| Billings, Montana’s Trailhead, is one of those rare finds: a sophisticated urban environment surrounded by outdoor adventure. Spend your days playing on the sandstone Rimrocks or fishing the Yellowstone River and then head downtown for boutique shopping, art and history museums, amazing food and Montana’s only walkable brewery district. Head a little farther out of town and visit historic sites like Pompeys Pillar and Little Bighorn Battlefield or take the Beartooth Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in the nation, to Yellowstone National Park. Let the trail lead you to an action-packed getaway. Gateway to Yellowstone: "You're gonna love the Beartooth Highway!" we were told by every local we met on our vacation in Big Sky Country. And they were, of course, 100 percent correct. After our unforgettable visit to Yellowstone National Park and a night in Cooke City (one of Budget Travel's Coolest Small Towns in America, located just outside the park), we hit the Beartooth Highway's amazing curves as we climbed higher and higher, above the tree line, until we felt literally and figuratively on top of the world. We even photographed our holiday greeting card up there, but as beautiful as some images are, they never quite capture the unbelievable scale of the Beartooths. The ride from Yellowstone National Park to Billings on the Beartooth Highway is the most spectacular drive in America. Walkable Brewery District: All that hiking, paddling, and exploring makes a person mighty thirsty. We adore Billings' Walkable Brewery District, where you can sample world-class craft beers and even do a "brewery crawl" without having to get behind the wheel. With several family-friendly restaurants included, this was a perfect experience for all of us. Raise a glass to your incredible Montana adventure. You've earned it! Must-Sees: One of the most awe-inspiring experiences you can have on your visit to Billings is a visit to Pompeys Pillar, a rock outcrop about 200 feet above the Yellowstone River about 30 miles east of town. Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery passed through here in 1806 on epic exploration of the Louisiana Purchase on their way back from the Pacific Coast, and Captain William Clark carved his signature into the sandstone here. While we strongly urge you to leave the rocks unscarred on your visit, we promise you’ll get a chill as you see Clark’s handiwork along with drawings of animals left by earlier inhabitants. The knowledgeable staff and exhibits at the interpretive center will add insight to your visit. And, we recommend bringing a picnic lunch – the Pillar’s location along the river makes for a beautiful setting to enjoy the outdoors. Billings Trails: Billings boasts miles of trails perfect for walking or cycling. My kids loved exploring the city’s parkland. You’ll want to spend some time walking along the Yellowstone River, exploring the Rimrocks at Swords Rimrock Park Trail, lovely Zimmerman Park, and other natural spaces. The Billings Visitor Information Center is a good place to learn about the trail system and pick up maps, personal tips, and even a loaner bicycle. Events: You can find a variety of live music almost any night in Billings. The Pub Station brings in nationally and internationally known bands as well as local bands. There are also several other small venues in town that feature live music throughout the year as well as Alberta Bair Theater and MetraPark which put on larger concerts. In the warmer months, you can take in outdoor concerts including Billings’ Alive After 5 and Magic City Blues Festival in historic downtown. Whatever your musical tastes — rap, country, rock, hip hop, alternative, blues — Billings' music scene is playing your song. Excerpts by Robert Firpo-Cappiello |
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