According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Asia-Pacific region’s travel industry might be the first region to fully recover its tourism sector after the pandemic. While America might take a little longer, it’s slowly getting there. One of the places in the country that’s contributing to this recovery of the tourism sector in the U.S. is Montana.
The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research finds that in 2021, Montana was visited by over 12 million non-residents. Most of them visited as tourists. This goes to show how Montana is becoming a popular tourist destination.
If you’re planning to visit Montana in 2023, here are five places you must check out:
#1 Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, Montana
If you’re looking for museums in Montana, look no further than Montana’s Museum of the Rockies. This museum is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it houses over two million fossils and artifacts from the region.
The museum features a variety of permanent exhibits that explore the geology, biology, paleontology, and history of Montana and its surrounding areas.
The museum has an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils from various eras, such as the Triassic Period, Jurassic Period, and Cretaceous Period. You can see fossils from creatures like Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and Ankylosaurus, as well as other ancient animals like buffalo, bison, and bighorn sheep.
There are also many interactive exhibits for children, including a room full of fossils that kids can touch as well as a planetarium where they can learn about space exploration using simulations from NASA astronauts’ missions into space.
Accommodation will also be easy for you to find when you’re in Montana. Staying in one of the many Bozeman hotels in the area will be a great idea since each of them is in a convenient location with all the best hotel features and amenities you could ask for. There are cheap hotels and also luxurious ones for you to choose from. You’ll always have a place to stay when you’re in Bozeman, Montana.
#2 Big Sky Resort, Big Sky, Montana
Located in Big Sky, Montana, the Big Sky Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in the United States. It was founded in 1965 and has grown to become a mecca for snow sports enthusiasts from all over the country. Snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding are just some of the activities that are offered at this resort.
There are also many restaurants and bars located within walking distance of the mountain area, so you can enjoy your time there without having to drive back down the mountain after a hard day on the slopes.
#3 Glacier National Park, Northwest Montana
The Rocky Mountains are home to dozens of national parks and monuments, but none are quite like Glacier National Park. With over 1 million acres of wilderness and hundreds of miles of hiking trails, this park is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. It also offers a wide range of wildlife viewing opportunities. You might see elk, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, or black bears in your travels.
If you’re looking for a unique experience in Glacier National Park, consider taking an overnight backpacking trip through the park. You’ll get to sleep under the stars and experience one of the most beautiful places on Earth without having to worry about leaving your tent unattended.
#4 Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of the United States’ most popular national parks. According to the National Park Service, it hosted over four million recreation visits in 2021 alone. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it covers more than 2 million acres of land. It features a wide array of wildlife and geothermal features like hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles.
The park has been known for its wildlife since it was first established in 1872. Yellowstone’s wildlife includes grizzly bears, wolves, elk, moose, and bison.
The park’s geothermal features draw thousands of visitors each year who come to see these amazing wonders of nature firsthand. Visitors can visit Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts every 70-90 minutes with a spectacular display of water reaching up to 160 feet high.
Other popular geysers include Grand Prismatic Spring which is one of the largest hot springs in America, measuring an astounding 370 feet across at its widest point. Here’s a full itinerary for visiting Yellowstone from Bozeman.
#5 Flathead Lake, Northwest Montana
Flathead Lake is one of Montana’s most popular vacation destinations, and it’s easy to see why. The lake is large and beautiful, with crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming and boating.
The surrounding mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, and there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied if you want to stay in town. Flathead Lake is located just north of Kalispell, Montana, which has plenty of restaurants and shopping options.
Now that you know what Montana has waiting for you, it’s time to book your tickets, pack your bags, and head out to the “Treasure State” of the U.S.
