When I first arrived in the little city of Helena, Montana, I fell in love with the cozy little downtown filled with wonderful local shops and businesses, murals, and a beautiful view of the Cathedral and Mt. Helena.
As a long-time Helena local I would like to provide you with my compilation of must-see places while in town!
Top favorite coffee shops:
Montana has some long and chilly winters, so grabbing a nice hot cup of coffee while here is necessary! Here are my top favorites.
1. General Mercantile:
I have tried numerous coffee shops all over the world and this is my absolute favorite. It looks like a wood cabin on the inside and has so many interesting trinkets to browse through while waiting for your coffee. I notice something new and interesting every time I go including live coy fish! They have an amazing selection of the tastiest teas and coffee. This coffee shop has a relaxed feel to it and is the perfect spot to hang out for a while and socialize. They also have cards and board games you can play!
2. Fire Tower Coffee:
This is another great coffee spot with many cozy couches and interesting decor on the inside. It’s a great place to hang out while journaling and enjoying some delicious coffee. They also offer some amazing food choices and board games you can play while you socialize!
3. The Red Atlas:
This coffee shop is hidden behind another amazing place I will go into detail on later (The Staggering Ox). Here you will find some of the most interesting art on the inside that will inspire anyone while sitting in a relaxed environment with a cool fish aquarium! They also have live music here on certain nights. Wonderful coffee and atmosphere.
4. Florence Coffee:
If you are on the go but still looking for an amazing cup of coffee- Florence Coffee is the best! Their lines can get long but there are several locations in town to choose from and its well worth it!
Top Favorite Restaurants:
When you come to a place like Montana, expect to get a lot of restaurants serving all American types of food. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Staggering Ox:
By far the most unique sandwich place that I have ever been to. The decor and artwork inside are a must-see! These very tasty sandwiches are uniquely shaped like a cup with meat, lettuce, and tomatoes rolled up on the inside which is so helpful for preventing a mess. If you are looking for an eccentric lunch destination, this is your place!
2. Steve’s Cafe:
This is the perfect breakfast diner one would expect to see in a Montana town. They offer a vast menu of your typical delicious brunch items and nice large portions that leave you very satisfied when you are done and pricing is very affordable.
Top things to do:
1. Hike to the top of Mt. Helena:
Mt. Helena is located near the downtown area. There are numerous hikes that you can take to the top. This is a great way to see amazing views of the entire city, to experience the beauty of nature and get some clean fresh pine smelling air!
2. Walk around the downtown:
After your hike, you could easily walk around the downtown area, and visit the library and the many breweries. There are so many murals to enjoy while you explore.
Check out Reeder’s Alley while you walk! I quaint little village with a brick road.
Many different events go on here depending upon the time you are visiting. Don’t miss the Downtown Farmers Market that runs from April to October.
If you are here on a Wednesday, check out Alive at Five for some live music and tasty food trucks!
If you enjoy chess there is a large chess set right outside of the business Martin’s Wines in the downtown area. So much fun to play!
3. Broadwater Hot Springs:
This place provides an amazing experience, especially in the chillier months to relax in the nice hot pools while enjoying a drink. They also have a restaurant with food options to choose from. It is best to go at night as it is really pretty to see all of the lights they decorate the outside area with while in the hot spring.
4. Myrna Loy Theater:
Check out the Myrna Loy Theater for amazing shows and plays. The architecture of this historical building is a delight to see!
Summary
Helena, Montana is a cozy little town full of so many unique local businesses, lovely hikes, events and farmers markets. Please note this list is not all-encompassing, these are just my favorites that come to mind. If you have any questions about other places you are looking to go feel free to reach out to me! Also, note I am not getting any payment or benefits from mentioning these local businesses. They are just my favorites and are quite worthy of being on my list. Let me know in the comments if you tried any of the places listed above or found a favorite of your own!