48 hours in Billings Montana – Eat, See, Do
Billings, Montana can I just hug you?! You may be known as Montana’s trailhead, but you’ve got everything going on in your own right! A trailhead is a place where a trail begins, which means Billings makes a great “home base” for heading out to other great Montana locations, but after my visit to this charming town, I say, “Stay awhile!” Trust me, there are so things to do in Billings Montana, I am going to knock your socks off!
When I posted a photo to Instagram for another project, I geotagged that the photo was taken in Billings. I did not mention Billings in my caption or anything else. However you can't fool the travel community, I immediately got comments about how awesome Billings is, how underrated it was, and how much fellow travelers had enjoyed exploring it. I have to say that I agree!
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Plus, Billings has a truly great food and beverage scene which is the most important thing to making a trip great in my book. Billings also has art, music, outdoor activities, entertainment, and other fun activities. It truly is at the trailhead of some epic national parks and monuments.
On top of that, their farmer's market can seduce the socks off any foodie! Then they have the pièce de résistance, a real French baker making real French bread, mon Dieu!
I only spent 48 hours in Billings, but it was definitely long enough to fall in love.
My time was mainly focused on the historic downtown area. It is so easy to get to. Hello! My home during my stay, the historic Northern Hotel was just a short drive (2.2 miles) from the airport! Downtown Billings is more than a single block of historical buildings, it is block after block, I quickly got in my 10,000 steps which I needed to work off the great food, coffee, juices, and beverages!
And while I was doing this:
And this:
My USA Parks travel buddy, Emily was doing this:
And this:
Two different styles, one city.
Of course, I didn’t just eat. (Although I did do a lot of that.) I also visited museums and art stores, coffee shops, and battlefields.
There are plenty of things to do in Billings MT, no one was more surprised than I was! Let me share some highlights and offer you recommendations for your visit to the city of Billings.
I'm going to make you wait for the food. Let's start with art.
Things to do in Billings Montana: Art
I know. You're thinking, “Andi? Art? That's something new!” Well, actually it's not. I LOVE museums, street art, murals, and artisanal crafts. I may not sit down and write a dissertation on how fascinating I find Toulouse Lautrec's 19th Century Paris work, and I may not be able to tell you why Monet painted so many flowers, but I can tell you his gardens are pretty! And I can tell you that I loved visiting the Yellowstone Art Museum.
Yellowstone Art Museum
I walked to the Yellowstone Art Museum from the hotel the first afternoon I arrived. It was 2 hours until closing but that was plenty of time to see the good stuff (and save room for the gift shop!). The museum's size is digestible and I got to nearly all the permanent collections and exhibits. There were 2 that were my favorite: the thing itself and America the beautiful: Clyde Butcher.
I once saw an exhibit at The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul that was very similar to ‘the thing itself. In this exhibit, various artists have taken everyday objects, cereal boxes, pieces of garbage, and more and by inlaying, overlaying, mounting, and recombining them have created some really fun pieces to see. I enjoy upcycling/recycling and this exhibit takes it to the next level.
I absolutely loved seeing the photography of Clyde Butcher, mainly because (a) he is a great photographer, but (b) most of the photos in the exhibit space were of places that I have visited before and so I had a connection to the subject matter.
I also absolutely loved the notes he took about each photo. I had some revelations about some of the photography habits of Mr. Misadventures, I have come to understand some of his peculiarities a bit more after seeing this beautiful black-and-white photography exhibit.
You don't have to go to a museum to realize that Billings has a very vibrant art scene. ArtWalk Downtown Billings, a monthly event that just celebrated its 25th anniversary, highlights the ever-growing community of artists and art galleries in downtown Billings. And it isn't just the galleries, it is a community affair with a festival-like atmosphere.
I was not there for one of these evenings, but I did get a chance to check out work from local artisans at a shop called Toucan, everywhere I turned there was something I wanted to buy, but my carry-on luggage prevented me from doing so!
Traffic Signal Boxes
As you walk around town you will also see traffic signal box art which is part of a public art project.
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Just in the 4-5 block radius area, I walked around the Northern Hotel, I found so many!
