Fun Things to Do in Missoula, Montana: A Vibrant City with Unparalleled Outdoor Access

Missoula, Montana is a city that’s filled with a palpable energy. There are hip restaurants, bars and cafes, plenty of museums and galleries to visit, and, of course, picturesque mountains and rivers all around you.

The Wren in Missoula, Montana — The mountainous backdrop behind The Wren, where I stayed in Missoula.

What I appreciated about Missoula from the onset was that there seemed to be no standard playbook for precisely how the city needed to be explored.

The folks who sipped on java in a cozy, hip coffee shop on Higgins Avenue seemed just as correct in their approach to Missoula as the fly fisherman wading knee deep into the Clark Fork River, seemingly totally impervious to the cold winter temperatures.

I’ve talked before about how my approach to exploring a destination (largely to try to ensure I’m creating the most useful content I can) is try try to find the pulse. Well, that was very easy to do in Missoula, and I found multiple “pulses,” all different, yet not competing.

Missoula will surprise you if you’ll let it.

It’s the little things - the chattiness of your neighbour on the bar stool beside you, the beautiful interplay between city and nature, the playfulness of the speakeasies, bars, and cafes, and the fact that people are always out and about, regardless of the weather, which establishes a noticeable movement in the city that’s easy to get swept up in.

About Missoula, Montana

How you’re welcomed at the the Missoula Montana Airport.

You’ll find Missoula in Western Montana, located along the Clark Fork River, and surrounded by no less than five mountain ranges. It’s what creates the sense that you’re in the city, but you’re also always a very short drive from being very much out of the city.

It’s Montana’s second largest city (after Billings), coming at a population of around 75,000, though it sure feels larger when you’re there.

It’s home to the University of Montana, and the student buzz is very noticeable, especially as you get closer to the campus and see no shortage of signs announcing that you’re in “Griz Country.”

The first settlements here can be traced back almost 12,000 years, and the land was primarily used and tended to as time progressed by the the Salish, Kootenai, Pend d'Oreille, Blackfeet, and Shoshone Peoples. It was the Lewis and Clark Expedition that first brought US citizens to the area in the early 19th century.

Missoula as we know it today began to take shape in the middle of the 19th century. My first visit here was in winter, so I appreciate that the name “Missoula” comes from the Salish name for the Clark Fork River - nmesuletkw, which means, roughly, “the place of frozen water.”

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What to Do in Missoula to Get the Most Out of Your Visit

There’s a little something for everyone, so let me paint a picture of all the things you can do in Missoula, Montana to ensure your visit is a memorable one!

Check Out A Carousel for Missoula

In 1988, a local cabinet maker visited a carousel in Spokane and was instantly inspired. He began hand-carving ponies that could be used in a future carousel, and eventually he went to the Missoula City Council to say that, if they’d give his carousel a future home, he’d do all the heavy lifting.

And so began the journey getting of donations and support from the community to make this dream a reality. What truly makes this carousel special is that it is volunteer-built and hand-carved.

It’s a testament to what one man with a vision, and the support of those around him, can accomplish when they put their mind to it and now it serves as a continual reminder of that, with each passing rotation.

The carousel, by the way, gives an average of about 225,000 or so rides per year!

Don’t forget to also check out the volunteer-built park next door, Dragon Hollow.

Walk the Riverfront Trail

To me, this is something that needs to be circled and underlined on your Missoula itinerary. It’s gorgeous and, frankly, very meditative and therapeutic.

If you want a good walk through the central section, I’d recommend starting at the west entrance of the trail (around Owen Street and W Front Street), then heading east along the river past the Dragon Hollow Playground, Caras Park, Bess Reed Park and Kiwanis Park. It’s only about an 18 minute walk.

The Riverfront Trail does also run on the other side of the river as well, so note that you could also cross the bridge and head west and end up somewhere like Imagine Nation Brewing or Western Cider.

You can take trails further east on the initial route as well by crossing and taking the Kim Williams Trail.

No shortage of options, that’s for sure.

Get acquainted With the Local Brewery Scene

As a lover of quality craft beer, I was quite impressed by the suds I sipped on in Missoula. Here are some breweries that you might want to pop into when you’re visiting Missoula.

Imagine Nation Brewing: A very community oriented microbrewery that’s focused on giving back both through their grasp of brewing traditions, and by actively starting local initiatives that can make an impact to Missoula. Try the Lupujūs 7 if you like hazy IPAs done right.
Bayern Brewing Inc.: The only German brewery in the Rocky Mountains that specializes in Bavarian beer. Their beer garden is also quite popular in the warmer months. As a bit of beer purist, I love a good German Pilsner, so I’d go with their “Pilsener,” but their Dragon’s Breath dark wheat hefeweizen is also very much worth a sip.
Big Sky Brewing: Welcome to Montana’s largest brewery, which first opened its doors all the way back in 1995. They’re well known for having fun with their beer names, such as with the ever popular “Moose Drool Brown Ale,” “Trout Slayer,” and “Powder Hound Winter Ale.”

