You might have heard about the place boasting a long and eventful history, but where is Philipsburg, Montana, located? Southwest Montana is home to the quaint community of Philipsburg.
Because of its interesting past and the title “Granite Ghost Town,” it is a frequently visited attraction on the weekends. In recent years, the historic structures on the Broadway Street and the town’s business have been transformed into contemporary businesses. The Sapphire Gallery and Montana Gems are two examples of establishments in this town center that display the products of the region’s sapphire mining industry.
Undoubtedly, there is something that will appeal to every visitor to the town. If this excites you, we have outlined the 15 best things to do in Philipsburg, Montana, and nearby hotels. So make sure to tune in until the end.
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Our Top Favorite Things to Do in Philipsburg:
At Philipsburg, Montana, you may eat, drink, shop for antiques, and even go sapphire mining! But if you are looking for something specific, it’s time to pick a pen and paper and start listing the exciting activities in Philipsburg and the attractions you need to add to your travel bucket list.
- Best for Adults – Treasure Hunting at Philipsburg Sapphire Mine
- Best for Kids – Shop at the Sweet Palace
- Best for Historical Place – Granite County Museum
- Best for Thrill Seekers – Exploring Granite Ghost Town
- Best for Families – Soak at Fairmont Hot Springs
- Best for Dining – Doe Brothers Restaurant, Downtown Philipsburg
- Best for Shopping – Broadway Street, Philipsburg
Best Things to Do in Philipsburg Montana
1. Best for Adults – Treasure Hunting at Philipsburg Sapphire Mine
Source / License: TripadvisorAddress: 21 MT-38, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
Montana sapphires are one-of-a-kind gems contributing to the state’s reputation as “The Treasure State.” Philipsburg Mining is a major provider of these colorful Montana gems stones. As a result of the possibility of finding sapphires and perusing already-made jewelry, Philipsburg has firmly established itself as one of the best small towns in all of Montana.
Gem Mountain, situated 22 miles west of Philipsburg, is home tvb o one of the most well-known sapphire mines and silver mining operations in the region. The gravel stockpile at this family-run sapphire mine is open for visitors to sift through in search of precious stones.
You can also go to Montana Gems in Philipsburg to look for your own sapphire. This local business features a water flume for sapphire mining in the store. The front counter also doubles as a jewelry shop selling unique pieces crafted from items discovered in the area.
Anaconda Cabin is a nearby accommodation to the mine and a walk away from Georgetown Lake. This garden-view vacation rental has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linens, towels, a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen, a balcony, and free WiFi.
2. Best for kids – Shop at the Sweet Palace
Source / License: jen-the-librarian / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0Address: 109 E Broadway Street, Philipsburg, Montana
Since its establishment more than 20 years ago, the Sweet Palace has become a mainstay in the downtown area of Philipsburg. This Philipsburg MT, Candy Store welcomes hundreds of thousands of new customers during the four seasons. Stepping through the door would look like getting a sugar rush, whether young or young at heart.
This is located in a historic brick building, which lends itself well to the establishment’s theme of an old-fashioned general store. The store is decorated to look like it was built in the Victorian era, but there are dozens of candy varieties and assortments inside.
There are thousands of candies, all displayed in glass jars and lined up along the shelves as far as the eye can see. There are over 50 different kinds of fudge, 20 kinds of caramel, and dozens of different kinds of dark chocolates and moose truffles available at the store. While shopping there, you will also get to observe the store staff making candies.
After your sweet tour, you may rest at Exquisite Discovery Mtn Home with Sweeping Views. This has garnered an exceptional rating on Bookings.com. It provides free WiFi throughout the hotel. The vacation home offers a balcony, 4 bedrooms, a living room, and a well-equipped kitchen.
Related: Best Things to Do in BigSky Montana
3. Best for Historical Place – Granite County Museum
Source / License: Jasperdo / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0Address: 135 S. Sansome Street, Philipsburg, Montana
To get a vivid picture of the town’s history, the Granite County Museum focuses on showcasing the historical relics of the town. The Courtney Hotel, now the museum’s home, dates back to 1918.
After renovating the first floor to house exhibit space and a community center, the museum opened to the public in 1993. In the years following, the museum’s inventory of artifacts and photos expanded. The dominant themes throughout the structure are the region’s 1860s mining, ranching, and pioneering culture.
