Things to Do in Montana — United States: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

#1Glacier National ParkMustGlacier Country4.8(21,000)

This is Montana’s defining mountain landscape, best experienced by combining a scenic drive with a short trail rather than trying to cover every valley. Give it dedicated time, and build your route around the roads and trailheads you can actually reserve or reach.

8h Book aheadStart at the gate early, especially for popular west-side corridors.

A vehicle reservation is often required for the busiest corridors in peak season; secure it as soon as the booking window opens.

Pairs with: Going-to-the-Sun Road · Trail of the Cedars Nature Trailhead · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#2Little Bighorn Battlefield National MonumentMustSoutheast Montana4.7(5,800)

This is one of the country’s most consequential battlefield landscapes, interpreted with more care and complexity than a simple victory-and-defeat narrative. Follow the self-guided route, then allow time at the memorials rather than treating it as a quick roadside stop.

2.5h Walk upArrive earlier in the day for a quieter drive around the battlefield.

Pairs with: Beartooth Highway · Makoshika State Park

#3Yellowstone National ParkMustYellowstone Country4.8(46,000)

America’s signature geothermal and wildlife park deserves its own itinerary, even when entered from Montana. Focus each day on one section of the park and leave generous room for traffic, wildlife jams, and changing weather.

10h Walk upEnter at dawn or tour later in the afternoon, when the main roadside sights are less congested.

Pairs with: Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center · Big Sky Resort · Beartooth Highway

#4Going-to-the-Sun RoadMustGlacier Country

This is the classic Glacier journey: a high-mountain road that turns the park itself into the attraction. Drive it as a full outing with short walks and viewpoints, not as a transit shortcut between park entrances.

5h Book aheadAim for the first entry window of the day or travel later in the afternoon.

A vehicle reservation is commonly required for this corridor in peak season, and seasonal openings depend on conditions.

Pairs with: Glacier National Park · Trail of the Cedars Nature Trailhead · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#5Beartooth HighwayMustYellowstone Country

This spectacular approach to Yellowstone is one of the great scenic drives of the northern Rockies, with a far wilder feel than a standard park access road. Use it as a full-day route from Red Lodge toward Yellowstone when seasonal conditions permit.

6h FreeSet out early, when weather is steadier and overlooks are quieter.

Pairs with: Yellowstone National Park · Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument · Makoshika State Park

#6Big Sky ResortShouldYellowstone Country4.6(4,000)

Big Sky is Montana’s major lift-access mountain playground, useful in winter for skiing and in warmer months for high-elevation sightseeing and trails. It is a good base if you want polished resort logistics alongside Yellowstone-area scenery.

5h Book aheadFor sightseeing lifts, go early before weather and afternoon queues build.

Buy lift access in advance for the best availability and pricing, particularly during ski season and holiday periods.

Pairs with: Yellowstone National Park · Museum of the Rockies · Bozeman

#7Grizzly & Wolf Discovery CenterShouldYellowstone Country4.7(7,100)

This is a practical wildlife stop in West Yellowstone, especially for visitors who may not spot bears or wolves safely in the park. Use it as an educational complement to Yellowstone, not a substitute for the park’s landscapes and wildlife viewing.

2h Walk upVisit near opening, before West Yellowstone day-trippers fill the town.

Pairs with: Yellowstone National Park · Museum of the Rockies

#8Museum of the RockiesShouldYellowstone Country4.8(1,900)

Its dinosaur and regional-history collections give useful context to the landscapes around Bozeman and Yellowstone. It works particularly well on an arrival day, a weather day, or before heading into the parks with children.

2.5h Walk upWeekday mornings are generally the calmest time to browse.

Pairs with: Bozeman · American Computer & Robotics Museum · Big Sky Resort

#9Lewis & Clark Caverns State ParkShouldSouthwest Montana4.7(2,300)

The guided cave tour is a strong change of pace from Montana’s open-country scenery, with an impressively developed underground route. Pair it with a drive between Bozeman and the I-90 corridor rather than making a special cross-state detour.

3h Timed entryTake an early tour for cooler conditions and better choice of departure times.

Reserve a tour ahead in the busy summer period, when preferred departures can fill.

Pairs with: Bozeman · Bannack State Park · Virginia City

#10Trail of the Cedars Nature TrailheadShouldGlacier Country4.8(602)

This accessible forest walk delivers a very different Glacier experience from the park’s exposed alpine overlooks. It is an excellent short stop for families, limited-mobility travelers, or anyone pairing it with the nearby gorge trail.

1.3h Book aheadGo at opening or later in the day; parking fills quickly in the middle of the day.

Access follows Glacier’s seasonal vehicle-reservation rules for this corridor, so secure the required reservation before driving in.

Pairs with: Glacier National Park · Going-to-the-Sun Road · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#11BozemanShouldYellowstone Country

Bozeman is the region’s most useful urban base for good food, independent shops, museums, and access to the surrounding mountains. Treat downtown as an evening or recovery-day stop rather than the main reason to come to Montana.

3h FreeWeekday mornings are best for a relaxed walk before shops and restaurants get busy.

