Helena is an old Western town and the capital city of Montana. It was established in 1864 after gold was found in the nearby creek. It’s sometimes referred to as the Queen City of the Rockies and its surroundings are quite scenic. At an altitude of slightly over 4,000 feet, Helena is one of the higher elevated state capitals in the US. While we have been through Helena several times before, on our recent Montana trip, we decided to stay for two nights to explore the city a little more. Here are my recommendations for 7 great things to do in Helena, Montana.
7 Great Things to Do in Helena, Montana
1. Explore the historic downtown
Helena has a number of buildings on the Registry of Historic Places, so as you walk around, pay attention to the plaques on the buildings. The Last Chance Gulch is particularly impressive with interesting statues and murals depicting the history of the town. There are several galleries lining the streets as well as a variety of restaurants and coffee shops.
2. Walk through Reeder's Alley
Reeder’s Alley, named after Louis Reeder who built the settlement, is a great example of what Old Helena must have been like. The lovely one story red brick buildings and narrow streets are absolutely charming. Make sure to explore the little row house apartments, one of which houses the Visitor Center.
3. Peek into an old Pioneer Cabin
Right next to Reeder’s Alley you will find a few old cabins. Peek inside to see the furnished rooms with artifacts going back to the early days.
4. Tour the State Capitol Building
The State Capitol Building, slightly away from the downtown area, definitely deserves a visit. Inside, you’ll find interesting paintings alluding to the history of the state. Make sure to look into the House Chamber where the priceless Charlie Russell painting of Lewis and Clark at Three Forks hangs. The Senate Chamber has multiple paintings as well.
5. See the Original Governor’s Mansion
While we didn’t go on a tour, we checked out the building from the outside. Built in 1888 as a private residence, the mansion served as home to Montana’s governors from 1913 till 1959. Nowadays, it is a historic house museum with guided tours offered to the public. You can find more information here
6. Admire the views from Helena City Park
Drive to the parking lot of Helena City Park and admire the views of town and the surrounding mountains from above. If you’re up for a hike, there are several trails starting from the parking lot. Since it was a hot summer day, we chose not to go on a longer hike and instead walked up a few feet to the bench to enjoy the views.
7. Camp in Helena National Forest
If you want to enjoy nature while in Helena, head to Helena National Forest. We camped right outside of town on the Continental Divide and certainly enjoyed it. It was a lovely place with beautiful views and blooming meadows. Another benefit is that you are definitely cooler than in town. It is bear country so be bear aware and enjoy the beauty.
