During June and July, I visited my parents in the US after not seeing them for almost 3 years. We did a lot of fun things, and I wanted to share the places we went to as well as the shops we visited and the restaurants we ate at.
Livingston
Livingston is in the southwestern part of Montana, and it is about an hour away from the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. When I visited my parents, we did a lot in Livingston, and these are my recommendations for things to do, shops to visit, and restaurants to eat at.
Things to Do in Livingston
Yellowstone Gateway Museum
The museum has permanent exhibits on the Lewis and Clark expedition, the importance of the railway in bringing visitors to Yellowstone National Park, and stories and artifacts from early-day communities. The museum also has an outdoor area with a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and transportation vehicles including a caboose. As far as temporary exhibits, there are currently exhibits on firefighting, military history and general history of Park County, and changing communications. Many of the exhibits have interactive elements, which was perfect for my daughter, and in one area, there were around 20 different old chairs, and you could vote for your favorite and read more about it in a booklet. There is a lot to look at and learn about in the museum, which makes it worthwhile to visit.
Livingston Depot Center
The Livingston Depot Center is an old train station from 1902 that has been converted into a museum. The museum has exhibits on behind the scenes of the Western movie Heaven’s Gate, films in Montana, the migration of elk in Yellowstone including photography, paintings, and drawings, and of course the railroads’ importance to Yellowstone National Park. By the Livingston Depot Center is the Livingston Model Railroad Club area that is free to enter to see the model trains run. Even though we did not go to the museum, my daughter loved seeing the model trains.
Livingston Farmer’s Market
The farmer’s market is held at Sacajawea Park every Wednesday during the summer. There are vendors selling local produce, baked goods, jewelry, and crafts so you are sure to find something you like. There is also live music and various food trucks. Sacajawea Park is also nice to visit as there is a duck pond and the Yellowstone River is nearby with beautiful views of the mountains.
Livingston Roundup
On the 4th of July weekend is the Livingston Roundup rodeo at the Park County Fairgrounds. They have food and various events from barrel racing to bull riding. Then at the end of the rodeo is fireworks. Growing up in Texas, I have been to my share of rodeos, but my daughter has never been to one, and she loved it. Also for the 4th of July weekend was the Festival of the Arts where over 100 artists and craftspeople sold their wares.
The Shane Center
The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts has a community theater, where you can see musicals at. I saw The Addams Family musical with my parents, which was fun to watch. Other musicals they have had this year were Legal Blonde and Bonnie & Clyde, and in the fall, there are going to have the Matilda musical.
United in Light Sanctuary
UIL is a sanctuary for elder, injured, and abused draft horses. Every Saturday during the summer they have an open house where you can come pet, brush, and feed the horses. During the off-season, their open house is the first Saturday of every month, and it is donation based.
Shops to Visit in Livingston
The Livingston Kite Company
The Livingston Kite Company is a great store for kids as they sell kites as well as a plethora of toys and games. My daughter bought a pop-it fidget toy as well as a small jar of Crazy Aaron’s putty. The shop owner also brings her dog to work, which was sweet to see.
Wheatgrass Books
Wheatgrass Books is an independently owned book store that sells books as well as gifts. The last time we were there, my daughter bought a mini Dr. Seuss notebook. I also recommend Sax & Fryer as they sell books, stationery, and gifts.
The Kitchen Shop
One of my favorite stores in Livingston is The Kitchen Shop as it has everything you could possibly want for your kitchen. My daughter and I purchased an adorable egg and toast salt and pepper shaker, a cookie cutter, and a reusable dishcloth.
Windy Way Rock Shop
If you love rocks and crystals, I definitely recommend stopping by the Windy Way Rock Shop. They have good prices on a wide selection of rocks, crystals, and jewelry.
Community Closet
Community Closet is a local thrift store that has fantastic prices. They have home decor and accessories, books, clothing, and items for kids. I bought a shirt for $1 as well as a painting for my apartment for $3 among other things. I also recommend The Curated Closet as the more high-end donations to the Community Closet are sold there, and I have bought dresses for $20-$30.
Wolf’s Mercantile
Wolf’s Mercantile is an eclectic shop that sells home decor, gifts, jewelry, handbags, skincare, and even chocolate truffles and other sweets. My daughter has picked out bath bombs and chocolates from there.
