First time visiting Montana - Need lots of suggestions/recommendations (Billings: rent, hotel)

[jacobr]

Howdy all from Dallas, TX,

I am in a situation where I am in love with Montana and would like to visit this great state with my family (6 Yrs son & 2 yrs daughter). I want to make this travel next month (July) but looking at the visitmt.com website I am getting really overwhelmed!!

I would like to spend a week in Montana and would like to do road trip plus other activities with my kids and wife. I am really looking for suggestion on what the locals recommend and would need your help to narrow down and plan out my vacation.

I would really appreciate if I can get some hints/recommendations

thanks

Jacob

[Redraven]

Since I have no idea what your likes/dislikes/interests are, all I can say is contact the Montana tourist department/visitors bureau and ask for brochures.
there are, of course, both Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. There are many State Parks. For those with an engineering bent, there are several dams, both hydro-electric and just for flood control/irrigation.
If you are in an RV, or have a tent, the Forest Service has many campgrounds all across the state. Go to https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm and browse around. Non-resident 3 day fishing licenses aren't all that expensive if you want to flip a dry fly or drown a worm.

There are, of course, museums in nearly every village, town, and city. Even the Air Force Base has one.
If you are an artist, you can visit the Charlie Russell home/studio/museum in Great Falls.
Billings has a pretty good art museum, too.
Don't miss the Grant Kohrs ranch museum, the old state Prison, the car museum, and other museums in Deer Lodge.
For just a one week vacation, I would recommend that you pick an area of the state, possibly even narrow it down to a county, then find out what is available there.
When all else fails, I have found the dart board finder to be a fair idea. Put a map of Montana on the wall, then throw a dart at it. Wherever the dart lands, that is where you will spend a week.

[NW Crow]

Driving or flying this time? If driving, that is a LOT of transit time. Does that come out of the week? I wouldn't drive to MT if it comes out of the week.


If you still want MT, I might pick going to Kalispell / Glacier. I dunno that MT is that special for young kids but Kalispell has water, tourist stuff and Glacier is special. If they are into animals, maybe try West Yellowstone. It partly depends if you can handle top destinations at absolutely busiest time or if you want more quiet time.


Would you consider Sheridan WY, Saratoga WY, Grand Lake CO, Salida CO or Ruidoso NM?

[Montana Griz]

[quote=

Would you consider Sheridan WY, Saratoga WY, Grand Lake CO, Salida CO or Ruidoso NM?[/QUOTE]

Hey Jacob................
Fly into Cheyenne,rent a car and spend your vacation in Saratoga, WY.........Best vacation you'll ever have.
Far better than any place in MT and cheaper.

[historyfan]

You might be cutting it close on getting hotel reservations. Accomodations near the national parks usually need to be booked a year in advance.



What do you want to do?

There are rodeos and county fairs & festivals in most every community one or two days each summer. Consult tourist packet to see what is going on where.



A 2 year old will limit hiking or horseback riding or fishing trips and rafting, etc. You are going be road tripping & strolling places....don't forget the stroller even if you think 2 year old is over it...you will want it.



I would say fly into Bozeman & stay at the Hilton Garden Inn for the duration & rent a car and take day trips. To see Montana you must get off the interstate. On the official from visit Montana roadmap, there are scenic drives designated- take one if you get the chance. That is where real Montana is.



First day....Go see the dinosaurs exhibit hall at the Museum of the Rockies for your 6 year old. The living history museum that is on the grounds will have reenactors in period wear & a blacksmith shop etc as during the homestead era.



Go buy a cooler and some ice & fill it up with drinks & water & snacks like snap peas carrot sticks & olives & deli stuff & sandwiches to have handy for taking a road trip.



Pick a destination.



Virginia City & Nevada City.

Yellowstone Park.

Three Forks State Park. Bannack State Park. or any state park is worth a visit.
A local fair or rodeo (they tend include a Saturday) and should be listed in the tourist packet- order it from the visit mt website.


Each night be certain to go outside & enjoy the night sky. Have a good time & enjoy the relaxed pace.

[Vegabern]

Originally Posted by historyfan

You might be cutting it close on getting hotel reservations. Accomodations near the national parks usually need to be booked a year in advance.



What do you want to do?

There are rodeos and county fairs & festivals in most every community one or two days each summer. Consult tourist packet to see what is going on where.



A 2 year old will limit hiking or horseback riding or fishing trips and rafting, etc. You are going be road tripping & strolling places....don't forget the stroller even if you think 2 year old is over it...you will want it.



I would say fly into Bozeman & stay at the Hilton Garden Inn for the duration & rent a car and take day trips. To see Montana you must get off the interstate. On the official from visit Montana roadmap, there are scenic drives designated- take one if you get the chance. That is where real Montana is.



First day....Go see the dinosaurs exhibit hall at the Museum of the Rockies for your 6 year old. The living history museum that is on the grounds will have reenactors in period wear & a blacksmith shop etc as during the homestead era.



Go buy a cooler and some ice & fill it up with drinks & water & snacks like snap peas carrot sticks & olives & deli stuff & sandwiches to have handy for taking a road trip.



Pick a destination.



Virginia City & Nevada City.

Yellowstone Park.

Three Forks State Park. Bannack State Park. or any state park is worth a visit.
A local fair or rodeo (they tend include a Saturday) and should be listed in the tourist packet- order it from the visit mt website.


Each night be certain to go outside & enjoy the night sky. Have a good time & enjoy the relaxed pace.

This.

Plus you'll be able to go to Chico Hot Springs https://www.chicohotsprings.com/. I recommend Chico to everyone visiting Montana.

The kids will like Virginia City and Nevada City. Plus you'll pass through Ennis on the way and that's a cute town.

Also in Three Forks is Lewis & Clark Caverns.