When you visit the museum multiple times a year, you’ll always see something new because the exhibits are changed periodically. Ghost Town Hall of Fame and a tourable underground mine are the only two permanent exhibitions. This one-of-a-kind recreation offers a look inside a miner’s cabin, recreating that era in detail.
A visit to this intriguing museum will take at least several hours to explore fully. Throughout the summer, visitors can use the facilities every day between noon and 4 p.m. Make an appointment if you want to come in the winter.
To get the most historical experience, you may also stay at the Historic Philipsburg Home. This air-conditioned holiday home offers free WiFi with 3 bedrooms, a cable flat-screen TV, plus a fridge and oven.
Related: Best Things to Do in Billings, Montana
4. Best for Thrill Seekers – Exploring Granite Ghost Town
Address: Granite State Park, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
If you are into ghost towns, Granite Ghost Town is a historic site commemorating the area’s mining past located less than five miles from Philipsburg. The initial mining settlement, affectionately dubbed “Montana’s Silver Queen,” was founded sometime in the 1870s, and by the end of that decade, it had grown to house more than three thousand people.
The camp was abandoned after the inevitable bust. The ruins from the 1800s have been pieced together to form what is now called Granite Ghost Town.
The Union Hall, which houses the Granite mining community, is one of many buildings in dire need of restoration. In addition to the company’s hospital, the superintendent’s home is also abandoned. The best way to learn about the park’s history is via a self-guided tour, as information is posted at key points.
Peak hours are from Memorial Day through Labor Day. By visiting the abandoned settlement, hikers may face brief periods of elevation. If you need an airy and fresh ambiance to complete your stay, there’s a Modern and Newly Built Cabin. This holiday home has 4 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
Related: Best Things to Do in Whitefish Montana
5. Best for Families – Soak at Fairmont Hot Springs
Fairmont Hot Springs, which is located close to the other end of the Pintler Scenic Byway from Philipsburg, is an ideal destination for the final leg of a road trip along the Pintler Scenic Byway. This all-inclusive resort has hot springs that can be reached in under an hour, even if you make no stops along the route. In addition, two hot pools are Olympic-sized, making the trek there more than worthwhile.
When you first arrive, the first thing that jumps out at you is the enormous waterslide that is 350 feet long and spirals into a big outdoor pool. The size of one of the resort’s interior pools is comparable to the size of this outdoor pool. The temperature of each portion of the pool is controlled and maintained by a natural heat source, and guests can choose from a range of degrees depending on their preferences.
Visiting Fairmont is a total resort experience. Two restaurants are on-site: the Springwater Café, which serves lighter fare, and the Waters Edge Dining Room, which offers a more elegant dining experience.
Related: Best Things to Do in Bozeman Montana
6. Best for Dining – Doe Brothers Restaurant, Downtown Philipsburg
Address: 120 E Broadway St, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
Marble Canyon is a Fairmont Hot Springs apartment with fireplaces and full kitchens. It is also a 10-minute walk to Fairmont Hot Springs Pool, with non-smoking, air-conditioned units.
Most of the restaurants around Philipsburg are located Downtown. Doe Brothers is a two-story brick building with a Victorian exterior that may be found in Downtown Philipsburg, Montana, and dates back to the old west. This eatery will take you back in time to a soda fountain considered among the greatest of its kind in the United States.
Montanans have fallen in love with Doe Brothers due to the high quality of the food and beverages, the western environment, and the excellent service. They specialized in certified Angus beef, char-grilled burgers, and seafood, and this, combined with their one-of-a-kind dining experience, helped drive Does to the top spot for the best restaurant in Philipsburg.
Aside from that, there’s a pub called Bricks Pub, located just across from Philipsburg Brewing Company, which serves the brewery’s beer on tap. Kikos is a family-run Mexican restaurant where you should go if you’re craving authentic flavors.
There is also a highly rated campground beard called the Boulder Creek Lodge. It offers mountain views, free WiFi, and private parking. The campsite also has an American pizza and a local restaurant with a playground and terrace.
7. Best for Shopping – Broadway Street, Philipsburg
Most Philipsburg, MT stores and businesses are located along E. Broadway Street, considered the Downtown Philipsburg portion of the city.
Take a stroll along this street to find some of the best local businesses, boutiques, and eateries’ best-kept secrets. E. Broadway Street is where you’ll find the three most important shops in Philipsburg, and it’s the perfect place to look for sophisticated sapphire jewelry.
