Frommers ShortCuts - Billings and Eastern Montana

Copyright 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978/750-8400, fax 978/646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201/748-6011, fax 201/748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Frommers is a trademark or registered trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

ISBN 9781118428382 (ebk); ISBN 9781118428368 (ebk)

For information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877/762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317/572-3993 or fax 317/572-4002.

About the Author

A Denver-based writer, Eric Peterson has authored numerous travel guides covering the American West for both Frommers (including previous editions of Frommers Montana & Wyoming and Frommers Colorado ) and Ramble (including Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A. ), an imprint of Fulcrum Publishing (www.fulcrum-books.com). Peterson has also written for numerous newspapers and magazines, including the New York Daily News, Denver Post, and Delta Sky; he also wrote a winter sports column for Frommers.com. In his free time, hes an avid camper, skier, and hiker; a lifelong Broncos fan; and a part-time rock star (at least in the eyes of his niece Olivia and nephews Mitch and Sam).

Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

In addition to the star-rating system, we also use eight feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:

special finds those places only insiders know about

fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun

kids best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family

special moments those experiences that memories are made of

overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money

insider tips great ways to save time and money

great values where to get the best deals

warning travelers advisories are usually in effect

The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:
AE American Express
DISC Discover
V Visa
DC Diners Club
MC MasterCard

The Best of Montana & Wyoming

A mix of the rugged Wild West, the even more rugged Rocky Mountains, and a few almost-modern citiesor what we might call overgrown cow townsmake the states of Montana and Wyoming delightful vacation spots. This is especially true for people who savor outdoor adventures, but its also the case for those looking to discover a part of the United States that many of us have seen only in the movies and on television (and thats a rather distorted view). Here youll find some of the most breathtaking scenery in America; a vast array of wildlife that not only thinks it owns the place, but actually does; and even some first-class Western-style lodges, restaurants, and museums.

Montana

Big Sky Country is an apt nickname for Montana, with its broad swaths of cloud-dotted blue skies hovering over majestic mountains, forested wilderness, and a seemingly endless sea of plains. Below that picture-perfect sky, there are a lifetime of trails to hike, lakes and rivers to paddle, and wide open spaces to explore. But it is also worth spending some time inside city limits, where several standout restaurants and museums nicely complement the great outdoors. You wont need to pitch a tent here, either: Montana offers first-class Western-style lodges.

Cities Billings is the states largest city, with over 100,000 residents and a bustling industrial center. Bozeman and Missoula are both college towns, with good bookstores, restaurants, and shops. They are also both tourism centers: Bozeman is a gateway to Yellowstone, and Missoula is a gateway to Glacier National Park. Among the smaller towns in Montana, Whitefish is known for superlative outdoor recreation and a fun downtown near Glacier National Park, while Helena has a beautiful historic district filled with classic architecture.

Countryside There is nearly endless variety in Montana, from river valleys flanked by the picturesque peaks of the Rocky Mountains, to the endless eastern plains, to the geologically gnarled badlands in Makoshika State Park. The Yellowstone, Madison, and Missouri rivers offer incredible boating and fishing opportunities, as does massive Flathead Lake, in the states northwest corner.

Eating & Drinking A trip to Montana is a unique opportunity to indulge in the bold, succulent flavors of big game: You dont typically find fresh bison, elk, and venison on a big-city menu. Montanas rivers and streams yield a bounty of trout, sturgeon, walleye, and catfish. Wild huckleberries are a local delicacy that youll find in syrup, ice cream, chocolate, and even beer. There are a number of good microbreweries, and most bars double as casinos with low-stakes gaming.

National Parks Glacier National Park is one of Montanas cant-miss stops, centered on the awe-inspiring spine of the Rockies. With its soaring peaks, icy lakes and streams, and its multitude of wildlife, its a paradise for hikers and backpackers. Yellowstone National Park, part of which is located in Montana, has forests, lakes, and lots of wildlife, but it is probably best known for its spewing geysers and bubbling, boiling mud. Hike along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, a thousand-foot-deep gorge.

Wyoming

The least-populated state in the union, Wyoming is defined by its vast open spaces. Along with ranching, the oil and gas industry is a principal economic driver, as is tourism, largely to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Its a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, with great trails to hike in summer and slopes to ski and ride come wintertime.

Cities With about 55,000 residents apiece, Cheyenne and Casper vie for the title of most populated city in the least populated state, and serve as worthy stopovers but not vacation destinations. Laramie is the home of Wyomings only four-year university. On the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson is the hippest, richest, and most active city in the state. Cody is also a worthy destination.