Missoula is often considered Montana’s most hip and vibrant destination. Although steeped in history and surrounded by nature, Missoula exudes a youthful and energetic atmosphere. Known for its trendy eateries, funky shops, cool street art and exciting music scene, visitors will find plenty of Things To Do in Missoula, Montana!
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Best Things To Do in Missoula, Montana
Our list is perfect for visitors short on time who want to see the highlights. In addition to featuring the top attractions that can be seen in one day, we share some suggestions for longer stays.
Other pertinent information for a planning a vacation in Missoula, like how to get there and where to stay, is included at the end of the article.
Save, Pin or Bookmark this Missoula To-Do List to plan your Montana Trip!
#1 Discover Downtown Missoula
The prime place to start your discovery of the City of Missoula, is at the heart of it. Higgins Avenue is the main thoroughfare through the historic downtown Missoula. Walking the length of it is one of the top things to do. The street is lined with some of the best Missoula tourist attractions, modern eateries, boutique shops and art galleries.
Top Missoula Attractions Downtown
On your discovery of the downtown area, we highly recommend wandering and letting your senses lead the way. That said, we are highlighting a few of the top attractions that visitors don’t want to miss.
The Wilma Theater
The historic Wilma Theater – or just The Wilma – was built in 1921. It was the first steel-framed high-rise building in the city. Today, attending an event at The Wilma is one of the fun things to do in Missoula at night. The theater is used for a wide range of entertainment – from theatrical plays to independent films to stand up comedy.
Caras Park
A riverside park near the center of downtown, Caras Park is an inviting green space that is ideal for walks, picnics and lounging. During the warm summer months, Caras Park hosts numerous community events. The playground and the famous carousal are top family activities Missoula.
Missoula County Courthouse
Taking up an entire city block, the Missoula County Courthouse is an architectural gem. Built in the early 1900s, the classical building features ornate columns and a dominating bell tower. Stepping inside to see the murals depicting the history of Montana is one of the interesting Missoula things to do.
Missoula Public Library
While some might wonder why they should visit a library on their trip, the Missoula City Library is extraordinary! Named the ‘World’s Best Public Library ‘ in 2022, the innovative building features a unique design that reflects the region. Additionally, the top floor has an outdoor terrace that provides stunning views!
Pro Tip: Those interested in understanding a little bit more about the history of Missoula can set off on this Self-Guided Walking Tour.
More Things To Do in Downtown Missoula, MT
Although we prefer to discover new destinations by walking and observing, Missoula sightseeing is not just limited to city strolling. Fellow travelers might want to check out the following things to do.
Missoula Art Museum
The venue features a collection of contemporary artworks by Montana artists, plus a rotation of traveling exhibits. There is no charge to enter – it is one of the free things to do in Missoula!
Boone and Crockett Club
This small one-room museum focuses on local wildlife. In addition to viewing trophy animals, visitors learn about the story of the club. Including how they were founded (Teddy Roosevelt helped) and their mission in preservation. As a bonus, the museum in housed in the historic Old Missoula Train Station!
The Montana Natural History Center
With exhibits that pertain to the flora and fauna of Montana and an outdoor adventure garden, touring the Natural History Museum is an excellent activity when visiting Missoula.
Downtown Missoula Art Galleries
In addition to museums, there are also several art galleries to check out. Dana Gallery, 4 Ravens Gallery, Relic Gallery and Radius Gallery are top recommendations by locals and visitors alike.
Riverfront Walking Trail
The Clark Fork River runs through the center of town. Both the north and south banks are lined with inviting walking paths. One of the top outdoor Missoula activities is to stroll along the river on the Clark Fork Riverfront Trail and take in the views from Brennan’s Wave Overlook.
Missoula Markets
Another great way to spend your time is shopping at the different markets on various days of the week. The Missoula Farmer’s Market is open on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. It has been selling in-season produce and fresh-baked goods since 1972. Along with popular food trucks, live music is often featured in the summer.
The Missoula People’s Market and the Clark Folk Market, both open only on Saturdays, are also great to explore and shop for local Montana goods!
#2 Eat Ice Cream at Big Dipper
I will be honest: This is not one of the secret things to do in Missoula. Big Dipper Ice Cream is legendary. Naturally, getting a cone is one of the essential activities in Missoula. There will likely be a line of people waiting to order at the walk-up window. No worries, it’s worth the wait!
