MONTANA: THE TREASURE
STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
After working and
studying hard all year long families across the United States will be taking
long awaited vacations. Family vacations
and travel can be the most rewarding experience. Families that take vacations together build memories that
will last a lifetime. Family
vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in
a stress free relaxed environment. When you need to plan a trip contact me!
Missoula, "The Garden City"
Welcome to Downtown…Where Missoula Lives.
You will find entertainment, shopping, dining, lodging and
professional services of Downtown Missoula as well as two self-guided walking
tours of public art and historical landmarks. We invite you to come
stroll the streets of historic Downtown and drink it all in, whether it's an
elaborate espresso drink in one of the many sidewalk cafes or a frothy,
locally-made microbrew at a unique Downtown pub. Discover Downtown's best kept
secret, and come down on a weekend; you'll see many fine shops and restaurants
bustling with activity! With such a variety of unique shops, you will find what
you are looking for.
As the cultural center of Western Montana, you won't want to
miss the Downtown experience in Missoula. Be it a film, play, concert, an
exquisite meal or just a drink, you'll have an unforgettable experience
Downtown…Where Missoula Lives.
A Carousel for Missoula
A
Carousel for Missoula, a kid's paradise, is one of the first fully hand-carved
carousels to be built in the United States since the Great Depression. From
little more than dreams, hard work and love, a carousel was created by hundreds
of volunteers. The Carousel has 38 horses and two chariots. The chariots allow
easy access for wheelchairs; people with disabilities are always welcome to
ride free on the Carousel.
Dragons Hollow
Dragons
Hollow is a magical play land adjacent to A Carousel for Missoula. Kids will go
wild over this diverse play land. It was the combined effort of artists and
consultants from Leather's and Associates, Inc., a playground architectural in
Ithaca, New York, and local play area experts-the students of many local grade
schools.
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
The
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula was established by community effort in 1975
to save what remained of original Fort Missoula, and to interpret the area's history.
The museum is located on 32 acres in the heart of historic Fort Missoula. Its
collection includes 24,000 objects including 13 historic structures. As a major
historical museum in Western Montana, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
provides a valuable educational and cultural experience for the community and
entire region. The museum's indoor galleries contain both permanent and
changing exhibits that deal with topics of interest from the period of early
exploration to modern times.
The National
Bison Range is home to about 400 American Bison and many other wildlife
including elk, white-tail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep,
coyotes, black bears and over 200 species of birds, including Eagles. Founded
in 1908, this 18,000 plus acre refuge is one of the oldest in the nation. Stop
at the Visitor's Center on your way in and check out the interactive map
showing where you can expect to see these majestic beasts on that particular
day. Get some great advice and facts from the knowledgeable park rangers and
buy a map or book in the book store. After you've learned about the history of
the bison, head out on one of two driving loops or four walking trails. Stay on
the appointed routes and do not approach the bison, they are wild animals after
all!
Traveler's Rest State Park
Follow
in the footsteps of the early explorers along US Highway 12 from Missoula, MT
to Lewiston, ID. As you follow the same route that Lewis and Clark traveled,
marvel in the rugged wilderness that the Corps of Discovery had to hack their
way through. Consisting of thick timber and steep mountain climbs, this was by
far the most difficult passage for the Corps. Stop for a picnic at Traveler's
Rest where the expedition camped from September 9 through 12, 1805 and again on
their return trip June 30 through July 3, 1806. There is an interpretive sign
near the junction of highways 93 and 12. Soak your bones at Lolo Hot Springs
where the group camped and bathed on September 13, 1805 and June 29, 1806 and
check out Howard Creek, just 18.5 miles west of Lolo on Highway 12. A half mile
loop includes part of the original trail. There are interpretive signs about
the expedition and Nez Perce and Salish tribes.
Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center
Smokejumpers
are highly trained specialists who parachute into remote areas of national
forests to fight the spread of wildfires. The nation's largest training base
for smokejumpers is located in Missoula. The visitor center at the depot offers
updated displays, dioramas and videos related to fire suppression. Guided tours
are given of the parachute loft and training facilities. Open Memorial Day
through Labor Day 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Duration of tour 45 minutes to an hour.
