25 Best Things to Do in Great Falls, Montana

© Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Built into a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center tells the epic story of the 8,000-mile Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800s. The main hall features plenty of hands-on exhibits, and the experience can be enhanced by borrowing a free audio guide. Visitors are also welcome to explore the interpretive trails outside the center, and there's even a trail that goes to the nearby Giant Springs State Park if you have time. Admission is free for visitors under the age of 15, and a discount is offered for groups of 20 or more people.

4201 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405, Phone: 406-727-8733

© C.M. Russell Museum

Named in honor of the famous "cowboy artist" who spent much of his life capturing the spirit of the American West, the C.M. Russell Museum is home to one of the largest collections of C.M. Russell artwork in the country. The collection features everything from landscape paintings to illustrated letters to sculptures of all sizes, and the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions of pieces by other nationally acclaimed artists. The museum property also features Russell's original home and log cabin studio, and both buildings are filled with period furniture and other items owned by the artist and his wife.

400 13th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-727-8787

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Giant Springs State Park is home to one of the country's largest freshwater springs, and it offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, particularly hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The spring water is remarkably clear, and the park also boasts four waterfalls, including the impressive Great Falls of the Missouri. The park is most popular during the warmer months, when the 20 miles of trails are best for hiking and biking, but visitors who come in the winter will likely have the chance to see the trees covered with glittering ice from the water vapor that comes off the springs.

4803 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405, Phone: 406-727-1212

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The Ryan Dam was built in 1915 to control the flow of water over the Great Falls of the Missouri, and thanks to its scenic beauty, it's now one of the area's most popular picnic spots. Visitors can park right at the base of the falls, and from here, a suspension bridge stretches right over the dam, leading to the picnic area on Ryan Island Park. The bridge and picnic area are open between Mother's Day and Labor Day, and there's also an indoor clubhouse that can be reserved for private events free of charge.

160 Ryan Dam Rd, Great Falls, MT 59404-6006, Phone: 406-268-2324

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Established in 1959, the Holiday Village Mall is a two-story shopping center with more than 60 shops and a handful of anchor stores including PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, and Bed Bath & Beyond. It's a great place to stop if you need to do a bit of shopping, and many of the stores have regular sales, which can be viewed on the mall website before visiting. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire mall during opening hours, and wheelchairs are available upon request. Other amenities include a small food court, a children's play area, and two ATMs.

1200 10th Ave S Great Falls, Montana 59405, Phone: 406-727-2089

© Holy Spirit Catholic Parish

If you're looking for a place to worship while in Great Falls, the Holy Spirit Catholic Parish is a beautiful church that welcomes visitors and new members with open arms. The priest is always available for confessions before mass, and friendly conversation with other church-goers is encouraged. Hearing aids can be borrowed if needed.

201 44th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405, Phone: 406-452-6491

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Previously known as the North Montana State Fairgrounds, the Montana ExpoPark is a 133-acre fairground with a horse racing track, an arena, and a spacious exhibition hall. It's the proud home of the annual Montana State Fair, which is held during the last week of July, but it also hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including rodeos, trade shows, and livestock events. Tickets for most events can be purchased online or over the phone. If you're in the area, you can also visit the Montana Museum of Railroad History, which is open on Thursday evenings and on Saturday afternoons during the summer.

400 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404, Phone: 406-399-4143

© Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

Housed inside a distinctive sandstone building that was built in 1896 to serve as a high school, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is one of the area's most important centers of art and culture. The permanent collection features more than 800 pieces of artwork, including a wide variety of contemporary American pieces, but one of the major highlights is a collection of more than 200 unique sculptures created by Lee Steen. Visitors are welcome to use the on-site ceramic studio, and the museum also regularly hosts art classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels.

1400 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-727-8255

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With its limestone facade and its imposing spire, St. Ann's Cathedral is one of the most recognizable buildings in Great Falls, and it's worth a visit just to admire the architecture and the statues inside. Construction of the present church was finished in 1907, and the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Mass is held at twice on Sunday mornings, at noon on weekdays, and on Saturday afternoons. There are also special masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and reconciliation is available on Saturday afternoons and by appointment.

715 3rd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-761-5456

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Constructed in the early 1900s, the Cascade County Courthouse is an imposing grey sandstone building built in the English Renaissance Revival style of architecture. All the stone used to construct the courthouse came from quarries within six miles of the city, but the most notable feature of the building is the enormous copper dome on top, which is held up by four granite columns. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980, and although it's still in use as a courthouse, visitors are welcome to come admire the architecture.