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Other Street Art
There are also unofficial outlets for street art by local artists, mainly some of the alleys off First Avenue North and 30th Street South. While not sanctioned by the city they are a way for artists to express themselves with bright colors and designs and lots of statements.
Other Museums in Billings
Not necessarily art, but falling in the museum category, are the following spots to visit in Billings:
- Yellowstone County Museum: At the airport! So if you find yourself there early with time to kill, check out the artifacts from the Northern Plains Indian tribes, western expansion, mining, cattle and sheep herding, and textiles as well as other Montana history and a steam engine!
- The Moss Mansion: historic site and home of the prominent Moss Family one of Billings's founding members. It's made from iconic Redstone and is quite a beauty, I passed it several times during my walks.
- Western Heritage Center: dedicated to the history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern Plains.
Billings Outdoor Activities
Billings was made for the outdoors and the people who love killing a couple of thousand calories before noon! It is an outdoor mecca and there are endless things to do near Billings making the town a great place to fuel up and head out.
My particular 48 hours were a little more on the down-low, but my partner in crime, Emily hit this part of the itinerary in full force. She is a rock star!
Horseback Riding
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Emily headed out with Bitter Creek Outfitters for a horseback ride through parts of the family's 7000-acre 100-year-old ranch. It is 8 miles from Billings but could be hours the way it makes you feel! The groups are small, 6 or fewer, and no one knows that land better than the second-generation rancher! They take riders at all levels.
This is a great way to experience the gorgeous plains, the rimrocks, the ponderosa pines, and lots of wildflowers. You might even be lucky enough to be accompanied by the ranch's dog Bo!
Hiking or Walking
I got all my steps in by walking everywhere I went in the downtown Billings area. However, on my next trip I plan on doing some local hiking trails, and here is where I'll go:
- Four Dances Recreation Area: this is designated BLM recreation land that was set aside in 1999. It is day use only and you can hike, check out wildlife and take beautiful photos in this area that has sagebrush/grassland, ponderosa pine, and cottonwood riparian.
- Pictograph Cave State Park: This is a National Historic Landmark consisting of 3 caves in a 23-acre area with cave paintings on view. There are rock paintings too.
- Swords Rimrock Park (also called Swords Park): You don't have to leave town for this one. There are 60 acres and the trail follows around the rim of the outskirts of Billing with great views. Also see the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site at this location.
- Two Moon Park: A nice little loop trail through gorgeous meadows, and woods along the Yellowstone River.
Biking in Billings
Emily tore it up at both Acton Recreation Area and Phipps Park Mountain Bike Trail. She met some of the guys who help get the Acton Recreation Area up and running and they offered to ride with her through the area. Acton is constantly being developed, with the hopes of turning the Acton Recreation area into a mountain bike destination.
Phipps Park is a little more gentle where you climb the butte, do a nice loop around the top, and then quickly hit the downhill. And there is also Zimmerman Park with easy looping trails.
Billings, The Trailhead Where It All Begins
These are excellent spots to check out while staying in Billings. Make Billings your home base for relaxing and eating after checking out these spots not too far away.
Little Big Horn National Monument
Road trip! I had so much fun on my solo day trip to Little Big Horn National Monument while I was visiting Billings. I love national parks and monuments and I was happy to add this one to my collection. It takes 1 hour, but it is a beautiful drive on I-90 East through rolling hills and big skies. I was there before I knew it and while the monument was busy, I never felt crowded.
This battlefield (listed in the National Register of Historic Places) is the site where the Cheyenne, Lakota, and Sioux Indians fought against the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army, led by General Custer. I was very pleased with how the park treated the topic of such a bloody campaign, but I believe it was fair to both sides.
I visited the cemetery outside of the visitor's center and did the tour road in my car stopping along the way to look at headstones and historical markers. One of the most exciting things was catching some wild horses on the drive. They were close enough to see, but I certainly did not have the right camera to capture these gorgeous beasts!
Where was Mr. Misadventures when I needed him!
After my visit, I made a stop at the Land Stand Trading Post just outside the park. I have been to a few trading posts in my time, but nothing like this! It was huge, chock full of fun things to look at and buy (I bought a t-shirt!), it had teepees, scary cool skulls, and Indian fry bread with honey!
This was one of the best things to do near Billings MT!