In addition, this lovely downtown neighborhood is home to several stores that provide various services and goods, including food, gifts, and souvenirs. You can visit the Fisheye Man Gallery, which specializes in fine art photography, as well as Gizmos Toy & Novelty, Stuff & Such Antiques, and Grassroots Gifts, all of which are located along the street.
There are also many restaurants and coffee shops where you can sample regional specialties. True enough, your time in Philipsburg won’t be complete until you stroll down E. Broadway Street.
Although distant, The Forge Hotel BW Signature Collection has a communal lounge, terrace, bar, and casino in Anaconda. The hotel offers an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and restaurant. The hotel also offers room service and a 24-hour front desk.
8. Best For Music Enthusiasts – Watch a Show at the Opera House Theatre
Address: 140 S Sansome St, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
The Philipsburg Theatre is the state’s oldest theater that’s still in operation, and it can be found in downtown Montana, one block south of Broadway Street. It opened its doors in 1891 and was once called the McDonald Opera House. Since then, it has hosted a variety of performances.
Following extensive repair and modernization, the appearance of the Opera House Theatre is strikingly similar to how it was more than a century ago. Despite this, there is now significantly more cutting-edge technology and apparatus surrounding the stage, and the venue hosts a significantly wider range of shows.
The theater hosts various film festivals and shows current and classic movies throughout the year. Yet, the stage is virtually synonymous with the live concerts that take place there. The marquee shows various artistic abilities, including stage acting, humorous showcases, and a wide spectrum of musical talent. There is always something new to watch displayed there.
Nostalgic and Retro Anaconda Home has one of the highest stars in all accommodations nearby. The fully furnished kitchen and living area complement the three bedrooms in this vacation rental. It has free Wi-Fi and provides towels and linens for guests’ use.
9. Best Winter Activity – Discovery Ski Area
Address: 180 Discovery Basin Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711, United States
Ski Disco is located 30 minutes south of town and attracts thousands of downhill fans every winter. The Discovery Ski Area, as this business is commonly known, is a locally owned and operated ski resort that has over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain. The resort has easy “bunny hills” for beginners and advanced “double black diamond chutes” on the mountain’s backside, so skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy their time.
Discovery is a premier ski resort in Montana, and it’s not just because it has more than sixty marked trails. In addition to the Discovery Day Lodge and the Discovery Café, the resort also features the Discovery Outdoor Classroom. The chocolate chip cookies prepared daily at the café are a big draw. Nordic trails surrounding Echo Lake can be used with the resort’s rentals and instruction.
During the warm summer, the ski runs thaw out to expose a web of expertly crafted mountain bike paths. Day pass holders at the Discovery Bike Park can either pedal or pay for a chairlift trip to the park’s summit.
Stunning Mountain-View Ranch is a vacation home nearby with patio-equipped self-catering accommodation with complimentary Wi-Fi. The 3-bedroom contains a living room with cable flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge.
10. Best for Adventure – Taking a Road Trip to Missoula
A visit to Missoula, which is located 75 miles to the northwest of Bozeman, might be an enjoyable diversion during a road trip from Missoula to Philipsburg, MT. This university city is one of the top cities in Montana since it has a significantly larger population and a wider variety of cultural events, such as the football games played at the University of Montana.
In addition, the downtown area of Missoula is always teeming with activity. This shop and open space come to life throughout the summer with events such as live music, farmer’s markets, and First Friday celebrations. The Clark Fork Riverfront Trail is a wonderful way to go around the city and take in the sights of the Missoula Valley. It links the downtown area to the remainder of the city and provides connectivity.
Also, the city serves as a departure point for a number of excursions that are emblematic of the state of Montana, such as the Glacier National Parks, Lolo National Forest, and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, all of which are located in the northern outskirts of the city.
11. Best for Outdoor Activities – Discovery Bike Park
Address: Discovery Bike Park, 505 Mears rd, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
The Park features a route that is both entertaining and difficult, and it is intended for mountain cyclists who have intermediate to advanced levels of competence. The park is situated on the mountain’s flank, and it offers riders a descent of around 1,050 feet in the vertical direction. Wall rides, spans, jumps, logs, and drops are some of the features included.
For a more authentic pro-style riding experience, the park is expertly maintained to eliminate any rough ruts or wash boarding that may be present. Inexperienced riders will have the opportunity to improve their downhill riding abilities during a class that will take place every Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm.
