Location: Butte
Top Things to do in Butte
The 5 Best Specialty Museums in Butte, Montana (MT)
Butte's gold rush past is evident in its vintage signs, historic buildings and numerous trolleys and tours devoted to the memory of mining days. Its historic landmark district boasts some of the country's best collections of Victorian architecture as well as preserved gems from the early 20th century. Beyond its history, though, Butte has a wealth of activities and attractions to offer, from outdoor adventures in the surrounding wilds to arts and culture in the city's museums and galleries.
Restaurants in Butte
1. Mineral Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By njmgrneyes - Roundup, United States
Free! As part of the college, it is in a great old building on top of a hill. Wonderful views of Butte. If you like gems and minerals and history, you will like this little 'gem' of a museum.
2. MBMG Mineral Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By woodwarda - Berea, United States
We can't say enough about what a perfect stop this was on our way through Butte this summer. My son is into mining and gemstones, so I took him here after the World Mining Museum's single small room of gemstone displays left us a little underwhelmed. This museum's displays are so much better, and it was even free! I was completely mesmerized by the gorgeous variety of rocks and minerals, and the person working in the small gift shop was very kind and informative. Even my daughter, who at first wasn't excited about checking it out, was engrossed in the displays and enjoyed the visit. It's a small and modest museum, but what they do they do impressively well, and especially given that it's free, it's definitely worth checking out.
3. World Museum of Mining
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Explore more than 50 structures, ranging from the 100 ft high headframe to the many buildings of Hell Roarin' Gulch, a turn of the century mining town. Displays and exhibits focus on mining and the related culture that made Butte, MT. The World Museum of Mining offers two mine tours. One takes you into the depths of the Orphan Girl mine and provides the history of mining, gives visitors the opportunity to see the Orphan Girl vein and is approximately 1.5 hours long. Get fitted with a miner's hard hat and lamp to experience life underground! The other tour is a Mine Yard tour. The guide walks you through the Mine Yard showing guests where miners started and ended their day. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations can be made on our website. The Museum is open seven days a week until the end of October with limited hours in November. Weather conditions may affect our ability to offer all services.
Reviewed By THINGS2LIVE4 - Rocky River, United States
You actually get to tour a mine that closed in the 1950s. This was an awesome unique industrial experience. Much of America was built by and wars were won by what was mined here. On top of the mine they built an old west town that kids would love.
4. The Mai Wah
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By jerb2014 - Bristol, United States
This museum provides a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese citizens in Butte and their contributions to the city and the prejudice they experienced. Once Butte had a very large population of ethnic Chinese but as time went on, the population dwindled. Very carefully catalogued are many objects of interest that help define the Chinese citizens, The building originally housed a general store and a noodle factory. There are hundreds of artifacts on display and some very impressive artwork. The building itself is very interesting too. The tour allows you to stepback in history and explore what it was like to have been Chinese and to have lived in this town. Senior discount available.
5. The Piccadilly Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 9 reviews