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I highly recommend this drive from Billings! So worth it!
Tippet Rise Art Center
Tippet Rise Art Center is an outdoor art exhibit slash concert spot (they host classical chamber music and recitals) in Fishtail, Montana. In the background are the gorgeous Beartooth Mountains. The large-scale exhibits are set on a 12,000-acre working sheep and cattle ranch. How cool is that? The exhibits are seasonal, so you can keep going back for more!
Rimrocks
Billings is also known for the “Rim” or “Rimrocks.” The Rimrocks are geological rimrock sandstone formations around Billings. The Billings airport is on the Rim! Swords Rimrock Park is the best way to explore them. you can do rock climbing there as well.
Pompey’s Pillar National Monument
This historical monument dates back to the days of Lewis and Clark. These famous pioneers traveled through Yellowstone Valley in 1806. Captain William Clark even carved his name into the pillar as a reminder of this trip (bad form Mr. Clark, bad form!); however, it is the ONLY physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark expedition!
More Outdoor Things to do in Billings
- Pioneer Park is a huge 32-acre park is a popular spot in Billings with plenty of things to do!
- Spend a day at Lake Elmo State Park: picnic (there are picnic tables), paddleboard, kayak, or just relax!
- Or spend time at Lake Josephine inside the Riverfront Park.
- Winter in Billings: Cross-country skiing in the area around Billings.
Where I Stayed – The Northern Hotel
Our home away from home was the historic Northern Hotel. It was my guiding beacon everywhere I went during my time in Billings as I could see the building from nearly every point! When I landed at the airport I walked out and immediately realized there wasn't a taxi line. When I inquired the information desk said most of the hotels had shuttles, of course, and how nice is that? It is a perk I miss a lot.
I cannot tell you how long it has been since I was on a hotel airport shuttle! In 5 minutes I was picked up and whisked away to the hotel which was like 7 minutes away – so convenient! From that point forward except for my little road trip to Little Big Horn (coming below), I walked to everything I visited in Billings.
The Northern Hotel is placed right where you need to be. The staff is impeccable and while we didn't eat at the hotel restaurant, Emily and I enjoyed a nice after-dinner drink in their bar.
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Eating & Drinking in Billings
Ah, the good stuff! No 48-hour trip would be complete without me sampling as much of the food scene as possible. How else can I make recommendations for you?! Tough job but I love to do it!
Coffee and Non-alcoholic Beverages
My Phoenix airport shuttle had picked me up at 3:00 am so I could get to Billings in time to enjoy the afternoon, so coffee was one of the first things on my mind when I landed! My first stop was Rock Creek Coffee Roasters where I had a cold brew (although it wasn't the 112 I had just left in Phoenix, it was 90).
I was SO tempted to try their cold brew and Coca-Cola drink but I wasn't going to go that carb crazy in my first hour in Billings, so I had the regular cold brew! While staying in Billings I also stopped in at Ebon Coffee Collective where I tried their cortado. I was eyeballing some of their avocado toast, but had to be reasonable!
Lastly, after window shopping in Toucan, I spent some quiet time with a macchiato at MōAV Coffee. If you are looking for a spot to work, be a digital nomad, or just do your thing, MōAV Coffee has a great setup with comfortable sitting areas grouped in sections, bars along the windows, and a nice outdoor terrace that runs along the side of the shop. A lot of towns I visit don't have great coffee so it was really good to see that the coffee culture is intact here!
By the way, I totally dig the architecture in downtown Billings! As I was visiting all these delicious spots my eyes were feasting on the scenery as well.
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Can you say, hello, Instagram spots?!
See that last photo up there? During one of my walks, I got thirsty but didn't want caffeine or water so I stopped at Well Pared for a juice. Isn't it adorable! I miss juice shops. When I worked in San Francisco there were 4 within 2 blocks of me and I loved getting fresh juice daily.
There are 2 Well Pared shops in Billings run by brother and sister and I was so happy to try them out. Got myself a Gibe juice with kale, lemon, celery, green apple, and cucumber – delish!
Food and Treats
Oh, where do I start? First let me tell you: I did not have one bad meal. I had some which stood out more than others, but all of them were delicious. Having said that, I am just going to share where I ate and recommend it all! However, please note that Billings has a thriving restaurant scene. Any town that has a restaurant week has made it in my book!
