Top 9 Things to Do in Helena, Montana
Between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, you will find Helena which is Montana’s capital city. During the gold rush era, this city was established in 1864. Now it combines between history and modernism giving its visitors a great Old West experience. Let’s find out the top things to do and top places to visit in Helena, Montana.
1. Montana State Capitol:
This is built in a Greek neoclassical style with all its local sandstone and granite. Copper covers its dome and it has a statue that is called Lady Liberty. During your tour, you will discover the architecture, the art and the history of these amazing buildings. At the center, you will find a large rotunda with 4 circular paintings which were commissioned in 1902. These paintings will show you the 4 prominent archetypes that present in Montana at this era.
2. Montana Historical Society Museum:
Montana has a rich history and this museum collects a huge number of ethnological, archaeological and historical artifacts of this history with over 50,000 artifacts. The American Association of Museums honored it.
6,000 artifacts of the whole collection belong to the Native Americans. You will be surprised of the capability of this museum to preserve history.
3. Cathedral of St. Helena:
Cathedral of St. Helena is a breathtaking building. It was established in 1924. The generous patronage of the local philanthropist Thomas Cruse commissions the building that was built in the Gothic architectural style. Over the past years, the Cathedral of St. Helena was rebuilt and renovated.
The Building has some beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were installed by F. X. Zettler Firm of Munich, Bavaria and they tell story of Adam and Eve. Everything in this building will impress you so you should pay it a visit while you are in Helena, MT.
4. Mount Helena City Park:
About more than 5,468 feet above sea level, you will find Mount Helena City Park. The place is impressive especially with its well-designed trails. The Prairie Trail is so popular and stunning with its beautiful wildflowers that creates amazing sceneries of cliffs and slopes along the pathway. You will also find the 1906 Trail which hugs the limestone cliff; it is the easiest route in the park so it is advisable to take it.
Also, there is the Backside Trail which opens to grassy woodland of ponderosa pine and the Hogback Trail which is kind of rocky and rough. The most challenging trail is the Prospector Shafts Trail but you will enjoy some incredible, panoramic scenery when you take it.
5. Helena Historic District:
During the gold age, Helena Historic District was established in the Last Chance Gulch. Let me tell you the story of this place. Some miners were so disappointed that they didn’t find any gold so they tried to search for gold at this gulch and they were finally successful and found gold. After that, a lot of miners started working there and they named the place Last Chance for this story.
Take a tour there and explore the area. Visit the Pioneer Cabin and the Caretaker House which is the oldest home in the whole city of Helena. Also visit Reeder’s Alley, Yee Wau Cabin, Colwell Building, and California Wine House and enjoy their history.
6. Holter Museum of Art:
Have you seen a museum that considers art is not just for display? Holter Museum of Art believes that art should be created, taught, preserved and displayed. The community surrounding the museum is unique so the museum honors this and displays some contemporary regional artworks.
The permanent collection exhibits work on themes. Collections like winter and prints by artists such as Jaune Quick-to-See Smith highlight the cultural diversity.
Also, the museum has a store that sells unique handmade gifts by local artists. You will be impressed if you visited this place.
7. Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts:
It is located against the backdrop of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts was founded in 1951. The historic building was built by brick maker Archie Bray who meant it to be as a place that stimulates the artistic and creative work in ceramics. Several ceramic artists were have been attracted by the scene setting of an old brick factory against the mountains. Those artists come to the Bray to explore new ideas and share their artistic experiences.
Val Cushing, Andrea Gill and Tre Arenz are famous the most famous ceramists among the 600 ceramic artists that have visited this place from all over the world.
8. Helena National Forest:
Over almost a million acres of distinctive terrain, the Helena National Forest is located. 80 miles of the forest is covered by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and it is extended from Scapegoat to Deer-lodge National Forest.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is rich in mining history so the whole forest existence is because of this region. When you visit it, you will find the scenic rugged limestone canyons at the Big Belt Mountain Range.
Hiking, riding horses, skiing and riding the snowmobile are so popular sports there in winter. Also, you can have a nice picnic there as there are some picnic areas and campgrounds there. You can also spend a night there as the adventurous can rent rustic cabins.
9. Last Chance Ranch, Helena, Montana:
This private property lies on about 80 acres of lush forests. There are a lot of activities waiting for you there like Bird watching, photography, hiking along the historic 1870 route and discovering the charming beaver ponds and the panoramic views.
The place will take you back throughout history through the Wagon ride dinners through the forest. You will have your dinner on a horse-drawn wagon on the road to the Moose Mountain; it is always a memorable evening.
