Missoula

Though it's physically part of the Rocky Mountains region, culturally Missoula identifies closely with the Pacific Northwest. Home to the University of Montana and often considered by residents as the most liberal city in Montana, it's an interesting mix of ranchers, cowboys, hippies, yuppies, students, artists, athletes and recreationalists. Graduates from the University of Montana frequently remain in Missoula, creating a large over-qualified work force. A local barista or cook may have, at the very least, a Bachelor's degree.

Visitors to Missoula often remark that the city is hard to get around in by car, a fact Missoulians famously owe to conflicting city engineers at the turn of the century. The confusing roadways make the Mountain Line city bus system a great way to get around -- but with a little orienting, the city can be much more easily navigated.

• Higgins Avenue runs from downtown in the northern end of town through the outskirts of the tree-lined streets of the university district until it takes a sharp curve to the west in the south end of town, leading mainly to residential areas.
• Broadway Street runs east to west, mostly along the Clark Fork river, from Van Buren, entrance to the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and the hippest place to live in town, through downtown before bisecting with Highway 93 and continuing on to the airport and I-90.
• Orange Street runs through downtown and another treed residential area before intersecting with Brooks Street.
• Brooks Street begins as Highway 93 from Lolo to the south of Missoula before turning into Brooks Street, a major shopping area populated with strip malls, fast food restaurants and the like, before dead ending into Higgins in a particularly confusing no-right-turn intersection.
• Russell Street runs north - south from Broadway to 39th, through residential, industrial and business districts, but is a main roadway for motorists.
• Reserve Street runs from I-90 to 39th from the north - south, crossing Broadway, 3rd Street, South Avenue and Brooks Street before dead ending. Major box stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart, as well as movie theaters, restaurants and other businesses line the thoroughfare.

Geographically, Missoula is dominated by the scenic Clark Fork river that flows through downtown and the mountains ringing the city. The Kim Williams Trail, which follows the waterfront, is an easy way to appreciate the former. Tubing, rafting, and canoe/kayaking are also good options in the summer.

Mt. Sentinel, on the east side of town, offers a scenic trail system. A trail starting at the University of Montana leads 700 feet up the mountainside to the "M," which offers great views of the city. More adventurous hikers may continue another 1400 feet to the peak of Mount Sentinel, which offers great views of the city, the Rattlesnake Wilderness to the north, and Mount Jumbo to the north. Those with binoculars may perceive the ancient shoreline of Lake Missoula on Mount Jumbo, marking the edge of an enormous ice-age lake. One can also take the trail off the backside of Mt. Sentinel, which zig-zags down crossing the parasailing jeep road a few times to a sign which shows the lovely trail down thru forest on Sentinel's north side that ends at the old railroad tracks, now the Kim Williams hike/bike trail, and then back to the parking lot at the "M" trails base. Doing the loop in reverse is also very pleasant.

Manmade scenic attractions include the Missoula carousel in Caras Park, the historic courthouse with eight original murals by E.S. Paxson, and several fine art galleries. Lastly, if you enjoy history, both of Missoula's historic railroad stations still stand, preserved, and in use. One, built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad is used by the Boone & Crockett Club and the other built by the Northern Pacific Railway is used as office space by local businesses and home of the Missoula Farmer's Market during the summer months.

• 🌍 Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, 3400 Captain Rawn Way, ☏ +1 406 728-3476. Sep-May: Tu-Su noon-5PM; May-Aug: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Explore the 32-acre park and museum showcasing Missoula area history. Museum features rotating exhibits. Over 20 preserved historic buildings of the fort and World War II internment camp. Walking tour of the fort always available and free. Come in late April for the annual forestry day to watch professional competitors in timber sports like log rolling and speed climbing. If you've never watched these lumberjack events, they are incredibly fun spectator sports. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Missoula Art Museum, 335 N Pattee, ☏ +1 406 728-0447. Tu W 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-7PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM. Worth a visit. Knowing that it could never outbid its big-city counterparts for works by famous artists, the museum has instead hosts regularly-rotated exhibits of Western art and works closely with community arts groups. Furthermore, the price is right for visitors, as demonstrated by its slogan: Free Expression, Free Admission. free. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Missoula Paddleheads, 700 Cregg Ln, ☏ +1 406 543-3300. See website for current season schedule. Enjoy a Pioneer League baseball game at Orgren Park at Allegiance Field. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Montana Museum of Art & Culture, at the University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr; collections held in multiple buildings, check website for current locations, ☏ +1 406 243-2019, museum@umontana.edu. Rotating permanent collection and outside artwork. Website has a campus artwalk map. Free. (updated Mar 2023)

Missoulians enjoy a range of outdoor activities including hiking, rafting, "tubing", rock climbing, skiing, fishing, golfing, and just about any other activity that can be done outside. It's no wonder—in Missoula you can take a city bus to within walking distance of federally designated wilderness area. After hiking and returning to town, you can visit the historic downtown and enjoy some fantastic local food and drink.