415 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-454-6873

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The Great Falls Voyagers are the city's Minor League Baseball team, and if you're a sports fan, attending one of their home games at Centene Stadium might be the highlight of your trip. The team is currently affiliated with the Chicago White Sox, and their season runs between the end of June and the beginning of September. Season tickets can be purchased for all games at Centene Stadium. The stadium can hold up to 4,000 people, and box seats come with food and beverage service. Several concessions can be found throughout the stadium as well.

1015 25th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-452-5311

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Only a mile away from the picnic area at Ryan Dam, the Morony Dam and Powerhouse is another impressive feat of architecture on the Missouri River. It was first opened in 1930, and it stands 94 feet high, making for some excellent photo opportunities. The view can be enjoyed from the road, but there's also a small day-use area where visitors can have a picnic. Remnants of an old, abandoned town can be found above the dam, and if you follow the hiking trail below the dam you'll find Sulphur Springs, which is an excellent fishing spot.

Morony Dam Road, Great Falls, MT 59711

© Roadhouse Diner

Owned and operated by a husband and wife team with a passion for good food, the Roadhouse Diner is one of the best burger joints in Montana. All their burger patties are made completely from scratch every few hours, and they serve them on freshly made buns with salad or hand-cut fries on the side. Options range from a classic double cheeseburger to the unique PB&J burger, and there's a build-your-own burger option for customers who want to choose exactly what goes on their patty. There's a new burger special every two weeks, and a made-from-scratch black bean burger is available for vegetarians and vegans.

613 15th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401, Phone: 406-788-8839

© Fiesta en Jalisco

Part of a family owned and operated chain of authentic Mexican restaurants spread across Montana and Idaho, Fiesta en Jalisco is the perfect place to go when you're craving Mexican food. The house specialties include chili and a wide variety of steaks served with beans and rice, but there are plenty of other dishes to choose from as well, including burritos, quesadillas, and delicious seafood dishes. The children's menu offers nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mini versions of many of the adult dishes.

1220 10th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, Phone: 406-453-5599

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If only one word could be used to describe the First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park, it ought to be “magical”. This state park is a glorious place to spend a day with its colorful vistas, spectacular trails, and heritage as one of the largest buffalo jump sites in the United States. At this National Historic Landmark, visitors can see sandstone cliffs that stretch for miles, walk along paths with archeological information, or visit a 6,000 square foot visitor center that contains education exhibits, and tours from guides who know quite a bit about the area's history. The park is accessible to all visitors and has all of the amenities one might need from a recreational park including a children’s activities park, public restrooms, and sufficient parking.

342 Ulm-Vaughn Road, Ulm, Montana 59485, Phone: 406-866-2217

© Children’s Museum of Montana

There is no shortage of fun and things to discover at the Children’s Museum of Montana, the largest and oldest museum for kids in the entire state. There are tons of great interactive and experiential exhibits to see in the museum, some of which include their newest exhibit, the Treehouse. For motor skill development and a boost of confidence, the Little Falls Parkour exhibit is home to tumbling mats, a lovely little hanging obstacle course, and several tumbling mats. Other exhibits allow the youngsters to experience some awesome jobs such as the Flight Zone, which has an air traffic control tower, and the Clinic, with its stethoscopes, diagrams, and models.

22 Railroad Square, Great Falls, Montana 59401, Phone: 406-452-6661

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The History Museum is dedicated to the thorough preservation and memorialization of the region’s heritage and history. The museum is taken care of by the Cascade County Historical Society and relies largely on donations to keep operating. Exhibits at the History Museum contain a mix of permanent collections as well as visiting galleries such as a display of Josef Dvorak’s Miniatures or a series of artifacts from the early days of the downtown area. The Ozark Club is one of the museum’s permanent exhibits and tells the story of the club that helped to break down racial barriers in the city through music.

422 2nd Street South, Great Falls, Montana 59405, Phone: 406-452-3462

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Situated on the eastern side of the Great Falls is the Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum and Air Park. It’s the perfect place to visit for Air Force enthusiasts or fans of aviation period. At this museum, guests can see one of the northwest’s largest military model aircraft displays up close and personal. That’s not all there is to Malmstrom though as the air park also has on display a World War II Era barracks room, a SAGE Computer, and Minute Man I and II missile launch consoles. Additionally, they also have a Lend-Lease Diorama on display, a handful of US Air Force and Army Air Corps uniforms, and survival equipment. The museum is open from Monday to Friday to group reservations and walk-ins.

