Family-Friendly Things to do This Spring Break
So you want to come to Southwest Montana for spring break? Or maybe you’re local looking for a fun staycation. Either way, Southwest Montana is a great place to spend spring break with kids. There are so many different things to do, suited to a wide range of ages, so you can plan a trip that’s fun and doable without overthinking it. Plus, it’s the perfect time of year to visit. Spring break is usually much less crowded than peak-summer, and it’s just starting to warm up.
If you’re visiting from outside the region, it helps to know that spring can bring a mix of weather. While it is warming up, you can expect some variability, everything from sunshine, rain, wind, and even fresh snow are possible. So it helps to pack layers and plan for indoor activities!
Things to do Outside During Spring Break
Getting outside is the best way to make spring break feel like a true reset. Keep a few indoor options in your back pocket (we’ll get to those next) if the forecast isn’t looking so friendly, but you can start here if the weather is cooperating.
Spring Skiing
Spring Skiing Weather permitting, all four of the ski resorts in the region stay open until late March or early April. Spring skiing is its own kind of magic, soft snow, lots of sunshine, and that end of season energy where everyone’s excited to be out. You’ll spot skiers in t-shirts, bright layers, glittered cheeks, and plenty of high-fives in the lift line. It’s also a great time to send the kids (or adults!) to ski school! Lessons are often less crowded, and the warm days make skiing or snowboarding for the first time that much more enjoyable.
Hiking
Spring break hiking here is best kept short and flexible, sticking to flat, kid friendly routes. Any of Helena’s South Hills trails would be perfect, so would Spring Meadow Lake State Park, with less elevation gain than the South Hills. In Butte, Thompson Park is a great place to stretch your legs, and with over 25 miles of trails, it’ll be easy to pick one that best suits your group. In Dillon, the Blacktail Meadows Trail is a short, flat walk for kids, or head over to Bannack State Park, for a ghost town adventure with easy walking trails.
Scenic Drives
If the forecast is mixed, a scenic drive is the easiest way to explore Southwest Montana without committing to a long outdoor adventure. You still get big views and fresh air, with the option to hop out for quick overlooks, a short walk, or a snack stop in town. A few family friendly drive ideas:
- Helena → Canyon Ferry Reservoir → Townsend → Helena. This big-sky views with easy pull-offs and picnic areas.
- Anaconda → Georgetown Lake → Philipsburg → Deer Lodge → Anaconda. A great loop for mountain scenery and quick stretch breaks, and you might even spot some wildlife!
- Dillon → Bannack → Wisdom → Wise River → Bannack. An easy day trip that doubles as a ghost town adventure!
Hot Springs
If you need to plan for one activity that works no matter what the weather brings, make it a visit to a hot springs. You don’t need perfect conditions to enjoy the experience. The mineral-rich water will keep you warm in indoor or outdoor pools just the same! And with many hot springs scattered throughout the region, you’re sure to find one that isn’t too far away!
Things to do Indoors During Spring Break
It’s a good idea to plan some activities that are completely weatherproof, so you’ll be set no matter the weather. Thankfully, Southwest Montana has plenty of family friendly things to do inside.
Museum Visit
Check out one of the museums in the region. The Montana Heritage Center is especially good for families, it has free admission, interactive exhibits, and a kids play area. Or, check out ExplorationWorks! an interactive children’s museum. The Mineral Museum in Butte is also a favorite during the spring. These recommendations are by no means an exhaustive list, and there’s a different museum in each corner of the region, so be sure to check out the region’s full list of museums, here.
Trampoline Park or Bowling
These options are super reliable backup plans, they’re active, indoors, and completely weather-proof. In Helena, check out Flying Giant Adventure Park with trampolines, climbing walls, and a ropes course, then head next door to Sleeping Giant Lanes for bowling. In Butte, Star Lanes Bowling Center is an easy go-to when everyone needs to burn off some energy.
Fish Hatchery
The Washoe Park Trout Hatchery in Anaconda and the Ennis National Fish Hatchery are both easy, family-friendly options. Kids love seeing trout up close, and parents love that it’s educational and entertaining. Plus, these stops are easy to pair with a scenic drive, a lunch stop in town, or even fishing later in the day.
Catch a Show at a Theater
A classic backup plan, for a reason. A movie is the easiest crowd-pleaser when kids need downtime, while a live performance can be a surprisingly memorable outing, especially for older kids and teens. In Helena, catch a new release at Cinemark (with matinees for younger kids), or plan a night at Grandstreet Theatre which puts on eight live productions each year. In Butte, the Mother Lode and Covellite Theatre’s host a mix of movies, music, and live performances, so it’s worth checking what’s on while you’re in town. You can also catch live performances and silver screen favorites at the Star Theatre in Whitehall. And in Dillon, you can always sneak inside Big Sky Cinema to warm up, eat some popcorn, and enjoy a movie on the big screen.
There Are So Many Places to Watch a Show Here! 10 Places to See a Live Performance in Southwest Montana
Tips for an Easy Spring Break
- Pack for all four seasons. Layers, a hat, gloves, and a lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker go a long way in early spring! And be sure to pack appropriate footwear if you’re heading outdoors, closed-toed, waterproof shoes are the best.
- Keep drive times short between big activities. Build your day around one main outing, and schedule in some quick stops before and after.
- Book what sells out! If you want ski lessons, specific lodging, a tour or a performance, when possible, book those in advance.
- Have indoor backups ready. Museums, fish hatcheries, bowling, or a movie matinee can save the day when everyone’s cold or tired.
A trip in Southwest Montana doesn’t need a packed itinerary to feel memorable, so give yourself permission to slow down this spring break. Stroll small-town main streets for coffee and local shops, spend the extra couple of minutes lingering at a museum, and always take the scenic route between stops—you never know what might become the highlight of the trip.
