20 Best Things to Do in Billings, Montana

Billings is one of the largest cities in Montana along Yellowstone River in the southern part of the state. It has a total area of 44.72 square miles and a population of around 117,116.

The city is perched on a plateau 3,126 feet above sea level, separated into two sections by the long cliffs of the Rimrocks. There are seven mountain ranges surrounding Billings, making it a hotspot for vacationers, thanks to the state’s famously beautiful rough scenery.

So, if you are planning to get your vacation getaway here, we have compiled a list of the top 20 things to do in Billings. Make sure to read until the end.

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Billings is home to some of the best fishing and hiking in the country, but that’s not all the city has to offer. If you want to know what to do in Billings, Montana, urban enthusiasts will find plenty to love, from the thriving restaurant scene to the laid-back cafe culture to the exciting nightlife. 

This city, therefore, provides the opportunity to partake in various pursuits, including viewing some of the most beautiful billing attractions in the area and enjoying all the advantages of a vibrant and growing metropolis. Check out our top picks for the best things to do in billings mt today especially if you have something in particular in mind.

• Most significant landmark – Moss Mansion
• Best park – River Front Park
• Best free activity – Tour the Yellowstone Art Museum
• The best activity for kids – ZooMontana
• Best activity for adults – Rimrocks
• Best food – Dine at Bin 119
• Best nightlife – Join Events in MetraPark
• Best all-around accommodation – Reef Indoor Water Park

Fun Things to Do in Billings, Montana

1. Most Significant Landmark – Moss Mansion

Address: 14 Division St, Billings, MT 59101

The imposing red stone palace known as the Moss Mansion can be found in the city of Billings. It was constructed in 1903 as a lavish home for the business magnate Preston B. Moss, who resided there with his wife and six children until 1984.

Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, an esteemed architect from New York, was responsible for the home’s design. The magnificent home boasts a total of 28 rooms on three stories, in addition to a stunning adjoining glass solarium.

The lavish interior design has high-quality wood panelling, walls interwoven with gold, hand-painted walls and ceilings, numerous marble fireplaces, Persian rugs, artwork, and antiques belonging to the Moss family.

Visitors who are interested in experiencing what it was like to be a member of a famous Billings family at the turn of the 20th century can do so by touring the house. The Moss Mansion has earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places according to its historical significance.

2. Best Park – River Front Park

Address: 7277-7337 State Secondary Hwy 416, Billings, MT 59101, United States

Riverfront Park is a lovely and large park in Billings that is still in the process of being developed and features expansive natural areas. The verdant sanctuary, which includes cottonwood stands, willow trees, and grassy meadows, is one of the key highlights of the park.

Other notable features of the park include Lake Josephine, the Yellowstone River, and Norm Schoenthal Island. In the summer, Lake Josephine is a favourite spot for canoeing and kayaking, while in the winter, it is a destination for ice fishing. Additionally, the park features a wide variety of hiking routes. Making it the best activity in billings mt.

In addition, there are sand volleyball courts and picnic areas with BBQ grills available at this location. On Norm Schoenthal Island, just on the other side of Wendell’s Bridge, is where you’ll find the Montana Audubon Conservation Education Center. Those who wish to book the center for private parties have a number of options to choose from, and it is both aesthetically pleasing and educationally enriching.

Related: Best Things to Do in Whitefish Montana

3. Best Free Activity – Tour in the Yellowstone Art Museum

Address: 401 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101, United States

The Yellowstone Art Museum is home to a significant collection of American art, emphasizing forward-thinking modern pieces originating from the region, including the northern Plains and the northern Rocky Mountains. It first opened its doors in 1964 as the Yellowstone Art Center, which was housed in the building that had previously served as the Yellowstone County Jail. The museum quickly gained a strong local and national reputation as a leading art center.

Its permanent collection expanded around core funding from the Montana Cultural Trust as well as private donations, and it now contains more than 7,500 items, works of art, and archive pieces. The Montana Collection is the most important collection in the museum, and it contains close to two thousand individual works of art. The art center was rebranded as the Yellowstone Art Museum in 1998, concurrently with unveiling its brand-new, technologically advanced building expansion.

Related: Best Things to Do in Bozeman Montana

4. Best Activity for Kids – ZooMontana

Address: 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106, United States

You should go to this wildlife park if you are interested in seeing wild animals in the state of Montana. It is the only zoological and botanical park in the state of Montana, and it was founded in 1992. The park covers a total area of 70 acres of land. Because it receives over 70,000 visitors each year, the wildlife park in Billings is recognized as a popular destination for vacationers.

