30 Best Things to do in Billings!

Located in the heart of Montana, Billings stands as the largest city in the state, offering a blend of urban amenities and breathtaking natural landscapes. Known as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, this vibrant city attracts travelers seeking outdoor adventures and a taste of the Old West charm. In this comprehensive guide, we showcase best things to do in Billings during your visit to Montana.

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1. Historic Attractions

Moss Mansion Museum

The Moss Mansion Museum is a well-known historic house that was built in 1903 for Preston B. Moss and his family. The house was designed by well-known architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh and made from red sandstone. It has 28 rooms with many levels, including a basement and sunroom. The Moss family, including their six children and household staff, lived in the home for many years. His daughter, Melville, lived in the home for many years and stayed there until she passed away in 1984. Today, it’s listed on National Register of Historic Places, and is open for guided and self-guided tours.

Western Heritage Center

The Western Heritage Center is a museum located in the old Parmly Billings Memorial Library, built in 1901. The house became a museum in 1971 and now let visitors to learn about the past through displays that highlight life in the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains. The museum uses personal items, photos, and stories to share the history of the area. Inside, there are more than 40,000 items, including personal stories from local people, which help visitors understand the area’s past. It hosts walking tours, school programs, and a monthly event called the High Noon Lecture Series.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Covers 51 acres, Pompeys Pillar National Monument is known for its large sandstone rock that rises about 120 feet high. This rock has been an important spot for thousands of years. Native people, early travelers, and explorers all left their marks here. One of the most famous markings is the signature of William Clark from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, dated July 25, 1806. The rock also has many petroglyphs and carvings made by Native Americans and others who passed through the area. The site has a visitor center that shares stories about the expedition, local tribes, and natural surroundings.

2. Outdoor Adventures

Kayaking in Yellowstone River

Kayaking on the Yellowstone River is a scenic and fun way to enjoy the outdoors near Billings. The river flows freely without dams, making it one of the longest undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. It has calm stretches that are good for beginners, along with areas that need more attention. Some local groups offer kayak rentals and help with planning trips, including Adventure Whitewater and Yellowstone R&R River Rentals. These services may include shuttle rides, gear, and tips for safe paddling. The views include open skies, riverbanks, and small islands that appear and disappear with the flow.

Hiking & Nature Trails

Billings has many hiking and nature trails that give people a chance to enjoy nature without going far from the city. One popular spot is Four Dances Natural Area, which has open land, cliffs, and views of the Yellowstone River. The area is named after a Crow leader and has trails that are good for walking and watching wildlife. Zimmerman Park is another favorite, with dirt paths and rimrock views. It’s a good place for short hikes and has plenty of space to explore. Norm Schoenthal Island has flat trails and is also a good place to see birds and learn about floodplain areas.

Phipps Park has trails that go through rocky hills and grassy areas, offering a bit more of a workout. For longer walks, the Highline Loop Trail gives wide views of the land around Billings. There’s also Lake Elmo State Park, where people can walk around the lake or enjoy the water. Most trails are open year-round, but it’s best to check the weather and wear good shoes. These trails are easy to follow and give people a simple way to enjoy the outdoors.

Skiing & Snowboarding

One of the closest places to go is Red Lodge Mountain, which is about an hour’s drive from Billings. It has a mix of easy and more challenging runs, so both beginners and experienced riders can enjoy the slopes. For those looking to travel a bit farther, Bridger Bowl near Bozeman and Big Sky Resort are also popular spots. Bridger Bowl is about 2 hours away and is known for its powder snow, while Big Sky is around 3 hours from Billings and has a large ski area with many trails. If you’re just starting out, Showdown Montana is another option usually starts in late November and runs through spring.

Billings Motorcycle Club

Founded in 1914, Billings Motorcycle Club is one of the oldest motorcycle clubs in the U.S and it spans over 1,400 acres and offers a wide variety of off-road tracks, including motocross, supercross, endurocross, hill climbs, sand drags, flat tracks, cross-country trails, and kid-friendly tracks. The club welcomes riders of all levels and hosts major events throughout the year, with the Great American Pro Hill Climb being one of its most famous. Members can also have access to camping areas on-site. The club is known for bringing riders together from across the region for races and other fun activities.

Golfing Courses

In Billings, Lake Hills Golf Club is a public course that opened in 1957 and has 18 holes. It also offers leagues for men and women and is located on Clubhouse Way. Yegen Golf Club is a public 18-hole course found on Zimmerman Trail, that also features a practice space and a pro shop where visitors can find their gear. Eaglerock Golf Course is also open to the public and has a full 18-hole layout, offering tee times, events, and a driving range.

