24 Best Things to Do in Helena, MT
Helena, the capital of Montana, is tucked up between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Founded in 1864 during the Gold Rush, this quaint modern community has preserved its past to offer tourists a taste of the Old West. See the stunning St. Helena Cathedral and the Montana State Capitol. Take in the Helena Historic District, the Holter Museum of Art, the Montana Historical Society Museum, and other noteworthy sights.
1.Montana State Capitol
Using granite and sandstone from the area, the Greek Neoclassical architecture of the Montana State Capitol was completed. The figure inside the copper-covered dome is commonly referred to as “Lady Liberty.” Explore the history, artwork, and architecture of this magnificent structure by taking a tour. At the heart of the capitol building is a huge rotunda that features four circular murals.
The four main social archetypes of early Montana culture are shown in these 1902 commission paintings. Take pleasure in and give respect to the artwork depicting a cowboy, explorer, Native American, gold miner, and fur trapper.
1301 East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT, 406-444-4789
2.Montana’s Museum
The Museum of Montana gathers, conserves, and explains historical, archeological, and ethnological items related to Montana’s rich cultural heritage. It has received recognition from the American Association of Museums and currently has over 50,000 antiquities on exhibit. Discover the rich history of this area by taking in the many permanent and traveling exhibits.
There are over 6,000 Native American items in the collection. Admire the Blackfeet, Salish, and Sioux artifacts from the early reservation era that are on exhibit. The collection of fabrics and clothing from the early immigrants will astound visitors.
225 North Roberts, P.O. Box 201201, Helena, MT, 406-444-2694
3.Cathedral of St. Helena
The magnificent structure known as the Cathedral of St. Helena was dedicated in 1924. Thanks to the kind sponsorship of local benefactor Thomas Cruse, it was commissioned. This Gothic-styled cathedral has undergone numerous renovations over the years. Take in the stunning stained glass windows that the Munich, Bavaria-based F. X. Zettler Firm erected.
These amazing windows depict the tale of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. Visitors will be impressed by the ornate bronze altar canopy, the inside gilding, and the grillwork behind the altar.
530 North Ewing Street, Helena, MT 59601, 406-442-5825
4.Mount Helena City Park
Around 5,468 feet rise above sea level lies Mount Helena City Park. This is stunning landscape with a number of thoughtfully constructed routes that will wow guests. The Prairie Trail is well-known for its breathtaking cliff and slope views as well as the lovely wildflowers that bloom along its path. The simplest path is the 1906 Trail, which follows the limestone cliff.
While the Hogback Trail is more rugged and rocky, the Backside Trail leads to ponderosa pine grassland. The Prospector Shafts Trail may be difficult for visitors, but all of the routes offer breathtaking views.
225 Cruse Avenue, Suite A, Helena, MT 59601, 406-442-4120
5.Helena Historic District
When gold was found in the Last Chance Gulch, the Helena Historic District was established. Here in this gulch, a bunch of disgruntled miners took one final shot at gold, and they struck it rich. Miners quickly swarmed in, laying claim to the area around the gulch. The name of the camp was Last Chance.
The best way to experience this area is to take the walking tour. The Pioneer Cabin and Caretaker’s House, which is thought to be Helena’s oldest residence, might be of interest to you. In addition, Reeder’s Alley, the Yee Wau Cabin, the Colwell Building, and the California Wine House, to mention a few, are all strollable.
6.Holter Museum of Art
According to the Holter Museum of Art, art is designed to be created, understood, taught, and conserved rather than just being put on display. They display a number of modern local artists in order to celebrate the distinctiveness of their neighborhood. The permanent collection of contemporary Montana art features prints by artists including Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, showcasing the diversity of cultures, as well as pieces with themes like winter.
Group tours are available, and guests will be delighted by the Holter Museum Store, which offers one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods created by regional artists.
12 E Lawrence Street, Helena, MT 59601, 406-442-6400
7.Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts
The foothills of the Rocky Mountains provide as the backdrop for the historic Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts. Archie Bray, a brickmaker, established this in 1951 as a space to encourage artistic and innovative ceramic production. A number of ceramic artists have been drawn to the Bray by its picturesque location between mountains and an abandoned brick factory. They gather here to exchange knowledge and brainstorm new concepts.
Among the 600 ceramic artists from across the globe who have visited Bray are well-known ceramists like as Andrea Gill, Tre Arenz, and Val Cushing.
