Billings, MT : Attractions

Northern Pacific Pink Caboose in Billings, Montana

Generally, most people from out-state who end up in Billings are there because they are “passing through” on their way to Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park, or some other mountain destination in the state. Billings gets a lot of this traffic due to the simple fact that it is on the main Interstate highway in the state and because it’s the first place of any consequence that people driving into Montana from the east will see. The reverse is also true – for people leaving Montana from the west, Billings sort of provides the “last outpost” before the very long drive down I-90 through the rest of Montana and into the Dakotas.

For this reason, most people never really poke around Billings, MT, to see what is there. People who are in the mood to shop will enjoy Billings, since pretty much everything can be picked up in town in the wide variety of stores available. Billings also has a pretty good sized indoor mall. Billings also has the best, at least in my opinion, movie theatres in the state - with one having exclusively stadium seating and another one concentrating in second run movies that cost $1 each.

The Billings area is also home to the only true zoo in Montana – Zoo Montana. Zoo Montana is a rather unique zoo. Located just 10 miles to the west of downtown, it contains a variety of animals. When I first arrived at the zoo, I was expecting a zoo full of Montana type animals. Instead, while some Montana native species are at the zoo, Zoo Montana is home to a number of rare species, including a Siberian Tiger.

While in Billings, one excellent place to visit is the Western Heritage Center. The heritage center contains numerous exhibits about native american history and the settlement of the Billings, area. The Heritage Center is located in the old Billings Library.

Other things that people may find of interest include the Yellowstone Art Museum, which has a nice selection of collection of contemporary and historic art of the Rocky Mountain West. This museum is located in the old jail.

The Yellowstone Art Museum is located on the edge of the historic district of Billings. The historic district of Billings, which is all located around the railroad, is a rather interesting place. Many old, brick buildings in this district have bee nicely restored, including the original Northern Pacific Train Depot. Just watch out for the absolutely awful pink colored Northern Pacific Caboose. On a sunny day, it's a real eye killer.

If music is what you’re in the mood for, believe it or not, Billings also has a symphony orchestra. Classical music is in rather short supply in Montana, so having a symphony orchestra here in the state is a rather nice bonus.

Downtown Billings

Billings, for the sportsman, also has some pretty good opportunities around town. The hunting is excellent out on the prairie and around the foothills of the mountains for a wide variety of game, including elk. The area rivers and lakes offer a pretty nice variety of warm water (catfish, bass) and cold water (trout) fishing opportunities. The Yellowstone River itself as it passes through Billings has a mix of both fishing – as it is at this point that the Yellowstone is converting from a cold water fishery to a warm water one. Both brown trout an catfish can be caught on the Yellowstone in and around Billings. Other nearby rivers include Rock Creek and the Bighorn River, both of which are less than an hour away.

The city of Billings, MT, itself also has a fair park system along parts of the Yellowstone River. However, the best potential park of all in Billings is also sadly the most neglected. Just to the north of downtown lies the Rimrocks. The rimrocks are a rocky escarpment that rise straight up about 400-500 vertical feet above the valley that downtown Billings is built in. When standing up on the rimrocks, you have a beautiful view of Billings and the surrounding area.

Unfortunately, Billings has done absolutely nothing to make this a nice place to go to. Indeed, the city seems to completely neglect it. While having the airport right behind the this park and a bunch of powerlines running over it doesn't help any, some simple effort into cleaning the park up could really make this a nice place. But, as it is right now, although you get a beautiful view, the hordes of garbage, illegal off-road vehicles and broken bottles make a visit to the Rimrocks less than inspiring.

Summary

Overall, if you will be passing through Billings, do make a point of visiting the downtown area. Downtown Billings is quite nice and has many things to do and to see. The historic district is also a place you may want to visit if you are into history and older, restored buildings. Just watch out for the blinding pink caboose!

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