Bozeman, Montana is known for its captivating blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and cultural charm. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Bozeman entices visitors with its stunning landscapes, including majestic peaks, pristine rivers, and sprawling valleys. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the area’s abundant recreational opportunities, from hiking and skiing in the nearby Bridger Range to fly-fishing in the world-renowned Gallatin River. Bozeman also boasts a vibrant downtown scene, where visitors can explore local boutiques and savor farm-to-table cuisine. With its unique blend of outdoor splendor and small-town charm, Bozeman is a destination that offers something special for every traveler. This Bozeman guide will help you plan the best vacation for you.
Bozeman Guide with Local Experts – Mike and Amanda Smith
Yes that’s us!!
While on a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, we stopped for a few nights to visit Bozeman and instantly fell in love with its charm. We loved downtown, how close we were to many recreational activities that we enjoy, and the food scene was really good for a city of its size. Bozeman was our home base from 2016 to 2022.
While living here Mike was a realtor and Amanda worked at the university, Montana State. Amanda quit her job when we started our trip in South America in 2022 to start Restless Pursuits, while Mike worked a little bit while we traveled.
When to Visit
Bozeman is great to visit most of the year. In the summer (June – September) there are more activities and the temperatures are great. Winter (December – April) can seem daunting because we can get very cold temperatures, but there are also many fun attractions. The sun is usually out in full force too, which makes colder temperatures much more manageable. So if you are okay with colder climates, it’s a fantastic options.
Top Attractions in Bozeman, Montana
Here are the top attractions listed in multiple blogs from various websites with Amanda and Mike’s thoughts and recommendations. Our Bozeman guide has a rating and helpful tips for each.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is a very large park and in the summer it can get really crowded. Plan out your day or stay for a few nights to take in everything it has to offer.
Highlights and Tips:
- Many of the roads are closed in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the park.
- The road between Mammoth Hot Springs and the Northeast Entrance is still open to vehicles.
- You can visit other parts of the park (like Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone) through guided snowmobile or snow coach tours. You can find the list of authorized tour companies on Yellowstone’s website.
- If you can visit during the shoulder season (before Memorial Day (May) and after Labor Day (September)) you will avoid many of the crowds. This is when we like to visit most!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
You may also like: Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone National Park: For the Adventure Family
Palisade Falls
Easy trail with an impressive waterfall at the end. They have made a lot of improvements to the trail and parking. It is paved all the way to the waterfall, so great to go with young kids and strollers!
Note: It can get a little crowded because it is so popular. Best to visit in the early mornings or early evening.
Hike the M Trail
This hike is super close to town which makes it easy to get to. That also means it is really busy! The M Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Bozeman.
Tip! – The parking lot is small. If you can’t find parking there, you can park at the Drinking Horse Trailhead across the street and walk under the road through the tunnel.
You may also like: Best Hikes in Bozeman, Montana For All Skill Levels
Shopping Downtown
Walking Main Street in Bozeman is very enjoyable. It isn’t very big, but there are some great places to shop. Below are some of our favorite stops on Main Street.
Highlights:
- Great boutique shops downtown. Favorites are:
- Heyday (great for gifts!)
- Evrgreen (Women’s clothing)
- Revolvr (Men’s clothing)
- Jonah and Sage (clothing store)
- The Montana Scene (Montana themed gifts and souvenirs)
- Grab a cup of coffee at Rockford (my favorite coffee shop!)
- Want something stronger? Stop into the Bozeman Distillery for a yummy beverage. I recommend trying a cocktail with their huckleberry vodka.
Museum of the Rockies
Museum of the Rockies is a pretty good museum for the city of Bozeman. It has an expansive dinosaur exhibit and other local history sections, a planetarium and more!
Soak in One of the Nearby Hot Springs
This activity is best done when it is a little cooler outside or in the evenings. Top hot springs in the area:
- Bozeman Hot Springs
- Closest to town
- It has live music on Sundays and Thursdays.
- It does not serve or allow alcohol.
- You can bring in your own food.
