Montana's cultural landscape is on par with its natural one. Between the state's two national parks, discover some of the West's most captivating museums. Western Montana's Glacier Country and Montana's Yellowstone Country are teeming with arts and history hot spots-from the fastest-growing contemporary art museum in the intermountain West and one of the world's largest and most famous collections of dinosaur fossils, to museums housing unique treasures like a 7.5-foot sturgeon and one of the world's first personal computers.
We've curated park-to-park tours of Montana's many impressive and important museums, offering a cultural experience that history buffs, art aficionados, and anyone in between will treasure. View the work of renowned artists, and some of the most fascinating exhibits of historical artifacts providing glimpses into the Old West, railroad days, pioneer settlements, American Indian heritage, and our national parks-to name a handful.
Between stops, enjoy the charming small towns that make up the heart and soul of the region, featuring warm western welcomes, historic downtowns, local shops and art galleries, theater and live music, exceptionally good food and 40+ breweries and distilleries throughout the region.
Superior
A collection of engaging exhibits, artifacts and documents on mining, logging and U.S. Forest Service activities in Mineral County.
301 Second Ave. E.
406.822.3543
Polson
A one-of-a-kind museum known for its quirky and remarkably vast collection—over 100,000 objects—of artifacts, from automobiles, helicopters and UFOs to a blacksmith shop and barbed wire collection.
36094 Memory Lane
406.883.6804
Website
Missoula
A free, contemporary art museum located in the heart of Missoula's historic downtown dedicated to works by contemporary Montana artists, plus changing exhibits of national and international art.
335 N. Pattee
406.728.0447
Website
Missoula
A butterfly house and insectarium showcasing live arthropods, an animal encounter cart and programs geared toward all ages.
Coming soon to the Missoula Fairgrounds
406.317.1211
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Missoula
A working smokejumper facility with free tours dedicated to behind-the scenes glimpses of smokejumper life, plus smokejumper history and education on fire management including jump gear, parachutes, cargo and aircraft.
5765 W. Broadway St.
406.329.4934
Website
Missoula
A museum on the University of Montana campus with rotating exhibits from an 11,000 piece collection including Rembrandt and Warhol.
PAR-TV Building, University of Montana
406.243.2019
Website
Missoula
A museum celebrating the innovation and work ethic that led to survival and prosperity in Montana with exhibits including antique firearms, steam and gas engines, automobiles, tools and logging and mining equipment.
7655 Highway 10 W.
406.728.7020
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Missoula
A museum, art gallery and programming “connecting people with nature” by encompassing the flora, fauna and natural history of Western Montana.
120 Hickory St., Suite A
406.327.0405
Website
Missoula
A collection of the region’s mountain-flying history, including vintage aircraft, memorabilia, artifacts, photographs, diaries, motion-picture footage, recordings and published material.
East end of Missoula Airport
406.721.3644
Website
Browning
A look at the history of Plains Indian art and way of life through exhibits of clothing, horse gears, weaponry, baby carriers and toys. Contemporary American Indian arts and crafts available for purchase.
19 Museum Loop
406.338.2230
Website
Moiese
An 18,500-acre wildlife refuge home to 350 bison—plus elk, deer and bears—including a visitor center and self-guided scenic drive.
58355 Bison Range Road
406.644.2211
Website
Missoula
A fire lookout tower, memorial tree grove and bungalow ranger station with historical artifacts dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. Forest Service, from ski area development to smokejumpers, paratroopers and conservationists.
6305 U.S. Highway 10 W.
406.541.6374
Website
Livingston
Downtown Livingston's first and only hotel, featuring modern amenities and décor that nods to its Old West beginnings.
201 W. Park St.
406.222.1350
Website
Columbus
A museum preserving the rich history, art and culture of Stillwater County and the Beartooths with exhibits such as a general store, a soldier’s uniform and his dogsled, and a replica of a pioneer kitchen complete with a cast iron stove.
440 E. Fifth Ave. N.
406.322.4588
Website
Bozeman
A Smithsonian affiliate museum home to the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in North America. Rotating exhibits combine history, science, art, nature and more. The museum includes a planetarium, Children’s Discovery Center and living-history farm.
600 W. Kagy Blvd.
406.994.2251
Website
West Yellowstone
A museum dedicated to telling the story of travel to and through Yellowstone National Park with exhibits on stagecoaches, roads, trains, cars and buses, airplanes and winter travel.
104 Yellowstone Ave.
406.646.7461
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Big Timber
A hiking trail, Natural Bridge Falls waterfall, high stone cliffs and a natural sandstone arch with informational signs and a picnic area.