For those looking for a shorter game, Billings Par 3 is a non-profit course with 18 holes. It’s run by the Downtown Exchange Club and helps support local parks and recreation. Hilands Golf Club is a private course that started in 1922. It’s located on Poly Drive and offers a quiet place to play for members. Each course has its own features, but all provide a chance to enjoy the outdoors and play at your own pace.

Two Moon Park

The Two Moon Park is a peaceful natural area covering more than 100 acres, and is named after Two Moon, a Northern Cheyenne chief who was part of the Battle of Little Bighorn. The park has a 1.8 mile loop trail that takes visitors through open meadows and cottonwood trees, with several spots where you can see the river. It’s popular with walkers, and nature lovers looking for a quiet place to enjoy the outdoors. Wildlife like deer and birds can often be seen along the trail, and some areas let dogs off-leash. In the fall, the park hosts a Halloween event called Haunted Hallows to support local causes.

3. Iconic Landmarks

Yellowstone Art Museum

Built in 1964, Yellowstone Art Museum holds over 7,000 pieces, including paintings, photos, sculptures, and drawings from artists in Montana and the surrounding region. Visitors can explore exhibits and also get a behind-the-scenes look at how art is cared for in the Visible Vault, a special area that shows how collections are stored. The museum is also home to the Virginia Snook Collection, which features many works by Will James, an artist known for cowboy-themed art. Classes, school visits, and family programs happen throughout the year, giving people of all ages a chance to learn and be creative.

Billings Depot

Built in 1909, Billings Depot is a historic building once served as a train station for three major railroads: Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. The building has been restored and is now used as a space for events like weddings, meetings, fundraisers, and community gatherings. It includes two main indoor areas — the old passenger station with high ceilings and large windows, and the baggage room with brick walls and wood floors. The Depot covers four city blocks and is has hosted many important events and invite visitors, including presidents and public figures.

Huntley Project Museum

The Huntley Project Museum tells the story of early homesteaders and the start of the Huntley Irrigation Project from 1907. It covers 10 acres, filled with 18 buildings and thousands of items from the early to mid-1900s. Visitors can walk through a small town layout that includes a school, bank, post office, and barn, along with farm tools and horse-drawn machines used to raise crops like hay and sugar beets. One of the displays is a tar paper shack that shows how early settlers lived with very little. There’s also information about water use, irrigation, and the growth of agriculture in Yellowstone Valley.

MetraPark – First Interstate Arena

The MetraPark – First Interstate Arena is a major indoor venue in Billings, and has been a key event spot since it opened in 1975. It can hold up to 12,000 people for concerts, 10,500 for basketball games, and 8,700 for hockey or indoor football. Over the years, it has hosted many events, from concerts and sports to rodeos and local fairs. Some big-name performers who have been there include Elton John, Metallica, and Garth Brooks. The arena has flexible space that can change to fit different types of shows or gatherings. Events like fundraisers, live shows and community gatherings also use the space.

Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site

The Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site is found in Swords Rimrock Park along Chief Black Otter Trail in Billings, and honors Luther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly, a scout, soldier, and writer who spent much of his life in the American West. Born in 1849, Kelly served in the military and became known for exploring and protecting the frontier. His grave is on a high hill with wide views of the Yellowstone Valley. The site includes signs that talk about his life, his service, and the history of the land around him. A short walking path leads to the memorial, and the breathtaking views makes it a quiet place to reflect.

4. Family-Friendly Activities

ZooMontana

The ZooMontana is a 70 acres of wildlife park and botanical garden and is home to about 100 animals from around 50 species. The zoo is divided into areas like the Asia Region and North America Region, connected by easy walking paths. The Discovery Center inside the park has reptiles, birds, and smaller animals on display. Visitors can enjoy walking through the Yellowstone Arboretum, where they can see a mix of native and international trees and plants growing across the area. ZooMontana offers education programs, summer camps, and special events for kids and families throughout the year.

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

Started in 2009, Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum is a hands-on learning space focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math by using playful activities that help children learn by doing. Inside, kids can explore areas with water tables, building blocks, and interactive tools designed for curiosity and creativity. There are weekly programs like story time, art activities, and simple science experiments. It also hosts school field trips, homeschool sessions, and birthday parties. The museum partners with nearby schools to help children learn in fun and interactive hands-on activities.