A hill climb will be available for riders to approach the park, featuring hair-raising descents and plenty of single tracks for those interested in getting a warm-up out of the experience. You can utilize the trail-use-only Silver Chief Chairlift if you want to power yourself up the mountain, but if you don’t want to, you can just ride down the mountain.
Modern and Newly Built Cabin and Exquisite Discovery Mtn Home with Sweeping Views are just two of the nearby hotel accommodations in the area that offers free amenities to make guests’ stay convenient and accessible.
12. Best of Luxury – Gem Mountain Sapphires
Address: 21 MT-38, Philipsburg, MT 59858, United States
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is one of the largest sapphire gemstone deposits in the world and allows you to have the opportunity to discover your very own sapphire gemstone. Fine Montana sapphire gemstones, as well as finished jewelry, are available here.
If you are looking to purchase jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, studs, bracelets, or men’s rings, you have arrived at the ideal location.
Find loose faceted stones and sapphire jewelry in a broad variety of colors, including blue, yellow, orange, and more, as well as a wide range of carat weights, sizes, and cuts of the sapphire stone. Their shop offers an exceptional selection of home décor, including framed butterflies, amethyst cathedrals, clothing, and even teak wood furniture and woodwork.
They also make a concerted effort every year to continually introduce new and interesting things throughout the entire year. You can visit Gem Mountain Sapphires, which is open every day of the week from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
Anaconda Cabin and the Historic Philipsburg Home are both located nearby, so if you ever find yourself exhausted from shopping for your pieces of jewelry, you can rest in its comforting rooms and enjoy its free amenities. Both accommodations are also situated near tourist attractions.
13. Best for Kayaking – Georgetown Lake
Georgetown Lake spans 3,700 acres and allows you to go kayaking, boating, fishing, or have a picnic by the water if you so choose. Rainbow and brook trout of trophy size and kokanee salmon can be found swimming in crystal pure water. The lake is located at an elevation of 6,400 feet and is bounded on all sides by the Pintler, Sapphire, and Flint Creek Mountain ranges. Together with the breathtaking views, the mountain air is crisp and clean.
The lake’s camping areas are all clustered at the water’s edge. For a picnic, you can pick up some wine from Snookies Mercantile or some fresh, organic fruit and cheese from Philipsburg Food Share, which is now running in the foyer of the Philipsburg Theater. Both establishments are located in Philipsburg.
Another helpful information is that fishing licenses can be purchased online through the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website. If you find yourself in Philipsburg during the winter, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to go skiing at Discovery Ski Resort or ice fishing on the lake.
14. Best for Nature Lovers – Go Outdoors at Rock Creek Trails
Regardless of whether you travel to Philipsburg in the summer or the winter, there is an abundance of fun outside for visitors of all ages. You can spend the day enjoying a range of watersports in the summers or trekking along the Rock Creek trails, which are located in Montana and stretch for a total of 29 miles through the state’s diverse environment.
Water activities include fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing. In addition, Philipsburg is home to a number of beautiful campgrounds, such as the Copper Creek, Crystal Creek, Echo Lake, and Flint Creek campgrounds. If you want to save money on a hotel room, you can spend the night at one of these campgrounds instead.
Cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and ice hockey are all popular activities that tourists may enjoy in Philipsburg and the surrounding area during the winter months when the area is blanketed in snow and transforms into a winter wonderland.
The Historic Philipsburg Home is the nearest hotel accommodation that comes with three bedrooms, a living room with a cable flat-screen TV, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
15. Best Scenic Views- Driving at the Pintler Veteran’s Memorial
The Pintler Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Highway is the sole route to Philipsburg, and it’s well worth the trip just to see the sights. Phillipsburg may be found roughly 26 miles south of the highway’s northern end at Drummond. Ski resorts, trailheads, and boat ramps in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest may all be reached from this historic route that stretches from Philipsburg to Anaconda.
Georgetown Lake is a popular stop along this highway. Tourists and adventurers alike are drawn to the area around this enormous reservoir because of the majestic mountains in the background. It is only a 15-mile journey from Philipsburg to Georgetown Lake along the Pintler Scenic Byway.
After passing Georgetown Lake, the road bends east, with Anaconda as a landmark at the other end. This thriving mountain community is similar to Philipsburg’s mining past and current ubiquity as a tourist destination. Most of the historic downtown Anaconda is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Old Montana Inn is a nearby hotel that has free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking at this hotel in Deer Lodge. Additionally, all rooms have air conditioning and televisions with flat screens.