Missoula Meetings

After printing out a guide to the Riverfront Walking Trail, jump on the Mountain Line for a short ride to the Currents Aquatic Center. A quick chat with the staff and you will be on your way, pedaling along the riverbank on a bright blue Trek cruiser bike! Markers placed along the trail detail Missoula's evolving transportation needs.

Follow the trail past MoBash Skate Park and the ever-present group of teenagers trying new tricks in the bowl, around the islands that have shifted many times throughout Missoula's history, and as you approach the Boone and Crockett Club located in the old Milwaukee Railroad Depot, you will notice a path that veers right, off the blacktop. Follow this up to the main road and take a right one block to Bernice's Bakery. A local favorite, Bernice's has some of the best baked goods in town! Once your tummy is full, head back down to the bike path and continue on your venture.

Follow the railroad bed along the Clark Fork until you reach the pedestrian bridge at the University. Turn right on to Campus and directly in front of you will be the Adam's Event Center and PARTV Buildings. The Montana Museum of Art & Culture, one of the northwest's largest collections, has exhibits scattered throughout the University buildings with a large portion in the PARTV galleries.

Also, the Campus Art Tour map will direct you to various works located around the University.

Once you have explored the grounds, head back on the Kim Williams trail to the Madison Street pedestrian bridge. Cross the Clark Fork River and follow the paved bike path through the park to Brennan's Wave. A viewing platform provides easy access to watch the kayakers frolick in the man-made waves, and the perfect spot for a short break. Once you're rested, find the statue near the viewing platform. Dedicated to Brennan Guth, a local kayaker who died in Chile in 2001, this piece is part of the Public Art Tour. Also in Caras Park is "Returnings," three large, bronze fish swimming through the rocks on the trail's edge. Continue on the bike path to Orange Street, cross the bridge and return to Currents.

When you'd really love nothing more than a nice lazy day, Missoula is a prime place to be! Begin your morning with a delicious breakfast and coffee from one of our local bakeries.

Once you've filled your tummy and awakened your noggin, head over to the Missoula Public Library. Make use of their free Wi-Fi to catch up on any emails before you browse through pages or listen to a book on tape.

From the library, head south through downtown. A quick stop at Big Dipper Ice Cream for a cone filled with delicious home-made ice cream in local flavors (think Coldsmoke, a locally brewed beer!) and you're on your way!

The perfect place to enjoy your huckleberry ice cream cone is on Brooks Street, adjacent to the Blue Star Memorial Highway, at the Missoula Memorial Rose Garden. Originally planted in 1946, the park has grown to accomodate 2,500 rose bushes and memorials for soldiers killed in all conflicts since World War II.

From the Rose Gardens, continue south on Brooks Street towards Fort Missoula. The Missoula Iris Society has maintained gardens behind the Historical Museum since 1981. After a stroll through the flowerbeds, head in to the Historical Museum to discover more about the development of Missoula County. Also on site is the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History and a variety of historic buildings, including a tipi burner, fire lookout and original one-room school house.

Finish your day with a trip to a local spa or a dip in Lolo Hot Springs. Located south west of Missoula on Highway 12, Lolo Hot Springs has been a local favorite since before Lewis and Clark explored the area. Native americans held regular gatherings around the hot mineral waters, and early settlers often used it as a rendezvous point.

Hop in the car and spend the day learning about Missoula's rich history and fine wineries!

Begin your day learning about the development of the Missoula valley at the Fort Missoula Historical Museum. Originally built as an open-air army post when the valley was being settled, Fort Missoula was used as an alien detention center during World War II and is now home to a wide variety of historic buildings and rotating exhibits detailing our area's rich history.

From Fort Missoula, head north on Reserve Street. Swing in to Hoagieville for a quick bite of local fare. Home to the "World Famous Cheese Fries," Hoagieville serves everything from hoagies to veggie burgers sprinkled with a special seasoning salt. Don't forget a Huckleberry milkshake made with real berries!

Once you've had your fill, continue north on Reserve Street to Broadway. Head out of town towards the airport. Turn in to the airport and take an immediate right on Aviation Way. Follow this for a half a mile to the Smokejumper's Center. Although the birthplace of smokejumping is still debated, the Missoula Smokejumper Base has been in operation since the early 1940's. Tour the depot and learn about the men and women who willingly jump out of planes into wildland fires!

After playing in the fire lookout towers and pulling parachutes off the ceiling you may find yourself in need of a drink. Head towards the Missoula Winery or, if beer is more your flavor, the Big Sky Brewing Company.

Thirst quenched and souvenirs purchased, hop back in the car and hit the highway. Exit 101 will take you to Grant Creek and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

A peek in to the visitor center at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will give you a glimpse at Montana's past and where our wildlife is headed in the future. After browsing the displays depicting early inhabitants of the West, world-record mounts and a gift shop, you'll want to take a leisurely stroll around the grounds and search for wildlife!

For the last leg of your journey, download and print a guide of the historic buildings in downtown Missoula and take a stroll through time. Finish your trip by crossing the Clark Fork River via the Higgins Street bridge to the Kettlehouse Brewery, a local favorite.