Where to Eat in Livingston
Neptunes Taphouse and Eatery
Neptunes is a local seafood and sushi restaurant. Their food is delicious and during my last visit to my parents, we ate there twice. I ordered the Tofu Bahn Mi, Avo Mango Roll, and Veggie Roll, and all of the dishes were so good!
Marks In & Out
Marks In & Out is a drive-in that opened in the 1950s that sells burgers and sides. Their food has great prices, and their Veggie Burger is good. I also recommend their shakes!
Los Pinos Mexican
Los Pinos is a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the Garden Fajitas and they were delicious. They also have tacos, enchiladas, burritos, nachos, and other dishes.
Pinky’s Cafe
Pinky’s is a great cafe to go to for breakfast. They have pancakes, waffles, breakfast, and eggs dishes including omelets. I ordered the Eggs Florentine, and it was delicious. Also, if you are looking for a good coffee spot for breakfast, I recommend Coffee Crossing, and they sell pastries at Coffee Crossing as well.
Rosa’s Pizza
As the name suggests, Rosa’s Pizza is a pizzeria and they make amazing homemade pizza. You can pick your own toppings or purchase one of their specialty pizzas, and I love their Vegetarian pizza, and my parents always get their BBQ Chicken pizza.
Livingston Bar and Grille
if you are looking for a more high-end restaurant, I recommend the Livingston Bar and Grille. The restaurant serves classic American food with a modern flair. I ate there with my mother, and the food was so good. Also, the bar is from 1901, and it is beautiful, and the restaurant has a collection of historical photos.
Bozeman
Bozeman is around 30 minutes from Livingston, and Bozeman has an international airport. Those that are visiting Yellowstone National Park can fly into Bozeman and rent a car to go to Yellowstone. The north entrance is currently closed due to the Yellowstone River flooding, but the West Yellowstone entrance is open, which is around a 1 hour and 40-minute drive away.
Things to Do in Bozeman
Museum of the Rockies
The museum has a large collection of dinosaur fossils including fossils found in Montana. The museum also has exhibits on the history from early exploration through the mid-20th century and on American Indians. The Taylor Planetarium offers daily shows, which is included in the price of the museum. During the summer months, the museum has an outdoor exhibit – the Living History Farm, which is a homestead with a blacksmith shop. We had a great time at the museum, and my daughter especially loved seeing all the dinosaur fossils.
Big Sky Country State Fair
While I was visiting my parents, there was the state fair in Bozeman. The fair had a livestock show and all different events from a reptile show, extreme dog show, magic show, and monster trucks. There was also a carnival area with rides. We spent the whole day there, and we had a lot of fun.
Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday during the summer is the Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market where vendors sell produce, homemade food, crafts, and more. When we went, they also had a kids’ area with an inflatable bouncy castle and obstacle course as well as a petting zoo. There is also the Bozeman’s Farmers Market every Tuesday during the summer and the Bozeman Winter Farmer’s Market which is every other Sunday during the winter months.
Shops to Visit in Bozeman
Country Bookshelf
Country Bookshelf is the largest independently owned bookstore in Montana. The bookstore has two floors of new books including children’s books, and I purchased a Ruth Ware book for myself from there.
Rethink Thrift
Rethink Thrift is one of the several thrift stores in Bozeman, and it has home decor, books, clothing, and more. The thrift store was well-organized and had great prices, so I recommend visiting. I also recommend Bridger Thrift.
Dee-O-Gee
Dee-O-Gee is a locally owned natural pet store. They sell food, treats, and toys for dogs and cats, and it is a great store to stop at for your furry friend.
Where to Eat in Bozeman
Stuffed Crepes and Waffles
Stuffed has the best crepes I have ever had. They sell both sweet and savory crepes, and you have the option of getting a waffle instead. My daughter loved the Cusco crepe that was with peanut butter and banana and I enjoyed the Margarita crepe that came with tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto.
The Nova Cafe
A delicious breakfast option is The Nova Cafe. They have omelets, eggs benedict, pancakes, waffles, breakfast tacos and burritos, and more. I got the Forager Omelet, and it was so good.