If you’re a beer aficionado and you want to do the full gambit while you’re there, then you can also visit Conflux Taphouse, Highlander Beer, Tamarack Brewing Co, Great Burn Brewing, Draught Works, OddPitch Brewing, or KettleHouse Brewing Co.

You won’t be hurting for good beer in Missoula!

By the way, if beer isn’t your thing, then perhaps Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery is more up your alley. It’s less than a 15 minute drive north from the heart of the city.

stroll along higgins street

When I first arrive at a hotel, I always ask the front desk the same question - “What would you make sure you didn’t leave here without doing?” The staff where I was staying (At The Wren, which I’ll write about below), immediately all said to walk up and down Higgins Street.

Higgins Street is the main downtown corridor, and it’s filled with cafes, restaurants, historic buildings and more.

I personally started At N Higgins Ave. and East Elder Street, then walked all the way down to N Higgins Street and S 6th St. W. It’s only about a 20 minute walk, but I took my time and popped into shops and cafes along the way that caught my eye.

This ended up being the perfect way to orient myself with Missoula. When I ended up heading north again, back into the heart of things, then I veered off Higgins to check out some of the alleyways and side-streets, but getting a feel for what is essentially the backbone of Missoula was an ideal start.

Spend Some Time in Caras Park

You’ll find Caras Park in the heart of Downtown Missoula, not far from the rushing waters of the Clark Fork River.

Caras Park is known for its events - everything from food festivals to brewfests to live music and more. You can check this calendar to see if anything is on when you’re in Missoula.

I found Caras Park a nice place to just take a step back and watch the rhythm of the city. People stroll by on the Riverfront Walking Trail, there’s usually someone out on the river fishing or kayaking, and it’s like this little oasis where you get to watch all the action from.

It’s not huge, by any means, but it’s a nice little spot in Missoula. I’d recommend doing what I did and grabbing a beer from a local brewery, then walking down to Caras Park to sip on it and take in the sights and sounds.

Visit University of Montana’s Campus

The campus today is a whopping 220 acres in size, and it’s bordered by Mount Sentinel on its east side, and on the north by the Clark Fork River. There are about 65 buildings scattered around the campus, as well as a 26,500 football stadium and 7500 seat multi-purpose arena (known primarily for basketball).

When you visit, I’d recommend heading to The Oval, a three acre patch of grass that marks the center of the University of Montana. Fun fact - the idea was actually the plan of one of the university’s first professors, Frederich Scheuch.

Don’t miss the grizzly bear statue on the western part of The Oval. Though, it’s 7 feet tall and about 5000 pounds, so it’d be hard to miss.

If you’re looking for some striking views of Missoula, take the “M” trail. The campus leads to the base of Mount Sentinel, which has a trail that goes up to the “M” which was placed by former students on the mountain sometime around 1908.

Originally, the M was made of whitewashed rocks, then granite, and now it’s built from sturdy concrete. It’s easy to see the “M” from different points around the city since it’s about 125 feet by 100 feet in size.

It’s a pleasant place to spend some time walking with some headphones in as you soak up the atmosphere.

Catch a movie or a performance

There are three places that I feel you should have on your list right away, and they all offer a different experience, and have a different focus.

The Wilma is a historic theatre built in 1921 which offers a state-of-the-art live experience, and they do a mixture of live music, film festivals, private rentals, documentary showings, and a whole bunch more. I get the sense I’d be in and out of this place constantly if I lived in Missoula!

The Missoula Community Theatre/Missoula Children’s Theatre has a 300 seat theatre, and it’s been a staple in the community since 1998. In fact, since they’ve opened their doors they’ve welcomed a reported 1.5 million guests. If you’re visiting Missoula with your kids, I’d circle this spot.

Finally, The Roxy Theatre is a longtime neighbourhood cinema which has a curated list of movies, runs festivals and series, and it’s just generally a beloved spot in the Missoula cultural scene. The exterior of The Roxy also has a very classic, neon appeal.

Pop By the Smokejumper Visitor Center

The Smokejumper Visitor Center offers visitors free tours to learn about an occupation that’s a revered and respected part of Missoula and Montana life. Typically, they’re open between Memorial Day and Labour Day.

You can visit the Smokejumper loft, pay your respects at the National Smokejumper Memorial, step into “the ready room,” and take a look at a fire lookout tower built in the 1930s. In the summer months, I’m told there’s usually a smokejumper aircraft there as well.