90 Whitehall Drive, Great Falls, Montana 59402, Phone: 406-731-2705

© Montana Veterans Memorial

Montana Veterans Memorial is truly a sight to behold, as walking through it will bring visitors past tile after tile with names of fallen soldiers or veterans that have gone ahead on them. Several events are held at the memorial yearly, but any regular day visitors can come by to enjoy a historic tour of the three branches of the United States Military as well as interesting facts about the American flag. Located along River Drive, the memorial is the perfect jump spot to a walk by the water or the best place to end a nice leisurely day out in Great Falls.

1025 25th Street N, Great Falls, Montana 59401; Phone: 406-454-9070

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When in Great Falls, there’s no denying that Gibson Park is a jewel of a park. Situated just along Park Drive, Gibson Park connects to the River’s Edge Trail and features spectacular flower gardens, paved paths, and majestic rock archways. It's these lovely features that make it such a popular wedding venue in the city. In the park, visitors can also pay a visit to the historic Vinegar Jones Cabin, or rest by the bandshell in the center of the park. Gibson Park is also the location of choice for many locals looking to get some activity in as the park is open to joggers, bike riders, and rollerbladers. It also has a few basketball courts and playgrounds to be enjoyed. Art lovers will also see quite a few art pieces at Gibson Park such as the statue of Paris Gibson, a stained glass display, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, and a statue of Captain John Mullan.

400 Park Drive North, Great Falls, Montana 59401, Phone: 406-771-1265

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Cool of and have a ton of fun under the sun at the Electric City Water Park. A hot spot for summer outings, the water park operates daily with extended hours on Wednesdays. At the park, visitors can take an adrenaline-pumping slide down the Power Tower slides, surf to their heart’s contents on the Flow Rider, or take a nice relaxing float down the Flow River. Guests who just want a good old dip in the water can head over and splash around the Mitchell Pool, while children will undoubtedly enjoy a run around Montana’s largest water play structure. If people-watching and resting under the shade is more your speed, the Electric City Water Park has a lovely complex with many trees and shade scattered all about, as well as large patches of grass to picnic and relax on.

100 River Drive South, Great Falls, Montana 59403, Phone: 406-771-1265

© The Mighty Mo Brewing Company

At the Mighty Mo Brewing Company, it’s easy to spot the three most important things to them: people, beer, and pizza. It’s not an overstatement to say that their passion is overflowing either. Open all week, Mighty Mo has unique offers every day such as their Tap Wine Happy Hour on Wednesdays, and the Dollar-Off Pints on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Try any one of Mo’s beloved craft beers like their Blue Fog, Cherry Surprise, or Rendezvous Red, and match them with any of Mighty Mo’s delicious menu offerings. The Mo Supreme is easily a crowd favorite pizza as it's loaded with tons of toppings like pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushroom, green pepper, and black olives, all on top of a yummy red sauce.

412 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana 59401, Phone: 406-952-0342

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How would you handle it if you only had sixty heart-stopping minutes to solve dozens of puzzles and find countless clues to escape the falls? There’s no other way to find out than to head on over to Escape the Falls and to give the challenge a try yourself. Located along Central Avenue, Escape the Falls is meant to test your brains and your cooperation with your teammates. Players will have to make sure to investigate every corner of the themed rooms to find the right codes, put the clues together, and make it out before time runs out. Visitors must book their rooms ahead of time and have several themes to choose from such as Cooper Cabin, the Asylum, Peacock Manor, and Lost in Wonderland.

511 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana 59401, Phone: 406-285-8410

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At the Sip ‘n Dip, you’ll find the best rest in the West. After all, that’s the motto that greets visitors upon entry to this beloved watering hole in Great Falls. Favored by the residents and guests to the city alike, the Sip ‘n Dip Tiki Lounge is so good that GQ Magazine even declared it as the top bar on earth worth flying for. One of its main draws is inarguably the mermaid show, which features finned performers who zip around underwater. All of this is watched through the lounge’s window which peeks directly into the pool of the O’Haire Motor Inn. With great drinks, great shows, great service, and great company, what more could one ask for?

17 7th Street South, Great Falls, Montana 59404, Phone: 406-454-2141

© The Ursuline Center

The Ursuline Center, formerly known as the Ursuline Academy, has a rich heritage of education dating back to when it was first opened in 1912. At its establishment, the center was a boarding school of girls that provided education from kindergarten up until high school. The building, which is designed with a Collegiate Gothic build, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, now operates as a historical foundation as well as a retreat ministry and museum. A visit to the Ursuline Heritage Museum will reveal to visitors the story of the school’s namesake, the Ursuline Sisters, who arrived in Montana as missionaries in 1884. Tours of the center can be booked ahead of time for those who want all the insider information about this gorgeous historical site.

2300 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana 59401, Phone: 406-452-8585