If you are looking for things to do around town, there are plenty of great local activities to enjoy! On Saturday mornings, we recommend checking out the downtown farmers market, like Clark Fork Market, which is full of local food, produce, and crafts. You can also take a walk along the river at Caras Park, which often hosts events and is a great place to relax outdoors. There are also many trailheads around town if you are hoping to hike or take a scenic drive, including Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Blue Mountain Recreation Area, and Waterworks Hill. Hiking the Mount Sentinel M Trail is a classic Missoula activity with great views from the top; the trailhead is on the University of Montana campus near Phyllis Washington Park. The AllTrails website (alltrails.com) can be helpful for finding routes and planning your hike. If hiking, consider carrying bear spray and staying aware of your surroundings!
Downtown Missoula is full of great places to eat and drink, but we wanted to share some of our favorite spots! For coffee, check out The Market on Front (201 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802) or Clyde Coffee (741 S Higgins Ave Unit A, Missoula, MT 59801). Victoria used to work at Green Source (617 S Higgins Ave Ste A, Missoula, MT 59801), which is the best for smoothies, juices, and a light meal. For a quick bite, try Worden's Market & Deli (451 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802) or Masala (206 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802). Some of our favorite pizza spots are Biga Pizza (241 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802) and Bridge Pizza (600 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801). For dinner, we love GILD Brewing (515 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801) or Wally and Buck (319 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802). If you want to grab a drink, try The Dram Shop (229 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802), our favorite place, or Cranky Sam Public House (233 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802).
If you are interested in fly fishing while you are in Missoula, we recommend Missoula River Lodge, where Ian works as a guide! If you would like to book a trip, you can contact the lodge via email (info@classicjourneyoutfitters.com) or phone at (406) 880-0542. Be sure to mention that Ian sent you when you reach out!
If you are planning to extend your trip, we highly recommend visiting a few of our favorite places within driving distance of Missoula! Yellowstone National Park and Bozeman make a great trip with amazing scenery, wildlife, and plenty to explore. Grand Teton National Park is another favorite of ours, known for its incredible mountain views and beautiful hiking. If the weather cooperates, we also love visiting Glacier National Park, which has some of the most stunning landscapes in Montana and great hiking and scenic drives.