Summer cultural events include: the International Choral Festival, the River Roots Music Festival, Farmer's markets (three) every Saturday morning. Music and food festivals at Caras Park (off Higgins on the banks of the Clark Fork) Wednesday lunches and Thursday evenings and the Western Montana Fair in August.

Snowbowl, at 7,600 ft (2,300 m), is a great place to ski that is very affordable.

Year-round 'First Friday' finds art galleries open to strolling passersby with music and food offered for free.

The public library on Main Street has special talks and presentations, about Montanan history, for example. There is also a movie 'Cheap date' night with popcorn and a drop-in Scrabble Club Monday evenings.

• 🌍 Acton Square Dance Center & Campground, 9955 Lolo Creek Road (Hwy 12) Lolo (2.5 miles west of Lolo on Hwy 12). Campground and RV park. Square dancing with nationally known callers and cuers. See webpage for schedule. 
• 🌍 Blue Mountain Disc Golf, Blue Mountain Rd (Take either Hwy 365 east or River Pines Rd west to intersect the street). 18 holes of disc golf on a very hilly, wooded course. Cross the street to take the Maclay Flat Nature Trail. For a beginner course try Meadow Hill Middle School (4210 S Reserve St). Free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Fort Missoula Regional Park, 3250 Fort Missoula Rd, ☏ +1 406 552-6000. City park and sport complex. There are tennis courts, pickleball courts, outdoor fitness center, lawn volleyball, disc golf at this 156-acre park. Plus 3 playgrounds and a dog park. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, County Rd 533 (7½ miles SE of town, off Pattee Canyon Rd, look for sign), ☏ +1 406 329-3814. Open year-round during daylight. Extensive trail system covering 27 miles is open to any non-motorized use. Used by cross-country skiers in winter. Nearby disc golf course. Picnic area with vault toilets, but no water, at trailhead. Free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Splash Montana, 3001 Bancroft (In Playfair Park), ☏ +1 406 542-WAVE (9283). Jun-Aug. City owned waterpark. Three 3-story waterslides, lazy river, play structures plus Olympic sized pool. Café and grill. $4.25-8. (updated Aug 2023)

Thanks largely to the city's vibrant arts community, the downtown offers a wide variety of unique shops. Visit on a Saturday between May to October if possible, when there is a street and farmer's market stretching across downtown Higgins Ave.

The best stores feature local goods from Montana artisans.

• Worden's, 451 N Higgins Ave. Downtown Missoula, one of the best places to buy obscure, diverse, and pretty much any beer you could possibly want. 

• Rockin' Rudy's, 237 Blaine St. Near the Hip Strip, this is a local curio store, selling a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs including vinyl records and CDs, handmade jewelry, clothing and gag gifts. 

• The Sports Exchange, 1320 S. Third St. W.. The Sports Exchange Missoula is a long-trusted purveyor of quality second-hand sporting goods. 

• Southgate Mall, 2901 Brooks St. Missoula's only indoor shopping center, Southgate Mall is home to many great shops and local restaurants. Games, shopping, and great food can all be found here. 

• #1 Gyros. Run by a Greek family, #1 Gyros can be quite crowded around lunch time. Tasty french fries. 
• The Bridge. Unusual pizzas sold by the slice. $2.50-3.50 a slice. 
• El Diablo. Another excellent burrito restaurant. Burritos cost around 7 bucks, but worth it. The only burrito shop in town that cooks their meat fresh. 
• The Good Food Store. Missoula's answer to Whole Foods. Sells natural, organic, and specialty foods in its grocery store and includes a small deli serving prepared meals. 
• The Iron Horse. Modern restaurant with good American food (expect to pay $7-10 for lunch dishes and $15-20 for dinner) that turns into a popular sports bar at night. 
• 🌍 Lolo Creek Steak House, Highway 12 West, Lolo (Hwy 12 West or US 93 South 10 miles to Lolo, turn right on Hwy 12 west, about 200 m on the right), ☏ +1 406-273-2622. Great steaks, in Lolo on the Lewis and Clark trail. $15. 

• The Old Post. Great food, great microbrews, great live music, and terrible lighting--this place has "atmosphere" written all over it. Excellent vegan and vegetarian dishes. Try the weekend brunch. The lunch-only "Reccession Special" is a local favorite. 
• The Oxford, 337 N Higgins Ave, ☏ +1 406 549-0117. 24 Hours. Diner style food in a business continuously open for so long that it prides itself on having lost its keys. Friendly staff, live poker, and cheap drinks. The chicken fried steak with JJ's gravy is amazing. Those looking for an authentic Missoula experience should check out this place. $8-10. (updated Feb 2018)
• Scotty's Table. An American bistro. French bistro in the heart of Missoula. Indoor and outdoor (seasonal) seating on the park level of the historic Wilma Building 
• Taco Del Sol. Large $5 burritos. Where many of locals grab a quick bite. 
• Taco Sano. Locally owned burrito shop, good combination of value and quality. Dubbed Taco Sysco, after the name of the food distribution company the restaurant gets its frozen meat from. 
• Wordens Deli. Full-service deli, coffee, wine, and groceries. Missoula's first grocery store, Wordens opened in 1883 and has been a Missoula staple ever since. Wicked Philly is a local favorite. 
• 🌍 Burns Street Bistro, 1500 Burns Street, ☏ +1-406-543-0719, BurnsStBistro@gmail.com. M–F 7:30AM-2PM, Sa Su 9AM–2PM. A very interesting combination of local, seasonal, creative cuisine with a low-key, high-volume style. Expect a long wait in line for weekend brunch. Order at the counter. Find a seat among the plain-wood tables in the bright, warehouse-like dining room. Pour yourself some water, and enjoy the aromas until your plate is brought to you. Extensive vegetarian and vegan options. Brunch entrees $8. (updated Sep 2017)
• Golden Yolk Griddle, 200 W Pine St, ☏ +1 406 926-1145. M-F 7AM-2PM, Sa 9AM-2PM. Breakfast and lunch. (updated Nov 2022)

