Looking for a city full of history, mountain views, and local flavor? Head to Butte! Once known as “the richest hill on Earth,” Butte, Montana is a living museum of the American West, blending copper mining history with arts, architecture, and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re exploring underground tunnels or hiking through the Highlands, Butte delivers authentic Montana charm.
Butte, MT Highlights:
- For History Buffs: Tour the World Museum of Mining – Walk through a recreated 1890s mining town and go 100 feet underground in the Orphan Girl Mine.
- For Culture Seekers: Visit the Copper King Mansion – Explore this opulent 34-room Victorian home of mining magnate William A. Clark.
- For Scenic Views: Drive to Our Lady of the Rockies – Take a bus or tour to the 90-foot statue perched on the Continental Divide overlooking Butte.
- For Architecture Fans: Walk through Uptown Butte – Admire historic buildings and homes from Butte’s mining boom era.
- For Hikers: Explore Thompson Park – Just south of town, it offers trails, old railroad tunnels, and mountain views along the Milwaukee Road Trail.
Best Time to Visit Butte, MT
The best time to visit Butte is in the late spring through early fall (May–September), when temperatures are mild and outdoor attractions are open. Summer offers festivals and long days, while fall brings beautiful golden hues to the surrounding hills. Winters are snowy and best for cozy stays or cross-country skiing.
How to Get to Butte, MT
- By Air: Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) provides regional service; larger airports are in Bozeman and Missoula, about 1.5–2 hours away.
- By Car: Butte sits at the junction of I-15 and I-90, making it a convenient stop between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
Where to Stay in Butte, MT
- For Historic Charm: Copper King Mansion B&B – Stay in an elegant Victorian mansion filled with antiques and character.
- For Modern Comfort: Fairfield Inn & Suites Butte – A convenient hotel with clean, spacious rooms and a great location.
- For Budget Travelers: Finlen Hotel and Motor Inn – Classic 1920s architecture in Uptown Butte with updated amenities and affordable rates.
Best Things to Do in Butte, MT
1. World Museum of Mining
I like:
"Explore historic mining equipment and discover underground sights on an exciting trip."
The World Museum of Mining is dedicated to the mining history of Butte and aims to preserve the town’s rich history and heritage. Founded in 1963, the museum features several exhibits and displays that tell the story Butte’s mining industry, the equipment used, and the people that lost their lives in mining-related accidents. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour down into the depths of the Orphan Girl Mine, as well as a variety of educational programs, summer camps for children, and field trips with exciting adventures like treasure hunts and more. A gift shop sells an array of souvenirs, books, and toys.
155 Museum Way, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-723-7211
2. Granite Mountain Memorial Overlook
I recommend:
"Look at panoramic views and honor miners’ legacy during a quiet fall visit."
The Granite Mountain Memorial Overlook is a historic site and viewpoint over Butte with spectacular panoramic vistas of the remains of the once-booming mining industry, the 10,000-foot Highland Mountains, Summit Valley, and the Continental Divide in the distance. The Granite Mountain played a vital role in the town’s mining industry in the 1900s and was the site of a tragic fire that swept through the area in 1917 and took 168 lives. Today, visitors can learn more about the history of the town via interpretive plaques and can buy a ‘brick ’in support of the memorial. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the Butte trailhead which winds around the south and west of the Granite Mountain Memorial site and connects the Top of the World trail to the restored historic mine site of Mountain Con Park.
1000 George Street, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-723-3177
3. Copper King Mansion
I love:
"Admire Victorian architecture and explore elegant rooms on a guided historic tour."
Copper King Mansion is a privately-owned mansion that was built by William Andrews Clark in 1884 and owned by the Cote family, who still manage it today. Also known as the W. A. Clark Mansion, Copper King Mansion was built in the Romanesque Revival Victorian style by Clark, known as one of Montana's three famous Copper Kings, who developed Butte into a flourishing city. The elegant mansion features 34 rooms with beautifully preserved detailing, such as frescoed ceilings, hand-carved woodwork, stained glass windows, and antique furnishings. Other notable features of the mansion include a grand ballroom, a quaint chapel, a billiard room, and a fully stocked library. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the mansion or spend the night in the bed-and-breakfast section of the house museum.
219 W Granite St, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-782-7580
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
4. Headframe Spirits
I enjoy:
"Savor handcrafted cocktails and learn about local distilling on a quick weekend stop."
Headframe Spirits is a locally owned and operated micro-¬distillery in the heart of uptown Butte that produces high-quality spirits and manufactures distillation equipment for other distilleries. Established in 2010, the distillery is based in the historic Schumacher Building and has won numerous awards for their small-batch, micro-distilled spirits such as gin, whiskey, and vodka. Visitors can tour the distillery on guided tours and sample some of the spirits produced in tasting sessions throughout the week.
21 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-299-2886
5. MBMG Mineral Museum
I like:
"See brilliant gems and discover fascinating geological stuff on a fun kids outing."
