Need a western adventure or a lively city escape with big skies? Head to Billings! Montana’s largest city offers a dynamic mix of outdoor adventure, history, breweries, and culture. Whether you're hiking sandstone bluffs, learning about frontier life, or enjoying a craft beer downtown, Billings is the perfect blend of wild and welcoming.
Billings, MT Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike the Rimrocks – Trek scenic sandstone cliffs above the city for panoramic views of Big Sky Country.
- For History Buffs: Explore the Western Heritage Center – Dive into the history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains tribes.
- For Shoppers: Browse Downtown Billings – Stroll through boutiques, antique shops, and galleries in the city’s historic core.
- For Couples: Sip and relax along the Billings Brew Trail – Sample local beers, ciders, and spirits at walkable downtown taprooms.
- For Families: Visit ZooMontana – A small, well-designed zoo with animals native to cold climates, plus a botanical garden and playground.
Best Time to Visit Billings, MT
The best time to visit Billings is from late spring through early fall (May to September). These months offer ideal weather for hiking, river activities, and attending outdoor festivals. Fall brings fewer crowds and beautiful colors in the Yellowstone River Valley.
How to Get to Billings, MT
- If you are traveling by car: Billings is easily accessible via I-90 and I-94, located about 4 hours from Bozeman and 6 hours from Yellowstone National Park.
- By Air: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) offers regional and national flights, just 10 minutes from downtown.
- By Train: While Amtrak does not serve Billings directly, bus connections to Amtrak routes are available from nearby cities.
Where to Stay in Billings, MT
- Recommended for Families: Best Western Plus ClockTower Inn – Downtown hotel with a pool, free breakfast, and walkable to attractions.
- For Couples: Northern Hotel – Stylish boutique hotel with modern comforts, historical elegance, and on-site dining.
- For Budget Travelers: Boothill Inn & Suites – Comfortable lodging near the airport and MetraPark, with complimentary breakfast and shuttles.
Best Things to Do in Billings, MT
1. Go hiking at The Rimrocks
Eighty million years ago, what is today downtown Billings was the sea shore of the Western Interior Seaway that sprawled from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. Through millions of years, sand and sediments were deposited at the shore, then compressed into the sandstone, eventually shaping into the formation we know today as the Rimrock, clearly visible above the city skyline. The Rimrocks are natural shelves with three trails, about 18 miles total, with more than 575 feet of elevation gain. Some trails are paved, and some are steep and run close to the edge of the cliff, requiring a great deal of care. The trails are regularly frequented by local mountain bikers. Popular among Billings' adventurous kids, "Devil's Kitchen" is a deep crack in the Rimrock, above 11th Avenue North, that ends in a cave.
2. Take the kids to ZooMontana
The only zoo in Montana, ZooMontana is a 70-acre wildlife parkin Billings. This zoo and botanical park hosts almost 100 animals from 58 specieswho live in natural habitats that resemble those in their native environment. The park's focus is on Montana native animals, mostly those that live in the Rockies and similar environments around the world where the temperature is cold and which are located north of the 45th Parallel.
The park is divided into the Asian Region, North America Region, Discovery Center and the Barn. There are winding trails through the lush forests that are home to the animals and a number of native plants. Canyon Creek, which cuts through the park, adds to the serene, natural setting of a pleasant and very popular park.
Address: 2100 S Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106, Phone: 406-652-8100
3. Explore history at the 2,000-year-old Pictograph Cave State Park
Wondering through the loop trail through the Pictograph Cave State Park, visitors cannot help but wonder about the lives of prehistoric Montana residents.
Address: 3401 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-254-7342
4. Admire 2,000 works of art at the Yellowstone Art Museum
The Yellowstone Art Museum collects major American art with a focus on progressive contemporary art from the northern Plains and northern Rocky Mountains. It started its life in 1964 as the Yellowstone Art Center that occupied the former Yellowstone County Jail. The museum rapidly grew in reputation as a regional and national art center.
Its permanent collection, which today numbers more than 7,500 objects, art works and archival pieces, grew around the core grant from the Montana Cultural Trust as well as private donations. The defining collection of the museum is the Montana Collection, which includes nearly 2,000 works of art. In 1998, the art center changed the name to the Yellowstone Art Museum as well as revealed the new state-of-the-art building expansion.
Address: 401 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-256-6804
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
5. View brightly colored flowers at DanWalt Gardens
DanWalt Gardens is best known as a popular venue for beautiful Billing's weddings. The gardens are magnificent throughout the growing season, with brilliant irises in the spring and multicolored hardy hibiscus,many species of roses, succulents and flowering shrubs and trees the rest of the year. There are also thousands of brightly colored annuals and hanging baskets loaded with blooms all over the grounds. Saturdays are reserved for weddings, and Memorial Rose Garden offers the opportunity for visitors to plant a rose in memory of a loved one. The gardens also hosts science workshops for school kids of all ages. Chickens are allowed to freely roam the gardens, much to the kids' delight.
