Montana Traveler™
A Guide to Helena

Montana State Capitol : Helena Restaurants : Helena Museums

In October 1935, earthquakes rocked Helena, Montana. When the shaking finally stopped, Helena had suffered over $4,000,000 in property damage, including the collapse of parts of the new high schoool and the Kessler Brewery. Industrious citizens quickly repaired the damage and luckily the city has been quiet since.

Helena, MT (pop. 29,081) is the the crown jewel of Montana, some might even say the entire Northwest. An early day gold mining town, it's now the state capital and a major tourist center. The main part of town lies at the foot of the mountains and overlooks the beautiful Helena Valley. The entire Helena Valley is rimmed by mountains on all sides.

Helena is brimming with sights and places to go. The main landmark in the city is St. Helena Cathedral. The Cathedral is a magnificent building by any standard and without doubt an inspiring place to go for worship.

The Montana state capitol building is Helena's top architectural treasure. Tours available.

The Montana Historical Society Museum is located across the street from the State Capitol building. Hundreds of exhibits tell the story early Indians, trappers, miners, and homesteaders. A real gem! A special gallery contains numerous original paintings of western art by C.M. Russell, Montana's most famous artist.

If visiting Helena, Montana in late summer, don't miss the Last Chance Community Pow-Wow. Hundreds of Indians, many in native dress, celebrate native American culture at one of America's best Pow Wows. The Helena IR publishes a community calendar listing many events in Helena.

Helena's Rocky Mountain Ice Arena offers year-round fun for the entire family. This is an classy indoor ice skating rink. Rental skates are available. Casinos and saloons get plenty of business, too. Video slot machines are common. Lottery tickets sold by the State lead to a quick buck for a few gamblers.

The most fun in Helena is found outdoors. Bordering the city on the south is the famous Mt. Helena. It's a short hike on foot to the top of Mt. Helena and every bit worth the trip. The view of the Helena Valley and the mountains to the south and west is spectacular. Even in the summer, it's usually quiet on the top of Mt. Helena, making this a place of solitude and peace. Travel tip: Comfortable shoes are a must for hiking.

The Gates of the Mountains, a few miles northeast of Helena, is another area of uncommon beauty and serenity. The Missouri River flows through an enormous gorge cut deep in the mountains. Boat trips, open to the public, follow the river as it passes though the Gates. Mountain goats are often seen high on the cliffs which border the river. Ancient Indian paintings can be seen high above the river on the walls of the canyon.

Montana mountain goat The Missouri River in this area of Montana is popular with fisherman. Many folks fish the river below Holter Dam, downstream toward the village of Craig.

Bird watchers and other naturalists visit Helena in late fall (mid-October to mid-December) to see large numbers of bald eagles at Hauser Lake east of Helena. The eagles, migrating south from Canada, stop at Hauser Lake for several days to feast on kokanee salmon. The kokanee salmon die after spawning, and the eagles take advantage of this plentiful source of food. It's a great experience to watch a bald eagle, flying high in the sky, drop down rapidly, yet gracefully, to lake level and clutch a dead salmon and then soar away. Many bald eagles rest in the trees bordering the lake, making prolonged viewing easy. Bring binoculars.

South of Helena, near the town of Boulder, is the old ghost town of Elkhorn. It's a reminder of better days gone by. Abandoned dwellings are commonplace and huge heaps of slag rock mark the site of the old mine. The bones of many miners are buried in the high alpine forest close by.

The Continental Divide is a few miles west of Helena. Along Highway 12 west of Helena is the The Prospector Shop, a place to pick up all kinds of supplies needed for prospecting. Gold mining pans, sold at the Prospector Shop, make nice souvenirs.

Lakes formed by dams on the Missouri River near Helena, Montana are popular for boating, fishing, and camping. Canyon Ferry Lake, Hauser Lake, and Holter lake offer some of Montana's best walleye fishing.

Restaurants are plentiful in Helena. An eatery called Coney Island, located downtown on Last Chance Gulch, specializes in tasty gyros and hot dogs. Those who like superior Italian cuisine and good wine dine at Lucca's on Last Chance Gulch. The Grub-Stake, a few miles north of Helena on I-15, is an interesting hang out for locals.

For a good wine selection and splendid cuisine, many dine at On Broadway near the downtown. The Silver Star Steak Company, and the Brewhouse Pub & Grille in the Great Northern Town Center, a few blocks north of the downtown area are very popular. Bert and Ernie's on Last Chance Gulch is another nice dining place and has a separate Wine Room.

Old-time Helena residents recommend the Parrot, located on Last Chance Gulch in downtown Helena. The Parrot serves chili, malts, and milk shakes, and sells many kinds of chocolates and caramels. A neat spot if you have a sweet tooth.

Shoppers enjoy shopping at Capital Hill Mall in Helena. Located just off I-15 on the main street going into downtown Helena. The mall has a Dillard's department store, JC Penney, and numerous specialty shops. Be sure to stop at the Montana Gift Gallery, a few blocks west of the mall on 11th Avenue, for neat Montana stuff. For general information about Helena, try the Helena General Store.

For Helena, Montana lodging, the Holiday Inn Downtown, on Last Chance Gulch, is the best. The inn has an extra nice dining area, with an adjoining bar. Ask for a room on the top floor for an awesome view of the city and the mountains. Many other restaurants and entertainment are within walking distance. Another good choice is the Great Northern Best Western Hotel.

Helena is more than a one day town. There's just too much to do and see. Helena, a city with culture and charm. A favorite destination for all!

Outdoors FUN near Helena, MT

Fishing:

E.W. Watson & Sons Outfitting, Inc., Townsend, 406-266-3741.

Deep Creek Outfitters, Ulm, 406-866-3313.

Lewis & Clark Expeditions, Helena, 406-449-4632.

Big Sky Expeditions, Helena, 800-446-9589.

Missouri River Lodge, Wolf Creek, 406-468-2224.

Hunting:

Avalanche Basin Outfitters, White Sulphur Springs, 406-547-3962.

Dude Ranches:

Flynn Ranch Vacations, Townsend, 406-266-3534.