero Sorbet, Irish Whiskey, Pumpkin, Black Licorice and Cardamom, Missoula's Big Dipper is well-known...

Read more

30

Hike The M

A local favorite, the short scramble up Mount Sentinel takes you, courtesy of 11 switchbacks, 620 feet above the valley floor in less than h...

Read more

30 Things To Do In Missoula | Destination Missoula (2024)

FAQs

How do I spend a day in Missoula, Montana? ›

Top Attractions in Missoula
  1. Garnet Ghost Town. 416. Ghost Towns. ...
  2. A Carousel for Missoula. 614. Amusem*nt & Theme Parks. ...
  3. Smokejumper Visitor Center. 243. Speciality Museums. ...
  4. Missoula Farmer's Market. 108. ...
  5. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 284. ...
  6. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. 111. ...
  7. Fort Missoula Museum. 154. ...
  8. University of Montana. 244.

How many days do you need in Missoula? ›

If you are traveling towards Idaho or from Idaho on your way to Glacier National Park or Yellowstone, Missoula is a great location to spend about 2-3 days in town and a handful of days out of town on day long excursions. Missoula sits at the confluence of the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot Rivers.

What does the M stand for in Missoula? ›

The “M” presides over Missoula from high on Mount Sentinel as the city's most visible and well-known symbol. M is for the University of Montana, but also for Missoula and our surrounding mountains and the muscle power it takes to climb the hill.

Why is Missoula famous? ›

Missoula is known for its blue-ribbon trout fishing (made famous by A River Runs Through It) and spectacular natural beauty. The outdoor recreational opportunities are limitless.

What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Montana? ›

It is also home to two of America's most popular national parks: Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.

What food is Missoula MT known for? ›

9 Things You Need to Eat in Missoula
  • Flathead Cherries. Flathead Cherries are sweet cherries grown around Flathead Lake in Western Montana. ...
  • Dixon Melons/ Dixon, Montana. ...
  • Bison Fondue / Red Bird. ...
  • Huckleberry Kettle Corn From KornUtopia. ...
  • Wasabi Edamame/ Iron Horse. ...
  • Crab Empanadas. ...
  • Bison Burger/ James Bar. ...
  • Tia's Tamales.

Why was Missoula called Hells Gate? ›

Many times, the Blackfeet ventured into the mountains and ambushed the western tribes as they came through the canyon. The gruesome evidence of these raids was the "Gates of Hell." Hell Gate also was the original name for Missoula.

What is the nickname for Missoula? ›

Zoo Town. The Garden City. Place of the Little Bull Trout. Missoula has many nicknames, perhaps because it means something special to each of us.

What do the X's in Missoula mean? ›

It represents railroad themes. Created by Taag Peterson in 1986, the Xs relate to the tall trestles necessary for crossing mountain ravines.

Why is Missoula called Zootown? ›

Missoula became known as Zootown for two reasons first it sounds like the word zoo, Mostly however it is because Missoula is known for its wild parties and people, it is home to the U of M, and on any given night you never have to walk more than two blocks to find a wild party. Zootown partys are wild.

What is a fun fact about Missoula MT? ›

Missoula is the USA national headquarters for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Boone & Crockett Club, Bike Centennial Inc. nka Adventure Cycling Assoc., and the US Forest Service. Montana is called the “Treasure State”, “Big Sky Country” and “The Last Best Place”…

Is Missoula worth seeing? ›

Missoula offers a welcome combination of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and a thriving food and drink scene. The city, in the heart of Big Sky Country, is surrounded by mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking, fishing, and water activities.

Is Missoula a walkable city? ›

Walking: Getting downtown on foot is easier than you might think. Missoula's extensive system of shared-use paths and Neighborhood Greenways make for a pleasant way to build in some healthy activity while getting to your destination. Use the Interactive Trails Map for walking routes into downtown.

Is Mountain Line in Missoula free? ›

Mountain Line operates a zero-fare system, meaning you do not have to pay to ride.

Does Missoula have a downtown? ›

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, there's no place like Missoula, and its Downtown is certainly no exception. With its unique shops, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, events, and even a river running through its core, Downtown Missoula is a place where everyone can find something to connect with.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 5465

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.