Bozeman, MT Road Trips

With a population of 56,000 in 2022, Bozeman is the fourth largest city in the state, and the county seat of Gallatin County. The city is named after John M. Bozeman, founder of the Bozeman Trail. Residents are known as Bozemanites. Bozeman is home to Montana State University. The population of the city nearly doubles during school semesters. Lodging may be difficult to find at the beginning of the school year, graduation and any time the Bobcats have a home football game. Bozeman sees a steady stream of visitors for its outdoor activities—not just hiking, kayaking, and mountain climbing, but also winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, popular among locals and students as well as travellers. In fact, Bozeman once expressed interest in hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. One of the inspirations and main themes for the writing of the 1974 best-selling book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a road trip by motorcycle, from Minneapolis to San Francisco with a stopover at Bozeman, described with considerable detail by the author Robert Maynard Pirsig with his son Chris. Bozeman is one of the wettest cities in Montana, averaging 17.3 in (440 mm) of precipitation annually. Mild springs and falls are punctuated by cold, snowy winters and relatively warm summers. Bozeman is in south central Montana at an elevation of 4,795 ft (1,462 m). It is an Intermountain Grassland habitat, bordered closely by Montane Forest habitat. Bozeman is bordered on three sides by mountain ranges (Bridger, Gallatin, and Tobacco Root) making up the northern Rockies.

1 American Computer & Robotics Museum, 2023 Stadium Dr, Suite 1-A, ☏ +1 406 582-1288. Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM year-round. Educational and slightly quirky, if you have even a passing interest in computers or computing, this should be a must-see. Highlighting everything from the abacus to the laptop as well as video gaming systems, The American Computer Museum is dedicated to chronicling the evolution of computer technology. $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children. (updated Jun 2023) 2 Children's Museum of Bozeman, 202 S Willson Ave, ☏ +1 406 522-9087, [email protected]. Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM. Ideal for children from toddlers to later elementary school, the Children's Museum emphasizes hand-on activities, learning, and play. Don't be surprised if you start having as much fun as your little ones. $5. (updated Jul 2017) 3 Gallatin History Museum, 317 W Main St, ☏ +1 406 522-8122, [email protected]. Tue–Sat 11AM–4PM. Run by the Gallatin Historical Society, the Gallatin History Museum chronicles the history of Gallatin County. The museum is located in the historic former county jailhouse building. $5, children 12 and under free. (updated Jul 2017) 4 The Museum of the Rockies, 600 W Kagy Blvd, ☏ +1 406 994-2251, [email protected]. This is a resource that documents the changes that the Rockies have undergone, and has a mission to preserve the Rockies' unique place in American history and westward travel. With over 300,000 artifacts, this museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, and is a center of natural history and anthropology.

1 Bozeman Hot Springs & Fitness Center, 81123 Gallatin Rd (on US-191), ☏ +1 406 522-9563, [email protected]. Hours vary by season. Natural hot springs. 9 pools with temperatures ranging from 59 to 106 degrees and both dry and wet saunas $21 adult, $17 ages 5-13, senior/military discounts; lower prices on weekdays. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Bozeman Icedogs, 901 N Black Ave, [email protected]. See website for current season schedule. Enjoy an ice-hockey game at the Haynes Pavilion. The Icedogs play in the North American Tier III hockey league. $10 adults, $8 senior/military, $5 student. (updated Aug 2023) Bozeman Skatepark. Built by Team Pain 3 Fish Technology Center, 4050 Bridger Canyon Rd, ☏ +1 406 587-9265. Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4PM. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visitors to the Fish Technology Center are welcome to learn about and observe some of the ongoing research in the health, nutrition, reproduction and management of fish in hatcheries and the wild. In addition to these attractions, the center also houses several types of threatened fish species, such as the pallid sturgeon. Additional activities include walking and hiking trails (including Bozeman's "M" trail), picnic areas, and fish feeding ponds. 4 Montana State Football, Bobcat Stadium. Check out the annual game against in-state rival "University of Montana" commonly known as the "cats-griz" game. (updated Jul 2017) 5 Montana Whitewater Rafting and Zipline, 1110 W Main, ☏ +1 406 763-4465. Late spring to early fall. Adventure activity packages. Also has tube float and fishing packages.

1 Cateye Cafe, 23 N Tracy Ave (Fun looking building, impossible to miss.), ☏ +1 406 587-8844. Breakfast served Mon-Fri 7AM-2:30PM & Sat Sun 7AM-2PM; Lunch served Mon-Fri 11AM-2:30PM. Everything is homemade, and has atmosphere to spare. Advertises "50 cents off to anyone who wears their own Cateye glasses throughout their entire meal. No lenses required. Add a cowboy hat for 50 more cents." (updated Jan 2020) 2 Dave's Sushi, 115 N Bozeman Ave, ☏ +1 406 556 1351. Sun-Thu 11AM-9:30PM; Fri Sat 11AM-10PM. Quite honestly a fantastic meal, even for Bozeman. Would stand on its own as a sushi restaurant even in a larger city with more options. Outdoor seating area is extremely pleasant, but beware; certain seasons can see petals falling from the tree overhead onto your table. While atmospheric and deeply calming, best keep a napkin on your glass of water if you dislike flower water. (updated Jan 2020) 3 Montana Ale Works, 611 E Main St, ☏ +1 406 587-7700. Mon-Thu Sun 4PM-midnight; Fri Sat 4PM-1AM. Microbrewery and pub house with a varied menu. Prices are reasonable, portions are generous, and the ambiance is casual grill house. Can be busy, especially on weekends. Reservations are encouraged. 4 The Pickle Barrel, 809 W College (just off the northwest corner of MSU campus out back of the big ugly pink building), ☏ +1 406 587 2411. Daily 10:30AM-10PM. Serves very tasty, fresh sub sandwiches. Bread made in house, and surprisingly good.