Breakfast at The Sassy Biscuit x 2
The Johnsons have my number. It's been two weeks since I've been to Billings and I am still thinking about that place. My waistline is glad I don't live in Billings because me and The Sassy Biscuit in the same town, I wouldn't win!
The Sassy Biscuit is the brainchild of Jilan Hall-Johnson, a wife and mother of a military family that through their travels around the country, picked up recipes and cooking styles here and there, mixed them with their recipes, and viola came up with the sassy biscuit, which is pressed shortcakes, something like a biscuit in a waffle maker.
The menu has so much more than that and I confess my first breakfast there I ordered 2 items! I got the fried chicken and waffles pictured in the photo above (hello, more Instagram-worthy spots!) and the Johnson-style spoon cake with sage-sausage white gravy, rice, and a fried egg.
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So you know that game we like to play when you like a place so much go back twice? No? Is that just me? LOL. Well, that’s exactly what I did. On our last morning, Emily and I headed back to The Sassy Biscuit because that “Johnson-style” spooned cakes breakfast was to die for! I totally abandoned the low-carb train but it was so worth it, Mrs. Johnson you go girl!
One last shot of this spot – it is SO cute!
Lunch at The Burger Dive
You already saw me eating that big fat burger in the photo at the beginning of my story, The Burger Dive has a burger for everyone! Award-winning too! I had the “Best of the Bash” burger with blackened seasoning, goat cheese, bacon, onion ring, arugula, Sriracha sauce, and garlic basil mayonnaise and Emily had the “I'm your huckleberry” with Huckleberry Hatch chili barbecue sauce, bacon, goat cheese, arugula, and roasted red pepper mayo.
It won the World Food Championship “Burger Champion” burger! Oh and we went for the fries too! They are skin-on fresh-cut fries and damn good. I am not a huge fan of fries so that is saying something!
Dinner at Walkers
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For our first dinner in Billings, Emily and I dined around the corner from The Northern Hotel at Walkers. I don't know what I was expecting from Billings restaurants, but it certainly wasn't this. I was thinking of steak and potatoes, but what I got was burrata with stone fruit; compressed cucumbers, and bulgogi-style beef.
Hello Billings! We have a winner! Everything was cooked or prepared to perfection, everything complimented each other and the waiter actually looked jealous of what we were eating and was super enthusiastic about the menu.
Then we experienced a real treat. Chef Nick Steen made his way to our table and told us the story behind his Korean beef bowl. Turns out it is an homage to his mother who raised him and his brother on very little money.
She had spent some time in the San Francisco Bay Area with a Korean roommate and had picked up how to make bulgogi beef from that roommate and her roommate's mother who would visit from Korea for a month or so (gee, that sounds familiar!).
Chef Steen's Mom would make this dish for New Year's telling the kids that if they splurged on good beef and ate a good meal on the first day of the year, the rest of the year had to be a good one. His mother sounds like a good woman, and let me tell you, she makes damn good Korean beef! Which she passed on to her very talented son!
Dinner at The Fieldhouse
Leave it to the carnivores to go to a vegetable-forward restaurant and get meat! That is exactly what Emily and I did for our second dinner in Billings. We went to The Fieldhouse and ordered honey-chevre cucumbers – I had never had goat cheese with honey incorporated into the cheese and that is my new favorite way to have it.
Then we ordered pork ribs with a Vietnamese-style sauce and more cucumber, pickled this time, and topped that off with vegan ramen, but we added pork belly! That's the giant bowl I am eating at the beginning of this story.
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Dessert at the Big Dipper
Truth be told I did not actually eat ice cream from the Big Dipper, but I really, really wanted to! I stood in a VERY long line with Emily so that she could get ice cream and was tortured by the sites and smells. The ice creams, sorbets, and other frozen treats are a local favorite and I could see why there was a line. For sure, next time, knowing that this place exists, I will skip a course at dinner to make room!
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Le Fournil – A real French Baker in Billings!
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I walked by Le Fournil several times on the way to other stops and each time I peeked in the window hoping to catch a sign of the baker. The name was definitely French but that doesn't mean anything when it comes to sussing out good French bread. Our last morning while walking to our breakfast, I dragged Emily into the bakery after we had chatted with the baker's wife.
