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Make the Milky Way your destination with the Parks Service’s nighttime programs

Overview

Loosen your belt buckle as you roll into this beloved Yellowstone gateway town, and enjoy a taste of Montana (and a craft beer or two) before your road trip continues.

Imagine the best hotels in Montana, and you’ll imagine nights under starry skies in luxury tents, ranches of the Old West, and boutique inns and Victorian manors. Montana’s best hotel options are unique and exciting, with each offering a glimpse of a different aspect of life in the Mountain West. From glamping it up in some of the most rugged terrain in the USA to five-star trappings at world-class ski lodges, Montana’s hotels are as unique as they come.

A perfect day in Bozeman, one of Montana’s most exciting destinations, means Big Sky vistas, boutique hotels, and culinary thrills. Bozeman also means hot springs, wine bars, urban hikes, mountain trekking, dinosaur hunting, and donut-dunking. Bozeman is a slice of life in Montana, and the perfect place to spend a day.

For the best views in Gardiner, pop down onto the big patio at the Iron Horse Bar & Grill and gaze out over the river, mountains, and unspoilt terrain of Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Order up a heaping pile of elk nachos, a few craft beers, a hulking bison meatloaf, and perhaps a mulberry margarita or two, and chill on Gardiner’s only real cowboy pation. Keep an eye out for bears on the banks of the river.

We drove most of the way across Montana to get a taste for the bison burger at Helen’s Corral Drive-In, and we were not disappointed. The burger paired perfectly with a frosty milkshake, and we were excited to hear that 2014 may bring with it the return of the Drive-In’s famous elk burger - so there’s always that to look forward to.

In the city’s once-gritty fishermen’s quarter, a group of activist chefs is reviving—and reinventing—traditional cuisine.

What could be better than pulling into pretty little Gardiner after a long day on the road, ordering up a fresh pizza, and staring out over Yellowstone National Park while the sun goes down? Yellowstone Pizza Company is a great dining option whether you’re staying in Mammoth, at a campsite inside the park, in Chico, or Gardiner itself.

From huckleberry products and Montana tees to bear paw slippers and shot glasses on skis, Crystal Winters in Whitefish has it all. With their eclectic and extensive array of gifts and souvenirs you will certainly be able to find something for everyone. Show the world your Montana pride with an “I Heart Montana” t-shirt and matching sweatshirt. Or deck your car out with a few Montana mountain decals. Having trouble finding something for the person who has everything? Crystal Winter’s vast collection of colorful wind socks and wind chimes are sure to please.

Dear, sweet, honey. Raw, unfiltered, unheated, made in Montana honey to be more precise. The Wustner Brothers keep their bees in the Sapphire Mountains outside of Missoula, where they can happily forage on Montana wildflowers and create delicious honey. The Wustner Brothers currently have several varieties of honey, including napweed, wildflower and clover honey. Creamed honey in a variety of flavors is also available. Wustner Brothers Honey can be found at grocery stores and in restaurant menus all over the state- don’t miss their creamed honey with local huckleberries for a double dose of Montana goodness.

Whether you root for the Montana Grizzlies or cheer on the Ospreys, the MSO Hub has you covered. Hats, shirts, pants and socks; show your team pride from your head to your toes. For those torn between teams, the Hub also has a vast selection of Missoula gifts and Made in Montana products and souvenirs. Postcards, bear-paw-shaped chocolates and Missoula themed Monopoly are just a few excellent gift ideas.

The end to a perfect day in Bozeman is waiting for you somewhere on the doorstep of the beautiful Lehrkind Mansion Bed & Breakfast, quite possibly the most picturesque building in all of Montana. The Victorian marvel is a perfect base for a few days of exploring Bozeman, with a great library filled with inspiring tomes and photography books that will stir your Montana wanderlust further. Each of the mansion’s nine rooms has its own unique character, though The Muir Room is where you want to stay if you’re a writer looking for a spark.

Coffee and espresso are a big part of the road trip experience for many people, though it usually comes quickly through a drive-thru window, or across the counter at a big chain coffee shop. The Big Lodge Espresso shop is different. This giant concrete teepee rests on the outskirts of Browning and serves up some of Montana‘s best coffee, 89-cent pastries, and two-dollar muffins. And, once again, it’s a giant concrete teepee! Get your camera ready.

Whether you’re a frequent flier or a first time traveler, Red Oxx bags and luggage will outfit your exploration with style. Red Oxx carries a multitude of high quality bags and suitcases specifically designed for whatever adventure you’re about to embark upon, whether it be a wild African safari or a business meeting a state away. Safari bags, expedition bags, day packs, briefcases and garment bags are just a few of their products; all hand made in Montana.