This Mountain Destination in Montana Is the Gateway to the Oldest Nati…

As the official gateway to Yellowstone Country, Bozeman is known for diverse wildlife and geological wonders you won’t find anywhere else. Millions visit Yellowstone National Park every year, but the town of Bozeman is also a vibrant community worth taking the time to explore.

No, it’s not exactly the sprawling hub suggested by its tongue-in-cheek nickname, “Boze Angeles.” That’s just the locals having fun—something they’re prone to do. But for a city of under 60,000 year-round residents, this place punches well above its weight class. In fact, you can spend a full week here with nary a dull moment. 

To underscore that point, we asked a few residents to reveal their favorite parts about living in Bozeman. From the best restaurants and favorite bars to can’t-miss hikes and hideaways, these insider tips form the perfect travel guide on how to visit Bozeman, Montana.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman

If you’re seeking traditional upscale amenities in an unbeatable location, the Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman is the place to book. The historic nine-story building was repurposed as a hotel, so it boasts modern rooms and hip common spaces—including a whiskey lounge and heated rooftop pool—all beyond an alluring art deco facade.

The Lark Bozeman

This Main Street standout boasts a midcentury modern throwback vibe on the outside and a boutique-like warmth on the inside. Rooms are spacious and feature decor designed to evoke a sense of outdoor adventure. The exterior patio—complete with a wood-burning stove—is an ideal vantage point for watching street life stroll by, craft brew in hand.

C’mon Inn Hotel & Suites

A few miles beyond Main Street, C’mon Inn Hotel & Suites is an optimal option when you have a family in tow. The rooms are big, plus there’s an indoor swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness center. And most importantly, it’s all rendered in a western motif, not unlike an oversized cabin in the woods. Aesthetically, it’s exactly what many travelers expect from this part of the country. 

RSVP Hotel

Formerly known as the Rainbow Motel, this refurbished midcentury motel just outside the city center is perhaps the most charming boutique overnight in all of Bozeman. The lobby is bright and full of floral flourishes, and the rooms are elegantly appointed and covered in forest-patterned wall prints. 

Lone Mountain Ranch

To be clear, this 148-acre luxury ranch and homestead is located in Big Sky, not Bozeman. But the unforgettable sense of escape it provides is well worth enduring the hour-long drive down stunning Gallatin Canyon to get here. Sleep in one of the over two dozen stand-alone cabins and enjoy the natural soundtrack of the flowing river. Come in the summer and navigate Big Sky by horseback. Or, explore in the winter for world-class skiing and tours on a horse-drawn sleigh. You won’t mind the cold, thanks to heated bathroom floors and thermoses of piping hot coffee delivered directly to your door each morning. 

Best Things to Do

Go for a hike.

Warm up for hiking in Yellowstone with one of Bozeman’s 80 miles of trails. “My favorite hikes are Drinking Horse and Triple Tree,” says Morena Garcia, an avid hiker and founder of Fly Free Jewelry, a couple of miles west of downtown. “You can get to these trailheads from the heart of Bozeman in about 10 minutes or so. And it takes just a few steps from the car to be completely encompassed by nature.” Family-friendly hikes can be found throughout Hyalite Canyon, a recreation area just south of town. The Palisades and Grotto Falls are two great examples. 

Check out the farmers market.

“As an independent artist, I have to stump for the farmers market and art walks,” says Garcia. The market runs on Tuesday evenings in the summer from June to September. “Here, you get to see where Bozeman’s agricultural heritage is and meet real people who are taking inspiration from the wild parts of this place. It’s also where you really get a sense of our close-knit community. For a decade, my next-door neighbor at the farmers’ market was my kindergarten librarian.”

Explore the Museum of the Rockies.

History buffs, rejoice. At the Museum of the Rockies, you’ll find the best historical exhibits of Yellowstone, the world’s oldest national park, founded in 1872. But that’s not all—this family-friendly destination is home to one of the country’s largest dinosaur exhibits, second only to the Smithsonian. It also holds a planetarium, making it a worthwhile stop for aspiring archaeologists and astronomers alike.

Stop and smell the flowers.

“Gardening is huge in Bozeman,” says Chanell Oliver, a longtime local and employee at Lone Mountain Ranch. “I believe it’s because we spend so many months cloaked in white, we are excited to see new life at the first sight of spring. So, we have a few places like 4 Daughters Farm, where you can pick your own flowers…I usually spend my Saturday mornings stocking up at the farmers market, then grilling steaks from Lone Peak Provisions later that evening with friends. The summer days are long here, with the sun setting around 10 p.m., so we usually make the best of it.”

Best Restaurants

Blackbird

Wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, and an array of fun wines by the glass and bottle—this Main Street hot spot is a hip and urban eatery. “Plus, the way Blackbird treats its staff—and the way its staff treat its customers—is another shining reason to love it,” adds Gomez.

Plonk

Another Montana original with a decidedly coastal California feel, Plonk is a wine bar that also specializes in creative cocktails and unexpected small plates such as beef tongue pastrami sliders and Korean fried poussin. Enter from 3 to 5 p.m. on any given afternoon to take advantage of the happy hour menu.

The Coffee Pot

“This is a must-stop for great coffee and homemade pastries,” says Oliver. “You cannot leave Bozeman without having the cinnamon roll at The Coffee Pot. The family-owned place is conveniently located on the way down to Big Sky. I stop there every time I’m headed up or down the canyon. It’s also wonderful in the winter—super cozy with a gigantic fireplace. I know many families who never miss a Saturday morning there. Not to mention, it’s a perfect spot to carb up before snowshoeing up Hyalite Canyon.”

Fink’s

This family-owned deli in the Historic District is a favorite lunch stop for locals. “They serve a turkey sandwich dressed with garlic basil aioli and pickled onions that’s probably responsible for 50 percent of their revenue because it’s addictive,” says Gomez. “I’m getting hungry just talking about it.”

Map Brewing Company

“There’s certainly no shortage of craft breweries in Bozeman, but Map is a cut above the rest,” claims Gomez. “Not only are the beers the best in town, but it’s in a beautiful location and has the tastiest bar food around. It’s my favorite spot after a day of skiing. They’re also big contributors to the community in many different ways, from donations to support.”

Best Time to Visit

Bozeman enjoys two separate high seasons throughout the year: January to April is the peak season for winter sports like skiing, while June to September is the ideal time for summer activities like hiking in Yellowstone National Park. The weather during the fall shoulder season is more temperamental, but you can typically find cheaper hotel rates between October and early December. May is also a great month to visit because crowds tend to be much smaller, and the warmer weather is just getting started.

How to Get There

The best way to get to Bozeman is to fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, approximately 10 miles north of downtown. It services plenty of routes across the continental U.S., with as many as 30 flights per day. If you’re a cross-country road tripper, you’ll be heartened to know the city exists directly off Interstate 90, the nation’s longest east–west thoroughfare. 

How to Get Around

Renting a car in Bozeman will make everything easier, but there is an alternative if you’re hoping to reduce your carbon footprint. The Streamline Bus is a free service that provides public transportation along five service lines in the greater Gallatin Valley.