The Reef Indoor Water Park

The Reef Indoor Water Park is the biggest indoor water park in all of Montana. The park has two large water slides — Barracuda Blaster and Tropical Twister, that start from three stories high and end in a splash pool. There’s a wave pool holding about 55,000 gallons of water, where people can float and enjoy gentle waves. A play area is set up for kids with smaller slides, spray features, tunnels, and a giant tipping bucket. Visitors can also enjoy a water basketball area for a mix of sport and swimming. It’s a good place for group events, birthday parties, and family outings, especially when it’s cold outside.

Oasis

The Oasis is an outdoor water park located in the Heights area of Billings, and is operated by the Better Billings Foundation with help from Harvest Church. The park offers something for everyone, with a wave pool, a shallow-entry pool that’s great for little kids, and a lazy river known as Rattlesnake River where visitors can float and relax. There’s also a toddler zone with small slides and spray features, plus a larger play structure with water cannons and climbing areas. One of the main highlights is the WaveSurfer, which is the first in the country and it gives visitors an opportunity to try indoor surfing.

Skate World Skate Center

The Skate World Skate Center is a place where people can enjoy roller skating on a smooth floor with bright lights and lively music that add to the fun. People can visit during public skate times or book the space for birthday parties, school trips, or private events. There’s also an arcade filled with snack area and game zones, that serves easy food and drinks. Kids can learn to skate here, and many families come to spend time together indoors, especially during colder months. Theme nights and seasonal events are hosted, and the skating floor is large, making it good for both new and skilled skaters.

5. Natural Attractions

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

The DanWalt Botanical Gardens is a peaceful garden space known for its wide variety of flowers and plants that grow well in the local climate. It also have hanging baskets and themed areas such as a rose garden, Japanese garden, and ceremony garden. The land was once a vegetable farm and later became a grassy field before being turned into a garden in the 1990s by Dan Jellison and Walt Williams. They started by planting flowers in their backyard and later opened for public. Today, the gardens are used for weddings, parties, and other events, with a reception hall, and pavilion available for rent.

Lake Elmo State Park

The Lake Elmo State Park is a 123 acres public park that features a 64 acres of lake used for swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and other non-motorized water activities. A well-kept trail that loops around the lake stretches about 1.4 miles and is a favorite spot for a walk and spotting birds. The park has three beach areas, a playground, grassy picnic spots, and a fishing pier on the south shore. Visitors are allowed to bring up to two dogs each, as long as the dogs are on-leash and at least four months old. One of the park shelters can be rented for several events, while the other is first-come, first-served.

Pictograph Cave State Park

The Pictograph Cave State Park is a historic site covering 23 acres and includes three main caves — Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost Cave, that were once used by Native American hunters. The caves were formed by wind and water over time and are carved into sandstone cliffs. Among the three caves in the park, Pictograph Cave stands out as the biggest, measuring roughly 45 feet deep and 160 feet across. Inside, visitors can see rock paintings called pictographs, some of which are over 2,000 years old.

These images show animals, people, and tools, and were made using natural pigments like red, black, and white. A short loop trail leads to the caves, with signs along the way that explain the history, plants, and rock art. There’s a visitor center available in the park, where people can check out educational displays and explore a small gift shop. Around 30,000 artifacts have been found at the site, including tools, arrowheads, and bones. Binoculars are helpful for seeing the rock drawings more clearly, and the area is also a nice place to watch native birds.

Four Dances Natural Area

Covers 765 acres, Four Dances Natural Area sits high on sandstone cliffs that overlook the Yellowstone River and Billings. The area is named after Chief Four Dances, a Crow leader who fasted and prayed here in the 1830s and received a vision that gave him his name. Today, visitors can walk on trails that pass through sagebrush, grasses, and rocky areas where birds and small wildlife live. There are no buildings, just open land and signs along the trail that explain the area’s natural and cultural history. Schools use the area for outdoor education programs, and hikers often come for panoramic views.

Shiloh Conservation Area

The Shiloh Conservation Area is a 66 acres of public space built to help manage stormwater and improve water quality on the west side of the city, where farmland has turned into homes and businesses. The area includes ponds, wetland cells, and natural drainage features that help clean water before it flows into larger waterways. The site has about 2 miles of paved trails that are good for walking or biking. Along the trail, there are signs that explain how the system works and why it matters. There are viewing platforms and a shelter near the fishing pond where people can rest or enjoy the view.