The "Barmuda Triangle" consisted of three dive bars arranged around a back lot between Main Street and Babcock at 8th Ave. All three of these bars are of eclectic crowd; college students, Montana hippies, construction workers, out-of-work ranchers, divorcees, and that one guy who operates under the illusion that cowboys still exist. The Scoop faced Main Street and must have been one of the oldest bars in town with a few pool tables, a few slot machines and TVs for the game. 1 The Haufbrau, 22 S 8th Ave, ☏ +1 406 587-4931. Equally as old - if not older - offering a small stage for locals and even a few out-of-towners to dish out their songcraft with anything from saws to buckets to fiddles or guitars. Great, friendly crowd unless you arrive before the local rednecks get sloshed. 2 The Molly Brown, 703 W Babcock St, ☏ +1 406 522-7362. The biggest of these three, with a pool hall, poker tables and a couple rows of slot machines. Montana being one of those rare states that allows machine gambling, you might as well try your hand while passing through. A quick fifteen bucks would not be unheard of, but a vanished fifty is far more likely. Other options: 3 406 Brewing, 101 East Oak, Suite D, ☏ +1 406 585-3745, [email protected]. Daily noon to 8PM. Local brewery. An ever-changing mix of mostly British and American ales and lagers. (updated Jul 2017) 4 Bozeman Brewing Company, 504 N. Broadway, ☏ +1 406 585-9142. Tasting room: daily 2-8PM. A locally based brewer with a fine selection of seasonal and standard craft beers.

1 C'mon Inn, 6139 E Valley Center Rd, toll-free: +1-866-782-2717. (updated Apr 2016) 2 Gallatin River Lodge, 9105 Thorpe Rd, toll-free: +1-888-387-0148. 3 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bozeman West, 2305 Catron St, ☏ +1 406 582-4995. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated May 2017) 4 Howlers Inn B&B and Wolf Sanctuary, 3185 Jackson Creek Rd (Exit 319, head north 3 miles), toll-free: +1-888-469-5377. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. A true log home B&B with an on-site wolf sanctuary that is home to eight wolves. Each room has a private bath and all have mountain views. Two rooms overlook the wolf enclosures, so guests can enjoy a wolf serenade by moonlight. The amenities include a rec room with pool table, large screen TV, air hockey and workout area. There is also an indoor hot tub (winter months) and a sauna. This inn welcomes children of all ages. $105-195. 5 Lewis & Clark Motel, 824 W Main St, ☏ +1 406 586-3341, toll-free: +1-800-332-7666, [email protected]. 6 Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 612 Nikles Dr, ☏ +1 406 586-3797. 7 Sapphire Inn, 310 N 7th Ave, ☏ +1 406-587-3103. Motel rooms include: microwave, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and cable TV. Wireless internet, a continental breakfast, and on-site laundry facilities are available. Rooms are clean, efficient and simply perfect for any type of stay.

1 Bozeman Yellowstone Airport. (BZN IATA) is in Belgrade 8 mi (13 km) northwest of Bozeman and is accessed via Airway Blvd from I-90 or Frontage Rd (which runs parallel to I-90). This is the nearest commercial airport for year-round commercial service to two Yellowstone National Park entrances, Big Sky Ski Resort, and countless other recreational sites and business destinations. The following airlines offer year round service from: Alaska Airlines (Portland, Seattle) Allegiant (Las Vegas and Phoenix/Mesa) American/American Eagle (Dallas-Ft Worth year-round and Chicago O'Hare seasonally) Delta/Delta Connection (Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St Paul and Seattle); Seasonally from New York La Guardia United/United Express (Denver, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Newark and San Francisco); Seasonally from Chicago O'Hare The following airlines come seasonally or part of the year: Frontier (Denver) Sun Country (Minneapolis-St Paul) There are taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally and long shuttles and buses for onward transport to Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, Big Sky or other places in and around southwestern Montana. There are also car rental available from the airport. The airport terminal has a small variety of dining and shopping locations. Before security, there is a small bistro and coffee shop located between the escalators. After security, there are two full service restaurants and one quick serve Tex Mex place called Taco Jet.

Streamline Bus System, ☏ +1 406-587-2434. Streamline provides fare free service Monday through Friday, with late night service operating Thursday through Saturday. The service area includes Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners. The major hubs are at Montana State University and downtown at Mendehall and Tracy. Free. Classic Limo (Bozeman Limo), ☏ +1 406 585-5466, [email protected]. Has shuttles to Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Chico, Mammoth and Livingston. (updated Jan 2025) Lone Mountain Limo (LML), ☏ +1 406 580 8122, [email protected]. 24/7. A premium limo shuttle service. (updated Jul 2023)