Location: Helena
Top Things to do in Helena
10 Free Things to do in Helena That You Shouldn't Miss
Although the once glittering Last Chance Creek has long dried up, Helena's Gold Rush history is reflected in its preserved architecture, from the spires of St. Helena Cathedral and the Queen Anne style Original Governor's Mansion to the restored miner's village of Reeder's Alley and the oldest house in the city, Pioneer Cabin. For those seeking adventure, the paths of Mount Helena Park provide ample activity. Helena also offers much in the way of arts and culture with theaters and galleries.
Restaurants in Helena
1. Mount Helena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
Mountain good for hiking, biking, fishing and viewing wildlife.
Reviewed By paulapJ6772GE
Helena is the only city in the US that has a mountain top for a city park. The activities abound. (I should know—I live on the border of the park and have a ringside seat.) People walk their dogs. Trail bikers whiz by. There are hikers galore on the many trails that lead to the top of the mountain or under the wonderful rock formation. My daughter hikes up and down whenever she comes to visit. I should add that there are are variety of trails for the easy to the challenging.
2. Archie Bray Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (Bray) is a nonprofit, educational institution dedicated to the enrichment of the ceramic arts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located three miles from downtown Helena, Montana. Founded in 1951 on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company, the Bray was the first artist residency program in the United States devoted solely to ceramics. For over sixty years ceramic artists from around the world have come to the Bray to make artwork, share experiences and explore new ideas. The Bray also offers community ceramics classes for adults and children, exhibitions and special events throughout the year as well as specialized workshops in ceramics. The Bray’s facilities include year-round and seasonal artist studios, a community ceramics studio, sales gallery, rotating exhibition spaces, kiln facilities, and a retail ceramic supply business. The 26 acre grounds also display site-specific sculpture and artwork left by past resident artists.Galleries and grounds are open and free to the public throughout the year for the exhibition and sale of artwork by resident artists. The Sales Gallery is open Monday–Saturday from 10 am–5 pm and Sunday from 1–5 pm. A self-guided walking tour of the grounds is available anytime during daylight hours. Guided tours for larger groups are available by appointment. The Bray is located at 2915 Country Club Ave., just 1/3 mile West of Spring Meadow Lake.
Reviewed By GabrielleP278
This is a must visit place - contemporary ceramics with brick making history - a walking sculpture tour and a funky gallery - definitely worth a visit
3. Missouri River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
The Missouri River and the dams that form major lakes in the area provide great fishing opportunities.
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
I like the Missouri River. It is one of the biggestrive and I liked the mountains nearby while we were in a boat. I stood outside the whole time. Naturally, the Missouri River is way attractive with sunshine. This is a must see!
4. Helena National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
This forest affords easy viewing of many different types of wildlife because of its proximity to the city.
Reviewed By ChrisAmy
Was such a beautiful drive on the back 2 lane roads. Breathtaking!! Could have driven more of the roads through here.
5. MacDonald Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
A cross-country skiing trail.
Reviewed By jerb2014 - Bristol, United States
The MacDonald pass is located west of Helena and we passed through it on our way out to Missoula. It crosses the Continental Divide at an altitude of 6,312 feet and was originally a toll road operated by a Mr. MacDonald. This highway affords the traveler another view of the spectacular scenery Montana is known for: majestic mountains and beautiful plains along the way. You see so much of this beauty along the way that sometimes you have to remind yourself to slow do, top and soak it all in.
6. Holter Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Art museums come in all shapes and sizes and designs and with many different philosophies and missions. It's not always about paintings and photographs and sculpture. The Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana, which opened in 1987, offers a different but very interesting and educational point of view. And it also offers free admission to experience it all. Its mission is to display and experience contemporary art in Central Montana. But it is more than that. It is a showcase for local, regional and national artists. And it has 17,000 square feet, five exhibition galleries, an educational center, a research center and over 20 rotating exhibitions a year to tell its story to visitors. Among its current exhibits are Rivers of Flame: Montana Tributaries, a wood fire exhibition curated by Tara Wilson; Sweet Dissent, ceramic works from Shalene Valenzuela with illustrations by Courtney Blazon and Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate, a fascinating study that showcases the diverse work of 46 artists who transformed thousands of anti-Semetic and racist books into uplifting and dynamic works of art. Located at 12 East Lawrence Street, the Holter Museum of Art is well worth a visit.
7. Cathedral of St. Helena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 586 reviews
Reviewed By DukeClay - Washington, United States
As a fan of artistic stained glass, this has an amazing amount of lovely pieces through out, two tiers worth of pieces to admire. And the back story of the glass-works from Germany are part of the cities train tour, which enhances the beauty of the building. If you are fortunate, the huge bronze pipe organ may be playing as you view the bibilical artwork.
8. The Parrot Confectionery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Anne_M_081420 - South Bend, United States
Absolutely love the nostalgia of this place!! From the candy counter to the soda fountain, everything we tried was delicious. DO NOT miss out of a bowl of chili, you’ll regret it. And adding the apple cider vinegar enhances it 10x!!
9. Montana State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Reviewed By Adventure817835
We spent a good solid hour exploring this beautiful building rich in history and full of great photo ops. Free parking and meticulously landscaped grounds
10. Lewis & Clark Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Visit our Brewery & Tap Room open Sun-Wed from noon-10pm and Thurs-Sat from noon-11pm. We feature Live Music Thursday & Saturday nights and we now have a snack bar that serves artisan pizzas (made with the spent grain from our daily brews in the crust) along with beer brats made with our Scottish ale. We offer free samples of our hand-crafted beers (normally 10-12 on tap) and tours by appointment. If you are a wine lover we have 4 wines on tap and a selection of wines by the bottle as well. We also have a gift shop featuring many beer gifts such as T-shirts, Hats, Patches, Belt buckles, beer signs and much more. Also visit our art gallery featuring art for sale from local artists.
Reviewed By db4r6286 - Logansport, United States
Nice brewery with outdoor seating. We tried a flight. My two favorite was the Prickly Pear ale and the Huckleberry ale. The Scottish ale was good for a darker beer. The Oktoberfest beer was really good. I’m not much for sauerkraut but it was really good on the pizza. I love the outdoor flower planters as they used white petunias to look like foam on top the beer. Very ingenious. ????