2915 Country Club Avenue, Helena, MT 59602, 406-443-3502
8.Helena National Forest
There are nearly a million acres of unique landscape in the Helena National Forest. This mining-rich area is responsible for Helena’s development; the 80-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail runs from Scapegoat to Deerlodge National Forest. The Big Belt Mountain Range is home to picturesque, untamed limestone canyons that attract tourists.
Enjoy a horseback ride or a trek on the more than a thousand kilometers of established trails. Popular winter sports include snowmobiling and skiing. Campsites and picnic spots are available, and those feeling particularly daring can spend the night in a primitive cabin.
9.Last Chance Ranch
Situated on 80 acres of verdant forests, Last Chance Ranch is a private estate. Activities like trekking along the historic 1870 road, bird watching, and photography are in store for you. Savor the expansive views of the Helena National Forest and the little beaver ponds.
The fu are a unique way to spend an evening as guests are transported back in time on horse-drawn wagons through the woodlands to the Moose Mountain Cabin. Savor a fine dining experience while listening to live western music by the campfire. The lodge has rooms with contemporary amenities that can be rented.
2884 Grizzly Gulch, Helena, MT, 406-442-2884
10.Great Divide Ski Area
With more than 100 trails, skiing areas, glades, and bowls, Great Divide Ski Area is a mountain park for winter sports enthusiasts. This 1600-acre ski park is spread across three gorgeous valleys and three mountain peaks.
There is something for bikers of all ages and abilities at this terrain park. There are ninety entertaining attractions between the Backyard Beginners’ Slope, Meadow Mountain, Wild West, and the Snow Zone.
7385 Belmont Drive, Marysville, MT 59640, 406-447-1310
11.Great Northern Carousel, Helena, Montana
A must-see when on a family vacation is the Great Northern Carousel. This ride is likely to be remarkable because to the stunning stained glass artwork and hand-carved creatures created by a renowned Walt Disney World carver. The 37 distinctive Montana animals, including the Mountain Goat, Grizzly Bear, Cutthroat Trout, Bobcat, Bighorn Sheep, and Grey Wolf, are available for riders to whirl about on.
It’s common to have birthday celebrations or summer barbecues in this location. Within the amphitheater are food vendors and live music performances.
989 Carousel Way, Helena, MT 59601, 406-457-5353
12.Exploration Works
Exploration Works is a science center in Helena where everyone can do lots of hands-on activities and see exhibits about science, technology, engineering, and math. Kids can play at the water table, work with tubes and air pathways at the Air Maze, and have fun at the Pin Impression Board. The exhibits change three to four times a year, so each visit is a little different from the last. You can buy gifts and projects to take home at the Explore Store.
995 Carousel Way, Helena, MT 59601, 406-457-1800
13.Kindrick Legion Field
A minor league baseball team called the Helena Brewers play their home games at Kindrick Legion Field, which was built in 1932. To the west of the park is a Memorial Park, which is a great place for families.
No matter which team is playing, the view from the park with Mount Helena in the background is very nice. Everyone can see a lot of the stadium from the 2,100 field seats, which are set up at an angle.
1300 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601, 406-495-0500
14.Original Governor’s Mansion
The Original Governor’s Mansion was built in the Queen Anne style in 1888 by businessman William Chessman to show off his wealth and power in Helena. It shows the luxurious life that the rich had during that time. In 1913, the State of Montana took over this grand brick house and made it the home of its first official governor.
This house has been the home of nine governors of Montana and their families. You can take a tour of this fancy house and enjoy its beauty.
304 North Ewing, Helena, MT 59620, 406-444-4789
15.Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours
One of Helena’s best features is Gates of the Mountain, which is about 20 miles north of town and between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Early travelers found these amazing rock formations that stood tall above the Missouri River. They could see them from both sides of the river. The rocks looked like huge open gates, which is how they were named for two hundred years.
At every bend in the river, the 1200 foot high limestone rocks look like they reach out into the water. People can go on the cruise and enjoy the beautiful nature and rough terrain. From May 28 to September 25, 2017, you can go on a boat tour.
16.Myrna Loy Center
The Myrna Loy Center is a place for theater, music, dance, film, literature, and performing arts that is not for business. After Myrna Loy, who was known as Montana’s First Lady of Film and died in 1993, the center was named after her.
There are three main stages and an art gallery at the Myrna Loy Center: There is an auditorium that can be used for dance, plays, movies, concerts, and workshops. There is a Screening Room with 50 seats that is perfect for speakers, small events, and movies. The Jailhouse Gallery is another place to visit.
15 North Ewing Street, Helena, MT 59601, 406-443-0287
17.Spring Meadow Lake State Park
The 30-acre Spring Meadow Lake State Park is on the western edge of Helena. It has new picnic shelters and a shelter for groups. A lot of people also like to swim, relax, and scuba dive there. Bird watchers should also go to this place because it has been home to many kinds of birds.
