Many people visit Bozeman in wintertime to take advantage of our outstanding snow-related recreation opportunities. But there are many other reasons to visit and enjoy the Gallatin Valley during the gorgeous colder months. If you’re traveling to Montana with the family this winter, here are our top 10 activities for kids and families (even if you don’t ski).
Visit a Museum
If you think visiting a museum sounds like a terrible way to spend an afternoon with kids, you’re imagining the wrong kind of museum. Bozeman has two incredible museums that will thrill young people and adults alike: Montana Science Center and the Museum of the Rockies. The Montana Science Center provides highly engaging, hands-on exhibits and workshops all year round. And if your kids love dinosaurs, get ready: the Museum of the Rockies is literally the best dinosaur-centric museum in the United States. MOR also has daily planetarium shows to delight audiences of all ages.
Explore Story Mill Park
Located on the way out of town towards Bridger Bowl, Story Mill Park is a wonderful recent addition to Bozeman’s community park scene (if there is such a thing as a park scene). This rambling, 60-acre park offers a fabulous playground, plenty of room to explore, run, and play; opportunities for bird watching, picnicking infrastructure, bathrooms and more.
Take in a Show
Bozeman’s theater community offers a diverse array of performances year-round, so it’s a great idea to explore the offerings before you arrive in town. Check out The Ellen, The Verge, and Bozeman Children’s Theatre to find a show that will make memories for you and your family when you visit.
See a Movie
Going to the movies is the consummate winter activity: it’s a perfect way to spend time with the family, be entertained, stay warm, and of course eat some yummy snacks. Whether you plan to sneak yours in (we recommend Joe’s Parkway) or splurge on a soda and some Raisinets, we recommend catching an early-ish show or risk having to cancel dinner.
Go Sledding, Snowshoeing, or Ice Skating
Not into the expense and difficulty of teaching your kids to ski? Sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing are alternative winter activities that require way less skill, gear, and money but are just as much fun. Check out our guides to ice skating, snowshoeing, or sledding in Bozeman for info on how to get started, where to go, and how to procure the gear you need for an exhilarating day out in the snow.
Meet the Grizzlies
The Montana Grizzly Encounter Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and Education Center offers the opportunity to see these awe-inspiring animals up close and personal. You’ll get to see and learn about this important Montana species and give your kids an experience they will never forget.
Climb the Walls at Spire Climbing Center
Spire Climbing Center is an awesome place for the whole family to have fun and learn something new. There is no appointment necessary and no minimum age to get started. Even better, the folks at Spire will have all the gear you need, and they’ll give you a free intro lesson to get you going.
Get Your Wiggles Out at Jump Time
Just a few miles away in Four Corners, the local “family fun facility” and trampoline park Jump Time is the place to go if you’re looking for some extreme fun. Activities include a Ninja Warrior Course, Extreme Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball, and a Toddler Zone Kids Court. Be prepared for your kids to start crying when you say it’s time to go, and don’t forget your grip socks (required but available for purchase)!
Bozeman Public Library
Bozeman’s community library is a cozy and inspiring place to read, learn, play, relax, and participate in a wide variety of kid-friendly events and programs. With the recent addition of the library’s new creative labs, you can also sign up to use all kinds of arts and technology tools and programs so that you and the little ones can create and learn whatever your heart desires.
Sit or Stroll With a Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing lovelier than spending a winter afternoon enjoying a hot tea or chocolate at one of Bozeman’s many wonderful cafes or taking them for a stroll downtown. Bring a deck of cards or board game to Steep Mountain Tea or Wild Joe’s for a luxurious afternoon of intimate family fun.
We hope you’re convinced that Bozeman is a super fun and family-friendly destination in winter, even for adults and young people who have no desire to fall down a mountain on slick pieces of wood. No matter the season, you’ll find plenty of exciting activities and experiences for all ages in Bozeman and the surrounding areas, we promise. What’s the best place to stay when you get here? Check out our guide here.
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:
- A Guide To In-Town Exploration In Bozeman
- What You Need To Know About Museums In Bozeman
- Montana's Creative Capital: Art Galleries In Bozeman, Montana
- Iconic Bozeman: The Ellen Theatre
In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.