25 miles south of Big Timber on U.S. Highway 298
406.932.5115
Website
Red Lodge
A legendary, historic hotel in the heart of downtown Red Lodge that has seen the likes of William Jennings Bryan, copper kings William and Marcus Daly, Buffalo Bill Cody and Calamity Jane.
2 Broadway Ave. N.
406.446.0001
Website
Gardiner
The iconic, triumphal arch at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner.
2819 U.S. Highway 89
307.344.7381
Three Forks
A Historic Hotels of America destination with rich history and modern amenities—originally built as a rest stop for passengers and train crews—located at the headwaters of the Missouri River where Sacajawea was reunited with her brother and brokered safe passage for explorers.
5 N. Main St.
406.285.6515
Website
Belfry
A historic district of old, corrugated steel buildings depicting the worst coal mining accident in Montana’s history.
2 miles west of Bearcreek on State Highway 308
Website
Big Timber
A historic hotel on the Yellowstone River with fully-restored, turn-of-the-century room décor, an 1890’s saloon and noteworthy cuisine.
139 McLeod St.
406.932.4459
Website
Fishtail
A unique arts center featuring classical chamber music, recitals and large-scale, outdoor sculptures against a Beartooth Mountain backdrop.
96 S. Grove Creek Road
406.328.7820
Website
Livingston
Over 50,000 objects, photos and books exhibiting the early days in the first gateway town to Yellowstone National Park including American Indian culture, Lewis and Clark, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, a fleet of transportation vehicles, and children’s activities.
118 W. Chinook
406.222.4184
Website
Drummond
Bill Ohrmann’s wealth of oil and water color paintings, wood, bronze and life-size welded steel sculptures are on display.
6155 Highway 1
406.288.3319
Website
Deer Lodge
Exhibits in the historic territorial prison include the exercise courtyard for inmates, cell blocks and maximum security cells.
1106 Main St.
406.846.3111
Website
Deer Lodge
Depicting Montana life in the early 20th century with 1920’s household displays, a wood carving collections and mining exhibits.
1101 Main St.
406.846.1694
Website
Virginia City
This museum’s specialty is Virginia City memorabilia and artifacts, with a collection that includes rare guns, photographs, rocks and minerals, and oddities.
220 E. Wallace St.
406.843.5238
Website
Twin Bridges
Built in 1917 this historic building was renovated and opened as a museum in 1999 housing a collection of objects and artifacts celebrating the history and culture of Native Americans, pioneers and other early settlers.
202 Main St.
406.684.5121
Website
Dillon
Traveling exhibits and student art alongside a permanent art collection with works from big names in farmhouse American and western art: C.M. Russell, Ansel Adams, Russell Chatham and others.
710 S. Atlantic St.
406.683.7232
Website
Lincoln
A 4-acre historical site displaying a collection of old pioneer tools, equipment and written records, plus the valley’s original ranger station and other homesteader buildings.
3955 Lincoln Gulch Road
406.362.4099
Website
Helena
A living history of the various railroads operating in western Montana from the 1860s to the present with railroad artifacts and train models.
619 N. Last Chance Gulch
Website
Butte
Explore more than 50 structures along Hell Roarin’ Gulch, a turn of the century mining town and the 100-foot-high mining headframe/hoist house. Get fitted with a lighted hard hat for a guided tour into the depths of the Orphan Girl mine yard.
155 Museum Way
406.723.7211
Website
Deer Lodge
From 19th century china and papier-mache dolls to contemporary dolls such as Barbie and G.I. Joe, this toy museum has over 1,000 dolls in its collection, plus model trains, toy soldiers and more.
1106 Main St.
406.846.3111
Website
Before you set out on your Montana museum tour, be sure to map out your trip and plan ahead. Some museums in the region are open seasonally and have limited hours, and a few are only open by appointment. Plan your time by getting a feel in advance for how long a self-guided or guided tour of each museum might be, and research ahead for fees—some museums offer free admission, others charge a fee, while others encourage a donation.
Check each region for more information:
Another great resource for history tour planning, the Montana Historical Society documents all the buildings in Montana that have been placed on the National Register of Historic places.
Lodging is part of the adventure, and Montana's western hospitality is second to none. From authentic guest ranches and mountain resorts to quaint bed-and-breakfasts and historic downtown hotels, there’s a stay that sums up your idyllic Montana getaway.
For more on lodging, visit glaciermt.com/stay and visityellowstonecountry.com/places-to-stay.
Montana is well-versed in the art of food and drink. Our top-notch culinary scene is on display throughout the region, where local chefs dish up creative genius no matter your taste. Our drinks are spot on, too, with breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries crafting up works of fine art. You'll also find a number of historic, western bars in the region, brimming with authentic Montana character.
For more on where to dine and drink, visit glaciermt.com/eat and visityellowstonecountry.com/food-and-drink.
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