There are 8 miles of tracks in the park where you can cross-country ski, canoe, walk, hike, kayak, and fish. Spring Meadow Lake State Park is a great place to visit in both the spring and winter, with something for everyone. In the winter, people can walk along the path or ice skate on the lake if it’s too cold. There are also special events planned at different times of the year.
930 Country Club Avenue, Helena, MT 59620, 406-495-3260
18.Kleffner Ranch Tours
19.Spokane Bar Sapphire and Gold Fever Rock Shop
The Spokane Bar Sapphire and Gold Fever Rock Shop is one of the best places to find sapphires. It is right next to Lake Hauser. Geologists who were drawing maps of the Missouri River that runs into Helena, Montana, gave it its name. A lot of people come to this great mine and dig through the gravel for hours on end looking for sapphires.
Sapphires of different colors can be found in the Spokane Bar Sapphire mine. Most of the time, people see blue or green. Sapphire that is red is more valuable than any other stone. Silver and gold can also be found. You can go to the mine at any time of the year. For people who can’t make it to Montana, the sapphire mine sends sapphire dust all over the world via UPS.
5360 Castles Road, Helena, MT 59602, 406-227-8989
20.Reeder’s Alley
The historic area of Reeder’s Alley in Helena has been kept in great shape. There have been no changes to the buildings since 1863, and they are on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a walk along the path and look at how the houses are built. People can take a room to feel what it was like to live in the past.
Going to the theater, panning for gold, riding the old train, and getting candy at the old candy shop are some other things to do. People who go will learn about the lives of early workers and how the Chinese affected their work.
300 W. Wallace St, Virginia City MT 59755, 406-843-5247
21.Lewis & Clark Brewing Company
Max Pigman bought the Sleeping Giant Brewing Company in 2001 because he loved brewing. In 2005, he changed the name to Lewis & Clark Brewing Company.
Customers who like to drink can get hand-crafted, unpasteurized beers from this company. There are also tempting choices with pizza and bratwurst. They have a tap room with a balcony where live music is played every week, a game room with a pool table, foosball, shuffleboard, and dart boards, and a comedy club.
1517 Dodge Ave, Helena, MT 59601
22.Grandstreet Theatre, Helena, MT
The Grandstreet Theatre is the best community theater in Montana. For more than 40 years, it has served people in Montana and people who come to visit. The Theatre is proud of its nationally renowned Grand Street Theatre School, which trains more than 400 students each year and puts on 10 to 12 plays and shows.
It has a red granite Romanesque church with 200 seats and a black box theater with 45 seats. The theatre is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and one of its main goals is to put on a wide range of high-quality plays. In addition, it wants to offer a series of teaching events and work with other community theaters to help each other out and have fun.
325 North Park, Helena, MT, 406-442-4270
23.Helena Civic Center
The Helena Civic Center is on Neill Avenue and is a Moorish Revival building. Before it was called Helena Civic Center, the building was called “The Shrine Temple” when it opened in 1919. The City of Helena now owns and runs the building. The Helena Civic Center is the site of many important events, such as trade shows, concerts, weddings, banquets, and workshops.
The building has a 15,000-square-foot Ballroom show hall and an Auditorium Theater with 1,925 seats. The ballroom has a unique mezzanine level on the second floor and a serving kitchen. The Auditorium theater has two changing rooms on the upper level, two changing rooms on the stage level, and a Green Room.
340 Neill Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, 406-447-8481
24.Helena Ice Arena
Helena Ice Arena has been around since 2002 and has public skating lessons and sessions for people of all ages, as well as skate rentals and hockey teams. Adults can rent skates for $7 and kids can do it for $5. People aged 4 and up can get in for free, while adults pay $9 for a Bighorns Hockey pass.
It’s fun to skate whether you’ve done it before or not, and this is definitely a great spot for families and groups to spend the day. There is also a snack bar where you can get food and drinks.
400 Lola Street, Helena, MT 59601, 406-457-2817
25.Blackfoot River Brewing Co
Some of the best traditionally made beers are said to come from Blackfoot River Brewing. They make beer by hand with traditional ingredients that are mixed in a way that is just right for each type of beer. The magical blends here are made from hops, yeasts, and standard two-row malts. People who come can be sure that the beer they serve is the best possible.
Come to the taproom and enjoy the downtown vibe. If you can’t decide which beer to order, make sure to ask for a taster tray.
66 South Park Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, 406-449-3005