You can also enjoy live western music by feasting on a gourmet meal around the campfire. There are also some modern rooms on rental at the lodge.
1. Montana State Capitol:
This is built in a Greek neoclassical style with all its local sandstone and granite. Copper covers its dome and it has a statue that is called Lady Liberty. During your tour, you will discover the architecture, the art and the history of these amazing buildings. At the center, you will find a large rotunda with 4 circular paintings which were commissioned in 1902. These paintings will show you the 4 prominent archetypes that present in Montana at this era.
2. Montana Historical Society Museum:
Montana has a rich history and this museum collects a huge number of ethnological, archaeological and historical artifacts of this history with over 50,000 artifacts. The American Association of Museums honored it.
6,000 artifacts of the whole collection belong to the Native Americans. You will be surprised of the capability of this museum to preserve history.
3. Cathedral of St. Helena:
Cathedral of St. Helena is a breathtaking building. It was established in 1924. The generous patronage of the local philanthropist Thomas Cruse commissions the building that was built in the Gothic architectural style. Over the past years, the Cathedral of St. Helena was rebuilt and renovated.
The Building has some beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were installed by F. X. Zettler Firm of Munich, Bavaria and they tell story of Adam and Eve. Everything in this building will impress you so you should pay it a visit while you are in Helena, MT.
4. Mount Helena City Park:
About more than 5,468 feet above sea level, you will find Mount Helena City Park. The place is impressive especially with its well-designed trails. The Prairie Trail is so popular and stunning with its beautiful wildflowers that creates amazing sceneries of cliffs and slopes along the pathway. You will also find the 1906 Trail which hugs the limestone cliff; it is the easiest route in the park so it is advisable to take it.
Also, there is the Backside Trail which opens to grassy woodland of ponderosa pine and the Hogback Trail which is kind of rocky and rough. The most challenging trail is the Prospector Shafts Trail but you will enjoy some incredible, panoramic scenery when you take it.
5. Helena Historic District:
During the gold age, Helena Historic District was established in the Last Chance Gulch. Let me tell you the story of this place. Some miners were so disappointed that they didn’t find any gold so they tried to search for gold at this gulch and they were finally successful and found gold. After that, a lot of miners started working there and they named the place Last Chance for this story.
Take a tour there and explore the area. Visit the Pioneer Cabin and the Caretaker House which is the oldest home in the whole city of Helena. Also visit Reeder’s Alley, Yee Wau Cabin, Colwell Building, and California Wine House and enjoy their history.
6. Holter Museum of Art:
Have you seen a museum that considers art is not just for display? Holter Museum of Art believes that art should be created, taught, preserved and displayed. The community surrounding the museum is unique so the museum honors this and displays some contemporary regional artworks.
The permanent collection exhibits work on themes. Collections like winter and prints by artists such as Jaune Quick-to-See Smith highlight the cultural diversity.
Also, the museum has a store that sells unique handmade gifts by local artists. You will be impressed if you visited this place.
7. Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts:
It is located against the backdrop of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts was founded in 1951. The historic building was built by brick maker Archie Bray who meant it to be as a place that stimulates the artistic and creative work in ceramics. Several ceramic artists were have been attracted by the scene setting of an old brick factory against the mountains. Those artists come to the Bray to explore new ideas and share their artistic experiences.
Val Cushing, Andrea Gill and Tre Arenz are famous the most famous ceramists among the 600 ceramic artists that have visited this place from all over the world.
8. Helena National Forest:
Over almost a million acres of distinctive terrain, the Helena National Forest is located. 80 miles of the forest is covered by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and it is extended from Scapegoat to Deer-lodge National Forest.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is rich in mining history so the whole forest existence is because of this region. When you visit it, you will find the scenic rugged limestone canyons at the Big Belt Mountain Range.
Hiking, riding horses, skiing and riding the snowmobile are so popular sports there in winter. Also, you can have a nice picnic there as there are some picnic areas and campgrounds there. You can also spend a night there as the adventurous can rent rustic cabins.
9. Last Chance Ranch, Helena, Montana:
This private property lies on about 80 acres of lush forests. There are a lot of activities waiting for you there like Bird watching, photography, hiking along the historic 1870 route and discovering the charming beaver ponds and the panoramic views.
The place will take you back throughout history through the Wagon ride dinners through the forest. You will have your dinner on a horse-drawn wagon on the road to the Moose Mountain; it is always a memorable evening.
You can also enjoy live western music by feasting on a gourmet meal around the campfire. There are also some modern rooms on rental at the lodge.