The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Attractions’ Category

18th Annual River City Roots Fest: The High Hawks to Headline Admission-Free Festival

The Missoula Downtown Association’s River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday September 6-7.... more

Unseen Missoula Expands Guided Walking Tour Offerings

New Tour Explores Downtown Missoula’s “Restricted District”... more

Things to Do in Missoula: Tourist Attractions and More

With a rich blend of outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and lively local cuisine, there's something for everyone in Missoula, MT.... more

4 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Montana

This article will provide insider knowledge that will help you prepare for your move to the Garden City or anywhere in Montana. ... more

How to Enjoy the Nightlife of Missoula

If you really want to make the most of a visit to Missoula, you will need to know how to enjoy the nightlife. Here are a few options:... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Brings Shade Structure to Caras Park

Missoula’s recently-renovated Caras Park will get a little cooler, thanks to the Missoula Downtown Foundation and its partnership with Dick Anderson Construction and the City of Missoula Parks & Recreation.... more

5 Amazing Places To Visit In Montana: A Travel Guide

If you're looking for a fantastic travel destination, look no further than Montana.... more

6 Interesting Things To Do In Missoula

Missoula is a great place to live and visit. Find out six interesting things to do while in the city. ... more

How to Holiday at Home in Missoula

Here are some of the things you could try in Missoula, but use our website to do a little searching and you'll be amazed at what you can find.... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Raises $650,000 For Caras Park Upgrades

The Missoula Downtown Foundation has raised $650,000 to help jumpstart implementation of the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan with major improvements to Caras Park.... more

The Best Things to Do around Missoula

If you’re looking for something to do around Missoula, you’re in luck. Read our blog for all the details on Missoula’s best attractions.... more

Best Entertainment Places in Missoula

There's something available for everyone when you visit Missoula! Here are just a few: ... more

Missoula’s Beloved Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series are Back!

Downtown Missoula comes to life with the 35th season of Out to Lunch on Wednesday, June 2 and the 20th season of Downtown ToNight on Thursday, June 3. ... more

MDA Commences Planning & Production of Summer Events with Cautious Optimism

The Missoula Downtown Association will plan to host a modified (i.e. limited) version of the beloved Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight Summer Series events, beginning the first week of June.... more

National Parks You Need to Visit When in Montana

If you’ve set your heart on Montana for your next trip, here are 8 national parks you absolutely need to visit during your visit. ... more

Great Activities for Students in Missoula

Planning to visit Missoula but don't know how to have fun? The city has many interesting locations. Here are great activities for students in Missoula.... more

6 Reasons to Visit a National Park

There are many great reasons why you should definitely have a national park at the top of your to-do travel list!... more

Carousel to Close for 10 Days Amid CoVid-19 Concerns

A Carousel for Missoula and Dragon Hollow will be closed for 10 days, from Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 25, as a precautionary measure for COVID-19.... more

Convenient Ways to Beat the Summer Heat

Here are a few easy ways you can beat the summer heat.... more

Top 10 Hikes Around Missoula

By JEFF JONES - An insider's perspective of the top 10 hikes in and around Missoula, Montana.... more

Memorial Rose Garden Volunteer Workday Slated for October 26

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation and the Missoula Rose Society invite residents to volunteer in the Garden, located at 800 Brooks, on Saturday, October 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.... more

Carousel Receives Generous Donation in Memory of Carver, Alex McDonald

By THERESA COX - Patricia Donlin, of Port Angeles, Washington, has given A Carousel for Missoula $1 million dollars as a memorial to her younger brother, Alex McDonald. McDonald, one of the original Carousel ca... more

Montana River Cruises: Why You Should Make it Part of Your Trip

Are you planning on making a trip to Montana? Here is why you should do it in the form of a scenic river cruises. ... more

14th Annual River City Roots Festival Begins Friday, August 23

River City Roots Festival is on Friday, August 23 featuring Honey Island Swamp Band as the headliner Friday night and Leftover Salmon will close out the festival Saturday, August 24.... more

Carousel Reopens With a Little Help From Our Friends

By THERESA COX - A Carousel for Missoula reopened on Thur., Aug. 8, following a fifteen-day closure due to a broken cylinder bearing.... more

Solution is in Sight for Carousel Closure

While it isn’t possible to run down to the carousel store to buy a cylinder bearing for a 101 year old carousel, the machinists of Missoula have proven that if they know what we need, they can make it.... more

