It’s summer in Montana, which means the time has come for every single person on Earth to visit Glacier National Park (at least that’s how it feels). And while Glacier is definitely amazing, there are plenty of other offbeat attractions and events happening in Big Sky Country this summer.
Let the masses head to the Crown Jewel of the Continent while you explore these other spots.
- Montana Vortex & House of Mystery, Columbia Falls
Montana Vortex Facebook Is it an illusion? A genuine quantum anomaly? Whatever it is, it’s pretty amazing and a lot of fun.
- Red Ants Pants Music Festival
Red Ants Pants Music Festival Facebook You definitely won’t escape the crowds here, but you will have fun dancing underneath the moonlight. The Red Ants Pants Music Festival is July 27-30 in White Sulphur Springs, and this year’s lineup is especially awesome.
- River City Roots Festival
River City Roots Festival Facebook Head to Missoula on August 25 and 26 for the annual Roots Fest. It’s got music, family-friendly entertainment and a great local art show.
- The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, Arlee
joãokẽdal / Flickr Not many tourists know this peaceful garden exists. The space is free to enjoy, and it’s a beautiful sight.
- Fort Benton
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Explore Fort Benton and learn about local history. Visit the Shep Memorial, stay at the historic Grand Union Hotel, and walk along the Missouri River. No wonder they cal this city the Birthplace of Montana!
- Tour Havre Beneath the Streets
Pattys-photos / Flickr Escape the summer heat by going underground. When a fire destroyed most of Havre, business owners moved underground to carry on their business until the town could be rebuilt. Now, you can tour the underground remains and learn about Havre’s history.
- Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park
dunadan / TripAdvisor Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the smoke stack is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet. For local history buffs, it’s a great photo op.
- Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town, Scobey
Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town Facebook The Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town is 35 historic buildings that have been restored to depict a town in the early 1900s. Walk around for awhile and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time.
- Blackfoot Pathways, Lincoln
management / TripAdvisor The Sculpture in the Wild is part of a sculpture park that celebrates the rich cultural, environmental and industrial heritage of the Blackfoot Valley. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and admission is free.
Montana summers are so beautiful. Here’s a list of great day trips to enjoy before fall.
Montana Vortex Facebook
Is it an illusion? A genuine quantum anomaly? Whatever it is, it’s pretty amazing and a lot of fun.
Red Ants Pants Music Festival Facebook
You definitely won’t escape the crowds here, but you will have fun dancing underneath the moonlight. The Red Ants Pants Music Festival is July 27-30 in White Sulphur Springs, and this year’s lineup is especially awesome.
River City Roots Festival Facebook
Head to Missoula on August 25 and 26 for the annual Roots Fest. It’s got music, family-friendly entertainment and a great local art show.
joãokẽdal / Flickr
Not many tourists know this peaceful garden exists. The space is free to enjoy, and it’s a beautiful sight.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Explore Fort Benton and learn about local history. Visit the Shep Memorial, stay at the historic Grand Union Hotel, and walk along the Missouri River. No wonder they cal this city the Birthplace of Montana!
Pattys-photos / Flickr
Escape the summer heat by going underground. When a fire destroyed most of Havre, business owners moved underground to carry on their business until the town could be rebuilt. Now, you can tour the underground remains and learn about Havre’s history.
dunadan / TripAdvisor
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the smoke stack is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet. For local history buffs, it’s a great photo op.
Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town Facebook
The Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town is 35 historic buildings that have been restored to depict a town in the early 1900s. Walk around for awhile and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time.
management / TripAdvisor
The Sculpture in the Wild is part of a sculpture park that celebrates the rich cultural, environmental and industrial heritage of the Blackfoot Valley. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and admission is free.
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