Plan your day!
This is Helena
Helena exists at a crossroads betweenpast and present, tame and untamed, mountainous wilderness and hometown warmth. A place where you can hike for mileswithout seeing a soul, stroll through our charming downtown, and enjoy breweries with breathtaking views—all in the same day.
Some say Helena has long been blessed. From the early roots ofBlackfeet, Salish, Crow and Bannock tribes who found this land abundant with bison and natural resources—to thefour lucky prospectors who, in their last efforts, struck gold in 1864—Helena is a place rich with history, beauty, and life.
We’re unexpected. Unfussy. Unspoiled. We don’t pretend to be anything we’re not, and we’re proud of who we are.But don’t take it from us. Come see for yourself.
OPENING SOON — Ribbon Cutting December 2nd, 2025!
The Montana Heritage Center will capture the grandeur of the Treasure State by celebrating the natural features, diverse cultures, and stories of our past. After years of hard work, consensus building, and careful design, the new home for the Montana Historical Society will include expanded museum exhibits, educational classrooms, a public event center, an enhanced research center, and a cafe, plus an outdoor courtyard and rooftop terrace. Visitors from across Montana and the world will experience state-of-the-art displays of our ever-expanding collections, only a few steps away from the Capitol building.
Hearing the excited voices of visitors of all ages while exploring the new Heritage Center and watching them learn what it means to be a Montanan will be a constant reminder of why this is such a special place.
View behind the scenes…Shop, Dine, and Play!
Immerse yourself in Helena’s downtown Walking Mall on The Last Chance Gulchand discover old-world architecture, restaurants, breweries, galleries, museums, retail shops, daily live music, and so much more! Start your adventure right here, in the heart of Downtown Helena.
Downtown Attractions- Helena was declaredMontana’s territorial capital in 1875
- Helena is aContinental Divide Trail Gateway Community
- Helena has one of the largest city parks systems in the US—combined 1,000 acres
- Home tointernationally renowned ceramics institution, the Archie Bray
- Home to thelargest Charlie M. Russell collection in the world
- Named aSilver-level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bike Association
- The Missouri River is aBlue Ribbon Trout Area
- Home to twoMontana Audubon Society birding areas
- Perfect mid-way point betweenYellowstone National Park andGlacier National Park.
- Awarded“Best for Geocaching” title by Rand McNally & Geocaching.com
Explore Montana’s Hometown
Open Audio Tours
Listen to the history of Helena at your own pace. Download the free ‘Open Audio Tours’ app.
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Visitor Guide
From trails to attractions, Helena has plenty of activities and wonders to uncover and discover. Enjoy blog posts and articles to get the most out of our town… and your stay.
Travelling between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks? We’re more than a stop — we’re worth the stay! When making Helena your home base for a night or several, we offer so much more to explore. Within thirty minutes to an hour and half drive you will discover the spirit and history of our beautiful region of lakes, rivers, mountains, and all the small city charm.
Destinations for Making Memories