This educational institution is maintained by sixteen members of staff, and the primary goal of their work is to educate people about the species that live in the Yellowstone ecosystem. The operation of ZooMontana is made possible through donations and volunteer efforts. Most of the animals that reside in the zoo have been rescued, and they are supplied with the highest quality of care and all of their essential requirements.

The site is home to a wide range of creatures and roughly 58 different species of animals in total, some of which include alpacas, American badgers, ball pythons, great horned owls, leopard geckos, Canada lynx, and many others.

The animals are all housed in an environment that is intended to represent their native environment making it one of the best fun things to do in billings. Make it a point to check out this excellent facility in Billings if you find yourself in the neighborhood.

Related: Best Things to Do in Missoula, Montana

5. Best Activity for Adults – Rimrocks

Address: Montana 59101, USA

What is now downtown Billings was once the shore of the Western Interior Seaway. This inland sea stretched from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico eighty million years ago. Rimrock results from millions of years of sand and sediment deposition near the beach, followed by compression into sandstone.

If this is your first time in Billings, you should make it a point to put “exploring the Rimrocks” on your list of things to accomplish while you are here. The city of Billings may be seen from atop this rocky geological structure. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous hiking and bike routes that can be found in The Rimrocks.

The Rimrocks Trail Head is among the most well-known of these various trailheads and the best billings activities. It also includes a large number of recreational parks that provide visitors with opportunities for hiking and biking to explore. On the highest point of the cliffs are these areas designated as Zimmerman Park and Swords Park respectively. The location also features convenient parking access.

It was also an excellent location for a picnic due to the fact that it provided a spectacular view of both the city and the Yellowstone River. You may either drive or trek your way to the top of the cliffs and once you get there, all you have to do is relax on top of the cliffs with your loved ones while taking in the breathtaking view of the setting sun.

Related: Best Things to Do in Montana

6. Best Food – Dine at Bin 119

Address: 119 N Broadway, Billings, MT 59101, United States

Bin 119 is an American bistro that serves delectable Tapa meals. They offer a great casual dining experience along with an atmosphere and feel that are unrivalled in the industry. The atmosphere inside is sophisticated, up to day, and incredibly enticing; it is the ideal setting for a private dinner with a bottle of wine.

In addition to that, there is seating accessible outside on the terrace. You and your significant other get the opportunity to enjoy some of Billings’ finest cuisine while taking in some of the city’s most breathtaking scenery.

They start the day with breakfast and continue through the evening with lunch and dinner service. You won’t need to reschedule your appointments or adjust your schedule any longer to take advantage of their unrivalled food and carefully curated wine collection.

Every dish has a taste that is pleasing to the palette, from Scrambled Eggs and Smoked Salmon to Baked Brie, Spicy Barbeque Beef Sandwiches, and the Charcuterie Plate. Don’t forget to end the meal with a bottle of wine to send your taste buds into overdrive.

In addition to having reasonable prices, they provide exceptionally large amounts. Therefore, a trip to Bin 119 is sure to satisfy not just your stomach but also your other senses.

Related: Epic Must-See National Parks in Montana

7. Best Nightlife – Join Events in MetraPark

Address: 308 6th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101, United States

MetraPark is a 189-acre inter-site that holds a wide variety of programs and events in billings county mt, including trade exhibitions, entertainment, educational and sporting activities, and agricultural displays. MetraPark also features a variety of different sorts of facilities. This one-of-a-kind facility was the brainchild of the people living in the Billings area and features a rodeo grandstand, music and sports arena, wedding venue, trade show and convention center, and fairgrounds.

Visitors have the opportunity to see what’s in store at MetraPark as well as attend a number of these events. Some of the events that have taken place in the past at MetraPark include games from the Billings Wolves Indoor Football League, the national convention of the BMW Motorcycle Riders of America, and concerts performed by artists such as the Eagles, Miranda Lambert, Elton John, and Chris Young.

After the party, deciding where to stay is not a problem. The Northern Hotel, Doubletree By Hilton Billings and the Home2 Suites By Hilton Billings are excellent places to stay the night. 

8. Best All-around Accommodation – Reef Indoor Water Park

Address: 1801 Majestic Ln, Billings, MT 59102

There is nothing more fun than spending a hot summer day refreshing oneself at the largest indoor water park in the state of Montana. The Reef Indoor Water Park is larger than a football field, and it features attractions and slides that are appropriate for all members of the family, from infants to senior citizens. This makes it one of the best things to do in billings today. 