Cateye Cafe
Cateye Cafe is a quirky cat-themed cafe. They serve both breakfast and lunch, and for breakfast, I ordered the Veggie Burrito, which was delicious.
Gardiner
Gardiner is located at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, but due to the Yellowstone River flooding and the north entrance closing, the shops and restaurants are suffering. I still recommend visiting for a day as there is plenty to do and see.
Things to Do in Gardiner
Yellowstone Hot Springs
Yellowstone Hot Springs is a little outside of the main city of Gardiner, but it is a great place to go to relax. They have a large main pool as well as a hot pool and cold pool that use natural mineral water from a hot spring source. The pools are located outdoors so you can enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains while you relax. There is also Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana, but the pool is smaller and tends to be more crowded, so I definitely recommend Yellowstone Hot Springs over Chico.
Rafting
We have not been rafting on the Yellowstone River, but there are around 5 companies that offer whitewater rafting and scenic float trips during the summer at Gardiner. Some of the companies also offer fly fishing, horseback riding, and ziplining, and they would be fun to do if you are looking for something more adventurous.
Roosevelt Arch
The Roosevelt Arch was built for the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and it was completed in 1903. Even though the north entrance is currently closed, you can still visit the arch and takes photos.
Shops to Visit in Gardiner
Yellowstone Gifts and Sweets
Yellowstone Gifts and Sweets is a large gift shop in Gardiner. They have a ton of Yellowstone-themed clothing and gifts, and they also sell chocolates.
Outwest T’s
Outwest T’ sells humorous and fun t-shirts. I bought one for my dad as a gift, and he liked it and thought it was funny.
Where to Eat in Gardiner
Mountain Tacos
When we went to Gardiner for the day, we ate at Mountain Tacos for lunch. They have tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. The cheese quesadilla was good, and my daughter liked the nachos and queso.
Yellowstone Perk
For ice cream, we stopped at Yellowstone Perk. I got a huckleberry milkshake and it was so good, and my daughter loved her ice cream. They also have a small gift section.
Great Falls
Great Falls is located about 3 hours from Livingston, and we went there for a short trip to visit my grandma and uncle. Many stores are closed on Sundays, so when we were there, we could not do much shopping except at larger retailers like Walmart and Target.
Things to Do in Great Falls
Giant Springs State Park
Giant Springs State Park is a large park, and the highlights are definitely seeing the falls. Also, near the falls is a fish hatchery and you can get food to feed them for 25 cents. When we went, it was a bit too warm to do a lot, but it would be great to go hiking or just have a picnic in the cooler months.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
We did not go to the museum as we were with my grandma, but the museum is a short drive from the falls. The museum is all about the Lewis and Clark expedition, which seems worthwhile if you are interested in their exploration.
Where to Eat in Great Falls
Electric City Coffee
We ate at Electric City Coffee for breakfast, and I ordered the Breakfast Burrito, and they also serve breakfast sandwiches, toast, and oatmeal. For lunch, they serve deli sandwiches and salads and of course you can order coffee, smoothies, and other drinks all day.
Tracy’s Family Restaurant
We did not eat here while we were in Great Falls, but my family recommends it. Tracy’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For lunch, they have burgers, sandwiches, and, salads and for dinner, they have steaks, chicken, pasta, and seafood dishes.
Billings
Billings is the largest city in Montana, and it is about 2 hours away from Livingston. We went on a day trip to Billings to visit the zoo and the mall. I would recommend visiting the zoo, so I wanted to mention it here. If you are visiting Billings, there are other things you might like to do such as visiting the museums the Yellowstone Art Museum, Yellowstone County Museum, Western Heritage Center, and Moss Mansion as well as parks like the Pictograph Cave State Park and Lake Elmo State Park.
Things to Do in Billings
ZooMontana
ZooMontana is the only zoo in Montana with over 100 animals. The zoo is small in comparison to other zoos in the US, but the zoo is lush and there is even a creek running through it. The zoo also has a botanical garden and a homestead area.
I will have a separate post on Yellowstone National Park as there is so much to see and do in the park that it deserves its own post.
Have you visited Montana before? What would you like to do in Montana?
The post 40 Things To Do in Montana appeared first on Tales of Belle.
