Montana boasts a rich cultural landscape alongside its stunning natural beauty. Visitors to the travel regions of Western Montana's Glacier Country, Visit Southwest Montana and Montana's Yellowstone Country can explore a diverse range of museums highlighting art, history and culture. From a contemporary art museum to world-renowned collections of dinosaur fossils, as well as unique exhibits such as a 7.5-foot sturgeon and early personal computers, these museums offer fascinating insights into the heritage and legacy of the West.
The park-to-park tours of Montana's museums are an exceptional way to immerse in the state's rich cultural tapestry. From celebrated artists' works to captivating historical artifacts, these tours offer a journey through the Old West, railroad era, the legacy of copper kings, ghost towns, pioneer settlements, American Indian heritage, and the wonders of our national parks. These experiences cater to history enthusiasts, art lovers and anyone with a thirst for knowledge, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Montana's diverse heritage.
Between stops, enjoy the charming small towns making up the heart and soul of Montana, featuring warm western welcomes, historic downtowns, local shops, art galleries, theater, live music, exceptionally good food and 40+ breweries and distilleries throughout the region.
Missoula
A recreation area with trails, an overlook, and interpretive display of the cultural heritage of the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers.
1353 Deer Creek Road
406.542.5533
Website
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
Website
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
Website
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
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
Website
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
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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
Gardiner
Public tours of one of the largest collections of cultural and natural history in the National Park Service, from pre-history through the present, including obsidian points and a historic vehicle collection.
20 Old Yellowstone Trail
307.344.2662
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. Some museums are open seasonally or with 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, others encourage a donation.
Check each region for more information:
Whether you seek the rugged charm of a guest ranch or mountain retreat, the cozy ambiance of a bed-and-breakfast, or the timeless allure of a historic downtown hotel, you'll find the perfect lodging to embrace your Montana adventure.
For more on lodging, visit glaciermt.com/stay, southwestmt.com/accommodations/all-lodging and visityellowstonecountry.com/places-to-stay.
Montana is versed in the art of food and drink. Our culinary scene is on display throughout the region, with local chefs creating farm-to-table recipes, or simple fare to satisfy famished visitors. Our drinks are spot on, with breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries crafting up authentic Montana beverages.
For more on where to dine and drink, visit glaciermt.com/eat, southwestmt.com/eat-drink-shop 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.
