Bozeman Is Worth A Visit For Sure!
My family has been visiting Bozeman, Montana for over 15 years. What once started out as brief overnights in Bozeman on our way to ski at Big Sky Resort, gradually evolved over the years to include fall, spring, and summer family vacations for the sole purpose of enjoying all that Bozeman has to offer.
For many travelers, Bozeman is a “pass thru” town on the way to Big Sky Resort or Yellowstone National Park. But this fun western town is really worth a stop in its own right. It’s a college town (and a growing one) surrounded by mountain ranges and home to Montana State University. The people here are noticeably happy and proud of their town and for good reason.
Access to the outdoors is everywhere in Bozeman, whether you want to ski in the winter or hike, bike, fish, or float a river in the summer. You’ll also find fantastic museums, great local restaurants, town festivals, local craft breweries, and the largest T-Rex fossil head in the world--all within a 10 minute drive of its charming Main Street. Get ready to refuel your happy tank. We love this place!
Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway, a day, or a week, here’s all you need to know to have a great visit to Bozeman, Montana. If you truly only have one day in Bozeman (so sorry!), see “A Simply Awesome Day In Bozeman” for a the perfect 24 hour itinerary.
Lodging Tip: Stay as close to downtown’s Main Street as you can so you can be within walking distance of shops and restaurants yet still within 20 minutes of the airport! The Lark and the new Kimpton’s Armory Hotel (love the rooftop views!) are our favorites. For the closest hotel to the Bozeman Airport, go for the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites. It’s a very nice hotel and about a 5 minute, easy drive to the airport. We have stayed there multiple times as well. See Our Guide To Hotels and Vacation Rentals In Bozeman for all the lodging details.
Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.
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Our Family’s Favorite Things To Do In Bozeman
Get ready to fall in love with Bozeman, Montana. There’s almost always something fun going on in Bozeman, so be sure to check their event calendar. During the summer for instance, you can enjoy the free “Music on Main” event every Thursday night in July/August, art walks, and the local farmer’s market every Tuesday and Saturday where you’ll find great food trucks and music!
Stroll Main Street In Downtown Bozeman
Wandering up one side and down the other of Bozeman’s charming Main Street is a great way to spend a few hours in Bozeman exploring a variety of shops, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. You’ll find plenty more interesting stops than what we’ve listed here as well as some of your usual retailers like LuLu Lemon, Athleta, Stio, and Fjallraven, but these are the stores we always make sure to pop in when visiting.
If you get hungry during your stroll, you’ll find plenty of family fare along Main Street. Pizza at MacKinzie River Company, coffee and snacks at Rockford Coffee or Wild Joe’s, a sweet or savory crepe at Stuffed Crepes, or a burger at Backcountry Burger Bar. We also like the taco bar at Shine Beer Sanctuary, and their selection of local and regional craft beers. More restaurant ideas are covered further down in this post!
Rocky Mountain Toy Company
A great selection of toys, games, and puzzles. My now teen girls still enjoy their wonderfully curated toy selection. 111 E. Main St.
Country Bookshelf
This is a terrific independent book store with staff recommendations and an excellent children’s section. Tip: This is a great place to find a good children’s book on the Lewis and Clark expedition, Yellowstone National Park, and more. 28 W. Main St.
Chalet Sports
Find your Main Street to Mountains Trail Map and your Bozeman Area Outdoor Recreation trail map ($12) here. These are a good purchase if you plan to hike during your visit. Talk with the helpful staff about trail conditions and their personal recommendations. 108 W. Main St. Schnee’s is also a worthy stop for their hunting boots and outdoor apparel. 108 W. Main.
Montana Gift Coral and The Montana Scene will have plenty of souvenirs or gifts for you to bring home. I like the quality of t-shirts at Montana Scene, and Montana Gift Coral has a bit of everything whether you’re looking for jewelry, clothing, knickknacks, toys, cool stickers, Christmas ornaments, etc.
Hey Day is another fun store to browse for home accessories or the perfect gift, while Evrgreen Clothing is the women’s boutique not to miss.
Ellen Theater- As you stroll along Main St., make sure to check out what’s playing at this historic theater. During the summer, you’ll find western movies as well as live music and performers throughout the year. 17 W. Main St.