- Note: Closed from Friday at sundown to Saturday sundown.
- Norris Hot Springs
- Open Thursday to Sunday to the public
- They serve food and drinks.
- It is a smaller pool, but very clean and well kept.
- You can book private soaks for groups on Monday and Wednesdays.
- Chico Hot Springs
- It is open from 8am – 11pm everyday.
- You can stay at the lodge at the hot springs.
- There are a few different options for food and beverages.
- There are two pools. One is an adult pool with a walk-up outside bar. The other one is larger and for everyone!
Fly Fishing
Mike and I don’t fly fish, but people from all over come to Montana to do it here because it is one of the absolute best places in the world for this activity!
There are many companies in the area that provide lessons and guide trips for all skill levels.
American Computer and Robotics Museum
So many blogs I read put this museum on the list of things in their Bozeman guide. I don’t know how to rate this one because I’ve never been, and honestly I don’t know of anyone that has ever been there. I guess only tourists are going, but this is not the reason you came to Bozeman.
Bozeman Guide – Family Friendly Activities
Since we are traveling with our kids, we know how important it is to find family-friendly activities while on vacation. Here are some amazing family-friendly activities to check out that are barely mentioned in other blogs!
Story Mill Park Playground
One of the newest and best playground in town. It has equipment for all ages and a few pavilions where you can have lunch. It also has a few walking trails around the area and paved trails for kids to ride their bikes and scooters. Great place to take the kids!
Virginia City
About an hour and half away from Bozeman is the historic town of Virginia City. This mining town is known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and vibrant Wild West atmosphere. It offers visitors a glimpse into the Gold Rush era with its charming streets, historic landmarks, and immersive living history experiences.
Highlights:
- I recommend taking the train from Virginia City to Nevada City where you can go to the living history museum.
- A short walk from the museum you can pan for gold which is a fun and popular activity for the kids.
- In Virginia City, you have an option to ride in a horse and carriage or take an old fire truck around the town for a tour and history lesson. We liked the carriage best!
- Our kids favorite part is visiting the candy shop in town for some treats!
- Note: The activities are only running in the summer months between late-May and early-September.
Hyalite Reservoir
If you opted to go to Palisade Falls, you should stop by the Hyalite Reservoir for the day or better yet, get a campsite and stay the night. This reservoir is tucked into the mountains and is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing or just taking in the stunning mountains. There are plenty of hiking trails in this area as well.
Best hikes near Hyalite Reservoir:
- Easy hikes (good for young kids)
- Grotto Falls (2.4 miles round-trip)
- Palisade Falls (1.1 miles round-trip)
- The trail next to the reservoir
- Moderate hikes (older kids can do this one!)
- Blackmore Lake (4.3 miles round-trip)
- Hard hikes
- Blackmore Mountain (12.9 miles round-trip)
- Emerald Lake and Heather Lake (10.5 miles round-trip) (Our kids hiked this but we did it as a backpacking trip. It can be long for kids to do in 1 day, that’s why I put it as hard.)
- Hyalite Peak (14.5 miles round-trip)
Additional Recommendations
Tube the Madison River
- On a hot day, tubing the Madison River is a fun and relaxing activity. The river is calm and large, so even on busy days you have plenty of space to spread out.
- You can arrange a tour with Madison River Tubing or rent a tube or paddleboard from them.
- Warning: Getting out at the end can be a little crazy with many college students and others enjoying a beer or two or seven….
Visit Big Sky
- Big Sky is the biggest and best ski resort in the area… maybe even the US. The other ski resort, Bridger Bowl, is nice and frequented by locals the most. It can get a bit crowded for our taste, so we prefer Big Sky. It is also much larger and the terrain is top notch!
- Big Sky resort in the summer is also fun! You can take a lift up and hike around or take your mountain bike up and ride down. There are usually games and other activities at the base too.
- Big Sky Town Center is a great place to grab a bite to eat. They also have Music in the Mountains on Thursday evenings throughout the summer which is a free concert series held in the park in the middle of town.
