10 Things to do in Helena
Helena is Montana’s capital city, and it sits directly between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, making it a perfect place to stop on a trip between the parks. Founded during a 1864 gold strike along Last Chance Gulch, the “Queen City of the Rockies” pairs a historic downtown and museums with lakes, trails, and ski runs within an easy drive. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Helena, Montana, from a boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains to a soak in a nearby hot spring.
1. Last Chance Tour Train
The Last Chance Tour Train runs during the summer, offering a narrated, roughly hour-long, open-air tour through Helena’s historic downtown. As your guide shares stories from Helena’s gold rush days, you’ll cruise down the Walking Mall on Last Chance Gulch, catch a view of the Guardian of the Gulch fire tower, pass the Cathedral of St. Helena, and take a look at the Montana State Capitol! It’s one of the best ways to get a feel for Helena’s most iconic landmarks on your first day in town.
Local tip: There’s plenty of free parking at the Capitol Complex, but it’s a busy area, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Good to know: Tours run June through September and depart from the Capitol Complex at 200 N Roberts St, Helena, MT. Check seasonal tour hours, directions, and group tour options before you go.
2. Montana Heritage Center
The Montana Heritage Center is the new home of the Montana Historical Society and the state’s official history museum, located right across from the State Capitol in Helena. Best of all, admission is free! Inside this bright, modern museum, you’ll find three galleries to explore: the highly interactive Homeland Gallery (with a dedicated playroom for kiddos), the Charlie M. Russell Gallery, and the Changing Gallery, which features rotating exhibits. Whether you’re traveling with little ones, love history, or just want to learn more about the region, it’s an excellent stop. Before you go, get a sneak peek inside the Montana Heritage Center.
Local tip: Jump aboard the Last Chance Tour Train before or after your visit. Tours depart right next door, making it an easy addition to your day.
Good to know: Admission is free, and the museum is open daily, with extended hours on Thursdays. Check current museum hours, amenities, and directions before you go.
3. Montana State Capitol
Just across the street from the Montana Heritage Center, the Montana State Capitol is a must-see on any trip to Helena, and you can step inside and explore for free! Built from Montana sandstone and granite and topped with a copper dome, the Capitol was dedicated in 1902 and is still home to the state legislature and the governor’s office today. Wander the halls on your own or join a free guided tour led by the Montana Historical Society. Afterward, stretch your legs on the 1-mile trail loop around the Capitol grounds, home to an annual flower display on the front lawn.
Local tip: If you’re exploring on your own, pick up a self-guided tour booklet at the first-floor information desk inside the Capitol.
Good to know: Admission and guided tours are free, and the Capitol is open daily, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Check Capitol hours, self-guided tour info, and visitor services before you go, or see guided tour times from the Montana Historical Society.
4. Great Divide Ski Area
Great Divide Ski Area is Helena’s backyard ski hill, located right on the Continental Divide in the historic town of Marysville, about 30 miles northwest of Helena. This laid-back, community-oriented ski area has a friendly, no-frills vibe that locals love, but don’t let that fool you. There’s plenty of mountain to explore! Great Divide’s 127 trails span three peaks and three distinct valleys, covering 1,500 acres of long groomers, wide-open bowls, and perfectly spaced tree runs. You’ll find terrain for everyone from first-timers to experts.
Local tip: Night ski on Fridays! From winter break through mid-March, lifts spin until 9 pm on Fridays, so you can head up after work and ski under the lights to live music!
Good to know: The ski season typically runs from late November to early April, and operating hours change with snow conditions. Get directions and an overview of on-mountain amenities, and check current snow conditions and lift hours before you head up.
5. Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour
Just 20 miles north of Helena off I-15, the Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour takes you on a two-hour cruise through the same stretch of the Missouri River that Lewis and Clark traveled in the summer of 1805. From the open-air deck, you’ll watch 1,200-foot cliffs seem to close in around you, just as they did for Meriwether Lewis when he named the canyon.
“This evening we entered much the most remarkable cliffs that we have yet seen,” wrote Meriwether Lewis on July 19, 1805. “The towering and projecting rocks in many places seem ready to tumble on us… from the singular appearance of this place I called it the gates of the rocky mountains.”
Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bald eagles, and ospreys! The tour also passes Mann Gulch, where 13 smokejumpers lost their lives in 1949, offering a quiet moment to remember the Mann Gulch Fire.
Local tip: Same-day tickets are only sold in person, so book your tour ahead of time, especially if you’re going on a weekend!
Good to know: Tours run from late May through mid-September. Dogs aren’t allowed on the tours, but you can always launch your own boat from the marina’s public boat ramp to explore the Gates. Get directions to the marina and view on-site amenities, and check the tour schedule and book tickets before you go.
6. Canyon Ferry Lake
Canyon Ferry Lake is one of Montana’s most popular recreation areas with more than 33,000 acres of water and 76 miles of shoreline to explore, and it’s located just about 30 minutes east of Helena. Canyon Ferry offers endless opportunities for boating, camping, sightseeing, picnicking, hunting, waterskiing, nature study, swimming, and more. It’s a favorite ice fishing spot, so anglers can fish for trout, perch, and walleye year-round!
Stick around after sunset, because Canyon Ferry is a great spot for stargazing! Away from Helena’s city lights, the sky over the lake lights up with stars on a clear night. For a closer look, check out the Montana Learning Center, right on the lake’s northern shore. The Montana Learning Center has three observatories and a 32-inch telescope, and they host public stargazing nights, private star parties, kids’ camps, adult programs, and even offer telescope rentals!
Local tip: The Montana Learning Center’s public stargazing nights are only offered one weekend during each summer month, and spots fill up quickly! So book in advance if you’re planning to spend a night among the stars. If you can’t make it, there are plenty of other great places to stargaze in Southwest Montana.
Good to know: Canyon Ferry is open year-round, with boat launches, campgrounds, and day-use sites around the lake. Before you go, find directions and recreation sites at Canyon Ferry.
7. Broadwater & Boulder Hot Springs
The Helena area is home to two of the region’s natural hot springs, Broadwater Hot Springs and Boulder Hot Springs. About 10 minutes from downtown, Broadwater Hot Springs features a restaurant, live music, and indoor and outdoor pools filled with natural mineral water. Soak year-round, then head over to the sauna and steam room, or brave the cold plunge!
Just about 35 minutes south of town, Boulder Hot Springs is a historic inn that’s over 100 years old! It sits on nearly 300 peaceful acres of meadows, forests, and wetlands. Stop by to enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, or stay overnight in one of the bed-and-breakfast rooms for the perfect weekend getaway.
Local tip: Catch free live music at Broadwater most Thursday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm!
Good to know: Both hot springs are open year-round. Learn more about Broadwater Hot Springs and plan your stay at Boulder Hot Springs.
8. Mount Helena City Park
Just a mile from Helena’s historic Walking Mall, Mount Helena City Park is a local favorite for hiking and mountain biking. The summit sits at 5,468 feet, about 1,300 feet above downtown, and the views of Helena and the valley below make every step worth it! The park offers several trails, some that summit the mountain and others that connect to trails in the surrounding Helena National Forest.
Local tip: The trailhead parking lot has a kiosk with trail information and maps. Dogs are welcome on the trails, but they must be on a leash when you’re within 100 yards of the trailhead.
Good to know: The trail system at Mount Helena City Park is super interconnected, so if you take one trail up, take another down for variety! If you like to plan ahead, check out descriptions of a few of our favorite trails in the park before you go.
9. Art & Theatre
Helena is a treasure trove for art and theatre lovers, with year-round live theater, independent films, contemporary art exhibitions, and working ceramic studios, most within a few minutes of downtown. Grandstreet Theatre stages several plays and musicals each year, from a big summer musical with local and visiting performers to comedies, holiday classics, and youth productions starring students from their theatre school. The Myrna Loy is housed in a grand, Romanesque-style building that once served as the Lewis and Clark County Jail! Today, it’s a vibrant community arts center where you can grab a drink at the pub, wander the gallery, then settle into the theater for an indie film or a touring band.