By the way, if you’re not clear what a “smokejumper” is, they’re specially trained firefighters who parachute in to respond to remote fires in the wilderness.

Grab a Bite to eat!

If there’s one thing that Missoula has no shortage of, it’s restaurants. So, where should you take a moment to eat a little something?

Plonk Missoula: Eclectic vibe that’s great for sharing a variety of smaller dishes, plus delicious cocktails.
Stave & Hoop Speakeasy: Come here for happy hour, which I believe is typically 4:06pm (in honour of the area code) -5:30pm. I had some lemon parmesan Brussels sprouts that were off-the-charts, a couple of beers, and it was half price. It’s also one of the cooler speakeasies I’ve been to.
Clyde Coffee: They make a mean cup of coffee (arguably Missoula’s best), and have a nice menu to go alongside it.
Market on Front: The breakfast sandwiches and wraps from Market on Front are out of this world.
The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ: You know the drill - ribs, brisket and the whole gambit.
Second Set Bistro: If you’re trying to get your hands on the steak of your dreams.
The Keep: A castle like environment just outside of town focusing on seafood and steak.
Ciao Mambo: A local favourite for Italian, plus a solid wine list.

Set Eyes on the st. Francis Xavier Church

You’ll find St. Francis Xavier in the downtown district of Missoula, and I actually happened upon it after noticing its spire poking its head above some of the other downtown buildings I was checking out.

It’s the tallest church in Missoula, and actually one of tallest churches in the state. If you want to head inside, note that there are paintings in there which are over 100 years old.

It was first built in 1892, and the church features a pipe organ, plenty of stained glass, and even a church bell that weighs more than 2000 pounds!

Get Your Missoula Museum Fix

For a city its size, I was impressed by the museums that they had on offer. Perhaps it’s raining one day while you’re there, or you’re simply a museum buff and want to get to know Missoula a little better. Here are a few spots to keep in mind.

History buffs will want to visit the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, a 1877 military post with ample historic buildings. Lovers of art and culture should prioritize a visit to the Missoula Art Museum (with many contemporary works from Montana artists), and the Montana Museum of Art & Culture.

There’s also the Montana Natural History Center, a great place to learn more about local flora and fauna, plus there’s a popular walking/biking trail right next door.

Stay Somewhere unique

When I was visiting Missoula, I had the pleasure of staying at The Wren Missoula which was, by all accounts, an ideal location to find yourself in the city.

They offer 73 one-of-a-kind guest rooms that “are designed with the traveler in mind.” The lobby serves as their “map room,” or starting point to familiarize yourself with the hotel, city, and state. You’ll find work from local artists, as well as some fascinating objects relating to Missoula’s smoke jumping history.

Each room features art from local artists that will help you learn a bit more about what Missoula is all about. I had the chance to check out perhaps ten different rooms, and there’s some remarkable work all around The Wren.

They describe themselves as “Missoula’s freshest hotel,” and I’d say that’s right on the money. Feel free to check if there’s availability during your stay.

What Else Should You Have on Your Radar When Visiting Missoula?

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has exhibits and workshops that help visitors understand the importance of conservation efforts in supporting elk habitats. There’s also a nature trail there which families like to walk. It’s about a ten minute drive northwest of the downtown core.
If you’re interested in learning, there are a number of companies based in Missoula who help visitors learn to fly fish. I haven’t personally used them, but heard that Missoula on the Fly offers a variety of packages for those interested and have quality guides.
If you’re in town on a Saturday in Missoula during growing season (typically early May to late October), then you’ll want to stop by the Missoula Farmers’ Market which has been running strong since 1972.
Think seasonally. If you’re there in the winter, then take advantage of that by visiting an area like the Snowbowl where you can do a little skiing. If you’re there in the summer, perhaps prioritize a visit to Splash Montana, a well known local waterpark with some 3 story slides that are a hit amongst kids.
If you’re looking to come into the city, then immediately start exploring the outdoors (especially for hiking etc.), checkout the nearby Blue Mountain Recreation Area, the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, and the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area.
Missoula is also known for its art galleries, so when you’re walking around the city, keep your eyes out for the Radius Gallery, Dana Gallery, and 4 Ravens Gallery in particular.

By the way, the airport is Missoula is top-notch. Easy to navigate, modern, and overall a breeze to fly in and out of.

Missoula Awaits!

However you choose to approach Missoula, what I largely want to community is that there really are a plethora of fun things to do in Missoula, and you’re going to have a memorable visit if you come here realizing that there’s oh so much to see.

So come with an open mind and a will to explore, and you’re sure to leave with some wonderful memories.

I want to humbly thank the Glacier Country Montana for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.

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