Location: Billings
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9 Museums in Billings That You Shouldn't Miss
Lewis & Clark, Custer, Sitting Bull and Calamity Jane may be long gone, but they are not forgotten in Billings. Museums, galleries and landmarks honoring these legendary characters from the Old West dot the city, making it a history buff's dream destination. Surrounded by six breathtaking mountain ranges, Billings also offers plenty of opportunities for fresh air recreation, including hiking, biking, golf and viewing rare Montana wildlife. Spend time at the Western Heritage Center, an interactive museum full of clothing and remarkable artifacts from the Yellowstone River Valley. In the early 1900s, the railroad brought wealth to Billings and testaments of this prosperity are still standing. Be sure to visit the regal Moss Mansion, designed by architect H.J. Hardenbergh (who also designed the Waldorf-Astoria and Plaza Hotels in New York City). In the more modern realm, MetraPark offers horse racing, rodeos, concerts, fairs and other types of entertainment everyone will enjoy. And kids of all ages will enjoy the animals and games at ZooMontana.
Restaurants in Billings
1. Yellowstone County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
The mission of the Yellowstone County Museum is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the natural history and diverse cultures of the Yellowstone Valley of Montana and the Northern Plains. We share this legacy through a full range of exhibits and educational programs for the enrichment of the cultural and intellectual life of our community.We make it our priority to keep the history personal and relatable. This history belongs to everyone and we're just the storytellers here at the Yellowstone County Museum
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Since 1956, the McCormick cabin has served as an entrance to the Yellowstone County Museum in Billings, Montana. Located at 1950 Airport Terminal Circle, across from the Billings Airport, the cabin and museum have a mission to collect, preserve, research and interpret the natural history and diverse cultures of the Yellowstone Valley of Montana and the Northern Plains. Stories of Indian nations, cattlemen and pioneers are told inside a log cabin that dates to 1893. Learn of the cultures and traditions that make the museum so unique, ranging from handcrafted saddles to rare firearms to pioneer wagons to tribal bead work. The McCormick cabin once belonged to a pioneer family of the early days of Billings. Paul McCormick built the cabin in 1893 for his family. It was a center for festive gatherings and Thanksgiving dinners, holding from 60 to 70 guests. In 1947, it was sold to the Billings YMCA, then to Socony Vacuum Oil, then to the Billings community for use as a museum. It was moved to his current location and has watched over the Yellowstone Valley since 1956. Among the exhibits are a dazzling display of authentic tribal bead work featuring designs from Sioux, Blackfoot, Northern Cheyenne and Crow tribes, beautiful examples of traditional regalia dating to the 19th century from tribes across the nation, a collection of 19th and early 20th century weaponry, including heavy artillery, military weaponry and guns from the days of Calamity Jane and Jesse James and highlights of research done in and around the Billings area of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery, which came through the Yellowstone Valley on its historic trek to the sea. Finally, see how Billings evolved from an unruly town of the wild west to a center of industry. If you are a history buff, this is truly educational.
2. Moss Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Our rooms are filled with details from a bygone era, our docents and staff excited to share history, stories, and more, and our grounds are peaceful and splendid. Every visit to the Moss Mansion holds a new treasure to discover, with interesting exhibits and special events, educational tours and volunteer projects, rental opportunities for weddings and private meetings and parties, and a lovely little gift shop!
Reviewed By Adventure476157
Walking in the front door for the first time you will wonder if you could possibly be in Billings, Montana. Exquisite craftsmanship and fascinating history. You won't be disappointed! If you are in Billings June 6th, 2020 don't miss Moss Mansion's SpringFest! Now in its 32nd year, SpringFest is an outdoor festival featuring juried arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, plus food and specialty booths. Live music, local entertainers, art and craft demonstrations, and children's activities make the day truly memorable and fun for the the entire family. It's a beautiful setting!
3. Sunrise Studio & Art Gallery
4. Yellowstone Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
This extensive permanent collection of contemporary and historic art of America's Rocky Mountain West includes more than 3,000 significant paintings and drawings including the works of cowboy illustrator Will James(1892-1942).
Reviewed By Daydream500484
The YAM is a fantastic space — the main exhibit halls and the “Visible Vault,” where you can engage with and learn more about the gallery’s archives, and their preservation and conservation efforts. The rotating galleries from their collection were dazzling — impressive contemporary regional work. (I was particularly taken by Peggy Kelley’s paintings and multimedia work by Terry Karson.) They also had an exhibition while we there by photographer Clyde Butcher. Just a gorgeous place, well worth making part of your trip to Billings.
5. Toucan Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
6. Oscar's Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
7. Western Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 79 reviews
Connect with your family as you share quality time exploring the many interactive exhibits at the Western Heritage Center - all year long! The many exhibits at the museum include both permanent and regularly changing galleries, and will allow for hours of educational fun for all ages. The Western Heritage Center is a regional museum whose collections, exhibits and programs tell the stories of life in the Yellowstone River Valley. Located in historic downtown Billings, the building that houses the Western Heritage Center is the former Parmly Billings Memorial Library, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Accredited by the American Association of Museums and an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Western Heritage Center provides both long term and changing exhibits with interactive components, as well as educational programs for visitors of all ages. The museum cares for over 16,000 artifacts and an extensive collection that illustrates and documents the history of the Yellowstone River Valley.
Reviewed By davidcV6715BY
WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER You will not build relationships, uncover opportunities or make better decisions. Only hard data will. Competitive advantage is no longer gained by filling seats, but by seeking the brightest people and having them develop the research you need to build your organization for the future. The Western Heritage Center offers the strategic tools and vision needed to optimize workforce dynamics, plan for the future, retain talent and tame the Board of Trustees. And you can do it all this with a phone call or on the internet – to the attention of Kevin Kooistra, Executive Director Ph. 406 256-6809 Ext. 127. Technology makes it so easy to advance your business interests without breaking a sweat. Your business Team and Board of Trustees are your most valuable assets. Invest wisely. The Western Heritage Center takes on the tough stuff. They’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where they are. Let’s face it they are at the top of they’re game. So when it comes to Business Historical Research needs, Kevin Kooistra and his Team of professionals can meet your most complex data research requirements. If you even think you’ll need data for improving your competitive advantage, just give Kevin K. a call and find out what the Western Heritage can do for you. Remember, we’re living at a unique time in history: seldom has a society changed so thoroughly, so rapidly. The big challenge for everyone – but especially established businesses – is to accept, rather than resist the pace of change. Only by embracing change and understanding the sequence of events can we mold our operations in a way that benefits all of us. There is a disconnect between businesses owned by different generations. Owners may look at the same events, but they both can see different things. And of course draw different conclusions. To move forward successfully is only possible if businesses have lock-solid data. The changes we’re living through right now are obliterating all of the boundaries – time, space, geography – all of which we have grown too accustomed to. In an age of sweeping transformation, the Western Heritage Center can help all businesses needing solid information to successfully adjust to change. In healthy communities of the future the old spirit of competition and “rugged individualism” – is giving way to data systems research fostered in large part by solid information brought to businesses by professionals like the Western Heritage Center. David Cunningham, Member Western Heritage Center
8. Wise Wonders Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
Wise Wonders is a children's museum located in downtown Billings. Wise Wonders is based off S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education that will help develop critical thinking, communication skills, creativity, and real-world problem solving through collaboration.
Reviewed By R154OYjenniferw
We visit Wise Wonders often and absolutely love it. The children's museum has fun hands on activities to keep all ages of kids entertained (even adults).
9. Northcutt Steele Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
