When searching for things to do in Havre, Montana, you will absolutely want to visit all of the historical sites and railroad. Although it's home to Historic Fort Assiniboine, a late 19th-century Army installation, Buffalo Jump Archeological Site, and other Native American landmarks, Havre is best known as a railroad town. Founded in 1893 mainly to serve as a major railroad service center for the Great Northern Railway, Havre, Montana still nicknamed the crown jewel of the Hi-Line. These are the most well-known of what's in Havre, Montana.

While Havre is a pretty charming city, that wasn't always the case. Parts of its story are pretty sinister, and we're all glad they're in the past.

Havre is the eighth largest city in Montana, and it's the largest city in the Montana section of the Hi-Line.

Needless to say, it was a total game-changer for the city when the railroad came to town.

When the booming railroad industry brought more people to town, Havre went from a quiet little spot to a booming city... and not all of it was good.

Racism was rampant back then, so when Chinese workers came to town, they were often forced to use underground tunnels to travel from place to place safely. Those underground tunnels were known for illicit activity, from bordellos to opium dens.

When a fire destroyed most of Havre in 1904, legitimate businesses moved underground, joining the illicit businesses so city operations could continue.

And while the town above was being rebuilt, locals enjoyed the Sporting Eagle Saloon, a barber shop, restaurants, and at least three bordellos.

These days, you can still see the remnants of the underground city on the Havre Beneath the Streets tour.

This is one one of the best things to do in Havre Montana. Tours are available daily in the summertime, Monday-Saturday (during limited hours) in the off season. It's fascinating to see how the locals lived not so long ago.

In 1916, representatives from the Law and Order League of Chicago visited Havre, apparently to assess its lawlessness compared to Chicago. Of the 16 cities they visited, Havre was ranked among the worst.

The report described the city as 'The sum total of all that is vicious and depraved parading openly without restraint.' They listed smugglers, gangsters, opium dealers (and users), and sinners of all varieties.

Of course, Havre is a charming and peaceful city now, especially when compared to a bustling place like Chicago.

That being said, its rough history can't be ignored. Taking the underground tour and exploring the Havre Railroad Museum is a great way to learn more about it.

Have you done any of these things to do in Havre, Montana? Havre is far from the only city in Montana to be shaped by our local railroad and mining past. Butte was once known as the Richest Hill on Earth.