Activities provide an interactive playhouse with a water dumping bucket that can hold up to 250 gallons of water, a three-story tube slide, a body slide called the Tropical Twister, and a 55,000-gallon wave pool featuring waves that can reach heights of over three feet.

In the activity pool, guests can relax in the hot tub that seats twenty people or play a game of water basketball. A first aid station, private party rooms, and patio space are all available for rent, while other amenities include changing rooms, display areas, and restrooms.

They offer a hot tub that can accommodate up to 25 adults for those parents who just want to relax. There is also an Activity Pool that features basketball, a lily pad crossing, and a play structure with two additional slides for youngsters of a younger age.

After that, if you are still hungry, you should go to Ripp’s Café, where they serve a variety of foods, including pizza, hot dogs, and specialty ice cream. Some of the best-rated hotel accommodations in the area include Hampton Inn & Suites Billings West I-90 as well as the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Billings

9. Best Historical Center – Western Heritage Center

Address: 2822 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59101, United States

The Western Heritage Center is a regional museum that can be found in Montana. It is housed in the historic Parmly Billings Memorial Library, which was constructed in 1901 and is located in the Billings Historic District. More than 16,000 objects and 1,000 images illustrating the architecture, history, key events, and evolution of the Yellowstone River Valley can be found in the center’s collection.

The center provides a wide variety of events, some of which include the monthly High Noon series of lectures, a video series, school travelling trunks, teacher training, travelling exhibits, collaborations with other museums, and much more. Tours with guides are offered to groups who have made arrangements in advance. Additionally, the institute publishes books, movies, and other educational resources pertaining to the local area’s history.

The present museum is located in the historic building that served as the Billings Library back in 1901. It has exhibits that are changed out on a regular basis and range from items of Native American culture to research on wildlife and biology. In addition, the museum hosts a wide variety of events for the local community, such as a High Noon Lecture Series and historic walking tours.

The Western Heritage Center is open from Tuesday through Saturday; however, during the winter months, its hours of operation are more restricted. The entrance fee is waived for members. However, it costs five dollars for guests.

10. Best Place for Theater Performances – Alberta Bair Theater

Address: 801 3rd Ave N, PO Box 1556, Billings, MT 59103

Since its opening on November 13, 1931, as The Fox Theater, the Alberta Bair Theater has been an essential component of Billings’s cultural landscape for more than eight decades. The 20th Century Fox Corporation was responsible for the construction of this theatre in the art deco style.

The local population was exposed to a wide variety of live performances, including plays, musicals, and performances by well-known artists such as Ray Charles and Judy Collins. Today, the Alberta Bair Theater is recognized as one of the most comprehensively stocked venues for the performing arts in the surrounding area.

The facility, which has a capacity of 1,400 people, plays host to a wide variety of performances, some of which are prominent musicians, others are dance and theatre acts, and still, others are professional touring companies and local performing organizations.

There are also various programs that individuals from the community and tourists can take part in to get knowledge regarding music and the arts.

11. Best Place to Get a Glass of Wine – Yellowstone Cellars & Winery

Address: 1335 Holiday Cir, Billings, MT 59101

Yellowstone Cellars & Winery is a luxury winery located in Washington’s Yakima Valley. The quality red and white grapes used in the production of Yellowstone wines are hand-picked from small vineyards in the Yakima Valley.

The freshly picked grapes, which are left on the stems throughout the harvesting process, are brought directly to the wineries in Billings, where they are crushed less than thirty hours following the completion of the harvest. The other steps of the process, including pressing, fermentation, aging in barrels, and bottling, are all carried out at the Billings site.

The multifunctional building features a wine cellar, a sampling area that is quite popular, as well as a convention space. The winery hosts popular music events every week, such as Open Mic Night on Wednesdays and Wine Down on Fridays.

The menu is packed with delicious hearty dishes that perfectly complement the winery’s wide selection of award-winning vintages. Primitivo from the 2010 vintage is among the most sought-after, despite the fact that Malbec, which is currently in its ninth vintage, is indeed the vineyard’s signature wine. If you feel a little drink from enjoying the wine, find the best accommodation at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Billings as well as Motel 6-Billings, MT – South.

12. Best for Outdoor Activities – Lake Elmo State Park

Address: 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105

Lake Elmo State Park is a gorgeous and expansive place that spans 123 acres and is ideal for engaging in a variety of outdoor pursuits with one’s family. Birdwatching is a popular activity for people interested in ornithology because the elevation is 3,199 feet, and there are many miles of hiking and nature paths for visitors to enjoy.