2. Go To The Farmers Market
If you’re here during the summer months, the farmer’s markets are fantastic. Lots of locals come to enjoy the food and music, as well as to pick up local produce and wares.
The Gallatin Valley Farmer’s Market
The large Gallatin Valley Farmer’s Market is held from 9am to noon on Saturdays from mid-June through September. It’s held at the Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds located at 901 N. Black St. This is a great place to stock up on local hand-made souvenirs and yummy food. Explore the tents outside as well as the booths inside the pavilion. You’ll find hand-made doll clothes, jewelry, watercolor paintings, and more! Highly recommend a stop here. The freshly popped kettlecorn located near the entrance to the pavillion is a favorite!
The Bozeman Farmer’s Market
This smaller local farmer’s market is held on Tuesdays from 5-8pm from June - September at Lindley Park (900 E. Main St) near the Bozeman Public Library. You’ll find plenty to eat here from various food trucks and food stands. Per their website: “It’s a place for families and friends to gather, socialize, support local and share in a fun-filled community environment! Check out the awesome market vendors who will provide you with produce, dinner, arts and crafts.”
3. Here on A Thursday During Summer? Head To Music On Main
Bozeman’s Annual Music on Main summer concert series is held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm from June-August. Main Street is blocked off to cars from Rouse Avenue to Black Ave. Bring the kids for the “Family Zone” on South Bozeman Avenue with bounce houses, face painting, hula hooping, and more. Grab a bite to eat from a food truck, enjoy a huckleberry ice cream cone, and enjoy free live music and people watching at this fun event.
4. Go For A Soak In Natural Hot Springs
Relax in natural hot springs at Bozeman Hot Springs. Their facility features 12 different pools with temperatures ranging from 59 to 106 degrees. Keep in mind the setting is more like a pool environment rather than a trail that leads you to a natural hot spring in the wild. But rest assured that all 12 pools are naturally heated and come from an underground well. It’s fun to relax in the outdoor pools, and you can bring a lunch or snacks with you to enjoy an afternoon.
5. Visit These “Don’t Miss” Museums In Bozeman
Museum of the Rockies. Got a lover of dinosaurs in the family? Don’t miss the Museum of the Rockies. Montana is one of the best places in the world for dinosaur fossils, and the Museum of the Rockies houses the largest T-Rex skull ever discovered. It is a wonderful museum for the family, especially if you have dinosaur lovers.
Tip: If your child can’t read yet, consider the one hour tour led by a docent. It’s super informative and fun. They also offer a child-friendly, hands-on educational area and a rotating exhibit in the main exhibit hall.
In addition to the paleontology exhibition, be sure to check out their permanent exhibits covering the life of Native Americans, fur traders, gold seekers, and white settlers on the Northern Plains and Rockies.
Inside the museum, you’ll also find the Taylor Planetarium which uses a state-of-the-art projection system to explore the universe. Each show runs for approximately 30 minutes and the lineup changes daily. These free shows run at the top of the hour. Arrive 10 minutes prior for seating.
During the summer, you can visit the outdoor Living History Farm, which includes the Tinsley House, where costumed interpreters demonstrate life in a turn-of-the-century home. You can explore their garden and other assorted out-buildings as well.
Expect to spend at least 1 hour here if just visiting the dinosaur exhibits and two hours or more if exploring everything indoors and outdoors. Reserve time for the excellent gift shop as well.
Tip: Your ticket is good for admission on the day you purchase it and the next day, so you don’t have to try to cram it all in if you don’t want to. Open daily 8am-6pm; 600 W Kagy Blvd near Montana State University.
American Computer and Robotics Museum. This small museum is less than a 5 minute drive from the Museum of the Rockies. If you want a technology throwback, you should check it out. The American Computer Museum is one of a few museums of its kind in the United States and was chosen as one of the best places to visit in the state by Montana Magazine.
Our 11 year old daughter enjoyed this award-winning museum just as much as the Museum of the Rockies. It offers an excellent collection of technological innovations. You’ll enjoy seeing the Atari game system, Commodore 64 computer, and the original cell phone the size of a brick.
