Missoula, Montana Attractions

The tiny, hardscrabble town of Garnet was originally built to support miners and their families during the area's brief gold rush of the late 1800s. The town was effectively abandoned after the mines tapped out and a fire ravaged its buildings in the early 1900s. Today, visitors can meander down the eerily quiet pathways and visit the husks of Montana's best-preserved ghost town.

Along the banks of the Clark Fork River, a menagerie of hand-carved animals parade around a band organ on a carousel constructed in 1918. As a whimsical twist, each of the carousel's 38 elaborate ponies has been given a name, Lil' Buck, Meriweather, and Columbia Belle are among the carousel's herd. The price of a ride hasn't changed much in its more than 100 years of service; kids can ride for just 50 cents.

On the site of a fort used from 1877-1947, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is a sanctuary for western Montana's cultural and logging history. Spread out over 32 acres, you'll find 13 historic structures housing upwards of 25,000 objects associated with Montana's vibrant history.

Built in 1921 along the bank of the Clark Fork River in downtown Missoula, Montana, the Wilma building has a long and colorful history. Commonly called the "Showplace of Montana," the eight-story building was constructed by William "Billy" Simons, an early western entrepreneur who produced Wild West shows and built theatres in Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska during the Gold Rush. Eighty-five years later the Wilma building, with its 1,066 seat Louis XIV-style theatre, remains a Missoula icon, and regardless of whether patrons came to see a documentary film, a nationally touring punk-rock band or the ballet, there is plenty to see long before the show ever starts.

In the winter, Snowbowl's 950 acres are blanketed with exceptional snow. For skiers and snowboarders who enjoy taking their time and the sensation of floating on snow, the 3-mile Paradise run is ideal. For those whose passions are ignited by steep descents they will love the Grizzly run with its 200 vertical feet of dizzying steep terrain. When the snow melts, Snowbowl opens up its runs for mountain bikers and disc golf players, making the ski area a year-round destination.

Red Bird Restaurant and Wine Bar severs eclectic local cuisine with flair. Red Bird Restaurant is opened for intimate evening dining in dramatic architectural surroundings with an art nouveau feel. The Restaurant strives for sustainability and serves local meats, handmade pastas, sustainable fresh seafood and delectable desserts.

Chef-owned and operated, Pearl Cafe is an aptly named jewel of a restaurant serving regional cuisine with a country French accent. The massive beams and peach toned bricks of the historic warehouse provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. Specialties include bison with huckleberry-zinfandel sauce, duckling with dried cherries and pomegranate sauce and beef tenderloin with port and Roquefort. Fresh fish dishes change daily and local products are used whenever possible. The menu is rounded out with a variety of appetizers, soups and salads, house made bread and a list of sinfully delicious desserts. Custom wedding and special occasion cakes are produced in the bakery as well. The restaurant serves wine and beer, with a list of 15 wines by the glass, local draft beer, a broad selection of half bottles and over 100 full bottles.

Finn & Porter gives surf and turf a contemporary twist. Innovative daily features are showcased with an emphasis on regional northwest cuisine. Try the hand tossed, gourmet pizzas including the Margherita, Prosciutto Walnut, Shiitake, Apollo, Seafood and The Griz. Finn & Porter also features an award winning bar with innovative cocktails including 16 specialty martinis such as the "Finn-Tini" and 200 select wines with 40 wines by the glass, as well as 16 draft beers on tap highlighting Montana micro-brews.

At Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern, the bold majesty of America's grand lodges meets a fresh, exciting collection of foods and flavors. They feature a unique menu of comfort food with a twist, or what they describe as "creative American cooking." It's food you know and love, layered with delicious new flavors.