6. Day Trips & Excursions

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Start a day trip from Billings, and drive over an hour to reach Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. It marks the place where the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place in June 1876. The site marks the location where General Custer and his soldiers clashed with warriors from the Arapaho tribes, Lakota, and Cheyenne. Visitors can start at the visitor center, which has exhibits and a small bookstore. A short walk leads to Last Stand Hill, where many soldiers fell. A 4.5 miles drive through the area leads to the Reno-Benteen site, with signs along the route that help explain the events of the battle.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Taking a day trip to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is about 1.5 hours drive from Billings. People visiting the area can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the views. One of the best spots is Devil Canyon Overlook, where you can see deep into the canyon from above. There are also trails for walking and places to stop for photos or a picnic. The Bighorn River runs through the area and is popular for trout fishing. The area also has historic sites like the Ewing-Snell Ranch and the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center, where you can learn about the land and the people who lived there.

Red Lodge Mountain

From Billings, a day trip to Red Lodge Mountain takes about an hour drive and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in any season. In winter, this mountain is a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding, with over 70 runs spread across two peaks. The mountain has trails for all skill levels, from easy slopes for beginners to steeper runs for experienced skiers. In warmer months, the area is good for hiking, fishing, and exploring nearby trails like the Basin Creek Lake Trail. The town of Red Lodge has local shops, art galleries, and places to eat, making it a favorite stop before or after time on the mountain.

Yellowstone National Park

Planning a day trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, takes roughly 3 hours from Billings, rewarding journey filled with nature, history, and wide-open views. One of the most scenic routes is through Red Lodge and along the Beartooth Highway, which climbs high into the mountains and offers amazing views before reaching the park’s northeast entrance. A stop at Mammoth Hot Springs shows off strange rock formations made by hot water and minerals. If time allows, the road continues south to Norris Geyser Basin and the famous Old Faithful geyser, which erupts every 90 minutes or so.

Custer Gallatin National Forest

From Billings, a day trip to Custer Gallatin National Forest takes nearly an hour drive, stretches across parts of Montana and South Dakota. In summer, people come to hike, fish, or just enjoy the mountain views. In winter, the area is used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The forest is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, so it’s home to many plants and animals. Some trails are short, while others go deeper into the woods. Visitors should bring water and layers of clothing, as the weather can change quickly. Signs along the trails help people learn about the land and how to stay safe.

Bozeman

Starting a day trip to Bozeman mostly takes about 2.5 hours drive along I-90 West from Billings, and passes through open land and small towns. Visitors can walk around downtown, which has local shops, cafes, and places to eat. The Museum of the Rockies is a popular stop, with dinosaur displays and exhibits about the region’s history. Nearby, the Montana State University campus has open green spaces and a peaceful setting for a short walk. In summer, the farmers market and outdoor events bring more life to the area. In winter, people can visit nearby ski areas or enjoy warm drinks in town.

How to Reach Billings

The most convenient way is flying into Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), located just minutes from downtown, with flights from major airlines like Delta, United, Alaska, American, and Allegiant, connecting through cities such as Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Dallas. Once you land, you’ll find rental cars, taxis, and shuttle services ready to take you where you need to go. Greyhound and Jefferson Lines provide bus service to and from Billings, stopping at the city’s main bus station.

For those driving, Interstate 90 runs east to west through the city, while Interstate 94 connects from the northeast, and U.S. Highways 87 and 212 also pass through, making it easy to reach from nearby towns and states, with scenic views along the way. Though Amtrak doesn’t go directly to Billings, you can take the train to nearby cities like Havre or Shelby and then rent a car or take a bus. The nearest Amtrak station is about 240 miles away in Havre, Montana.

Local Transportation

Getting around Billings, is simple with a few local transport options. The city’s main public bus system is MET Transit, which runs 13 fixed routes and over 450 bus stops across town. Buses offer a low-cost way to travel, with schedules that include weekday and weekend service. MET Plus is a paratransit service for people who can’t use the regular bus due to a disability. Riders can check real-time bus locations and route maps online or by using the Passio GO! app.

For those who prefer private rides, taxis and ride-share services like Uber are available throughout the city. Total Transportation offers local and regional rides, including airport pickups, limos, and group tours. Sarpy Transportation provides charter buses and mini coaches for larger groups. Biking is also a good option, with trails like the Heritage Trail Network connecting parks and neighborhoods. Many streets have bike lanes, and the city continues to improve paths for walkers and cyclists.

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FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

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