Helena is the state’s capital and is the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. There are plenty of things to see and do in Helena. The Pedestrian Mall and the C. M. Russell Museum are popular tourist attractions, as are the Myrna Loy Center and Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.

Pedestrian Mall

Helena, Montana is a great place to visit for shopping and dining. The downtown area is filled with unique shops, coffeehouses, and restaurants, and is also home to the city’s Pedestrian Mall. The mall hosts regular concerts and cultural events, and has several restaurants and bars.

You can find a variety of art galleries, new restaurants, and local foods at the Pedestrian Mall. You can also visit the Cathedral of Saint Helena, which was built in 1908 and was designed after the Votivkirche in Vienna. It is decorated with stained glass and gothic revival architecture.

In addition to the Pedestrian Mall, you can visit the Last Chance Gulch, which is a charming downtown area. The area is home to many small businesses that are locally owned and strive to provide great service to their customers.

Aside from the pedestrian mall, Helena offers dining and shopping, which are sure to keep everyone entertained. Big Dipper Ice Cream and Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys are two popular stops for children, while patio seating is popular among adults. At night, the pedestrian mall hosts a lively nightlife. Mount Helena is another popular attraction in Helena. At 600 acres, it is the city’s iconic landmark. A hike up the 1906 Trail can lead you to the summit.

C. M. Russell Museum

A city block in size, the C.M. Russell Museum Complex is home to over 12,000 permanent pieces. Exhibits are varied, including works by famous artists. There is also a Browning Firearms Collection and an exhibit celebrating the history of Indian life in the Great Plains. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, making it one of the best places to visit in Helena, Montana.

The museum also has some free and low-cost events, making it a great place to spend a day in Helena. The exhibits range from the life of a woman rancher to the indigenous cultures of Montana. Visitors can explore the museum’s halls at their own pace, or sign up for historic walking tours and lectures. The museum has been around for more than a century and is a great place to visit for history buffs.

A must-visit for anyone visiting Helena, Montana is the C. M. Russell Museum, which features the legendary works of the American artist Charles Marion Russell. The collection includes paintings, bronzes, sketches, and other works from the renowned artist.

Myrna Loy Center

A performing arts center that combines dance, literature, and film, the Myrna Loy Center is one place not to miss while visiting Helena. Named for the first lady of film in Montana, the center features a theater, gallery, and screening room for local performances. The theater is housed in an over-100-year-old jail, which also houses the Jailhouse Gallery that showcases local art.

The Myrna Loy Center offers a variety of challenging and culturally enriching programs. Located in the historic Lewis and Clark County Jail in downtown Helena, the center was designed by Nicholas M. McDonnell. The building is made of porphyritic granodiorite.

Another great place to visit while in Helena is the Montana Carousel. There are outdoor eateries, an indoor carousel, and musical instruments. A hidden gem of Helena is the Montana Blue Jewel Mine. The museum is free to enter and is well worth the time it takes to explore it.

In addition to the theater, the Myrna Loy Center is an excellent cultural center, with three major theaters and a gallery. The Auditorium can hold plays and concerts, while the Screening Room has a 50-seat digital projection theater. Located on the western edge of Helena, Spring Meadow Lake State Park is an excellent place to picnic and enjoy the sunshine. You can also go fishing or swimming in the lake, and bird-watching is a popular activity here.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a wildlife sanctuary that houses rescued bears and wolves. Some of these animals were found in the wild, and others were rescued from human habitats. The exhibits feature bear behavior, as well as their habitats. Kids can also participate in the Keeper Kids program and help the bears find food.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education about bears and wolves. Visitors can learn all about these majestic creatures by getting up close and personal with them. The center has an educational museum, as well as a live bear exhibit and a wolf sanctuary. The museum showcases information from academic research and provides a close-up look at bear behavior and how they interact with humans. There are also educational films and ranger talks to help you learn more about these beautiful animals.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there is also the Great Divide Ski Area, which is just twenty miles south of Helena. This resort offers freestyle skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels, as well as rentals and lessons. The park is also home to a ghost town, with 60 log-framed structures and an abandoned mining town. The town was the site of the first significant gold discovery in 1862.

Holter Museum of Art

The Holter Museum of Art is one of the most prominent cultural institutions in Helena, Montana. Founded in 1987, this museum hosts a variety of national, regional, and local exhibits. The museum rotates exhibits frequently and is also host to art therapies, lectures, and community events.

Visiting the Holter Museum of Art is a great way to take in the artistic history of Helena. Whether you’re looking for modern art or a classic collection, the museum has something for everyone. There’s also a wide range of live music performances.

Another must-see attraction in Helena is the Montana State Capitol. With a massive copper dome and a statue of Lady Liberty on top, the capitol building is an iconic symbol of Helena. The interior is adorned with four circular paintings that depict early Montana society.

Another popular Helena attraction is the Great Northern Carousel. This is a fun place for families with kids. You can purchase a punch card that allows you to ride on the carousel 12 times. This attraction is also host to many events, including ice cream-themed events.

Canyon Ferry Lake

This lake is home to an extensive bald eagle and tern colony, as well as a large variety of other bird life. There is a wildlife management area at the western end of the lake, managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The area also has a large population of mule deer and Pronghorn antelope.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are a number of hiking, biking, and canoeing opportunities in the area. Visitors to Helena can also experience the area’s rich history at the Historical Society Museum. The museum includes exhibits on early settlers, the railroads, and the arts, including artwork from regional artists and historical artifacts.

The lake was formed as a result of the Canyon Ferry Dam, which blocked the Missouri River from flowing into the Helena area. Because of its size and close proximity to the state’s capital, Canyon Ferry is a popular and heavily used lake. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for cold and warm water species. Canyon Ferry Lake covers an area of approximately 25 miles, and there are twenty-four recreation sites around the lake. The Bureau of Reclamation maintains a number of sites around the lake.

Canyon Ferry Lake is also home to one of the state’s largest observatories. The observatory features two telescopes for public use. During the day, the observatory offers the best views of the Montana skies. And in the evening, you can photograph the planets with its lunar planetary telescope.

Western Heritage Center

One of the best places to visit in Helena is the Gates of the Mountain, a park that Lewis and Clark named while paddling up the Missouri River. Located about twenty miles north of the city, this wilderness area is a popular attraction. You can take a boat tour of the area to see the breathtaking natural features and learn more about the history of the area. For only $16 per person, you can enjoy a beautiful scenic ride through the natural surroundings.

There are many things to do in Helena, Montana. The city has a colorful history, and you can see it firsthand by visiting the Fort Harrison, which displays over two centuries of military history in the area. You can also visit the Contemporary Art Museum, which features works by internationally renowned artists. You can also walk down the city’s main street, Last Chance Gulch. This historic area is lined with quirky shops and architecture.

If you’re visiting Helena for the first time, you can also take a sightseeing tour of the city. The tour is fun for children and adults alike, and you can even enjoy it on a hot summer day. You can purchase tickets online, or at the Museum kiosk. Another popular attraction in Helena is the Broadwater Hot Springs. It is a great place to spend a romantic evening with a special someone.