The 64-acre reservoir allows guests to go boating, canoeing, swimming, sailing, or windsurfing in addition to relaxing on the beach during the hot summer months.

Fishing and other enjoyable activities can be had by taking a stroll around the waterways or making a stop at Roger’s Pier on the south shore. During the winter months, guests can continue having fun touring the billings attractions and engaging in activities such as ice fishing and ice sliding on the lake.

Among the amenities include a picnic area, a boat launch, a shelter for hosting social events, a playground, toilets and shower facilities, and a dog park that is 200 square feet in size.

13. Best for Wildlife Watching – Four Dances Recreation Area

Address: Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101

The Four Dances Recreation Area is flanked by beautiful river cliffs and the Yellowstone River on the western side. Just a few minutes from downtown Billings, the recreation area is packed with flora and fauna natural to the area, like pine forests, pine, native sagebrush, and Yellowstone River willow riparian.

The site is a fantastic area for wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and to enhance sustainable education; those who love to trek will appreciate the environment, particularly the quarter-of-a-mile footpath, which climbs to the top of a rimrock wall and provides panoramic views of Yellowstone River. Winter sports at Four Dances are snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Horseback riding, fireworks, hang gliding, rock climbing, paintball activities, discharging guns, and allowing pets to run free without leashes are all prohibited in this region for the safety of residents and visitors alike.

There are public bathrooms and directional signs in the parking lot. Activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and simply taking in the scenery on foot or skis are all feasible here.  A rimrock wall high above the Yellowstone River can be reached by a quarter of a mile-long trail. Then complete your stay by staying at the best hotel accommodations like The Vegas Hotel and the Doubletree By Hilton Billings. 

14. Best Place for Musical Performances – Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale

Address: 2721 2nd Avenue North – Suite 350, Billings, MT 59101

No matter what it has been called throughout the years, the mission of the Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale (BSO&C) has remained the same: to improve people’s lives through the medium of music. The organization was established in May of 1951 as the Billings Symphony Society.

Over 135 individuals make up the BSO&C, which is directed musically by Anne Harrigan. Once a year, these individuals get together to put on a performance and share their enthusiasm for music with patrons hailing from Montana, Wyoming, and other parts of the United States.

Membership concerts, chamber concerts, and yearly holiday favourites like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet as well as a New Year’s Eve concert with Rockapella, are all part of the annual season that runs from September to June. The annual Symphony in the Park event, which is continuing in its 44th year, is a wonderful BSO&C event for the family.

The event will bring together the largest concert in the region in part with “Explore Music!” and exposes people to live, orchestral music. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mats, lawn chairs, and picnic cuisine to enjoy while listening to live music under the vast Montana sky.

15. Best Place for Cave Hunting – Pictograph Cave State Park

Address: 3401 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, United States

As you make your way around the park’s loop route, visitors to Cave State Park can’t help but speculate about the lives of the prehistoric people who lived in Montana and created the beautiful cave paintings and pictographs that are found there. These artworks date back more than 2,000 years.

More than 30,000 items and animal bones were left behind by a group of hunters who used the Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost caves that are now part of the park. These relics included stone tools, weaponry, paintings, and the instruments used.

Researchers are able to determine the time period in which humans lived in the location based on the pigments that were used in rock art and gain insight into the lifestyle of those people. Because of the items that were found, researchers are now able to identify the native peoples that once inhabited the area and determine when they lived there.

These hunters also left approximately 100 drawings on the walls of the Pictograph cave. The vast majority of drawings feature animals. Hiking and picnicking are both enjoyable activities that may be enjoyed in the park that surrounds the caverns.

A contemporary Visitors Center provides additional information on the caverns and the activities that take place within them. If you need to stay for the night, Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn Is the best place to stay as it offers a complimentary continental breakfast with good service.

16. Best Sports Field – Dehler Park

Source / License: TripAdvisor

Address: 2611 9th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101

Billings, Montana, is home to a number of baseball fans who frequent Dehler Park. Both the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets baseball team and the Billings Mustangs baseball team, both of which are members of the Pioneer League, call this venue their home field. The stadium opened its doors in 2008 and can seat 6,000 people, including those who choose to stand throughout the game. It also features an outfield terrace that gives spectators access to all playing field areas.

