Location: Deer Lodge
Top Things to do in Deer Lodge
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What to do and see in Deer Lodge, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Deer Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States. The population was 3,111 at the 2010 census. The city is perhaps best known as the home of the Montana State Prison, a major local employer. The Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, and former state tuberculosis sanitarium in nearby Galen are the result of the power the western part of the state held over Montana at statehood due to the copper and mineral wealth in that area. Deer Lodge was also once an important railroad town, serving as a division headquarters for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road") before the railroad's local abandonment in 1980.
Restaurants in Deer Lodge
1. Grant-Kohrs Ranch - National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Wide open spaces, the hard-working cowboy, his spirited cow pony, and vast herds of cattle are among the strongest symbols of the American West. Once the headquarters of a 10 million acre cattle empire, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site preserves these symbols and commemorates the role of cattlemen in American history.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, TN
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is a working ranch maintained by the National Park Service. Arriving at opening time, we obtained tour tickets for the house and the archives. A park ranger gladly showed us the modern archives facility. We walked the path past the teepee area and under the railroad tracks to the farm house and outbuildings. An excellent guide told us the stories of the ranch and its owners as we toured the house. One of the best views of the day was standing on the back porch of the house looking at the back yard and the distant landscape. We wandered the grounds, watched demonstrations, sampled the cowboy coffee, and talked with the staff.
Everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful from the visitor center to the archives to the house to the demonstration area. Visitors will easily spend 2 – 4 hours at the ranch depending on chosen activities from those offered for the day; we spent 3 hours. The ranch is a great experience if you have time and inclination.
2. Old Montana Prison Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
The Old Montana Prison Complex consists of 5 museums and is open Daily throughout the year. We have the Old Prison, Montana Auto Museum, Frontier Montana (Western History, WWII Exhibit), Yesterday's Playthings (Model Trains, dolls and toys) and Powell County Museum (local history, wood carving and mining). Other attractions include a Milwaukee Road exhibits (including 2 locomotive engines and a caboose), Cottonwood City ( a recreation of a small pioneer town), plus an Art Gallery and other historic buildings. Check in at our Visitors Center. One ticket covers all Museums.
Reviewed By harryatkck - Kansas City, Kansas
One low admission price gives you entry to 5 very interesting museums. The first is the old Montana State Prison. This was the state prison until the 1970s. Most of the exhibits were on 50s & 60s life in the prison & not the late 1800s, but it was still interesting. The second was a vintage auto museum that has the most extensive collection of vintage autos I have ever seen. This museum alone is worth the $12 admission price for all 5. The third is a small western museum. It did have many artifacts from the 1800s that included items that belonged to George Armstrong Custer. By the time I got to the last 2 museums it was late in the day & they were closed. I couldn't stay but if you can your admission is good for multiple days.
3. Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation is a local, non-profit membership organization in Deer Lodge, Montana which operates the Old Montana Prison as a museum. PCMAF also oversees and operates the Montana Auto Museum, the Frontier Museum, Yesterday’s Playthings, Cottonwood City, the Powell County Museum, the PEN Art Gallery and the Prison Cow Ice Cream Shop as part of the Old Prison Museum Complex
Reviewed By TravelingNudists - Vale, North Carolina
There's a handful of great vehicles in here but there's also many of what you see in every car museum, 55-57 Chevys are plentiful here. Nothing too exciting. Most of the vehicles are crammed in too tightly together to get a good look at them or decent pictures. But if you're a gear head, you will enjoy the stop for sure.
4. Elk Ridge Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Come to Elk Ridge Brewing Company for a taste of Montana! Through our beer as well as our decor! Try our signature beer, Cow in Heat, a jalapeno cream ale or stick with a more traditional War Tine sweet stout. You'll be met with a friendly face and an atmosphere of complete relaxation. Hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By jptraveler2014 - Centreville, Virginia, United States
Beautiful inside...friendly people...great beer 3 beer limit (per law) does not serve food but does have free popcornWe also now serve pizza! Hope you can make it back through sometime and see us again! Thanks for the great review!
5. Yesterday's Playthings
Overall Ratings
3 based on 17 reviews
North, South, East and West all offer spectacular views of the mountains and are accompanied by the incredible feeling of stepping back into another time where the Railroad ruled, mining was a way of life & outlaws lived across the street.
Reviewed By burgesssr79 - Lakewood, Washington
Upon entrance we were not even greeted, the young lady asked for our receipt and then snatched the receipt from us handed it back and told us to go ahead.
