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Bozeman Real Estate Group
Planning to Visit Bozeman, Montana? Here's Everything You Need to Know
On Jul 08, 2023
Lucky you! Looks like you’ll soon be paying a visit to the “Last Best Place”. If you’ve never visited Bozeman before, you’re in for a good time. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Bozeman in the spring, summer, winter, or fall, there is plenty here to keep you busy year-round! Here’s everything that you need to know to plan your visit to Bozeman.
GETTING AROUND
As Montana’s busiest airport, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport provides the only year-round service for Yellowstone National Park and is the main hub for travelers looking to visit Bozeman, Big Sky, Livingston, West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and other areas in Southwest Montana. While the airport is small by most standards, you will instantly feel like you’re in Montana with sculptures of bison & bears as décor and the beautiful Bridger Mountain Range as a backdrop.
Cab services in Bozeman leave much to be desired and struggle to keep up with the high demand. Do not count on a cab service to be outside the airport once you land. Instead, head straight to the car rental counter or catch an Uber. The airport is located on the outskirts of Belgrade, Montana, and is a 15-20 minute drive to downtown, Bozeman. Another alternative is to check the car rental website, Turo. This is great if you are staying for a longer period of time or need specific features like a ski rack or car seats.
Travelers Tip: Bozeman does also have a free bus service that offers multiple routes throughout Bozeman as well as limited service to Belgrade, Four Corners, Livingston, and Bridger Bowl. Visit their website for more information.
WHERE TO STAY
It wasn’t long ago that the options for lodging in Bozeman included a few dozen chain hotels, a lodge or two, and a handful of VRBO’s. But oh, times have changed. Now, travelers can choose from hotels like boutique-style hotel The Lark, the Kimpton Armory Hotel, the AC Hotel, or the stylish Element Hotel along with dozens of Airbnb’s, VRBO’s, and Bed & Breakfasts.
Regarding what part of town to stay in when you visit Bozeman, most visitors prefer to be downtown where restaurants, shopping, parks, and events are all within walking distance. But, staying on the outskirts of town has its perks too! If you want the authentic Montana experience, check out this list of cabin rentals near Bozeman, or try Sage Lodge in Paradise Valley or Rainbow Ranch in Big Sky.
Travelers Tip: For budget, travelers check out Bozeman’s only hostel, the Treasure State Hostel located in the best location – right downtown!
SEEING THE CITY OF BOZEMAN
There’s no way you can visit Bozeman without making at least one stop in the heart of Bozeman, downtown. We’ll make a strong bet that you’ll be quickly charmed by the mom n’ pop-style breakfast joints, art galleries, bookstores, and specialty shops filled with locally made products. Lucky for us (and for you!) Bozeman’s history has been well preserved with more than 13 historic buildings in just 10 blocks, many of which date back to the late 1800s.
Don’t be fooled though, there’s nothing old about Bozeman’s downtown scene. You’ll find live music, whiskey bars, art walks, breweries, bingo nights, rooftop bars, and cocktail lounges downtown – which should be enough to keep you busy while you’re here! Click here for our list of the best places with patios in Bozeman, click here for the best clothing stores in downtown Bozeman, and click here for the best coffee shops.
GET OUTSIDE
There’s no point in visiting Bozeman if you plan to sit in your hotel room all day. Grab a bike or rent a car and get yourself outside! Bozeman has an awesome “Main Street to the Mountains” trail system that winds its way all through the town, leading you toward the mountains. This is a great way to get yourself out and about if you have limited transportation. If you have a car, well, Montana is your oyster.
Hyalite Canyon is our top pick for visitors because you get the best of everything. Waterfalls? Check. Alpine Lakes? Check. Peaks to climb? Check. A large body of water where you can canoe, paddleboard, swim, kayak, or just chill? Check. If you have time for more, exploring the Bridger Mountain Range with a quick hike up The M trail or climbing the tallest peak, Sacagawea are our best suggestions. If it’s winter, you’ll definitely want to strap on some skis and get some turns in at either Bridger Bowl, Big Sky Resort, or Crosscut. Click here for the best hikes in and around Bozeman. That list has hikes to peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and more!
Travelers tip: If you are heading into the mountains, be sure to bring bear spray!
EAT YOUR HEART OUT
While we’re no NYC, we’ve got a pretty happening food scene here in Bozeman. And we think you’re going to like it! Many visitors come to Montana looking for that classic meat n’ potatoes kind of meal, which places like Open Range or Ted’s Montana Grill do oh, so well. You’ll also notice Montana-inspired dishes like bison burgers or smoked trout dip at many of the classic American-style restaurants. But once you feel like you’ve done the steak & potatoes thing, there is so much more Bozeman has to offer. Homemade dim sum at Red Sugar Dim Sum, sushi at Hooked, home-style Italian at Blackbird, and the raw seafood bar at Feast are just the start. Click here for a list of 10 Bozeman restaurants to try.
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