In addition, it houses an Apple 1 computer (donated and signed by Steve Wozniak), an Apollo Space Mission guidance computer (a fraction of the computing power of your Apple watch), an industrial robot, original American Civil War telegrams, and so much more! It’s a small museum and you could cruise through it in 30-60 minutes.
Tip: The American Robotics Museum would also be a good rainy day activity. Closed on Mondays. 2023 Stadium Drive; 1/2 mile from the Museum of the Rockies.
6. Enjoy A Local Restaurant In Bozeman
You’ll find top-notch steak houses, international cuisine, classic bistros, bakeries, pizzarias, and even a creperie. To give you an idea, here is just a small sampling of restaurants we’ve tried. Most are clustered on Main St or nearby.
For more dining options, see Visit Bozeman’s website where you can search by breweries, breakfast places, casual or fine dining, and more!
Western Cafe- A western-style diner serving a traditional breakfast and lunch. The Western has been in the Bozeman community for the better part of a century. I love the atmosphere complete with screen door! A kids menu is available as well. 443 East Main St.
JAM- Downtown’s JAM is another great breakfast stop offering a little more refined breakfast food. They don’t offer a kids menu but you can order “a la carte”. They serve breakfast all day and offer a small lunch selection of sandwiches. 25 W. Main St.
Nova Cafe- You’ll find a hearty breakfast, and it’s served all day. Kids menu as well. Tip: Our daughters go for their biscuits with gravy, french toast, or the “Mickey Cake” a pancake topped with whipped cream and all the fixin’s. We love this place.
Wild Crumb Bakery- Not located directly on Main St but convenient to downtown, Wild Crumb Bakery offers artisan bread and pastries. If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee and a huckleberry scone, this is your place. All the breads are fantastic, and their sandwiches are terrific as well. The lines out the door are testimony to the quality! 600 N. Wallace. Closed Mondays.
Also convenient to downtown, French-inspired Vienne is also a worthy stop. Love their croissants!
Montana Ale Works- Our favorite restaurant hands down with the family! Kid-friendly, great food, and an excellent beer selection. Nightly specials are hard to beat, and they offer a good kids menu too. Tip: Arrive early--it gets crowded. Expect a wait if you arrive after 6pm. Note: You can park behind the restaurant. Open for dinner only.
Whistle Pig Korean- At Whistle Pig, get the bulgogi bibimbap bowl served dolsot stye (sizzling bowl). Yummy! Note: No beer is served here and no kids menu. 25 N. Wilson (just off Main St.) Closed Sunday and Monday. Located on the western end of Main St, I-Ho’s Korean Grill is also a great stop for lunch or dinner.
Backcountry Burger Bar is a casual place right on Main St. with…wait for it… excellent burgers.
MacKinzie River Company offers a fairly extensive menu beyond pizza. Fun Western decor and my daughter loves the food.
Brigade has a terrific happy hour in a cozy space right on Main St. Can get crowded, but you can reserve tables online.
Revelry is another cozy restaurant located downtown with elevated pub fare. I like the atmosphere of Revelry, and the food and service is terrific.
Blackbird is a downtown staple for Italian dining. Always terrific!
Red Tractor Pizza- Close to downtown but not in the heart of it, this local pizza joint has a laid back vibe, tasty pizzas, and Montana beers on tap. Pizzas here can be as creative or traditional as you’d like. Takeout is an option if you prefer to enjoy it at your place. Or, look on their website to see what the live music lineup looks like. Parking available at the restaurant. 1007 W. Main St.
MAP Brewing - Overlooking “Bozeman Beach”, this is a scenic place to enjoy nice views and a cold beer. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with a kids menu. The beer is great, and the setting is spectacular, especially if you can sit at their outdoor patio. 510 Manley Dr. Open 12-8 daily. You can also bike here from Bozeman’s community of trails in the East Gallatin Recreation Area.
7. Watch the Sunset at Peets Hill
Located near Main St, Peets Hill is a convenient walk from downtown Bozeman. Have a nice dinner and walk it off at Peets Hill for an amazing sunset. It’s popular among locals as the best spot in town to get a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. You’ll see people jogging, dog walking, and enjoying the views. If you happen to be here on July 4, it’s a terrific spot to view the fireworks.