She is a Billings local who had left to travel and along the way, on a trip to Singapore, she met a French man who would become her husband and Billing's only French baker. They have authentic goods, so if you are in the area, buy bread from here!
They have all the traditional bread and pastries. I don't see the epi – the last one on the right in the first photo very often but I love it! (I learned to make it in Paris.) They sell out quickly on Saturdays when the farmer's market is going on, so plan ahead! Allez vite!
Alcoholic Libations
I'm not a big drinker, a total lightweight, so when I drink something I am looking for the good stuff. I like wine and beer and good cocktails. Billings has all that in spades! They have their own Walking Brewery District downtown. The unofficial brewery district includes 6 breweries and 2 distilleries and a cider mill! Emily had checked them out and decided we should try Asylum Distillery for a pre-dinner drink.
I like places with a story and this little bar/distillery is located in a historic building and makes all its drinks with its own alcohol using local and seasonal ingredients, like fruit from the farmer's market.
When they went to renovate the elevator in the building the owners of the distillery took parts and pieces and made an “electric chair” for the corner of their bar – it is kind of fun and between sips of our blackberry martinis, we took silly photos of us getting electrified!
Billings breweries are crafting award-winning beers, ales, lagers, and ciders and the brewery district is a must-try. The casual atmosphere is conducive for date nights, girlfriends' night out, or friends get together. The walkability and access to food mean you can enjoy it responsibly.
If you are interested in wine, Billings has you covered. You can visit the Yellowstone Cellars and Winery and get a sampling of local and regional wines. I had some excellent rosé wines with my dinners.
Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market
OMG, what can I say? I have been seriously deprived of farmer's markets since leaving San Francisco. They don't have real farmer's markets in Phoenix, they are arts and crafts shows. I'm always asking, “where are the vegetables?!”
After our breakfast, Emily and I hit the market, it is practically spilling out from The Northern Hotel on the corner of North Broadway and 1st Avenue North. However, it goes for several streets!
I was oohing and aahing everything as we walked through. Knowing I couldn't bring anything in my carry-on was a big bummer. Emily didn't have that restriction so she bought a crate of fruit. That baby down below was $20! It was a mix and match of 6 fruits.
They tasted so good I wanted to cry! I think I would move to Billings just for this market – I need something to offset that Johnson from The Sassy Biscuit!
More Fun Things to do in Billings MT
Still not sure what to do in Billings MT? It's the largest city in Montana, so, I've got more tourist attractions for you!
- Catch a show or a concert at the Alberta Bair Theater.
- See theater or other special events at NOVA Center for the Performing Arts.
- Visit the DanWalt Gardens, Billing's beautiful botanical garden.
- Check out the creatures at ZooMontana, the only zoo and wildlife park in the state of Montana.
- Two-step to your heart's content with live music at the Daisy Dukes Saloon and Dance Hall.
- Looking for something to do with kids? Head to the Reef Indoor Water Park they've got a wave pool!
- Take part in a scavenger hunt.
FAQs about Billings
How far is Yellowstone National Park from Billings?
The Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Billings.
Does the Yellowstone River flow through Billings?
Yes! The waters of the Yellowstone River flow in east Billings across the river from Metra Park.
Is Billings along the Beartooth Highway?
No. The Beartooth Highway (Route 212) runs in Montana and Wyoming between Red Lodge and the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park but does not go near Billings.
Is Geyser Park Open?
Unfortunately, Geyser Park is now permanently closed.
Are there grizzly bears in Billings?
Bears are a way of life in Montana, but Billings is outside the zone of where they normally turn up.
How about you? Have you been to Billings Montana? Would you visit Billings? Do tell! Do you have additional things to do, see or eat to add to the list? Do you have more things to do in Billings Montana? Do share!
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I used to go to Billings all the time for work and was not a fan of it. Didn’t seem much to do but after reading this I realize there is a lot to do! I’ll have to plan another trip there one day!
@Vanessa, I have had that happen to me before for places I visited in business, then when I visited for pleasure, it was with completely new eyes! I hope you get to enjoy it again.
