Missoula, MT Road Trips

Though it's physically part of the Rocky Mountains region, culturally Missoula identifies closely with the Pacific Northwest. Home to the University of Montana and often considered by residents as the most liberal city in Montana, it's an interesting mix of ranchers, cowboys, hippies, yuppies, students, artists, athletes and recreationalists. Graduates from the University of Montana frequently remain in Missoula, creating a large over-qualified work force. A local barista or cook may have, at the very least, a Bachelor's degree. City of Missoula council website

Geographically, Missoula is dominated by the scenic Clark Fork river that flows through downtown and the mountains ringing the city. The Kim Williams Trail, which follows the waterfront, is an easy way to appreciate the former. Tubing, rafting, and canoe/kayaking are also good options in the summer. Mt. Sentinel, on the east side of town, offers a scenic trail system. A trail starting at the University of Montana leads 700 feet up the mountainside to the "M," which offers great views of the city. More adventurous hikers may continue another 1400 feet to the peak of Mount Sentinel, which offers great views of the city, the Rattlesnake Wilderness to the north, and Mount Jumbo to the north. Those with binoculars may perceive the ancient shoreline of Lake Missoula on Mount Jumbo, marking the edge of an enormous ice-age lake. One can also take the trail off the backside of Mt. Sentinel, which zig-zags down crossing the parasailing jeep road a few times to a sign which shows the lovely trail down thru forest on Sentinel's north side that ends at the old railroad tracks, now the Kim Williams hike/bike trail, and then back to the parking lot at the "M" trails base. Doing the loop in reverse is also very pleasant. Manmade scenic attractions include the Missoula carousel in Caras Park, the historic courthouse with eight original murals by E.S. Paxson, and several fine art galleries. Lastly, if you enjoy history, both of Missoula's historic railroad stations still stand, preserved, and in use. One, built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St.

Missoulians enjoy a range of outdoor activities including hiking, rafting, "tubing", rock climbing, skiing, fishing, golfing, and just about any other activity that can be done outside. It's no wonder—in Missoula you can take a city bus to within walking distance of federally designated wilderness area. After hiking and returning to town, you can visit the historic downtown and enjoy some fantastic local food and drink. Summer cultural events include: the International Choral Festival, the River Roots Music Festival, Farmer's markets (three) every Saturday morning. Music and food festivals at Caras Park (off Higgins on the banks of the Clark Fork) Wednesday lunches and Thursday evenings and the Western Montana Fair in August. Snowbowl, at 7,600 ft (2,300 m), is a great place to ski that is very affordable. Year-round 'First Friday' finds art galleries open to strolling passersby with music and food offered for free. The public library on Main Street has special talks and presentations, about Montanan history, for example. There is also a movie 'Cheap date' night with popcorn and a drop-in Scrabble Club Monday evenings. 1 Acton Square Dance Center & Campground, 9955 Lolo Creek Road (Hwy 12) Lolo (2.5 miles west of Lolo on Hwy 12). Campground and RV park. Square dancing with nationally known callers and cuers. See webpage for schedule. 2 Blue Mountain Disc Golf, Blue Mountain Rd (Take either Hwy 365 east or River Pines Rd west to intersect the street). 18 holes of disc golf on a very hilly, wooded course. Cross the street to take the Maclay Flat Nature Trail.

#1 Gyros. Run by a Greek family, #1 Gyros can be quite crowded around lunch time. Tasty french fries. The Bridge. Unusual pizzas sold by the slice. $2.50-3.50 a slice. El Diablo. Another excellent burrito restaurant. Burritos cost around 7 bucks, but worth it. The only burrito shop in town that cooks their meat fresh. The Good Food Store. Missoula's answer to Whole Foods. Sells natural, organic, and specialty foods in its grocery store and includes a small deli serving prepared meals. The Iron Horse. Modern restaurant with good American food (expect to pay $7-10 for lunch dishes and $15-20 for dinner) that turns into a popular sports bar at night. 1 Lolo Creek Steak House, Highway 12 West, Lolo (Hwy 12 West or US 93 South 10 miles to Lolo, turn right on Hwy 12 west, about 200 m on the right), ☏ +1 406-273-2622. Great steaks, in Lolo on the Lewis and Clark trail. $15. The Old Post. Great food, great microbrews, great live music, and terrible lighting--this place has "atmosphere" written all over it. Excellent vegan and vegetarian dishes. Try the weekend brunch. The lunch-only "Reccession Special" is a local favorite. The Oxford, 337 N Higgins Ave, ☏ +1 406 549-0117. 24 hours. Diner style food in a business continuously open for so long that it prides itself on having lost its keys. Friendly staff, live poker, and cheap drinks. The chicken fried steak with JJ's gravy is amazing. Those looking for an authentic Missoula experience should check out this place. $8-10. (updated Feb 2018) Taco Del Sol. Large $5 burritos. Where many of locals grab a quick bite.