Pairs with: Museum of the Rockies · American Computer & Robotics Museum · Big Sky Resort

#12Bannack State ParkShouldSouthwest Montana4.8(1,300)

Bannack’s preserved streets and buildings make Montana’s mining-era history tangible without needing much imagination. It is best for travelers who enjoy wandering at their own pace and are already exploring the Dillon or Virginia City side of the state.

2.5h Walk upMorning light is best for photographs and the town feels quieter before midday.

Pairs with: Virginia City · Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park · Bozeman

#13Flathead LakeShouldGlacier Country4.8(646)

Flathead Lake offers the spacious, lake-country side of northwest Montana, with scenic shoreline drives, swimming access, and orchard country nearby. Use it as a leisurely contrast to Glacier’s packed mountain corridors.

3h FreeEarly morning is calmest for shoreline views and water activities.

Pairs with: Conrad Mansion Museum · Glacier National Park · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#14Whitefish Mountain ResortShouldGlacier Country4.7(2,800)

Whitefish offers a convenient mountain-resort counterpoint to Glacier, with skiing in winter and lift-served views and trails in warmer months. It is especially useful if you are staying in Whitefish and want a mountain day without Glacier’s entry logistics.

4h Book aheadRide early for clearer mountain views and shorter lift lines.

Purchase ski or sightseeing lift access ahead for busy weekends and holiday periods.

Pairs with: Glacier National Park · Going-to-the-Sun Road · Flathead Lake

#15Virginia CityShouldSouthwest Montana

Virginia City is Montana’s most atmospheric historic mining-town stop, with an intact-feeling main street and enough interpretation to reward an unhurried visit. Combine it with Bannack for a strong history-focused day, but expect a deliberately tourist-oriented presentation in places.

2.5h Walk upVisit in the morning before day-trip crowds arrive.

Pairs with: Bannack State Park · Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park · Bozeman

#16National Bison RangeShouldGlacier Country

This wildlife refuge provides one of Montana’s most reliable chances to see bison in broad open country without committing a full day to a national park. Drive it patiently and treat animal sightings as a bonus rather than a guaranteed checklist.

2.5h Walk upEarly morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for wildlife activity.

Pairs with: Flathead Lake · Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge · Glacier National Park

#17Conrad Mansion MuseumIf timeGlacier Country4.7(663)

This carefully preserved mansion adds social history and a sense of old Kalispell to an itinerary otherwise dominated by outdoor scenery. It is an easy, worthwhile cultural stop before or after exploring Glacier’s west side.

1.3h Timed entryChoose an earlier tour, especially on summer weekends.

Tours run on set departures, so reserve ahead in the summer if you need a particular time.

Pairs with: Glacier National Park · Flathead Lake · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#18Garnet Ghost TownIf timeGlacier Country4.7(1,200)

Garnet is one of the state’s most evocative mining-town remnants, with enough surviving structures to feel more substantial than a token roadside ghost town. The drive in is part of the experience, so check road conditions and allow extra time.

2.5h Walk upGo early and avoid wet-weather days, when the access road can be less pleasant.

Pairs with: Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge · Flathead Lake · Glacier National Park

#19Kootenai Falls Suspension BridgeIf timeGlacier Country4.9(2,000)

The bridge and falls create a rewarding short stop on the northwest Montana road trip circuit, with a dramatic river setting for relatively little effort. It is not a destination on the scale of Glacier, but it is a memorable add-on when routing between Whitefish and Idaho.

1h FreeVisit in the morning or on a weekday for fewer people on the bridge.

Pairs with: Garnet Ghost Town · Glacier National Park · Flathead Lake

#20American Computer & Robotics MuseumIf timeYellowstone Country4.8(583)

This compact, unusually good collection traces computing and robotics through objects that are genuinely interesting even for non-specialists. It is an ideal short indoor stop in Bozeman, especially if the weather interrupts outdoor plans.

1.3h Walk upVisit on a weekday morning for the quietest galleries.

Pairs with: Museum of the Rockies · Bozeman · Big Sky Resort

#21Makoshika State ParkIf timeSoutheast Montana

Makoshika’s badlands, fossil heritage, and unusually stark scenery show a side of Montana that mountain-focused itineraries miss. It is a worthwhile eastern detour for travelers who want quiet trails and geological drama rather than resort infrastructure.

3h Walk upGo in the cooler morning or near sunset, avoiding the hottest part of the day.

Pairs with: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument · Beartooth Highway

#22Flathead Lake Alpine CoasterNicheGlacier Country4.8(1,100)

This is a fun, family-friendly diversion with lake views, rather than a defining Montana sight. Choose it if you are based around Lakeside and want a break from driving or hiking.

45m Walk upGo soon after opening or later in the day to avoid the longest summer waits.

Pairs with: Flathead Lake · Conrad Mansion Museum · Whitefish Mountain Resort

#23Montana Grizzly EncounterNicheYellowstone Country4.4(798)

This small rescue-focused bear encounter can be meaningful for visitors specifically interested in animal welfare and bear education. It is a niche stop, however, and should not displace time in Yellowstone or at the stronger wildlife center in West Yellowstone.

1h Walk upCheck the day’s visiting schedule before making the drive.

Pairs with: Bozeman · Museum of the Rockies · Big Sky Resort