• 🌍 Black Coffee Roasting, 201 E Main, ☏ +1 406 541-3700, info@blackcoffeeroastingco.com. M-Sa 7AM-2PM, closed Su. Organic coffee from around the globe. Roasted locally. (updated Jul 2023)
• 🌍 Drum Coffee, 600 South Ave W, ☏ +1 406 721-3786, drumcoffeemt@gmail.com. Daily 7AM-3PM. Baker making items in-house. Locally roasted coffee. Has second location at 1000 E Broadway. (updated Jul 2023)
• Liquid Planet. A very unique all-beverage store and organic coffee shop with a one-of-a-kind 10 foot high wooden globe that houses wine. 
• 🌍 Lumberjack Saloon (Jack Restaurant & Saloon), 2000 Graves Creek Road, Lolo (follow Hwy 12 West from Lolo, towards Idaho, about 16 miles, turn right on Graves Creek Rd. about 1.3 miles), ☏ +1 406-273-6264. Great saloon in Lolo National Forest. $10. 
• 🌍 Plonk Wine, 322 N. Higgins Ave, ☏ +1-406-926-1791, toll-free: +1-406-926-1793, ben@plonkwine.com. Daily 3PM–after midnight. A fun, delicious hip restaurant in an art-filled brick dining room. The roof patio is a cool and pleasant retreat on hot days. An extensive list of wines by the glass. Good vegetarian options. Entrees $15-30. (updated Aug 2017)

• 🌍 Goldsmith's Bed and Breakfast, 803 E. Front St, ☏ +1 406 728-1585, toll-free: +1-866-666-9945, goldsmithsbandb@gmail.com. Located on the banks of the Clark Fork River. Missoula's oldest, and original B & B. Across the river from the University of Montana Campus, 6 blocks from Downtown. Original 1910 home, saved from demolition in 1989 and fully restored. Full breakfast, Wi-Fi, cable. Three Diamond AAA rating, member Montana B and B Association. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Blue Mountain B&B, 6980 Deadman Gulch Road, ☏ +1 406 251-4457, toll-free: +1-877-251-4457, stay@bluemountainbb.com. Bed and breakfast, nestled on the mountainside among Ponderosa Pines and meditative water gardens. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 C'Mon Inn, 2775 Expo Parkway, ☏ +1 406 543-4600, toll-free: +1-888-989-5569, fax: +1 406 543-4664. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Doubletree Missoula Edgewater, 100 Madison, ☏ +1 406-728-3100. Sits directly across the Clark Fork River from the University of Montana with a view of the mountains. Contains a restaurant, the Finn and Porter, which serves fresh steaks, seafood, and chops. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 La Quinta Missoula, 5059 N. Reserve St, ☏ +1 406 549-9000. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Blossom's Bed and Breakfast, 1114 Poplar St, ☏ +1 406-721-4690. Bed and Breakfast is a completely restored 1910 Crafstsman home close to the Univrsity and Downtown. B&B features full breakfast made with organic food where possible, fireplace, close to hiking trails, bicycles, Wi-Fi, and billards. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Missoula, 200 S Pattee St, ☏ +1 406-721-8550, toll-free: +1-877-863-4780. In downtown Missoula, next to Caras Park and the Clark River, and close to the University of Montana. As a full-service hotel, HI Missoula offers an indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Broadway Inn Conference Center, 1609 West Broadway, ☏ +1 406 532-3300, toll-free: +1-800-286-2316, fax: +1-406-728-1930. At the corner of West Broadway and Russell Street. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Shady Spruce Hostel, 204 E Spruce St, ☏ +1 406 285-1197, help@shadysprucehostel.com. Missoula's only hostel. Kitchen, on-site storage, free Wi-Fi, and guest computer available. Dorms $35+, privates $55+. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Citilodge Suites & Motel, 1135 W Broadway St. The Citilodge suites has 43 comfortable and clean rooms. It is 4.7 mi away from the Missoula International Airport. $63. (updated Oct 2021)

Missoula's immediate surroundings offer a wide array of activities for all seasons, including the outdoor recreation afforded by vast tracts of public lands, the Old West flavor of several nearby ghost towns, several ski slopes, and a range of unique Montana businesses.