I love the fact that there really was art in everything you did. The art in the museum, on the walls, in the food arrangements, and even the places you ate look a bit art deco like. Then the ranch has the beautiful art that nature has to offer. Billings truly is lovely through your eyes!
@Cindy, that is a great way of looking at and it is absolutely true!
First of all, the food looks incredible! It looks like there’s so much to see and do in Billings. We’ll have to visit one day.
@Amber, the food is truly fantastic! And as you can see I ate a lot of it!
Oh fun! I like the sound of the art scene in the city. I would love to plan a little adventure there.
@Liz, the art is fantastic, music too! Something playing live every night!
I haven’t been to Billings since I was a teenager, but I do remember it being a cool city! We actually stayed there on our way to Little Big Horn, then Devil’s Tower, and finally Mt. Rushmore. It was such a memorable trip for me, and one that I can’t wait to replicate for my kids!
@Jamie, just imagine how much better it is now!!!!
What an amazing place I expect Montana to have great trails and horses but the art and restaurants look so great too. I will remember not to miss Billings.
@Melissa, it is a very underrated spot that is absolutely worth the stop!
I love how much food you managed to cram into this post! You have your priorities straight!! The fruit at that farmers market looks perfect. I guess that is why the restaurants can serve fantastic meals – they must have access to excellent produce.
To be honest, this is the kind of place that I would use as a base to get out hiking on the local trails. But now I’ve read this, I might have to ensure we head back most evenings to fill our bodies with the calories we may walk off during the day. 😉
@JosyA, you nailed it – that is the perfect plan!
You are speaking to my heart! We’ve been to Montana a few times now and we LOVE it! Billings in particular is a great city. Completely concur with Walker’s – it’s delicious. The pictures are gorgeous and, as always, I love reading your articles.
@Nicole, love to hear that you had similar great experiences!
Those noodles!! Those traffic boxes!! The art!! I had no idea about Billings and now it is on my list of places to go!
@Terri, you’ll love it!
I love learning about other cities in the USA. It’s amazing how many fun activities are available in Billings, Montana. I enjoyed looking at all the spectacular images. Thank you so much for sharing them!
Billings looks like a pretty cool place to visit. I love seeing museums and learning about the local history of places. The scenery here is lovely too. I’m glad you didn’t just eat, even though I agree that’s one of the best things to do anywhere.
Wow there are so many fun things to do in Billings. I’d love to visit MT and check out that art gallery!
I haven’t been to Montana before but it’s quite interesting to visit! This is really an incredible place, I love it.
I’ve only been to Montana once but am planning a trip back there next summer. I see so many of your posts that I just have to read! Pinning.
@Rena, thank you so much, that is so kind of you to say. Montana in the summer, all those berries – yes!
You obviously had a lot of exciting adventures to share. Horse back riding seems to be fun. I love your pictures.
I have told the Hubs that I want us to explore Montana. Hopefully, soon. The street art are amazing and the food looks delish! Bet you had a blast.
@Lynndee, I hope you and your hubs get there soon!
I loved visiting Billings! The burger at the Burger Dive is so good, right? I also had delicious garlic parmesan fries there, too. I certainly used Billings as a trailhead to set off for day trips to Red Lodge, which is an adorable town, and Yellowstone National Park. I wish I had made it to the art museum while I was in town, but I enjoyed going to a Billings Mustangs game one night and checking out the breweries in town. I’m so glad you enjoyed Billings as much as I did, Andi!
@Erin, yes, I needed to stay longer to visit more. I MISSED the garlic parmesan fries, I just got the regular, now I really have to go back!
I loved this post since I am heading to Billings soon and want to be sure I don’t miss anything. I’d debated whether or not to try to make it to Little Big Horn. Now I’m definitely going! The Fieldhouse and Sassy Biscuit were already on my list of must-do’s, but you cemented that for sure. Love the painted traffic signal boxes. It’s little surprises like this that make travel to a new city all the more fun.
@Juliann, was Walkers on your list too? I prefer it over The Fieldhouse (although both were good).
Wow, my desire of wanting to explore Montana just intensified with all of these things you did. I love horseback riding!
My sister in law lives in Montana. She is always trying to convince us to go visit.
