The 9 Best Science Museums in Montana, United States

January 7, 2022 Concepcion Newsome

No matter where you look in Montana, you’ll find unspoiled nature, charming small towns and relaxing hospitality. Explore Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, then hit the road to discover more natural wonders. You can hike, bike or horseback ride through rugged mountain landscapes, fly-fish blue ribbon trout streams, paddle scenic rivers and lakes, or spend winter days carving fresh powder at ski resorts — then end your day wandering a vibrant main street or relaxing in a cozy lodge.
Restaurants in Montana

1. Great Plains Dinosaur Museum

405 N 1st St E, Malta, MT 59538-8808 +1 406-654-5300 [email protected] http://www.greatplainsdinosaurs.org/
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 24 reviews

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum

Closed for the winter. During winter we are only open by special appointment for school groups or groups of 5 or more adults. Please contact us to arrange a special tour date. Regular hours resume in May. Located on US 2 in Malta the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum showcases some of Montana's best preserved dinosaurs - you will see REAL fossil remains of Hadrosaurs, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Sauropods, raptor dinosaurs, and others who once roamed the great plains of Montana. Also displayed is a stunning variety of fish, invertebrates including ammonites, lobsters, rare crabs and plants. Don't miss the fossil prep lab and unique gift store onsite. The summer season also features digs and educational programs for youth and adults. See website for dig program details and scheduling. Please email or call with any questions!

Reviewed By Montanagirl1 - Kalispell, United States

Spent 5 days doing the Montana Dinosaur Trail and while we loved them all, this one was extra Fantastic! The front desk gentleman /paleontologist (and Bobcat!!) was extra helpful explaining things to us and made it more personable. Both museums in Malta were great!

2. Mineral Museum

1300 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701-8932 +1 406-496-4414 http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/museum/museum-tours.html
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Mineral Museum

Reviewed By njmgrneyes - Roundup, United States

Free! As part of the college, it is in a great old building on top of a hill. Wonderful views of Butte. If you like gems and minerals and history, you will like this little 'gem' of a museum.

3. Museum of the Rockies

600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717-2730 +1 406-994-2251 [email protected] http://museumoftherockies.org
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,785 reviews

Museum of the Rockies

Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University is a Smithsonian Affiliate, recognized as one of the world's finest research and history museums. It is renowned for displaying an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a T. rex skeleton! MOR delights visitors with changing exhibits from around the world, permanent indoor and outdoor regional history exhibits, planetarium shows, educational programs, insightful lectures, benefit events, and a museum store. The Museum Store sells healthy snacks such as juice, yogurt, nuts, and string cheese. Snack and beverage vending machines are located in the lower lobby. There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, preserves and tells the stories of Montana and the Northern Rocky Mountains, educating visitors about the region's rich history, which includes its paleontological roots. Located at 600 West Kagy Boulevard, it was founded in 1957. Its collections focus on the physical and cultural history of the Rocky Mountains and the people and animals who have lived there, dating back more than 500 million years. The museum houses the largest collection of dinosaur remains in the United States, possessing the largest Tyrannosaurus skull ever discovered, as well as the thigh bone of a Tyrannosaurus rex that contains soft-tissue remains. The museum's collections have grown to include 300,000 objects that cover more than 500 million years of history. In 1980, the museum acquired over 10,000 photographs and negatives from the heirs of Albert, Alfred and Chris Schlechten that chronicle the Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park areas over two generations, from 1905 until the late 1970s. Other permanent exhibits include: "Enduring Peoples," which chronicles the life of Native Americans on the Northern Plains and near the Rocky Mountains; "History of the Northern Rocky Mountain Region," whose inhabitants included Native Americans, fur traders, gold seekers and white settlers from the frontier days through World War II; the Living History Farm, which includes the Tinsley House, where costumed interpreters demonstrate life in a turn-of-the-century home; and the Taylor Planetarium, a 104-seat domed theater. The 100-year-old Tinsley House is preserved as a living history museum where visitors learn about the life of the Tinsley family and others who lived at the time. The house includes a functioning outhouse, water pump and kitchen where food typical of the time is sometimes prepared. The Tinsleys migrated west during the Civil War and worked in Virginia City, Montana, then relocated to the Gallatin Valley. The house was built in 1889 and provides an overview of homestead life in the 1800s in the Gallatin Valley. The newest addition to the complex, the $4 million, 20,000-square-foot Curatorial Center for the Humanities, will provide storage and curatorial space for the museum's humanities collection, which includes art and archaeological, historic, Native American and photographic items.

4. Fort Peck Field Station

40 Dear Born Rd., Fort Peck, MT +1 406-526-3539 http://www.pecksrex.com/
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Museum holds dinosaur fossils for the state of Montana.

5. Depot Museum

25 4th Avenue NW, Rudyard, MT 59540 +1 406-355-4356 [email protected] http://centralmontana.com/listings/13711.htm
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Depot Museum

6. Montana Science Center

2744 West Main Street, Bozeman, MT 59715-4631 +1 406-522-9087 [email protected] http://montanasciencecenter.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Montana Science Center

Montana Science Center is where Science and Play connect. Families with children of all ages are welcome into the Science Center. Several science and technology based exhibits encourage interaction and hands-on exploration. Topics of exhibits include Physics, Dangerous Nature, Montana native fish, Earth in Layers, Building Brainstorm, Sun Earth Universe and more! Each area encourage collaborative play to learn about science in an engaging and fun way. Families with older kids can join us in the high-tech makerspace, STEAMlab for exploration in technology like 3D Design & Printing, Laser Cutting, Minecraft, Machine Take-Apart, Soldering, Coding and Robotics. Check our Calendar for special programs, Science Station hours and Open Lab in the STEAMlab.

Reviewed By 585laramier

I worried this may be too “young” for my daughter, but was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of activities. We had a great time in this fun, yet laid-back atmosphere that encouraged creativity at every turn. The staff was amazing and led us through all the steps to create 3-D prints.

7. Fort Peck Interpretive Center

Yellowstone Road, Fort Peck, MT 59223 +1 406-526-3493 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Charles_M_Russell/visit/visitor_activities/FPIC.html
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Fort Peck Interpretive Center

Reviewed By bauman147 - Sweetgrass, United States

Interesting place with plenty of information about the history of the dam, as well as some paleontic and prehistoric information about the area (including some dinosaur replicas), wildlife in the area and the Lewis & Clark expedition. Three films are shown (one on the building of the dam, another on the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and a third on the CM Russell Wildlife Refuge). This would be a great place to start a trip through the area, of you have never been.

8. Ravalli County Museum and Historical Society

205 Bedford St, Hamilton, MT 59840-2853 +1 406-363-3338 http://www.ravallimuseum.org
Excellent
64%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
7%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 14 reviews

Ravalli County Museum and Historical Society

Reviewed By budgersdad

This is a great little museum with a good taste of local history. It is located in the middle of the town and the farmers market is held in the same area during the summers.

9. Earth Science Museum

106 Main Street, Loma, MT +1 406-739-4357

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