Park at the greenway parking lot at the end of E. Story Street and its intersection with Church Avenue or walk from downtown. It’s a short 50 yard walk up to the top of Peets Hill where you’ll veer right to see the best view of the sunset. It will be one of the highlights of your trip. Bring a jacket--it gets cold as the sun begins to set.
Tip: You can also access the Main Street To Mountains Trail from the Bozeman Library and walk 10 minutes along the paved path to Peets Hill (on the left). This is a nice stroll and passes through the Gallatin Art Crossing Sculpture Park. See map below.
Trail along Peets Hill
It’s about a 10 minute walk from the Bozeman Public Library to Peets Hill. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org. Annotated.
8. Go On A Local Hike In Bozeman
Trails of various levels are scattered throughout town. Bozeman itself is located in a valley, so most hikes include some fairly significant elevation change. For an easier hike with the family, I recommend Drinking Horse Mountain Trail with the fun fort at the top. Conquering the uphill trail to the iconic “M” is also worthy. If you’re not in good shape, you’ll feel it but both are relatively short hikes, and remember, it’s all downhill on the way back!
Drinking Horse Mountain
Drinking Horse Mountain Trail is a local 2.5 miles roundtrip trail located close to town, and along with the M Trail, is very popular with the locals. Everyone in the family will love this hike. It is mostly easy with some steep parts but very manageable if you take your time.
The loop trail leads to the 5,522-foot summit with 360 views of the Absaroka and Gallatin Mountain ranges. You’ll find a bit of shade on parts of the trail which is great on hot summer days. This hike has wildflowers (during June and July), great views, and a fun “fort” at the top where the kids will enjoy playing.
Tip: Offer plenty of play time for the kids at the top to enjoy the “fort” and the views.
Directions: From Main Street in downtown Bozeman, head north on North Rouse Avenue (State Route 86) and travel 4.1 miles to the access road on the right. (Don’t go all the way to the Fish Technology Center).
The Drinking Horse Trail begins directly from the parking area. The trail first crosses a 50 foot-long bridge over a beautiful creek before reaching the official trail entrance. The trail climbs a short distance to a trail junction with a sign, where right or left (steeper and more shaded) will take you to the summit.
We usually choose the easier route (going right) and hike the loop counter-clockwise. Alternatively, going left at the junction and continuing clockwise will provide for more shade for the hike but keep in mind it’s steeper. It’s up to you!
Note: Drinking Horse Mountain Trail is located across the street from the popular “M” trailhead which is just a bit further up the Bridger Canyon Road on the left.
Tip: You can also park in the Drinking Horse parking area if hiking the “M” Trail. A pedestrian tunnel leads from the Drinking Horse Trail parking lot to the M trailhead.
The M Trail
The “M” Trail is located across the street from Drinking Horse Mountain Trail. It’s a very popular hike with views and wildflowers during the summer. Bozeman’s landmark “M” was created by Montana State University students in 1915. There are two routes to the M from the trailhead.
For a steep and direct ascent, go right at the first trail junction near the beginning. It is super, super steep! For an easier and bit longer hike to the M, go left. If you are visiting from low elevation states, the routes would be considered steep and steeper! We usually go left and return the same way for just shy of 3 miles round trip.
Remember to “hike kind.” Don’t pick the wildflowers and stay on the trail.
Tip: Go early in the morning when it’s cooler.
Directions: Follow Rouse Ave. north (becomes Bridger Canyon Rd.). You’ll see a sign and parking area on the left or you can park across the street in the Drinking Horse Mountain parking lot if the M lot is full.
Sypes Canyon
Located just 15 minutes north from downtown Bozeman, Sypes Canyon Trail is a scenic 5 mile roundtrip hike with a 1561’ elevation change. It offers more shade than Drinking Horse Mountain Trail with equally fantastic views and a few creek crossings.
When you reach the top, the trail will split. Go left and you’ll find a nice log bench to rest and take in the views. Continue past the bench for an impressive field of wildflowers (in season).
Directions: From downtown Bozeman, head north on N. 7th, which turns into Frontage Rd. Turn right onto Springhill Rd., then turn right on Sypes Canyon Rd., and continue to the Y at the end of the road; bear right onto Churn Rd. and park at the signed trailhead. Note: The first parking lot you come to is overflow parking. Continue past it and take a right on Churn Rd. You’ll see the trailhead sign and the trail begins to the left of it.
