Home to more than 66,000 warm and friendly people, Missoula, a city in Montana, is the place to visit this May. Surrounded by the magnificent Rocky Mountains, Missoula started off as nothing but a simple small trading post and eventually evolved into one of the biggest cities of the state and a place to visit, relax, and enjoy your time.
There are 60,000 acres of wilderness, where three rivers meet, this city is filled with activities perfect for a romantic trip, solo trip, and family vacation. It sits high up in the Rockies, nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. The month of May is when spring starts to appear where cold weather starts to dissipate and warm inviting weather starts to bloom. It is deep in history, filled with escapade and great outdoors.
If this intro hasn’t been effective in inviting you to spend some time here for vacation, then here are some things to do in the wonderful city of Missoula.
Spend a Day in Missoula Farmer’s Market
Visiting a market is the best way to gauge the atmosphere of a particular place, thankfully, Missoula has a Farmer’s Market waiting for you to enjoy. With over 100 vendors waiting to offer you their best local, fresh produce, the market itself is an experience you would not want to miss. From jams, syrups, jellies, baked goods, honey, flowers, vegetables, fresh and dried fruits; they got you covered.
If you are fond of people watching, then the Missoula Farmer’s Market is a place to be. Local people convene here, where they meet up with their friends, drink a cup of coffee, chat, and listen to live street musicians. It is always lively, and never boring.
Missoula Art Museum
Located in an old Carnegie Library building, walking distance from the downtown, Missoula Art Museum is a must-visit. It offers different art classes, amazing workshops and holds international events and exhibits, making your time well-spent. The admission is free, so I do not see any particular reason why not spent some time here. The museum curator holds a great emphasis on Montana artists and holds a great assembly. The best highlight of the museum is its Contemporary American Indian Art Collection, a collection of more than 100 pieces of artwork by the local indigenous people.
Mount Sentinel
As Hollywood has its iconic sign overlooking their neighborhood, Missoula has a big white letter M on the west-facing slope of Mount Sentinel. Mount Sentinel is a local favorite that allows its energetic visitors a bird’s eye view in all of the city’s valley and surrounding mountain range. The M is placed in honor of the University of Montana which is located on the foot of the mountain.
If you are looking for a great place to hike, look no further than Sentinel. It is perfect for beginners, yet offers an astounding view.
The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
Abundant with the gift from Mother Nature, from magnificent waterfalls, around thirty lakes, and numerous streams; no wonder wildlife is flourishing here. If you have a sharp-eye, you can easily spot bighorn sheep, caribou, fox, gray wolves, deer, and even black bears.
The area is popular not just because of its natural beauty, but because it offers a lot of outdoor activities. In here, you can go fishing and find an abundant of trout in streams, lakes, and ponds surrounding it. You can also do horseback riding with its equestrian routes, and the bike your way around its mountain trails.
Caras Park and Carousel for Missoula
Located just between the city’s downtown and Clark Fork River, Caras Park is a community place perfect for family bonding. It is an outdoor space that often becomes a place for hundreds of events set each year. With two large pavilions, it can hold crowds of fun-loving people, perfect for a festive celebration. Adjacent to it is wonderland for kids, A Carousel For Missoula, adored by 38 ponies, two chariots, 14 gargoyles, placed in a building that looks like a jewel box. This is where kids will surely enjoy their time.