Established in 1995, the shop has won heaps of foodie awards for their huge scoops of handmade ice cream. We didn’t believe they would be as big as advertised. So, we each ordered a one-scoop cone…and could barely finish them both. We selected two of Big Dipper’s most popular flavors – Huckleberry and Mint Oreo. Both were fabulously creamy and deliciously good!
#3 Go Shopping at Rockin Rudy’s
We were on the hunt for weird things to do when we came across Rockin Rudy’s. Perhaps not so much strange as fascinating, the shop claims to be the Original Hipster Department Store. For us, it was an absolute feast for the senses!
The eclectic record shop originally opened in 1982. It has grown to include an astounding array of local goods, gag gifts and sweet treats. Naturally, it has become one of the top Missoula places to see – and we can see why! Our first priority was checking out the vinyl, but we were easily lured into other sections to ogle the myriad of funky products.
#4 Visit The University of Montana Campus
The University of Montana – the second-largest in the state with more than 10,000 students – is the main contributor to the youthful vibe of the city. Spending time walking through the lovely campus is an excellent way to work off that ice cream!
If you are short on time, head directly for The Oval in the heart of campus. At the center of the spacious lawn is The Great Griz, a bronze sculpture of the university’s Grizzly Bear mascot. Beyond the bear is the iconic University Hall backdropped by Mount Sentinel.
In fact, one of the popular activities in Missoula is hiking up Mount Sentinel to the giant M. Because we were resting our legs from the day’s previous Hike in Glacier National Park, we skipped the steep climb of switchbacks, which zigzag for three-quarter’s of a mile up to the M. However, we saw plenty of people making their way up the trail for the best view of Missoula.
#5 Sample Missoula Craft Beer
After a long day of sightseeing, it’s fantastic to sit down, relax and sip a locally produced Montana craft beer. There are nearly a dozen craft breweries in Missoula where thirsty patrons can get fresh microbrews.
Bayern Brewing Company, which is the oldest craft brewer in Montana (founded in 1987), and Big Sky Brewing, which is the state’s largest craft brewery (and maker of Moose Drool), are both located in Missoula. However, Draught Works is our favorite Missoula brewery (try the Scepter IPA!).
While we love visiting taprooms, The Rhino offers 50 beers on tap and a rustic atmosphere. It’s one of the best bars in Missoula for a local experience!
City of Missoula Map of Attractions
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of the Map of Missoula below.
More Things To Do in Missoula
Above, we outlined what to do in Missoula in one day. For those staying longer, here are several ideas to add to your itinerary!
Missoula Street Art (The Hip Strip)
South of the Clark Fork River along S Higgins Ave is the area sometimes referred to as the Hip Strip. Street art features prominently in the district, along with vintage stores and several specialty shops, cafes and restaurants.
Concerts in Missoula
Known for its music scene – concerts take place in venues across the city. From cool outdoor amphitheaters to elegant recital halls. Rockin Rudy’s is a great place to pick up concert tickets – they cover nearly every venue in town!
Additionally, there are several music festivals throughout the year. Popular choices include the Symphony in the Park, Bonner Park Band Concerts and Out To Lunch.
Missoula Events
The city has a full line up of festive gatherings featuring art, food, wine and beer. So be sure to check the event calendar for things taking place during your trip
A few of the largest events are the February Big Sky Documentary Film Festival held at The Wilma, the Garden City Brewfest at Caras Park and the Western Montana Fair and Rodeo at the Missoula County Fairgrounds.
Outdoor Things To Do in Missoula, MT
As part of the Glacier Country region in Montana, amazing nature is never far away. There are many fantastic ways to immerse yourself in the surroundings and several more parks near Missoula to do so.
Biking
There are numerous bike trails in Missoula that lead to spectacular settings. If you haven’t brought your own bicycle, you can rent one at one of the many bike shops in Missoula.
Hiking
We already mentioned that the M Trail – but there are other hikes around Missoula, too! The L Trail on Mount Jumbo is not as difficult as the M. From the L, the Backbone Trail connects to other hikes, too.
Recreation Parks
While hiking and biking are two of the top choices, there are ample recreational areas just outside of the city for more fun in nature.
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
For some of the best hiking near Missoula, check out the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. Just a few miles north of the city, visitors can plan a full day of hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Montana Snowbowl
Snowbowl is the premier place in Missoula for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. However, in the summertime, visitors can still enjoy chairlift rides, ziplining, mountain biking and hiking.