Popular Hikes Near Bozeman
There are tons of trails near Bozeman to explore, but these are three of the more popular ones. Fairy Lake and Sacajawea Peak trailhead are located next to each other about an hour’s drive from downtown Bozeman, while Lava Lake is about 40 minutes.
Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake- This easy 1.2 mile loop around a picturesque alpine lake is located one hour from Bozeman. Pack a picnic and swimsuits, rent a SUP from Round House Sports and spend a hot afternoon cooling off in the frigid water.
Important Note: You have to drive 6.2 miles on a dirt road to reach the trailhead. A vehicle with higher clearance is recommended but not necessarily required. It’s slow going though, and we recommend asking a local about the road’s condition prior to going. If there’s snow melt or recent rain, you should wait for another time.
Directions: The lake is a short distance from the Fairy Lake Campground. Head north from Bozeman on Bridger Canyon Road / Hwy. 86. Veer left at the Bracket Creek Y and go up and over Battle Ridge Pass. Between mile markers 21 and 22, turn left on Fairy Lake Rd. (FSR 74). Drive to the end of the road. The road is rough and conditions vary depending on the time of year.
Sacajawea Peak
If you want a more serious hike than the Fairy Lake Trail, Sacajawea Peak is a 5.5 mile round trip (out and back) hike that also begins in the Fairy Lake Campground. Due to its elevation gain, it’s a fairly difficult hike but comes with fantastic views.
Note: The trail starts at about 7900 ft. elevation and climbs to around 9800 feet at the summit of Sacajawea Peak. Because of its elevation, snow will likely be present in early summer or late fall. Elevation gain 1900’. Bring a jacket. It’s always cold and windy at the top. Also note that it is quite exposed at the top, so avoid if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Sacajawea Peak trailhead is located at Fairy Lake. See driving directions for Fairy Lake above.
Lava Lake
Lava Lake Hike is a 4.9 mile roundtrip hike and a popular destination hike from Bozeman which is about a 40 minute drive south of Main St. It’s a nice shaded hike to a beautiful alpine lake. Elevation gain: 1643 feet, so it’s fairly difficult if you’re traveling from lower elevations. The views are great, and the trail is pleasant despite the number of people you’ll encounter.
9. Float the Madison River
Madison River Tubing on Main Street offers everything you need to enjoy a day floating down the Madison River. This is still on our bucket list as weather did not permit during our last visit. Tie your floats together and add a floating cooler. Make reservations in advance, especially if floating on a weekend.
10. Go Fly Fishing With A Guide
Montana rivers have some of the best trout fishing in the world. River’s Edge will help you find the perfect guided fly fishing adventure. Offering both 1/2 day and full day guided trips with a professional guide, gear, sack lunch, and shuttle.
11. Ski at Bridger Bowl or Big Sky Resort
If you’re visiting Bozeman in the winter, world class skiing can be found just an hour away at Big Sky Resort or locally at Bridger Bowl. For more detail, see our blogs “Family Skiing at Bozeman’s Bridger Bowl” or “Where To Stay When Skiing in Big Sky.”
12. Take A Short Road Trip
Big Sky, MT - One of our favorite places to ski, Big Sky Resort is just as wonderful in the summer. It is only a 1 hour drive south from Bozeman. You could easily spend a day there hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, and playing at Big Sky Resort. See our “Summer Fun In Big Sky” for all the details.
Yellowstone National Park- Both the Northern Entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, MT and the West Entrance to Yellowstone are less than two hours from Bozeman. Although worthy of a full multi-day exploration, you can take a day trip to Yellowstone from Bozeman. It will be a busy day but it’s doable.
We’ve made a day trip to see Old Faithful erupt and stopped at Grand Prismatic Springs on the way. Lot of time in the car wasn’t ideal for the kiddos, but it was a really fun day. If you’re up for a longer visit to explore everything Yellowstone has to offer, see our 5-day itinerary “Family Vacation To Yellowstone”.
Happy trails! Have a fantastic time in Bozeman, Montana!
More Favorite Stops In Montana
Early is the best time to start planning that summer family vacation to a national park. Get started now with these helpful tips. No, really, now, before everything is booked.