1 Black Coffee Roasting, 201 E Main, ☏ +1 406 541-3700, [email protected]. M-Sa 7AM-2PM, closed Su. Organic coffee from around the globe. Roasted locally. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Drum Coffee, 600 South Ave W, ☏ +1 406 721-3786, [email protected]. Daily 7AM-3PM. Baker making items in-house. Locally roasted coffee. Has second location at 1000 E Broadway. (updated Jul 2023) Liquid Planet. A very unique all-beverage store and organic coffee shop with a one-of-a-kind 10 foot high wooden globe that houses wine. 3 Lumberjack Saloon (Jack Restaurant & Saloon), 2000 Graves Creek Road, Lolo (follow Hwy 12 West from Lolo, towards Idaho, about 16 miles, turn right on Graves Creek Rd. about 1.3 miles), ☏ +1 406-273-6264. Great saloon in Lolo National Forest. $10. 4 Plonk Wine, 322 N. Higgins Ave, ☏ +1-406-926-1791, toll-free: +1-406-926-1793, [email protected]. Daily 3PM–after midnight. A fun, delicious hip restaurant in an art-filled brick dining room. The roof patio is a cool and pleasant retreat on hot days. An extensive list of wines by the glass. Good vegetarian options. Entrees $15-30. (updated Aug 2017) Missoula has a large selection of microbreweries. Most have limited hours and can only serve 3 pints due to tasting room regulations in Montana. 5 Bayern Brewing, 1507 Montana St, ☏ +1 406 721-1482. 11AM-8PM daily. Specializes in German lagers. Edelweiss Bistro offers food on-site. (updated Jul 2023) 6 Big Sky Brewery, 5417 Trumpeter Way, ☏ +1 406 549-2777. M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM. Distributes to multiple states.

1 Goldsmith's Bed and Breakfast, 803 E. Front St, ☏ +1 406 728-1585, toll-free: +1-866-666-9945, [email protected]. Located on the banks of the Clark Fork River. Missoula's oldest, and original B & B. Across the river from the University of Montana Campus, 6 blocks from Downtown. Original 1910 home, saved from demolition in 1989 and fully restored. Full breakfast, Wi-Fi, cable. Three Diamond AAA rating, member Montana B and B Association. (updated Aug 2017) 2 Blue Mountain B&B, 6980 Deadman Gulch Road, ☏ +1 406 251-4457, toll-free: +1-877-251-4457, [email protected]. Bed and breakfast, nestled on the mountainside among Ponderosa Pines and meditative water gardens. (updated Aug 2017) 3 C'Mon Inn, 2775 Expo Parkway, ☏ +1 406 543-4600, toll-free: +1-888-989-5569, fax: +1 406 543-4664. (updated Aug 2017) 4 Doubletree Missoula Edgewater, 100 Madison, ☏ +1 406-728-3100. Sits directly across the Clark Fork River from the University of Montana with a view of the mountains. Contains a restaurant, the Finn and Porter, which serves fresh steaks, seafood, and chops. (updated Aug 2017) 5 La Quinta Missoula, 5059 N. Reserve St, ☏ +1 406 549-9000. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Holiday Inn Missoula, 200 S Pattee St, ☏ +1 406-721-8550, toll-free: +1-877-863-4780. In downtown Missoula, next to Caras Park and the Clark River, and close to the University of Montana. As a full-service hotel, HI Missoula offers an indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant.

1 Missoula International Airport (MSO IATA) (along US Hwy 10 (W Broadway) which parallels I-90, 7 mi (11 km) northwest of Missoula and is accessed via Airway Blvd from I-90 at Exit #99.). The following airlines offer year-round service: Alaska Airlines (Portland and Seattle year round, and seasonally from San Diego) American Airlines & American Eagle (Dallas Ft Worth) Allegiant (Las Vegas and Phoenix/Mesa) Delta and Skywest dba Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul and Salt Lake City) United & United Express (Denver year round, and seasonally from Chicago O'Hare) The following airlines operate seasonally during the summers: Frontier (Denver) Sun Country (Minneapolis-St Paul) There are taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally. There are also car rentals available from the airport which is the preferred method for greater flexibility in getting around to the surrounding areas. The Mountain Line #11 bus connects the airport with the downtown Lewis & Clark Transit Center. There are five exits from Interstate 90 (I-90), Airways Blvd (Exit #99); the Grant Creek Blvd exit (Exit #101); Orange St (Exit #104); Van Buren St (Exit #105); , and East Missoula (Exit #307). The Van Buren St exit is the closest exit to access downtown and the University of Montana campus while the Airways Blvd is the closest to the airport. Missoula is 118 mi (190 km) west of Butte (Jct I-15 with I-90); 203 mi (327 km) west of Bozeman; 165 mi (266 km) east of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Spokane, WA another 30 mi (48 km) west of Coeur d'Alene all along I-90.

Visitors to Missoula often remark that the city is hard to get around in by car, a fact Missoulians famously owe to conflicting city engineers at the turn of the century. The confusing roadways make the Mountain Line city bus system a great way to get around, but with a little orienting, the city can be much more easily navigated. Higgins Avenue runs from downtown in the northern end of town through the outskirts of the tree-lined streets of the university district until it takes a sharp curve to the west in the south end of town, leading mainly to residential areas. Broadway Street runs east to west, mostly along the Clark Fork river, from Van Buren, entrance to the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and the hippest place to live in town, through downtown before bisecting with Highway 93 and continuing on to the airport and I-90. Orange Street runs through downtown and another treed residential area before intersecting with Brooks Street. Brooks Street begins as Highway 93 from Lolo to the south of Missoula before turning into Brooks Street, a major shopping area populated with strip malls, fast food restaurants and the like, before dead ending into Higgins in a particularly confusing no-right-turn intersection. Russell Street runs north-south from Broadway to 39th, through residential, industrial and business districts, but is a main roadway for motorists. Reserve Street runs from I-90 to 39th from the north to south, crossing Broadway, 3rd Street, South Avenue and Brooks Street before dead ending.