Only In Bozeman

When  the ski lifts stop turning, outdoor junkies start tuning up their mountain bikes and waiting for the trails to dry out. Surrounded by six mountain ranges, beginning to advanced riders can find adventure in every direction. The rides listed below are all relatively short, but if you’re feeling aggressive enough to carry gear, some have Forest Service Cabins, (reserve early, they are popular!) We’ve provided some general information, but always check a detailed map and trail conditions before heading out, weather changes quickly in Montana!

Working remotely is a beautiful thing. Who wouldn’t want to extend their vacation when you can slip in a couple extra days of “office time,” or bust out some assignments and hit the hills for a relaxing hike? We can’t think of anyone who would argue that option; and we would be doing you a disservice if we didn’t point you in the right direction! We’ve listed a few of our favorite spots to log a few hours, and then we highly recommend getting out and enjoying the beauty of Bozeman!

Bozeman Public Library
Considered one of the crown jewels in Bozeman (yes, we mean that), the Bozeman Public Library is not just your ordinary library. There are numerous nooks and crannies to use as your desk, but we recommend checking out the second floor. The windows span the entire wall offering views of the Bridger Mountain Range. Grab a cup of coffee or tea from downstairs and settle in. Need a short break? There are plenty comfy chairs to relax into.

International Coffee Traders
This coffee shop (fondly known as ICT) is located just across the street from Montana State University, faces south with large windows providing a sunny spot to set up shop, or a back porch to enjoy the fresh air. ICT micro-roasts small batches of coffee so the distinct quality of each variety comes through. (It also means, the shop smells fabulous!)

Montana State University Library
You don’t have to be a student to utilize the library at MSU, but the energy of campus is a nice vibe. Hungry? The dining options are not your normal college fare; they use many locally sourced ingredients and the result is delicious. If you need to clear your head, stroll over to the duck pond where you can relax and watch the many ducks that call campus home.

Wild Joe’s Coffee Spot
Located in downtown Bozeman, Wild Joe’s is a bustling spot with large tables, comfortable couches and good noshes.  A number of business meetings are conducted here, but that’s not the only benefit, watch the schedule for live music!

Community Food Co-Op
The co-op on west Main Street is a local favorite. Grab lunch at their hot bar, full of organic soups, hot dishes and salad bar and head upstairs. There are plenty of tables and beautiful views. Do note, Wi-Fi is turned off during the lunch hour to make room for their patrons, but the rest of the day, it’s a nice quiet environment. During the summer months, enjoy working out on the deck!

Treeline Coffee Roasters
One of the newer coffee houses, Treeline has an urban feel and unique snacks. Located on the north side of town, it’s a quieter area set away from the bustle. Their coffee is fresh roasted in-house, give it a try, it’s named the best coffee in Montana by Food & Wine magazine!

Bozeman Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
If you’re just getting to town and need a quick spot to shoot out some emails, stop at the Bozeman Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau, located just off I-90 at the 19th Ave exit. While you’re there, take advantage of their knowledge about the area and get some insider tips on where to go and what to do.

Zocalo Coffee House
Zocalo is a local favorite; a quiet and cozy spot to settle into. The ambiance is full of art and the tables are spacious. The loft area upstairs provides smaller work areas and a comfortable seating area if you don't need much room.

The Daily Coffee and Eatery
With two locations, one on College Street and the other on Oak Street, The Daily was one of the original coffee houses in Bozeman. The Oak Street location has a spacious upstairs with a variety of seating. Plus, it’s right on the way to Bridger Bowl ski area, which gives you plenty of incentive to get your work done and hit the slopes!

City Brew
This Montana chain has three locations in Bozeman, each conveniently located at one of the three of the four entrances to town and close to shopping hubs if you’re in need of a little retail therapy between tasks!

Looking for a place to host your next meeting or convention? Check out these great options and bring the whole office with you!

It’s on! The peak of summer fun in Bozeman is well underway, and there is no shortage of activity. Whether you choose to adventure by day, and enjoy a night out on the town, or prefer a low-key day of exploring Bozeman, you won’t lack for entertainment.

History buff or not, exploring the museums in Bozeman is well worth the time. From dinosaur fossils to hanging gallows, the exhibits range from western culture to world history. Each museum is unique and well worth a visit, so set aside time to add a little education to your vacation!

Whether you are a professional geologist, an amateur rockhound, or simply looking for an interesting day trip, there are several spots around Bozeman to play with rocks. From geological wonders to gorgeous gems, exploring these areas is fun for any age. Not to mention, the colorful personalities of the surrounding towns are well worth enjoying. There is more than one reason Montana is called the Treasure State!

Ringing Rocks, Butte, Montana

Just outside of Butte, Montana, there is a small batholith called the Boulder Batholith. This huge granite formation was shaped by magma shoved upwards by volcanic eruptions 60-70 million years ago. Within this batholith sits a unique geological formation of boulders that chime methodically when tapped with crescent wrench or mallet. While there is no scientific explanation, it is believed that part of the reason is the composition of the joining patterns; when a boulder is removed, it no longer rings. The area consists of thousands of rocks of all shapes sizes and colors, each with different tones and pitches which sound like a bell. There are only four other sites like this in the world: Mexico, England, Western Australia, and Pennsylvania. Be sure to bring hiking boots, a hammer and an automobile with good clearance, the road is tricky. The area is located 18 miles east of Butte, on BLM land north of I-90, beyond Pipestone Trailhead.


Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, Philipsburg, Montana

The largest, oldest, and best sapphire mine in Montana, the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine has turned out 180 million carats of sapphires over the past 120 years. The mine allows guests to wash sapphire gravel in search of stones, which vary in size. When you find one you like, the mine offers heat-treating which improves the clarity and enhances the color, and faceting, which grinds and polishes the stone to prepare it for jewelry. Be sure to pack layers, the weather can range from sun to rain to snow, (sometimes in the same day!) Bug spray, sunscreen and a hat are also recommended. For hardcore sapphire hunters, there is a small campground on site which is first-come, first served. The mine is located 22 miles west of Phillipsburg on the Skalhao Pass Road off of Montana Highway 38.

Yellowstone is so vast, you could spend weeks exploring. For those on a tighter timeline, there are a few sights not to be missed, but also some lesser known, off-the-beaten-path areas that are well worth seeing. We’ve selected a few that span different aspects of the park, each unique and all awe-inspiring.

It’s true, a getaway with your special someone is a wonderful reprieve from the everyday bustle. It’s amazing how refreshing it is to unplug, get out, and enjoy one another’s company. Bozeman is an ideal location; it’s far enough from the urban landscape to feel as though you are really getting away, but whether you are arriving by air or auto, it’s easy to get here. The beauty of Bozeman is the amazing outdoor recreation right outside your door. And with a bourgeoning entertainment scene, you can be adventuring by day, and living it up at night. We’ve outlined some of our favorite ideas, but this is just a sampling, Bozeman has a wide array of entertaining options!

July hits and Bozeman-ites start running fast and hard to get in as much summer fun as possible! The month is packed with special events; long-standing favorites like the state fair, big name musicians and fun runs throughout the valley. From date night to family day, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Fourth of July!

Kick off the month with a serious Fourth of July celebration. Start the day with an invigorating hike up the College ‘M’ or Drinking Horse trails. You’ll get a great view of the whole valley. Both trails are moderate, but if you’re feeling especially motivated, the ‘M’ has a steep route. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of Bozeman’s many restaurants, then perhaps take a little rest before the night gets going.

A long-time favorite, the Music on Main free concert series starts at 8:00 p.m. on Main Street. The street shuts down, food trucks come out and the watering holes offer drink specials. There’s a fun zone for the kids and bleachers if you need a little break!

Festival of the 4th
Denecke Park, Gallatin County Fairgrounds
Thursday, July 4, 2019

Bozeman goes all out when it comes to fireworks. The blasts are big and the show is long. For front row seats, plan to get to the fairgrounds early. However, the show can be seen all over town. Peet’s Hill and the Westlake Park Children’s Memorial Garden are great places to watch!

If you like to light your own fireworks, city regulations are in effect for certain times:


• July 3 and July 5, 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• July 4, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Fireworks are not allowed on major streets or within 300 feet of hospitals or healthcare facilities. You can find firework stands on Huffine Lane and Highway 85 headed south.

Other July Events

When it comes to mountain getaways, Colorado tends to be top of mind. So what happens when you live in Colorado but want a mountain getaway of your own? You visit Bozeman, Montana! Both states are located in the Rocky Mountains, which means the outdoor adventure is similar, yet the experience is very different.

The main thing you’ll notice is the lack of crowds. Montana is bigger than Colorado, with a fraction of the people, (1 million in Montana to 5.7 million in Colorado.) During the summer months, this means fewer people on the trails, and when ski season rolls around, the lack of lift lines is refreshing. (Not to mention uncrowded runs with plenty of room to spread out!)

You’ll also see the similarities: great fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, climbing, food, and nightlife. The difference is in proximity. In Bozeman, you can drive for 15 minutes and seemingly be in the middle of nowhere. Adventuring in Colorado can require some time in traffic. In Bozeman, you can bag a peak during the day, and be back in time for dinner and a show.

Speaking of dinner, the food is amazing. What used to be a steak and potatoes kind of town now has a wide array of cuisine. Rest assured vegetarians, we’ve got you covered; delicious dishes can be found on most every menu!

The vibrancy of a college town makes the cultural scene hop. Two historic theaters have been renovated, bringing live theater, music and film to the area. These smaller venues are intimate, a real treat when seeing live performances, and our location on I-90 makes it a great tour stop for musicians across the country. Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State University campus hosts big music names, Broadway theater and family oriented performances.

Getting to Montana is easy; if you prefer to drive, the open road is a great way to clear your head, and if you prefer to fly, you’ll arrive in a quick 1 1/2 hours on either United Airlines or Frontier Airlines. Did someone say, “weekend getaway?” 

There are three main driving routes, and depending on your locale, length of trip and time of year, they are all worth exploring. It’s roughly 12 hours, give or take, so an early start will land you here in enough time to settle in and enjoy the evening.

If you’re coming through Utah, take I-70 West to US 191 N. and head to Provo, Utah. From there, stay on I-15 North to I-90 and cruise on into Bozeman! For a more scenic route, cut off at Idaho Falls and head to West Yellowstone. From there, you’ll go through the scenic Gallatin Canyon, where “A River Runs Through It” was filmed.

If you’re coming from the Denver area, hightailing it through Cheyenne to Billings is the most efficient and straightforward route, following I-25 N to I-90 W and down into Bozeman.

However, if it’s summer, and you have a couple of extra days, driving through Cody, Wyoming to Cooke City and then Yellowstone National Park is a memory you won’t forget. From Cody, you’ll drive over the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Cooke City. It’s worth overnighting in Cody or Cooke City, (though Cooke City is small so be sure to make reservations!) The next day, meander your way through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park watching for bear, elk, bison and the elusive wolf.

Ready to start exploring? Download our travel guide and start planning!