The historic Cobb Field was demolished in the 1930s to make way for Dehler Park, which still has some of the stadium’s original bench seating. The stadium is also utilized for performances of plays and concerts; in 2010, some of the most notable artists to perform there were John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

Because the playing field is recessed eight feet under street level, it is possible to have a concourse that entirely rings the playing field just above the seating bowl. Each perimeter on the concourse features up-to-date amenities, including snack stands and restrooms that are significantly larger than before. After roaming around with your pets, you can stay at the pet-friendly Cozy cottage in the heart of the big city.

17. Best Scenic Landscapes – Pryor Mountains

Address: Billings, Montana USA

The Pryor Mountains are one of the most beautiful landscapes in Montana. They were created by the erosion of uplifted limestone, making them ecologically, geologically, culturally, and meteorologically unique. Additionally, they offer visitors the chance to experience one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the state.

This mountain range is located between the state line with Wyoming and the city that holds the title of largest in Montana. It is made up of two elevated mountain blocks called Big Pryor Mountain and East Pryor Mountains.

The plateaus soar into the air and reach their highest point at roughly 8,800 feet; the area surrounding the plateaus is loaded with a great variety of environments for visitors to enjoy, including about 1,000 different plant species and other trees that are almost 500 years old.

The landscape is breathtaking and teeming with life in the form of fauna, insects, and a great variety of bird species. Some of the animals that may be found there are bighorn sheep, mountain lions, golden eagles, and calliope hummingbirds.

18. Best Place for Shopping – Rimrock Mall

Address: 300 S 24th St W, Billings, MT 59102, United States

Rimrock Mall offers a one-of-a-kind shopping environment and serves as a central gathering spot for the Billings community. It has been there for more than 40 years. Over 600,000 sq ft of retail shops, clothing stores, food vendors, and restaurants are available for guests to enjoy throughout their stay. 

Located near Miles City, Livingston, and Sheridan, WY, the Rimrock Mall in Billings features more than 90 businesses, restaurants, and department stores, such as Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Herberger’s, in addition to a movie theatre.

It is enjoyable for the whole family because there is something that everyone can enjoy. Some of the stores that can be found here are Dillard’s, JCPenney, H&M, Francesca’s, Maurice’s, Buckle, Victoria’s Secret, and Bath & Body Works, to name just a few.

Visitors can regain their strength by grabbing a bite to eat at the food hall or one of the numerous restaurants on the premises. Throughout the course of the year, several mall events, such as Santa’s Workshop, the Easter Hunt, and mall fashion displays, are scheduled to take place. The mall is also close to the Hilton Garden Inn Billings. 

19. Best Theater Play – Billings Studio Theater

Address: 1500 Rimrock Rd, Billings, MT 59102, United States

Beginning as a play-reading group in the homes of its early members, the Billings Studio Theater has been active for more than 60 years. The Billings Studio Theatre began as a dedicated group of individuals meeting on Sunday evenings to read plays aloud to one another in their homes.

Eastern Montana College and the YWCA donated facilities that helped the theatre company flourish as its membership grew. After some time, the company branched out into radio and theatre productions. In addition, they began offering classes in radio production, stage makeup, regional accents, dialects, and many other areas of the performing arts.

It has evolved into an indispensable component of the neighbourhood, where acquaintances quickly become friends for life. The theatre is all about reading, researching, rehearsing, sewing, building, producing, promoting, and performing performances that move audiences. Watching live performances is definitely one of the fun activities in billings mt.

Plays like “Becky’s New Car” and “Desperate Measures,” performed entirely by volunteers, ensure that patrons of this community theatre enjoy an experience they won’t soon forget. Workshops are provided for a wide range of artistic disciplines, from production to cosmetics to languages and accents. And if you decide to stay the night, you can book nearby accommodations at Home2 Suites By Hilton Billings, and the exceptional Restful single bedroom getaway

Best Educational Attraction- Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

The 51-acre Pompeys Pillar National Monument is located on the Yellowstone River’s banks and features a huge sandstone outcrop measuring roughly 2 acres at its base and ascending 120 feet into Montana’s Big Sky.

For more than 11,000 years of human habitation, Pompey’s Pillar has been a renowned landmark and superb viewing point thanks to its prime location and its geologic distinctiveness as the only large sandstone structure in the region also makes it more. This geological phenomenon has been transformed into a living diary of the American West by the hundreds of markings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions left by visitors.

Discover historical and ancient inscriptions on the rock by “walking” up the steps of the Pillar walkway. Continue your ascent to the summit of this amazing 120-foot tower for a 360-degree panorama of the surroundings!

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