Billings can be explored through a variety of themes: museums tell stories of regional history and art, while the Rimrocks offer views of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Beartooth Mountains. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between the city’s different highlights—from historical collections to trails and nature education, as well as local tastings.
Regional History, Art, and Historic Buildings
The Western Heritage Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum featuring exhibits, artifacts, and stories about the history and cultures of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains. It also offers historic walking tours and public programs. The Yellowstone County Museum focuses on the history of the Yellowstone River Basin in Montana. Educational programs and narrative exhibits bring this focus to life. The museum’s collections include archaeological materials, artifacts from Montana’s Tribal Nations, historic photographs, archives and works of art, as well as firearms and other weapons.
The McCormick Cabin tells a specific chapter in the city’s history: Paul McCormick had it built in 1893 in what is now downtown Billings as a place for social gatherings. In 1953, the cabin was moved to its present location to serve as the entrance to the Yellowstone County Museum. The Moss Mansion provides another historic landmark: the building was constructed in 1903.
The Yellowstone Art Museum focuses on contemporary and historic works, including art by artists with ties to Montana and the Northern Plains. The museum also offers multisensory experiences. Its building is ADA-compliant and fully accessible. If accessibility is important for your visit, check the latest visitor information in advance.
The Rimrocks, Trails, and Nature Education
The Rimrocks are sandstone cliffs on the northern edge of Billings. They offer views of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Beartooth Mountains. The paved Skyline Trail, a multi-use trail, provides a designated access point to the sandstone formations. In addition, Billings has more than 50 miles of trails for hiking and exploring. This overall figure stands alongside the specific Skyline Trail as a separate point of reference for anyone interested in trails in the city.
The 60-acre Swords Park includes a historic site, paved and unpaved jogging trails, a natural area, a picnic area, and restrooms. The combination of trail types and available facilities sets this park apart from the general figure for trails in Billings. When planning, you can distinguish between a designated multi-use trail, a park with several facilities, and the citywide trail network.
The Montana Audubon Center’s nature-focused educational programs center on birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems. The Center has a quiet outdoor area, a learning center, and an accessible trail network; it is about ten minutes from downtown Billings. Programs include summer camps and activities for families and adults. Check the current program schedule before your trip.
ZooMontana also combines wildlife and learning: its offerings include close-up animal viewing, interpretive exhibits, and experiential educational programs about the wildlife of the Yellowstone ecosystem. This gives the zoo a different focus from the Audubon Center’s educational programs, which cover birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems.
Local Neighborhoods and Tastings
The Billings Brew Trail takes visitors to sample craft beers, spirits, wines, and ciders while exploring local neighborhoods. Here, a culinary focus goes hand in hand with discovering the neighborhoods. Check in advance on the dates and availability of any activities you’d like to include in your trip.
For an overview of the wider trip: Yellowstone.