Please Volunteer to Help Save the Dragon

Approximately one-third of that number have signed up to date. Another 1,500 volunteers are needed to turn Dragon Hollow into an all-abilities playground.... more

The Markets Are Back in Town

Clark Fork Farmer's Market, Missoula Farmers Market, Missoula People's Market is starting in Missoula in May!... more

Dragon Hollow Expansion in Need of Volunteers and Tools

A Carousel for Missoula is looking for 2,300 volunteers to help refurbish and expand Dragon Hollow Playarea. ... more

Liz Marchi: Life Interrupted

By LIZ MARCHI - As I age, I have found it very valuable to look at life’s circumstances as opportunities to learn more about this amazing journey we call life.... more

Tourism and Innovation. How Montana is Trying to Get Ahead

One of the most northerly of the U.S states, Montana is widely appreciated for its numerous outdoor opportunities, tourist attractions and local culture. ... more

Liz Marchi: Picking Raspberries

By LIZ MARCHI - The greatest reward for me in my modicum of new found patience is picking raspberries... more

Stay Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend

By JOLENE TADEJ - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to remind boaters to be safe on the water this weekend. ... more

Liz Marchi: Summer on the Ranch

By LIZ MARCHI - Life is good. Summer in Montana…like nothing else. ... more

Best Day Trips From Missoula for Nature Lovers!

Experience western Montana's  Big Sky country for a truly wild adventure, without forgetting the comfort of urban life. ... more

Make Montana Home

By LIZ MARCHI - I Made Montana Home and it’s made my life enormously rich in the things that are meaningful.  Find your meaning in Montana.... more

Death Over Dinner

By LIZ MARCHI - Death over dinner is a nonprofit with a goal of getting us to have the most important conversation we are not having, how we want to die.... more

Liz Marchi: 2018

By LIZ MARCHI - The best laugh I got from New Year’s greeting yesterday was Happy 2018, may you look 20 and feel 18.... more

Liz Marchi: The Times of Our Lives

By LIZ MARCHI - My kids get very annoyed at the time I spend on Facebook but I love being visually reminded of what I was doing 8 years ago because I DON’T REMEMBER.... more

Liz Marchi: Birthdays, Vacation and Tornadoes

By LIZ MARCHI -I will be looking for the fog to lift and the sun to warm my little Polson, Montana. May we all have that experience as our year unfolds.... more

Liz Marchi: Riding it Over the Top

By LIZ MARCHI -Riding it Over the Top for me, well this photo says it all! Happy Monday snow day in Montana!... more

Liz Marchi: 2017–It’s Here!

By LIZ MARCHI - In gratitude, I begin a New Year so thankful for the journey traveled and the road ahead. May your 2017 be rich in friends, family, health and happiness.... more

Liz Marchi: Home

By LIZ MARCHI - I don’t know if it’s the holidays, winter or age, but of late “there is no place like home.”... more

Liz Marchi: Getting Over It

By LIZ MARCHI - Aging lesson number 789, getting over it takes longer. Give yourself some space.... more

30+ Things for Kids to Do in Missoula, Montana

By LINDA McCARTHY - I am amazed at how many free and low cost things there are to do with kids in Missoula, Montana. My daughter and I compiled a list of more than 30 Things to Do With Kids in Missoula:... more

Liz Marchi: Family, Seasons and Change

By LIZ MARCHI - My husband, turned 70 a few weeks ago, at what may have been one of my top 10 parties ever.... more

Liz Marchi: Adolescence and Aging

By LIZ MARCHI - This I believe: we must keep our minds, bodies and our social connections growing even when it’s hard. That’s foundational to a life in full.... more

Liz Marchi: Comb Over

By LIZ MARCHI - I have spent the last 10 days doing something I don’t do much of, revisiting a place in time. The occasion: my 40th College Reunion.... more

Splash Montana Water Park Opens This Weekend, Opens Daily June 11

By BECKY GOODRICH - Splash Montana opens on Sat., June 4. The facility will be open Sat. and Sun., June 4 and 5 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., and will begin daily operation on Sat., June 11.... more

Carousel Birthday Party/Expansion Grand Opening Scheduled for May 28

Be a kid again, and bring the kids, when A Carousel for Missoula celebrates its 21st birthday and the Grand Opening of its new expansion this Saturday, May 28.... more