Downtown, the Holter Museum of Art rotates exhibitions from local, regional, and international artists and offers programs for kids and adults. On the city’s western edge, explore the Archie Bray Foundation’s campus. Once a historic brickyard, it’s now a world-renowned ceramics institution with towering sculptures and free galleries. For a scenic drive, head southeast to Townsend and watch artists shape molten glass at Goose Bay Handblown Glass.
Local tip: Stop by Goose Bay between 10 am and 4:30 pm for the best chance to see the glassblowers at work.
Good to know: The Archie Bray campus is free to wander during daylight hours. Grab a self-guided tour map at the Gallery and Visitor Center.
10. Breweries, Distilleries & Taprooms
Helena is home to six craft breweries, with a seventh just down the road in East Helena, plus a downtown distillery, taprooms serving up Montana-brewed beers, and a wine bar on the Walking Mall.
- Lewis & Clark Brewing Company is one of of Montana’s most-awarded breweries, with Vigilante Pizza and live entertainment in the taproom.
- Blackfoot River Brewing Company has been brewing in downtown Helena since 1998, with an upstairs deck made for a cold one after a hike or bike ride.
- Ten Mile Creek Brewery is a small brewery on the Walking Mall, and in the summer, live music often plays outside.
- Copper Furrow Brewing has a spacious backyard for lingering over a pint, plus a gold-medal-winning brown ale on tap.
- Mt. Ascension Brewing is a downtown brewery serving up pub food with a rooftop patio showing off Helena’s mountain views.
- Missouri River Brewing Co. in East Helena has a full kitchen, large event space, and plenty of craft beer on tap.
- Mad Murray Brewing is a new addition to Helena’s craft beer scene, pouring Helena-brewed beer seven days a week with a patio, indoor seating, and trivia on Tuesdays.
Looking for a cocktail? Gulch Distillers pours cocktails made with their own spirits, including an award-winning fernet. Plus, it’s located downtown, making it a perfect spot to grab a drink before or after dinner!
To sample several breweries in one stop, Brothers Tapworks and Headwaters Crafthouse each pour from 40-plus taps, with plenty of Montana beer, cider, and seltzer in the rotation. More of a wine person? Settle in at The Hawthorn Bottle Shop & Tasting Room. For a deeper dive, visit the Drink It In Montana website for more information on craft beverages in the area.
Local tip: Visiting during the summer? The Montana Brewers Association’s Summer Rendezvous fills Helena’s Memorial Park with craft beer from breweries across the state.
Good to know: Most Montana breweries stop serving at 8 pm and limit each guest to 48 ounces (about three pints) per day, though some with an additional license stay open later.
More Things to Do in Helena
Staying a few days? Our 3 Days in Helena itinerary ties the city’s top attractions together into a trip that’s easy to plan and hard to forget. For even more ideas, here are a few local favorites worth working in:
- Last Chance Gulch & the Walking Mall: Stroll Helena’s historic downtown, lined with locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and breweries. In the summer, catch free Alive@Five concerts downtown! Explore Helena’s Walking Mall.
- Cathedral of St. Helena: Modeled after the Votive Church in Vienna, Austria, this Gothic cathedral features twin spires that rise 230 feet, stunning stained glass, and Carrara marble statues. Discover the story behind the Cathedral.
- Original Governor’s Mansion: Step inside this 1888 Queen Anne-style mansion on a free guided tour, offered on Saturdays, September through May. Check the Governor’s Mansion tour schedule.
- Reeder’s Alley: Wander the oldest intact piece of early Helena, a historic district that offers a glimpse into life during the gold rush. Plan a visit to Reeder’s Alley.
- Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum: Just south of Helena in Jefferson City, explore thousands of high-altitude plants, plus fairy and gnome gardens the kids will love. See Tizer Gardens hours and get directions.
- Spring Meadow Lake State Park: On Helena’s west side, this spring-fed lake is a summer favorite for swimming and fishing, with a 0.8-mile nature trail circling the water. Get the details on Spring Meadow Lake State Park.
- ExplorationWorks! & the Great Northern Carousel: Traveling with kids? Spend the afternoon at ExplorationWorks!, an interactive children’s museum, then head next door to ride one of 37 hand-carved Montana animals on the carousel and grab some ice cream! Learn more about the Great Northern Carousel.
