Tag Archive for: billings

Exploring Thrilling Landscapes in Billings is Just a Walk in the Parks

Within mere moments of arriving in Billings, visitors become acquainted with the sort of American West landscape that is depicted in classic films and literature. After all, it’s hard to miss ancient sandstone bluffs that stand nearly 500 feet ensconcing the bustling city below. The Rimrocks, as the locals call them, are a place where visitors can make a quick retreat from the modern conveniences of the state’s largest city to breathtaking wilderness and views of distant mountain ranges piercing big blue skies. Three parks – Swords Park, Zimmerman Park and Four Dances Recreation Area – each offer a unique perspective of Montana terrain from atop the rims, ranging from glimpses of the mighty Yellowstone River to distant, brush-covered prairies.

Adventure further out and visit Bighorn Canyon. Just a two-hour road trip brimming with picture-perfect vistas, Bighorn Canyon treats visitors to astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife and more than 10,000 years of human history. The North District of the park, which is the closest to Billings, features about 5 miles of trails among dazzling canyon walls and Bighorn Lake.

The Rimrocks, as the locals call them, allow visitors to make a quick retreat from the modern conveniences of the state’s largest city to breathtaking wilderness and views of distant mountain ranges piercing big blue skies. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

Billings Has Served As A Set For Many Hollywood Films

You wouldn’t ordinarily think of a historic railroad station as a source of fame for a destination, but in Billings, that’s precisely where Montana’s largest city made major appearances on the big screen.

In 1993, renowned producer Ron Howard filmed portions of “Far and Away” at the Historic Billings Depot. The film, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, is a story about Irish immigrants seeking fortune in 1890s America.

Then in 2013, Hollywood returned to the Historic Billings Depot for the filming of “Nebraska,” a comedy-drama starring “Saturday Night Live’s” Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” The black and white picture follows an elderly Montana man and his son on a journey to claim a million-dollar sweepstakes prize.

While the Billings Depot has served as the set of major motion pictures, visitors today can enjoy classic and contemporary Hollywood hits at other historic locations in the city. The ArtHouse Cinema showcases movies every week in a quaint setting, and the Babcock Theatre – built in 1906 to address the high demand for entertainment resulting from the mining boom and an influx of rail travelers – is a unique venue that offers a modern take on a Western treasure.

Visitors to Billings can experience classic and contemporary Hollywood hits at the Babcock Theatre, built in 1906. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

There’s a Lot to Celebrate This Year in Billings, Montana

There are many exciting trails in Billings, Montana. One of the most beloved among visitors and locals alike is the Billings Brew Trail. The only walkable craft beverage trail in Montana, the Billings Brew Trail treats hikers to 1.5 miles of custom libations from six breweries, two distilleries and a cider mill. And that’s just the downtown section of the trail.

Nothing goes better with a cool one than some seasonal celebration. As luck would have it, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Billings’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join us at Montana’s Trailhead on March 17 to celebrate all things Irish. Honor St. Patty as dozens of floats march through historic downtown, and then sample some of the best the Billings Brew Trail has to offer (which may or may not be dyed green for the occasion).

In Billings, the party goes on all year. The Alive After 5 (AA5) outside concert series was started in 2003 by a group of downtown restaurant and property owners. Over the years, the idea grew from five concerts each summer to, at its biggest, 14 shows. In 2023 – to celebrate AA5’s 20th anniversary – there will be another amazing concert series through summer.

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Billings St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Watch as dozens of floats march through downtown, and then sample some seasonally dyed libations. PHoto courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

Winter is the Coolest Time of Year in Billings, Montana

When temperatures drop in Billings, Montana, the atmosphere of the city becomes a lot more chill. And Montana’s largest city beckons visitors to forge a path to some of the coolest experiences in the region.

Hike the walkable 1.5-mile Billings Brew Trail and enjoy a frosty mug or two of craft beer. When you get hungry, the amazing food scene is nearby, with many options including two James Beard Award nominees – Walker’s Grill and The Marble Table – within a short walk of most areas of downtown.

Warm the soul by taking in a performance at the historic Alberta Bair Theater or by discovering iconic art of the American West at the Yellowstone Art Museum. And no visit to Billings is complete without a stop at ZooMontana. This year, the zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Holiday Nights, featuring millions of festive, twinkling lights to help families celebrate the winter season.

Winter outdoor enthusiasts can get their hearts racing with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Billings’ local parks, and downhill skiing at nearby Red Lodge Mountain.

So, visit Billings, Montana’s Trailhead, this winter season and discover why it is the coolest time of the year.

When temperatures drop, warm your body and your soul in Billings, Montana. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

Don’t Miss the Dazzling Views In and Around Billings

 

A picture-perfect adventure awaits in Billings, Montana’s Trailhead. Don’t miss these stunning views of the American West:

Swords Rimrock Park
Take in unencumbered views of Billings from atop the ancient sandstone rock formations that hug the historic downtown. The 60-acre park offers unlimited vantage points of the landscape below and blue skies above.

Four Dances Recreation Area
A leisurely hike that begins just outside downtown Billings ends with breathtaking views at Four Dances Recreation Area. Grab a seat at the outlooks along the trail and treat yourself to panoramic scenes of the Yellowstone River, distant rock formations and rolling prairies.

The Beartooth Highway
One of the most majestic roads in North America is a must-see. Visitors can travel the Beartooth Highway as well as Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to cruise through some of the most spectacular byways in the West. Easily accessible via Billings.

Bighorn Canyon
Set your eyes upon every type of Montana terrain at Bighorn Canyon, including forest, mountains, deep canyons, high desert, wetlands and more. Hop aboard a paddleboard for 360-degree views of the canyon from Bighorn Lake or find a tranquil spot ashore to take it all in.

Take in unencumbered views and breath the fresh air in Billings’ Zimmerman Park. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

Billings is Montana’s Trailhead for Awesome Events

 

There’s no better way to explore the spirit of Billings than by forging a path to one of the destination’s spectacular annual events.

Treat your ears to soulful musical performances with events like Symphony in the Park, featuring the Billings Symphony Orchestra and a musical instrument “petting zoo” for the kids. Or get groovy at Magic City Blues, which has welcomed performances by ZZ Top, Steve Miller Band and many more.

The MINT Film Festival allows you to experience the Hollywood lifestyle, including walking the red carpet, watching groundbreaking films, attending after-parties and meeting actors and directors.

Dive into cowboy culture at MontanaFair, which includes just about everything you could imagine: live music, beer, wine, arts and crafts, horticulture, agriculture and, of course, the PRCA Pro Rodeo.

Every year, Billings rumbles to life with Burn the Point, where more than 500 cars from the 1950s and 1960s cruise the streets of Billings followed by live music and dancing. Then, the rumbling takes to two wheels as Billings welcomes motorcyclists taking part in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Billings is home to soulful music, Hollywood-style film festivals, cowboy culture and more. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.