When you don’t have the time or the funds for a weekend getaway, a day trip can provide the perfect change of scenery. But what is there to do in Montana, you might ask? Plenty.

No matter what part of our massive state you call home, you can always drive for a few hours in any direction and spend your day somewhere wonderful. This list includes some of our favorite day trips in Montana. Embark on these adventures on your days off, or use them as inspiration to create your own.

1. Head to West Yellowstone and check out the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
We've previously mentioned how awesome West Yellowstone is, and when you go, you won't want to miss this place. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a not-for-profit wildlife park and educational facility, and it's open 365 days a year for your convenience.

Address: 201 South Canyon Street, West Yellowstone, MT, 59758
2. Chase some waterfalls.
Rett Boyd / alltrails.com
Who doesn't enjoy taking in the natural beauty of a waterfall? We've mapped out a couple of waterfalls road trips that can easily be modified from a weekend to a day trip for those with time constraints.
3. Spend the day in historic Anaconda.
Mark Holloway / Flickr
There's a lot to see in this quiet town 24 miles from Butte. Plus, the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful.
4. Go hiking, fishing, or just explore downtown Livingston.
Tracy Hunter / Flickr
We've mentioned before that Livingston is great. If you live in Bozeman, it makes for one of the best day trips in Montana.
5. Visit the Birthplace of Montana, Fort Benton.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Fort Benton is so full of local history that, in our opinios, everyone should visit. If you can't remember the last time you enjoyed the Birthplace of Montana, take a day trip as soon as you can.

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6. Drive to Arlee to check out the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas.
Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas Facebook
This isn't something you'd expect to see in Montana, and that's kind of the point.

Address: 34574 White Coyote Road, Arlee, MT, 59821
7. Visit a century-old general store.
Polebridge Mercantile Facebook
The Polebridge Mercantile is extremely remote, but the beautiful drive is half the fun. It feels like you're driving straight into the past. This is an easy day trip from Whitefish or Kalispell, and if the weather allows, you can stretch your legs on the surrounding hiking trails.

Address: 265 Polebridge Loop, Polebridge, MT, 59928
8. Check out the one and only Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, located in Whitehall.
Troy Smith / Flickr
See why exploring this cave feels like entering another world.

Address: 25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Road, Whitehall, MT, 59759
9. See why Dillon is one of Montana's most overlooked cities.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
From the historic buildings to the shops and restaurants, we love this place.
10. Fall in love with Philipsburg.
USDARD LAPAS / Flickr
There's a reason that Montanas who visit this unique town tend to return. Philipsburg has become a popular weekend getaway destination, but it's possible to see the best it has to offer in a single day. Mine for sapphires, taste at one of the two breweries, or just enjoy a quiet stroll down Broadway.

 

These are definitely some of the best day trips in Montana, but they’re far from your only options. These are just a few of the incredible possibilities you’ll have when you call the Last Best Place home. Check out our list of Montana trips that will change your life.

 

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What Is There To Do In Montana?

Jessica Wick | June 07, 2019

What is there to do on a rainy day in Montana?

Catch a movie in one of our many theaters, like the Washoe Theatre in Anaconda or the Judith in Bozeman. Or, find one of our many bookstores -- Montana has the most bookstores per capita in the country!

What do you do with kids in Montana?

Take your little dinosaur lovers to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, where they'll see the largest fossilized T.Rex skeleton of their lives. They can dig for fossils themselves at the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center in Bynum or search for sapphires at Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine in Philipsburg. Big Dipper Ice Cream and Sweet Peaks Ice Cream are also loved by kids of all ages. Arcades and fun centers like the Big Sky Arcadia are fantastic as well.

What do you do with kids in Montana without spending money?

There are numerous kid-friendly hikes in Montana that don't cost a thing, like Palisade Falls near Bozeman and the Pictograph State Park Trail in Billings, which also features some fantastic prehistoric pictographs. Nearly every town has a few fantastic parks with playgrounds, and some of our museums, like the Missoula Art Museum, are free. All of these would make for some of the best day trips to take on one tank of gas.

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