- Our favorite place to visit in Big Sky is Horn & Cantle at Lone Mountain Ranch. This can be a pricey dinner, but oh is it worth it. The atmosphere alone is so cozy and inviting, I could stay all day. If you are interested in dinner, you will need to make a reservation. Depending on the season, you might be able to walk in and sit on the large porch or in the Saloon, but I would recommend calling in advance.
Fairy Lake and Sacagawea Peak
- Fairy Lake is a beautiful alpine lake that is accessible by vehicle from early July to Mid-September, weather dependent. We recommend making sure you have a decent amount of clearance on your vehicle since the road is not maintained well.
- There is a parking lot 2 miles from the trailhead where you can hike on the road to get to the lake if you prefer not driving the potholed road.
- Sacagawea Peak is the tallest peak in the Bridgers mountain range and from Fairy Lake is a moderate climb to the top. This 4.5 mile round-trip hike is well worth it for the beautiful views. There is also a good chance to see mountain goats up there!
Wade and Cliff Lakes
- A bit of a drive away from Bozeman (about 2 hours), Wade and Cliff Lake are so beautiful they are worth it. The crystal clear waters will make you think that you are on the ocean instead of an alpine lake.
- You can rent canoes, paddleboards, motor boats and kayaks near Wade Lake at Wade Lake Cabins. You will need to bring your own boat to Cliff Lake.
- There is also a campground on Wade Lake if you would like to plan an overnight stay.
You may also like: Bozeman Itinerary: 5 Amazing Days of Scenic Nature, Gastronomy and The Old West
Bozeman Guide – Restaurant Recommendations
Incredible Sunset and Remarkable View
Sky Shed – Best views in Bozeman and amazing cocktails!
Sage Lodge – Located in Paradise Valley, between Livingston and Yellowstone National Park, Sage Lodge is worth the drive. It is a beautiful setting and they have tasty drinks and food!
Delicious Local Cuisine
Backcountry Burger Bar – Want to try Bison? That seems to be what most people are looking to try when they visit Montana. If so, I highly recommend trying Backcountry Burger Bar’s bison burger. It’s delicious!
Genuine Ice Cream– Huckleberries are the other popular food in Montana. Try Genuine’s huckleberry ice cream or get them in a shake!
Top Breakfast Joints
Wild Crumb – For the best bakery in town go to Wild Crumb. Their pastries are so delicious!
Granny’s Gourmet Donuts – If you are looking for the best donuts in Montana, you need to visit Granny’s Donuts! Granny’s is a bit old school and isn’t always open, so check their hours. Also donuts are still cheap. $1 a donut or $10 for a dozen. Cash only!
Best Lunch
Bourbon – The best bbq restaurant in town with a fun atmosphere. Also great for dinner!
Yo Poke Fusion – For some fresh yummy poke, visit Yo Poke! You can dine in or take it to go!
Notable Dinner Spots
Blackbird – Our favorite restaurant in town. Tip: Get a reservation, they fill up quickly. They open their reservations 2 weeks in advance.
Tanglewood – Great happy hour and yummy food! Reservations recommended.
Shan – Delicious Asian food! Definitely will need a reservation if you are looking to dine here.
You May Also Like: The Best Restaurants In Bozeman And Nearby Towns
Best Place to Grab a Pint
Bridger Brewing – Bridger Brewing is not only a great brewery in town, but also has great pizza. If you want to get something cheap – grab one of their slices. They are huge!
Mountains Walking – Amazing beer and they even have alcoholic slushies or hard seltzer if you prefer! I would also recommend their tachos (That is tater tot nachos if you are wondering. 😳).
New Venture – This is by far our most favorite place to get beer. If you love to try many different types of beer, this is the place for you. They brew all small batch beers, so the menu is always changing. It is small and their hours are limited, so check out their website first!
You may also like: Ultimate Destination Guidebooks – From a Local for the Family
Bozeman Guide – Best Hotels
Downtown – The Lark
Downtown – The Armory
Glamping at Bodhi Farms
Unique Experience – Howlers Inn B&B and Wolf Sanctuary
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