The MBMG Mineral Museum is an educational institution based on the campus of Montana Tech that is dedicated to the geology and minerals of the Butte and Montana region, as well as the area's mining history. The facility houses a collection of over 1,300 specimens of rocks, minerals, and gems, including a 400-pound smoky quartz crystal and a 27.49-ounce gold nugget found in the Highland Mountains in 1989. Notable attractions at the museum include the Earthquake Studies Laboratory, and the Fluorescent Room, which contains minerals that radiate vibrant shades of blue, orange and pink when exposed to ultraviolet light. The museum offers a variety of educational workshops and field trips, and lectures. For all ages.
1300 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-496-4414
6. Our Lady of the Rockies
I Recommend:
"Visit the mountaintop statue and admire sweeping sights on a spiritual summer trip."
Our Lady of the Rockies is a 90-foot statue resting on top of Continental Divide that is dedicated to women around the world. Constructed as a project of love by resident Bob O’Bill in 1979 after promising the Virgin Mary he would create a statue in her image she helped cure his cancer-stricken wife, the statue stands 3,500 feet above the town and is lit at the base at night. The statue is the third largest statue in the United States and stands to honor the contributions of all women in the world.
5970 Montana 2, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-782-1221
For a date:
7. Berkeley Pit
I like:
"Look at this vast mine and discover its unusual environmental history."
The Berkeley Pit is a former open-pit copper mine measuring a mile long and half-a-mile wide and is over 1,700 feet deep. The open-pit is filled with 900 feet of highly acidic water that causes chemicals and heavy metals like arsenic and zinc to seep into the surrounding rocks. More than 290 million tons of copper ore has been extracted from the pit by 1980 and the richness of the minerals found earned Butte the nickname of being the ‘Richest Hill on Earth.’ Although an environmental hazard, the pit draws tourists to view its vast chasm which can be seen from a viewing platform high above the hole.
Butte, MT 59701
8. Historic Clark Chateau Museum & Gallery
I enjoy:
"Visit a grand home and see art exhibits on a relaxing retirement day."
The Historic Clark Chateau Museum & Gallery is a beautifully preserved mansion built in 1898 for local copper magnate Charles Clark, the eldest son of the famous Copper King W.A. Clark. Constructed over ten years between 1898 and 1899, the mansion is set on Broadway Street and is two houses built by the Clarks, the other of which is set on Granite Street. The 26-room mansion is now a house museum and arts center and houses an impressive collection of artifacts, art, and literature documenting the life and times of Charles Clark and his famous family.
321 W Broadway St, Butte, MT 59701, Phone: 406-565-5600
9. Covellite Theater
I like:
"Enjoy live performances and admire restored interiors in this easy downtown attraction."
The Covellite Theater is a community center that hosts a variety of events and functions throughout the year. Built in 1896 as the First Presbyterian Church, the building features striking Gothic architecture, detailed sandstone, and granite stonework, high vaulted ceilings, and giant timber trusses, creating a spectacular space for all types of events. The theatre can accommodate up to 300 people and has an elegant lounge area with a full-service bar, and ample indoor and outdoor space for weddings, graduation ceremonies and more.
215 W Broadway St, Butte, MT 59701
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
Where to Eat in Butte, MT
- For Classic Fare: Casagranda’s Steakhouse – Popular spot for hearty steaks and Montana-sized portions in a historic warehouse.
- For Local Flavor: Pork Chop John’s – A Butte icon serving pork chop sandwiches since 1924—don’t skip the house-made sauce!
- For Breakfast: Hanging Five Restaurant – A local favorite for big breakfasts, pancakes, and cowboy-sized portions.
If You Are Interested in Local Events:
- For Culture: Montana Folk Festival (July) – A massive free music and dance festival featuring global acts on multiple stages.
- For Irish Heritage: St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17) – Celebrate Butte’s strong Irish roots with music, parades, and festivities.
- For Motor Fans: Evel Knievel Days (July, occasionally held) – Tribute to Butte’s famous daredevil with stunts, rides, and entertainment.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30–90 Minutes of Butte:
- For Hot Springs: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (20 min) – Soak in outdoor pools, enjoy a waterslide, or visit the spa.
- For History: Granite Ghost Town State Park (1.5 hrs) – Explore Montana’s silver boom history in the scenic Pintler Mountains.
- For Scenic Drives: Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway – Stunning mountain views between Anaconda and Philipsburg.
- For Gem Hunting: Philipsburg (1 hr) – Mine for sapphires, explore Old West shops, and try a famous sweet from The Sweet Palace.
- For Hiking: Mount Helena Trail System (1.5 hrs) – Great hikes and views over Montana’s capital city.
I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Where is Butte located?
- Nestled in the heart of Southwest Montana, Butte is a charming town that was once the beating heart of the American West.
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Why is Butte known as the ‘richest hill on earth’?
- Butte earned the title ‘richest hill on earth’ due to its huge copper deposits.
- It was a rich mining town and the largest city west of the Mississippi in the late 1900s.
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What historical attractions can visitors explore in Butte?
- Today, Butte boasts one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the nation.
- It features thousands of beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, stately mansions, historical structures, and interesting museums and galleries.
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What recreational activities are available in Butte?
- The town provides a wealth of activities such as Butte Trolley tours, hiking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing.
- Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding, as well as cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter.
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