Missoula Weekend with Kids

Missoula, Montana, is one of my family's favorite little cities to visit. Even with a rapidly growing population of over 100,000, Missoula still has the feel of a small college town. Surrounded by five different mountain ranges, and with the Clark Fork River running right through downtown, Missoula is an outdoor paradise for the whole family.

Wingate by Wyndham

You only need two words to describe this hotel to your kids: giant waterslide. Yes, it's also clean, comfy, and quiet, but you know kids just care about having fun in the pool. At least mine did. They declared this to be the best hotel ever.

MacKenzie River Pizza Co

My kids always answer, "Pizza!" when I ask them what kind of food to look for in a new town. We discovered the MacKenzie River Pizza Co. chain during a Montana roadtrip a few years back, and ended up eating at three of them in different towns: Butte, Kalispell, and Missoula. They're busy expanding, with new restaurants opening up in Idaho, Washington, and Indiana. Bottom line, the pizza is superb. They also have amazing salads and the best baked lasagna I've ever had. The interior is very Western, reflecting their Big Sky roots. Friendly, fun, and great food.

Kids get in for $1, adults for $3, or the whole family for just $10.

A Carousel for Missoula

Who can resist the simple fun of riding a carousel? I've never seen a kid turn away from one. Missoula's is relatively new, built in the early 90's, but all hand-carved so it retains that classic antique carousel feel. It's open all year, costs just 50 cents for kids, $1.50 for adults, and sits next to the imaginative Dragon Hollow ... More >

Fort Missoula Museum

History comes alive at the Fort Missoula Museum! Established in 1877 to protect the town from area Indian tribes, the fort soon became home to the African-American 25th Infantry in 1888. Later it served as home to the very first Bicycle Corps, which made a lengthy trip from Missoula to St. Louis in 1897. Now the fort has its history on display, with 13 historic buildings, including a fire lookout tower from 1934. There's also a train depot, complete with genuine 1923 steam locomotive. Fort Missoula is open most of the year, and is a real bargain. Kids get in for $1, adults for $3, or the whole family for just $10.

Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center

Here's something that might make your kids' eyes pop open. The largest training base for smokejumpers in the country is in Missoula, Montana, and they offer free 45-minute guided tours during the summer! It's a fun way for kids to learn about these brave firefighters.

chain during a Montana roadtrip a few years back, and ended up eating at three of them in different towns: Butte, Kalispell, and Missoula.

National Bison Range

The National Bison Range lets you stay in the comfort of your car for your choice of self-guided driving tours. There's the 19-mile Red Sleep Mountain Loop, or the 4-mile Buffalo Prairie Drive. Before you do either one, you'll want to stop in the visitor's center to learn about the amazing bison. Kids might not understand why we hunted the species to near extinction just over 100 years ago, but they'll soon learn that the Range is working hard to make sure that never happens again. On the drive, you'll find stunning scenery as you play "spot the bison herd." There are places you are allowed to stop for a picnic or even a quick hike. There's a fee of $4 per vehicle.

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