Billings,
MT : Attractions.gif)
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| Northern
Pacific Pink Caboose in Billings, Montana |
Generally,
most people from out-state who end up in Billings are there
because they are “passing through” on
their way to Yellowstone
National Park or Glacier
National Park, or some other mountain destination in the state.
Billings
gets
a lot
of this traffic
due to the simple fact that it is on the main Interstate
highway in the state and because it’s the first place
of any consequence that people driving into Montana from
the east will see. The reverse is also true – for people
leaving Montana from the west, Billings sort of provides
the “last outpost” before the very long drive
down I-90 through the rest of Montana and into the Dakotas.
For
this reason, most people never really poke around Billings,
MT, to see what is there. People who are in the mood to shop
will enjoy Billings, since pretty much everything can be
picked up in town in the wide variety of stores available.
Billings also has a pretty good sized indoor mall. Billings also has the best,
at least in my opinion, movie theatres in the state - with
one having
exclusively
stadium
seating
and
another
one concentrating in second run movies that cost $1 each.
The
Billings area is also home to the only true zoo in Montana – Zoo
Montana. Zoo
Montana is a rather unique zoo. Located just 10 miles to
the west of downtown, it contains a variety of animals.
When I first arrived at the zoo, I was expecting a zoo
full of Montana type animals. Instead, while some Montana
native species are at the zoo, Zoo Montana is home to a
number of rare species, including a Siberian Tiger.
While
in Billings, one
excellent place to visit is the Western Heritage Center.
The heritage
center contains numerous exhibits about native american
history and the settlement of the Billings, area. The
Heritage Center is located in the old Billings Library.
Other
things that people may find of interest include the Yellowstone
Art Museum, which has a nice selection of collection of
contemporary and historic art of the Rocky Mountain West.
This museum is located in the old jail.
The
Yellowstone Art Museum is located on the edge of the historic
district of Billings. The historic district of Billings,
which is all located around the railroad, is a rather interesting
place. Many old, brick buildings in this district have
bee nicely restored, including the original Northern Pacific
Train Depot. Just watch out for the absolutely awful pink
colored Northern Pacific Caboose. On a sunny day, it's
a real eye killer.
If music
is what you’re in the mood for, believe it
or not, Billings also has a symphony orchestra. Classical
music is in rather short supply in Montana, so having a symphony
orchestra here in the state is a rather nice bonus.
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| Downtown
Billings |
Billings,
for the sportsman, also has some pretty good opportunities
around town. The hunting is excellent out on the prairie
and around the foothills of the mountains for a wide variety
of game, including elk. The area rivers and lakes offer a
pretty nice variety of warm water (catfish, bass) and cold
water (trout) fishing opportunities. The Yellowstone
River itself as it passes through
Billings has a mix of both fishing – as
it is at this point that the Yellowstone is converting from
a cold water fishery to a warm water one. Both brown trout
an catfish can be caught on the Yellowstone in and around
Billings. Other nearby rivers include Rock
Creek and the
Bighorn
River, both of which are less than an hour away.
The
city of Billings, MT, itself also has a fair park system
along parts of the Yellowstone River. However, the best
potential park of all in Billings is also sadly the most
neglected. Just to the north of downtown lies the Rimrocks.
The rimrocks
are a rocky escarpment that rise straight up about 400-500
vertical feet above the valley that downtown Billings is
built in. When standing up on the rimrocks, you have a
beautiful view of Billings and the surrounding area.
Unfortunately,
Billings has done absolutely nothing to make this a nice
place to go to. Indeed, the city seems to completely
neglect it. While having the airport right behind the this
park
and a bunch of powerlines running over it doesn't help
any, some simple effort into cleaning the park up could
really make this a nice place. But, as it is right
now, although you get a beautiful view, the hordes of
garbage, illegal off-road vehicles and broken bottles make
a visit
to the Rimrocks less than inspiring.
Summary
Overall,
if you will be passing through Billings, do make a point
of visiting the downtown area. Downtown Billings is quite
nice and has many things to do and to see. The historic
district is also a place you may want to visit if you are
into history and older, restored buildings. Just watch
out for the blinding pink caboose!
 
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