Minimum time to visit depot without tour: 20 minutes. Admission free, donations
accepted.
Missoula Children's Theater
Missoula
has an abundance of talented stage performers. From the Missoula Children's
Theater to the Hamilton Players, you will find something for everyone's taste in
theater.
Lolo Hot Springs
Missoula
is surrounded by natural hot springs; some commercialized, some still in their
natural state. Spend a day at Lolo Hot Springs swimming in their outdoor pool
and soaking in the indoor or outdoor hot pools. Complete with hotel, restaurant
and bar, and surrounded by hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, snowmobiling
or horseback riding you can make a whole vacation out of the place!
Garnet Ghost Town
Montana's
most intact ghost town was never built to last. Garnet endures along with the
spirits of the rugged gold miners and their families who carved a community in
the heart of the Garnet Mountain Range at the end of the nineteenth century. In
1898, some 1,000 people knew Garnet as home.
Garnet
is open year-round. Wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road from May 1 through
January 1. Please note that visitors may want to park in the designated parking
lots and ski or snowmobile to the town instead of driving on snow-bound roads
in late fall. In winter, the tour to Garnet is a popular snowmobile and
cross-country ski trip.
Historical Walking Tour Guide
Missoula
has one of the state’s most extensive listing of properties and places on the
National Register of Historic Places. A walk through downtown will un-earth
over a dozen well preserved buildings and many more interesting artifacts from
days gone by. From the Missoula County Courthouse, finished in 1910, to the
Palace Hotel, 1909, Missoula is loaded with interesting buildings, still
painted with billboards advertising businesses long since gone.
Council Grove State Park
Along
the Clark Fork River, seven miles west of Missoula on Mullan Road. Historical
area where Gov. Isaac Stevens and members of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes
signed the Hellgate Treaty of 1855. Picnic and recreational site. No fee. Day
use only.
Directions: Council Grove State Park is located
from Missoula on I-90 at Reserve Street Exit, 2 miles south on Reserve Street, then
10 miles west on Mullan Road.
Frenchtown Pond State Park
This
five-acre, spring-fed lake has a maximum depth of about ten feet. A variety of
fish-sunfish, bass and bullhead provide fair catches during the summer.
Frenchtown Pond is also a favorite place to practice boardsailing, kayaking,
canoeing, and snorkeling.
Directions: Frenchtown Pond State Park is located
15 miles west of Missoula on I-90 at Frenchtown exit, then 1 mile west on
Frontage Road.
Beavertaill Hill State Park
This
area has one-half mile of Clark Fork frontage that provides fishing and floating
opportunities. Boating is carry-in only. There are 28 developed campsites and
tipi rentals. There is a one-hour walking nature trail through a thick canopy
of cottonwoods.
Directions: Beavertail Hill State Park is located
26 miles southeast of Missoula on I-90 to Beavertail Hill exit #130, then .25
mile south on county road.
Montana Natural History Center
The
mission of the Montana Natural History Center is to promote and cultivate the
appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature through education. MNHC
is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of educators who had
the vision to create a natural history center as a resource for schools and the
public. Originally housed on the University of Montana campus, MNHC continued
to grow and outgrow its rented space at Fort Missoula. In 2004, MNHC purchased
its first home at 120 Hickory Street, at the edge of McCormick Park in the
heart of Missoula.
The Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation is
more than just a museum. It's an experience that reveals the beauty, diversity
and importance of elk country across North America. With fun, interactive
exhibits that teach you about elk, elk country and the role the Elk Foundation
plays in conservation, the Foundation is fun for the whole family! You will
hear elk bugle, test your knowledge of local wildlife, identify animal's tracks
and be able to touch a real elk antler. Packed with trophy elk mounts and
information you will learn a lot about Montana conservation efforts during your
trip to this wonderful establishment. Those wanting to stretch their legs will
enjoy the beautiful, wooded nature trail that winds its way around the 22-acre
Elk Foundation property. Watch for the white-tailed deer, turkeys, bald
eagles, owls, trout and other wildlife that frequent the property.
REFERENCE
SITES
My soul lives in Montana. It's where I fly-fish
for trout.
Henry Winkler
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