@Rachel, you should definitely go!
I’ve never been to Billings, Montana before. Sounds like you had an awesome time!
Montana has never been on my to see list and I’ve never heard of the town of Billings before, but this is what I love about travel blogs – they allow you to find some place new! The art in this town looks awesome! As does the food
Sounds like you had a great time! I have never been to Billings but your pictures and description make it sound so fun! Plus I am also a foodie and your food pictures look amazing! Everything looks so delicious! Hopefully, i’dget to experience in person someday.
great info. I have been through there once, but it has been awhile. this was a great reminder.
I’ve always wanted to visit Montana. You captured some fantastic art scene, food and activities Billings has to offer! Your photos look amazing!
My husband wanted to move to Montana! It looks like a wonderful place, close to nature! I really have to visit Montana soon!
I love all the street art! Definitely a place I’d never heard of before so I’m glad I read this! Also loving all the photos in this post, really beautiful! And also love how happy you look! Put a smile on my face too 🙂
I have never heard of Billings prior to reading this post. I like the big number of fun activities to do. I love street arts so I can imagine myself wandering the streets and admiring the different frescoes. But more importantly, I would go horseback riding every day if I could.
PS: Can you send that box of fruit to London? It looks yummy!
Billing looks like really lovely place and so many things to do around! Especially the hiking and horse riding cought me in the eye! I hope to get there soon.
I haven’t heard about Billings before (only now because of TBEx), and I’m pleasantly surprised! You had me at distillery and farmer’s market. The city looks really interesting. I love when a place combines culture and nature. The city life looks so cool, and the countryside stunning! It helps a lot to see that you had a fantastic time 🙂
Andi, I think you have too much fun when you travel!! JK…I love your enthusiasm and how you find fun stuff to do whatever you go. You’ve sold me on the Sassy Biscuit and I guess I’m glad I don’t live there too, because I’m sure I would frequent it too much. Loved your photos, too!
Um The Sassy Biscuit sounds AMAZING haha. I didn’t get to Billings – but I DID fall in love with Bozeman (the food there was fantastic too!), so I’m pretty convinced that Montana has way more to offer than I realised! Great post, thanks for sharing!
Wow!! Montana look gorgeous!!
I LOVE Montana but still haven’t made it to Billings! Bummed I won’t be going to TBEX this year because it looks like such a fun city! Truly a little bit of everything for everyone.
Ok, first of all you are super cute and I love your photos! The FOOD alone looks amazing! This definitely makes me want to travel to Billings. We drove through Montana last year, but didn’t stop anywhere… now I think I need to go back!
Food, art and hiking- sounds like the ideal place for me! You’ve really captured the fun on the place in your photos too!
Billings looks like an interesting city! I would go for the street Art then stay for the French bakery and farmer’s market.
Didn’t know about this place!! It looks very interesting to visit and look at all the delicious things to eat!! I’ll keep it on my list!!!
Indeed Clark was not adhering to the leave no trace behind principal, ha! But I love those traffic signal boxes around town! And the landscape out there so dramatic and beautiful.
Now I’m really wishing I was going to TBEX! This looks like such a fun city break AND you get horseback riding in those iconic grassy prairie landscapes to boot! Thanks for sharing, next time I’m back in that area I’m adding Billings to the list 🙂
Billings really has so much to offer! Such an unsuspecting town but I think I really need to get there soon!
We passed through Billings in our RV and visited Little Big Horn NM and Pompeii’s Pillar but I didn’t know all that art existed: the traffic signal art boxes, street murals, and art museums. Should have stayed a while like you.
This is such a great post. I loved seeing Billings through your eyes and the juxtaposition that you showed between you and your travel partner was so funny. The food, art, and vibe of Billings looks great!
I’ve never been to Billings, but this blog post just made it move WAY up on my list of places to visit. I’ve driven through MT a million times but never spent any time there. I’m particularly in love with all that wide-open country and gorgeous blue sky! Can’t wait to visit – thanks for the rec, Andi.
I havent made it to Montana, but I’ve got a friend going in November and I’ve just shared this with her. Such a helpful post. Thanks for dharing.
Planning a trip to Montana in a couple of weeks, super excited to get there now. Love this post!
