Virginia City Ghost Town
Virginia City

This Victorian-era ghost town carries with it the true "flavor of the old West." From Bozeman, it's a nice drive through Rocky Mountain scenery to get here. It's also just 20 miles from Yellowstone National Park (90 miles by road). Once a gold-rush town, Virginia City is still filled with attractions. You can "walk up and down the boardwalks" or peruse the shops. For a special treat, be sure to have some ice cream and candy while taking in the mountain views. During summer, "hysterically funny" theatre and vaudeville shows take place at the old brewery, and visitors can ride on a live steam train. Read more.

Historic Fire Tower Lookouts
Missoula

Forest Service regulators used to rely on a system of lookout towers to keep the forests safe. Today, technology has rendered this system obsolete, but the old lookout towers still stand in many of Missoula's national forests, and at some of them, you can even stay overnight. During the winter, if you're in search of a "romantic getaway and a snuggle by a fire in the woods," then these lookouts can be "as close to paradise as Montana gets." Make an adventure of it by going cross-country skiing to get there and enjoy "beautiful, wintry vistas" in an "inexpensive and secluded place." Read more.

Showdown Ski Resort
Neihart

This "never crowded" ski resort is just the place to go when you want to feel like you're king or queen of the mountain. No matter what your ability level, you'll find that the rental shop is staffed with "knowledgeable folks" who are eager to assist all customers. On the slopes, the "snow is all natural," and the staff does "a great job of grooming the trails." Best of all, because the mountain doesn't have the crowds of most other ski resorts, you're able to "ski as many runs as you like in one day." This family-friendly facility even provides daycare for the kids. Read more.

Ernies Bakery and Deli
West Yellowstone

If you're nursing a bear-sized appetite, head to this deli and bakery in West Yellowstone for "the Grizzly," which is considered to be among the region's "best sandwiches, hands down." The made-to-order sandwiches are big enough to split, and the bakery's chocolate chip cookies are "literally the size of a dinner plate." Picnic tables covered in red-checkered tablecloths create an overall "laid-back" atmosphere. If you're about to spend a day on the trails, you can call in your order to pick it up before you go. The restaurant operates during winter and summer, but not during the shoulder seasons.

Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen & Wine Bar
Red Lodge

The "quaint little" town of Red Lodge sits nestled in the hulking Beartooth Mountains, and makes a great stop on the way to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. With its extensive wine list and "phenomenally-good" food, the Bridge Creek restaurant is an "unexpected treat in such a small town." All of the beef on the menu is locally raised, and the restaurant even serves locally-brewed beer. Dine beside the fireplace, have coffee on the patio, or watch the chefs busily at work in the open kitchen. The wine bar features a stage for live entertainment. Read more.

Marysville House
Marysville

There are still a few hearty souls who live here among the rusting hulls of aging cars and weathered (some say haunted) buildings dwarfed by the mountains. Exploring this "old mining and partial ghost town" can stir up a real appetite, so seek out the hearty steak at Marysville House, a lively restaurant operating out of a 121-year-old building. Though "the menu is short," the food is nothing short of "awesome." Names of past guests are etched into the wood. Present guests can sit indoors or at the picnic tables out back. Nightly bonfires encourage s'mores making and camaraderie. Read more.

Swan Lake Trading Post
Swan Lake

Travel "back to a time when life was simple" at this four-acre park, which includes a pond, stream, camping area, and 1920s general store set in a log cabin. The park borders the "beautiful" Flathead National Forest and sits between the Mission and Swan Mountains. At the store, you can mingle with locals who just might share with you "the best fishing spots and other crazy stories." Be sure to shop for locally-produced gifts, and fill up on "fresh sandwiches" and "old-fashioned" milkshakes. Afterwards, don't forget to take a walk or boat ride around the lake. Read more.

Joe's Parkway Market
Bozeman

Step into this small specialty market, and you'll find over 1,000 items ranging from wine and cheese to fresh produce. Home of the "fifty-cent fountain soda" and "numerous choices of bulk candy to dip your shovel into," the current incarnation of the store dates back to the 1950s. This "quaint little market" has been owned by the same family for generations. Be sure to peruse all the specialty items, most of which you can't easily find elsewhere in the area. The market also has its own butcher block and sells beer by the keg--an important service in a college town.

International Wildlife Film Festival
Missoula

This annual event is not only a key networking opportunity for regional filmmakers, it also sets a grand stage for appreciating wildlife as it looms large on the big screen. In Big Sky Country, animal encounters are a natural part of life. This "wonderful event kicks off with a parade where children are encouraged to dress as animals." Other festival events and activities include workshops on everything from life skills to conservation. And, of course, "amazing, award-winning films" are showcased from all over the world. Read more.

Crow Fair
Crow Agency

Each year during the third week in August, thousands of "friendly people" come to Crow Agency, which is known as "the teepee capitol of the world." Along with several hundred teepees, visitors can enjoy "great food, spectacular traditional dancing, and a Native American rodeo." Some call this the largest outdoor powwow in the United States, and the event is seen by many as a way to "broaden understanding between cultures." At the market, visitors can find "great native crafts," furs, jewelry, and much more, often "for better prices than in the gift shops." Read more.