Just like the residents of every place that truly experiences all four seasons, Montanans eagerly anticipate summer all year. It’s not that we don’t appreciate our snowy winters or the breathtaking beauty of fall, we just love the long, warm days and the “perfect stargazing weather” nights.
Summer goes by way too quickly, so enjoy it to the fullest. Here are a few fun things you can do in Montana this summer.
- Go somewhere in the state that you’ve never been before.
TxBuell9SX / Flickr This can be a well-known museum or common landmark, or it can be a charming small town you’ve always wanted to see, like Phillipsburg. If you’re low on money or time, choose a place close to home—you’re in Montana, so there’s probably something beautiful to see that’s a two hour drive (or less) away.
- Go to a state park.
david / Flickr Montana has 44 of them, and they’re beautiful. This is Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls.
- Find the best ice cream in town.
r a c h e l / Flickr This might involve a lot of tasting.
- Go to a festival.
Red Ants Pants Music Festival Summer is festival season in Montana. This photo is from the Red Ants Pants Music Festival held in late July outside White Sulphur Springs.
- Perfect your signature summer recipe.
Lukas Kramer / Flickr Do you bake an amazing huckleberry pie? Are you a grill master? Fine tune your skills. Your family (and neighbors, and friends) will thank you.
- Find the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Tracy Hunter / Flickr Independence Day is an amazing holiday. Head to the best fireworks show in your area, invite your friends to your family’s cabin for a BBQ, or check out your town’s 4th of July parade (like Livingston‘s, pictured above).
- Get to know a neighbor.
sharyn morrow / Flickr When the weather warms up, people go outside. Montana is one of the few places left where people are known for talking to their neighbors. If you don’t know some of yours, strike up a conversation.
- Get in the pool (or lake, or river, or swimming hole).
Madeleine Deaton / Flickr Go for a swim on one of the hottest days of the year. Even if you just wade for a few minutes, you’ll remember why you loved swimming so much when you were younger.
- Shop at a Farmers’ Market…
Juan-Calderon / Flickr If there are any farmers’ markets in your area, explore them and find out what kind of deals you can get on fresh local food.
- … and eat some local, seasonal produce.
julie / Flickr Montanans are lucky. Our fresh summer lineup includes asparagus, huckleberries, and the best cherries on Earth, among other things.
- Go to one classic, traditional, “only in Montana” kind of event.
Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering The Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Lewistown. Pioneer Days in Scobey. The Grand Victorian Ball in Virginia City. You’ll have plenty to choose from.
- Take plenty of pictures.
Kent Kanouse / Flickr Summer flies by way too fast. Capture the memories you make with your family and friends.
Whatever you end up doing, enjoy your summer to the fullest.
TxBuell9SX / Flickr
This can be a well-known museum or common landmark, or it can be a charming small town you’ve always wanted to see, like Phillipsburg. If you’re low on money or time, choose a place close to home—you’re in Montana, so there’s probably something beautiful to see that’s a two hour drive (or less) away.
david / Flickr
Montana has 44 of them, and they’re beautiful. This is Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls.
r a c h e l / Flickr
This might involve a lot of tasting.
Red Ants Pants Music Festival
Summer is festival season in Montana. This photo is from the Red Ants Pants Music Festival held in late July outside White Sulphur Springs.
Lukas Kramer / Flickr
Do you bake an amazing huckleberry pie? Are you a grill master? Fine tune your skills. Your family (and neighbors, and friends) will thank you.
Tracy Hunter / Flickr
Independence Day is an amazing holiday. Head to the best fireworks show in your area, invite your friends to your family’s cabin for a BBQ, or check out your town’s 4th of July parade (like Livingston‘s, pictured above).
sharyn morrow / Flickr
When the weather warms up, people go outside. Montana is one of the few places left where people are known for talking to their neighbors. If you don’t know some of yours, strike up a conversation.
Madeleine Deaton / Flickr
Go for a swim on one of the hottest days of the year. Even if you just wade for a few minutes, you’ll remember why you loved swimming so much when you were younger.
Juan-Calderon / Flickr
If there are any farmers’ markets in your area, explore them and find out what kind of deals you can get on fresh local food.
julie / Flickr
Montanans are lucky. Our fresh summer lineup includes asparagus, huckleberries, and the best cherries on Earth, among other things.
Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering
The Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Lewistown. Pioneer Days in Scobey. The Grand Victorian Ball in Virginia City. You’ll have plenty to choose from.
Kent Kanouse / Flickr
Summer flies by way too fast. Capture the memories you make with your family and friends.
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