Blue Mountain Recreation Area and Lolo National Forest
Although close by, hikers and bikers feel a world away when hitting the 41 miles of trails in Lolo National Forest. Just two miles southwest of the city, the area features a range of trails – from novice to experienced.
Don’t want to hike? No problem. Visitors can simply drive to the top of Blue Mountain for exceptional views!
Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
An excellent park for a variety of activities, visitors can go hiking, biking, snowshoeing and geocaching. In the summer and autumn, it’s also a great place for picking wild berries. Just be bear aware!
Day Trips from Missoula
While there is plenty to do in the city, there are many things to do near Missoula, too! In fact, our visit to Missoula was a day trip from Glacier National Park. We are highlighting a few top picks for where to go from Missoula for a day trip.
Garnet Ghost Town
Once a thriving gold mining town, Garnet is now an abandoned ghost town. The log cabins – which date to the 1890s – are well preserved and decorated with artifacts from the town’s mining days. Garnet Ghost Town is about a 1 hour drive from Missoula.
Flathead Lake
The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, Flathead Lake features stunning views and summertime water activities. The shoreline is dotted with small towns that are also interesting to explore. The south shore of Flathead Lake is about 75 minutes from Missoula.
More Things To Do in Montana
Visitors can see other Montana destinations, like Kalispell and Whitefish, which are both excellent long Missoula day trips.
As we already mentioned, Glacier National Park is just a 2.5-hour drive from Missoula. However, we don’t believe that leaves enough time to really appreciate the area and enjoy GNP Hikes.
Yellowstone National Park is about a 4.5-hour drive from Missoula, so we recommend staying at least one night to properly to explore the landscape.
We provide more tips on top-rated things to do in our Ultimate Montana Road Trip!
Travel Tips for Planning a Missoula Trip
Now that you know the top attractions in Missoula and Montana, we have a few essential tips for planning your trip!
Missoula Trip Organization
Whether you are planning to visit Missoula in one day or are staying for a week, you will want to keep track of the details. We recommend using our Trip Planning Printables for your trip to Montana.
How To Get to Missoula
We visited Missoula as part of our western Montana adventure – driving for the day from Glacier NP. Highway 93 or the scenic Highway 83 are the two most direct routes. Missoula is also well-connected to other underrated destinations, like Helena, Butte, Bozeman and Spokane.
Read our Top Tips for Renting a Car – then start your search for low prices!
The Missoula International Airport (MSO) is served by major US carriers as well as regional airlines. Year-round direct flights to Missoula are available from major US hub airports such as Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Denver.
Use our guide to Finding Cheap Flights – then hop on Skyscanner!
Where To Stay in Missoula
For those staying longer than a day, there is a wide choice of accommodations to suit every style and budget.
Airbnb
We prefer staying in Airbnb’s because we find they are more spacious than hotel rooms, most have a kitchen and the local host can be a valuable resource.
That said, for quick trips to Missoula, Airbnb can be a hassle (and actually cost more due to the ever-increasing fees). Be sure read our Tips for Airbnb Guests before booking!
Hotels
We recommend staying in the heart of town, where the top things to do are within walking distance. The Residence Inn by Marriott is ideally located near Higgins Avenue and gets rave reviews from fellow travelers.
Get our Top Tips for Booking Hotels – then begin searching on Booking.com!
What To Pack for your Missoula Trip
It’s time to decide what to put in your backpack or suitcase. We have a few tips to help get your started – so grab your FREE Packing Checklist and let’s get to it!
Durable Shoes
Missoula is incredibly walkable – but you will want to make sure you pack a pair of comfortable shoes for travel. I wear these lightweight New Balance trainers and Kris prefers Merrell Trail Glove shoes for both city and nature walks.
Travel Camera
We’ve highlighted the top things to see in Missoula, Montana – and we can verify that it’s beautiful! To capture that beauty, make sure you bring a good travel camera for your trip.
We shoot with a Canon Rebel with an everyday 18-135mm lens. The kit comes with numerous accessories (making it a great budget camera option) and was perfect for our trip to Missoula!
Day Pack
No matter how you pack for your trip, when exploring Montana it is best to carry a day bag that will conveniently hold all of your everyday travel items. Our go-to day pack is this one by Osprey, but they have heaps of styles to suit all travelers!
Start planning your trip to the US! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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