With all due respect to our beautiful cities, in Montana, small town living reigns supreme. But just because our smaller areas aren’t largely populated doesn’t mean they’re lacking in fun… in fact, that’s where you’ll find some of our best and most beautiful attractions. These seven small communities all have some pretty big reasons to visit.
- Crow Agency is a small, quiet community in Big Horn County…
Kent Kanouse / Flickr
Kent Kanouse / Flickr … but it’s home to a huge national monument, the Little Bighorn Battlefield. What happened here was anything but awesome, but if you’re a history buff, this is an amazing place to visit.
- The town of Scobey, population 1,051, is a small, sleepy place tucked up in the northeast part of the state…
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town Facebook … but they happen to have the Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town, a replica of an old pioneer town from the early 1900s. And if you can make it out at the end of June for Pioneer Days, you’ll see five family-oriented internationally known variety shows starring the Dirty Shame Belles and the Dixieland Band.
- Philipsburg is becoming a popular weekend getaway destination for Montanans, although not many people call it home…
USDARD LAPAS / Flickr
Glenn Harper / Flickr … but not everyone knows you can actually dig for sapphires there. The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine gives you the opportunity to do just that.
- Most people who visit Polson do so during a Flathead Lake vacation…
Richard Bauer / Flickr
TripAdvisor … but the Miracle of America Museum, located at 58176 Highway 93, is an absolute must-see. Its quirky collections are one-of-a-kind.
- Though the small city of Baker has seen a recent boom due to the oil fields, it’s still a pretty quiet place…
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr … but lurking within the walls of the O’Fallon Historical Museum is Steer Montana, the world’s largest steer. In life, he was almost 6 feet tall and weighed 3,980 pounds.
- Hummingbird Toys & Treats is one of the only attractions in the quiet town of Arlee, population 600…
Lance Fisher / Flickr
FreddyStubbs / TripAdvisor … but just outside city limits you’ll find the absolutely beautiful Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, one of Montana’s most unique attractions.
- No one can deny that Choteau is a picturesque place, though there doesn’t seem to be much for tourists to do…
Josh Schwartzman / Flickr
Sheryl M / TripAdvisor … until you discover the Old Trail Museum at 823 Main Avenue N. It’s actually a collection of multiple small museums, including a dinosaur museum. And to top it off, there’s an excellent ice cream parlor on the property.
Kent Kanouse / Flickr
… but it’s home to a huge national monument, the Little Bighorn Battlefield. What happened here was anything but awesome, but if you’re a history buff, this is an amazing place to visit.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town Facebook
… but they happen to have the Daniels County Museum & Pioneer Town, a replica of an old pioneer town from the early 1900s. And if you can make it out at the end of June for Pioneer Days, you’ll see five family-oriented internationally known variety shows starring the Dirty Shame Belles and the Dixieland Band.
USDARD LAPAS / Flickr
Glenn Harper / Flickr
… but not everyone knows you can actually dig for sapphires there. The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine gives you the opportunity to do just that.
Richard Bauer / Flickr
TripAdvisor
… but the Miracle of America Museum, located at 58176 Highway 93, is an absolute must-see. Its quirky collections are one-of-a-kind.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
… but lurking within the walls of the O’Fallon Historical Museum is Steer Montana, the world’s largest steer. In life, he was almost 6 feet tall and weighed 3,980 pounds.
Lance Fisher / Flickr
FreddyStubbs / TripAdvisor
… but just outside city limits you’ll find the absolutely beautiful Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, one of Montana’s most unique attractions.
Josh Schwartzman / Flickr
Sheryl M / TripAdvisor
… until you discover the Old Trail Museum at 823 Main Avenue N. It’s actually a collection of multiple small museums, including a dinosaur museum. And to top it off, there’s an excellent ice cream parlor on the property.
Those lucky enough to explore Montana will discover all kinds of hidden gems. These are a few of our favorites.
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