Address: 720 Washington St, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-248-4003
6. Step back in time at the Moss Mansion Museum
The Moss Mansion Museum in Billings is a red stone imposing mansion built in 1903 as a luxurious home for the entrepreneur Preston B. Moss, who called it home until 1984 with his wife and six children. The mansion was designed by the renowned New York architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. The 28 room, three-story spectacular house has a beautiful attached glass solarium.
The luxurious decor includes high-quality wood paneling, walls threaded with gold, hand-painted ceilings and walls, many marble fireplaces, Persian carpets, artwork and Moss family objects. The house is open to visitors who want to observe the way of life of a prominent Billings family at the beginning of 20th century. Moss Mansion is listedon the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: 914 Division St, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-256-5100
7. View the artifacts at the Western Heritage Center
The Western Heritage Center is a Montana regional museum situated in Billings Historic District.
Address: 2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-256-6809
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
8. Enjoy the outdoors at Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park is a beautiful and large underdeveloped park in Billings.
9. Watch a baseball game at Dehler Park
Dehler Park is a popular baseball stadium in Billings, Montana. It is the home of the Montana State University Billings baseball team the Yellowjacketsand Billings Mustangs, members of the Pioneer League. Opened in 2008, the stadium can fit 6,000 people including standing room andhas an outfield terrace that allows visitors to move around the entire field.
Dehler Park replaced historic 1930s Cobb Field and includes some of the bench seating from the old stadium. The stadium is also used for plays and concerts; the most famous performers were Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp in 2010.
Address: 2611 9th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101, Phone: 406-252-1241
10. Watch a performance at the Alberta Bair Theater
An integral part of Billings' culture for over 80 years, the Alberta Bair Theater opened its doors on November 13, 1931 as The Fox Theater. This art deco-style theater was built by the 20th Century Fox Corporation. The theater brought many live plays, musicals, and performances to the community including big names such as Ray Charles and Judy Collins. Today, the Alberta Bair Theater is one of the largest fully-equipped performing arts centers in the region.
Visitors can come enjoy the many shows in the 1,400 seat venue, which include featured musicians, dance and theater performances, professional touring companies and local performing groups. There are also many programs locals and visitors alike can participate in to learn about music and the arts.
Address: 2801 3rd Ave N, PO Box 1556, Billings, MT 59103, Phone: 406-256-6052
Where to Eat in Billings, MT
- Recommended for Families: The Burger Dive – Award-winning burgers, fries, and milkshakes in a fun retro setting downtown.
- For Local Flavor: Montana Brewing Company – Brewpub serving craft beers and hearty dishes in a lively downtown space.
- For Date Night: Walkers Grill – Upscale American bistro known for seasonal dishes, wine, and a romantic vibe.
If you are interested in local events:
- For Rodeo Fans: MontanaFair (August) – The largest fair in the state with rodeos, concerts, food, and family fun at MetraPark.
- For Art Lovers: ArtWalk Downtown Billings (Seasonal) – Explore galleries, pop-ups, and artist demos on select Friday nights.
- For History Buffs: Little Bighorn Days (June, nearby Hardin) – Celebrate Western heritage with reenactments and parades just an hour away.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Billings, MT:
- For History Lovers: Pompeys Pillar National Monument (30 min) – See Clark’s signature from the Lewis & Clark Expedition carved into a sandstone bluff.
- For River Explorers: Yellowstone River Kayaking (15–20 min) – Paddle calm stretches or fish in the longest undammed river in the Lower 48.
- For Outdoor Recreation: Lake Elmo State Park (15 min) – Swim, kayak, fish, or picnic at this peaceful lake on Billings' northeast side.
- For Scenic Views: Four Dances Recreation Area (10 min) – Hike bluff-top trails with views of the Yellowstone River canyon and open plains.
- For Western Culture: Huntley Project Museum (30 min) – Explore vintage farm equipment, old schoolhouses, and Montana's homesteading history.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What makes Billings, Montana a great vacation destination?
- Shaped by the Yellowstone River on one side and protected by the Rims on the other, Billings, the largest city in Montana, is rich with history, spectacular natural formations, and warm people.
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What historical attractions can visitors explore in Billings?
- Visit Pictograph Cave State Park to learn about the life of Montana’s ancestors 2,000 years ago.
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What wildlife experiences are available in Billings?
- Stroll through ZooMontana to meet the animals that live in the Rockies.
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What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Billings?
- Bike the trails on the Rimrocks for spectacular views of Billings.
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