Monthly Features from Helena, MT

24 Hours in Helena, Montana

February 2010

Dear (Contact First Name),

The air is still carries a bit of a chill, but along with the chill is the smell of Spring time returning to Helena. The Helena community is still bustling with winter activities, but those anxious for the summer months are starting take advantage of the brighter mornings and lighter evenings.

As the seasons change, so does the look of our newsletter. The latests and greatest changes mirror our new web site which you'll soon see go live.

It's time to come visit Helena and take advantage of a time that's just a little less crowded and a little more laid-back. For all your lodging options while you're here, check out this link! Now, just scroll down for a few tips of what to do while you're here.

You can still access previous issues of our newsletter here.

Sincerely,

Heidi O'Brien
Helena Convention and Visitor Bureau

24 Hours in Helena
for the Artist

Bennys

There is no more eclectic way to start your day in Helena with a trip down to The General Mercantile (413 North Last Chance Gulch). The "Merc" is one of those places where you can pick-up a pack of Blackjack gum along with your coffee and bite to eat so how can you go wrong?

When you're done at The Merc, Ray or any of his staff can point you around the corner and up the hill to the Holter Museum of Art. The current exhibit in the Sherman Gallery is Magic Carpets: Tribal Sorfas from Turkey.

You could really spend all day at the Holter wandering from gallery to gallery, but you've only got twenty-four hours, so wander up the Gulch and check out an array of galleries - from traditional to contemporary.

Take in a delicious meal at Benny's Bistro (108 E. 6th Avenue). If you're at Benny's on a weekend chances are you'll be dining to live jazz music.

Insider Tip: Parking in Downtown Helena is free on the weekends so don't feed the meters or buy the parking coupon.

24 Hours in Helena
for the Outdoor Enthusiast

You are going to need a good breakfast if you're going to be taking in the great outdoors so start the morning a little slower with breakfast at the No Sweat - 'cus this may be your only chance today not to not worry about sweat! The No Sweat (427 N. Last Chance Gulch) offers a filling breakfast.

The mountains that surround Helena are still primed for snowshoeing. Never snowshoed? Not a problem - it's basically just hiking with really big feet! Outdoor stores such as the Base Camp, Capital Sports & Western or Montana Outdoor Sports can all get you geared up and point you in the right direction.

Dinner needs to be quick, filling and a Montana experience to compliment your day outdoors. The Mackenzie River Pizza Co. may be just the ticket.

Insider Tip:
Mackenzie River Pizza really is the perfect place for the outdoor enthusiast. Mackenzie River is the largest donor to Travelers for Open Land which strives to conserve scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, working farms and ranches and recreational lands.

24 Hours in Helena
for the Culture Lover

Start your day at the Park Avenue Bakery. The Park Avenue Bakery is a traditional European Bakery and there's always something fresh and delicious coming from the ovens.

Those fascinated with the Native American culture need to get to Helena before March 7th. The Holter Museum of Art is featuring From the Spirit: Paintings by Kevin Red Star in the Artworks Gallery. Kevin Red Star was born on the Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana.

Holter Artist at work

For your next stop head on over the Montana Historical Society's Museum. The Museum collection--over 50,000 artifacts--contains art and three-dimensional artifacts relating to all aspects of Montana history and culture.

Dinner might just bring you back downtown - how about the traditional Montana steak at the Windbag Saloon? The Windbag used to be the site of one of Helena's most well-known brothels owned by Big Dorothy.

Insider Tip: The only day the Montana Historical Society is closed is on Sunday so make sure to make this your Saturday stop if you're only in Helena for the weekend.

24 Hours in Helena with the Family

Start the day at the Bagel Co.'s downtown location - 735 N. Last Chance Gulch. The Bagel Co. offers a variety of bagels from the "Capital" - which has just about everything on it - to a delicious cinnamon -raisin twist with GREAT frosting. And, why the Bagel Co. for a family? Make sure you check out the back room. There's a great kid's play area - and even a gate so your kid's can't escape!

You have to head to the Great Divide Ski Area next. The Great Divide is the perfect place to teach your kids how to ski. The bunny hill at the Great Divide is called the "Backyard". And, it's free to ski in this area. Parents can easily run up and down the hill while helping their kids. The Great Divide staff over at the Backyard is wonderful! They will give both teaching parents and kids tips on learning the sport. They truly want kids to love to ski and it shows. The Great Divide offers rentals at very reasonable prices and you'll be able to feed the family up at the Great Divide.

Chances are the kids will be pretty exhausted after their day skiing, and so will the parents! The Brewhouse offers great family dining and the Great Northern Carousel is right behind the restaurant, but a pizza in the room and a trip to the hotel pool (or maybe the hot tub) may just be more appealing.

Insider Tip: The hot chocolate up at the Great Divide is really hot so be sure to add a couple of ice cubes to it so the kiddos can sip it.

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