Top Five Destinations of Missoula, Montana

As I?ve been researching many different cities and combining my personal knowledge with that of the internet, I realized something. I?ve been doing big cities. Austin and Portland have been the only cities I?ve examined without a major league baseball team. Obviously I love a city with a baseball team, but there are so many more places to see. Some of my favorite vacations have been far away from a major airport or heavy traffic. Maybe that makes them favorite vacations because getting around doesn?t depend on the overwhelming presence of other people but rather the distance between two points.

Welcome!

I?ve been to Missoula at least four different times, though I haven?t been for a winter yet. I haven?t made the drive up to Glacier National Park either, so I know I?ve got a few more trips up there. But, no matter what, I know the next time I go, I?ll probably end up hitting most of these things.

Make a pit stop at Higher Ground Coffee

Twice when I?ve landed at the Missoula International Airport, I?ve jumped in a friend?s car, headed down I-90, taken exit 104 and gone to?Higher Ground Coffee. Why? I love coffee. There?s also just something nice about drive thru coffee and the fact that the money goes to a drug rehabilitation center.

Grab a beer at Big Sky Brewery

My first trip to?Big Sky Brewery came about when I started to talk to the person seated next to me in the plane. She had a friend picking her up and they were going to the brewery. My friend was going to be late picking me up, so I hitched a ride to the brewery. A few beers later and I knew that I had to make Big Sky a must on each trip.

Make fishing plans at The Kingfisher Fly Shop

Most of my trips to Missoula revolve around fly-fishing, so?The Kingfisher plays a large part of each of my visits. The staff there helps me to find the hot flies and the active fishing holes to explore. For those not as familiar with the area, try one of the guided trips and let someone else do the planning for you.

Eat dinner at the Red Bird

I love a good meal. The?Red Bird serves that purpose so well each time I visit. I highly recommend their house made sausages and after enjoying the duck breast, the pork medallions or the bison tenderloin, make sure you get a dessert.

Go Sapphire Mining

Yeah, I know, it looks like it is a tourist trap, but I love to play with rocks and?Gem Mountain looks like a great place to do it. If you don?t like futzing around in the dirt, then head up the road to the Granite ghost town.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.