So I was all ready to talk to you about all these cool outdoor activities you mention or tried in Billings, Montana because they look awesome. Darcee is from Northern Wyoming so, though I hate the cold, I love coming up to this area of America to do all the fun outdoor backpacking, hiking, mountain biking and other fun things in this region.
But then you showcased the amazing food of Billings. Now I am from New Orleans…so we know food but dang that food in Billings looks slap you mamma good. I love the breakfast you ate at Sassy Biscuit. I love Fried Chicken & Waffles and biscuits and gravy. That all looks so good. Plus it doesn’t seem like just a one spot wonder. Who would have thought there would be a kickin Korean restaurant and an amazing Vietnamese restaurant in Montana?
Man we need to head up there during the warmer months.
Those noodles looked delicious! It is nice when there are so many great eateries to choose from. This sounds like such a neat place to visit, with plenty to do. The scenery is just amazing!
How wonderful! Billings seems to be an amazing place full of energy. I love the comparison of images between you and your friend cycling in nature. I think my recurring image would also be eating that burger at The Burger Dive! 😁 I also loved the whole street art scene. A place to visit without a doubt.
Sure does look delicious and fun. I love a walkable downtown but I’m with you and would love some hikes and trail adventures out in the countryside. It’s on my bucket list for sure.
You had me at fry bread. Definitely want to visit Billings, haven’t seen much of Montana except Big Sky and can’t make it to TBEX. Love the painted traffic boxes and street art, brightens up downtown.
Visiting a place for pleasure and not work gives a completely different perspective of it. So glad to see you enjoyed.
The Farmer’s Market is one place I would want to visit. Loved the box of fresh fruits.
Now you’ve written such a great, long article about all there is to see and I’m all ‘oooh, I’d like to see these traffic boxes’! And, of course, the yellostone art museum. Yes, I’m far too much into art. But on the other hand, that’s the reason why I appreciate your photos – especially those of food: very artsy. Those of you: very cute!
I love that you share both yours and Emily’s experiences in Billings! Personally, I think my travel style falls somewhere between the two. I love to EAT and explore downtowns, but I also crave getting outdoors for some hiking and adventure… although I’m not sure I would try the off road biking, that’s a little too adventurous even for me! It was great to read about the diverse things to do in Billings as you’re totally right – it’s a place travelers seem to love and it’s been pushing its way more and more onto my radar this year.
Montana has been on my list for some time now. There are so many active adventures to enjoy there, as you did, like horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and of course, eating! Those biscuits at Sassy Biscuit look to-die-for delicious. Love seeing all the neat street artwork too, it’s so colorful and fun. Looks like you had a great time in Billings!
I have never been to Billings and to be honest if you had just shown me the photos I never would have guessed it was in the USA. Looks like you had a blast here.
I love those Traffic Signal Boxes! Every city should have these! So much nicer than the boring grey ones you usually see.
The street art in BIllings is on point but I want to talk more about the food! I can’t decide between fry bread or that delicious looking fruit. It all looks amazing.
I have to admit, I haven’t heard much about this city aside from seeing it occasionally as someone’s hometown. It looks pretty action-packed though with everything from museums to pretty horses! I’ll have to add it to my ever growing list of places to go!
Loved reading the post. Beautifully written. You must have covered everything a person can do in Billings and that too in great detail!
I wasn’t think “Oh Art” Andi, I was thinking how cool it would be to watch you catch air on a mountain bike. I would totally buy you a burger if you did that.
Jenn used to live in Montana and I am making my first trip there in about a month. I can’t wait to see everything that Billings has to offer.
Well don’t you just look sassy while having breakfast at Sassy Biscuit ;-). So many of Montana’s towns and cities — Bozeman a very clear exception — appear to be underrated and overlooked as simply places to pass through on the way to bigger things, like Glacier or Yellowstone. Great write up on Billings. I had no idea there was such a strong street art scene there. That alone is enough for me to make my way there. Was just in Helena and LOVED it.
Awww!… The way I see Billings here it is highly rated… The telephone box art is brilliant. I feel taking a walk around town in Billings is exciting with those art works. But I gotta try the food first!
Your photos are so fun! This looks like a fun place to visit, I’ve never heard of Billings before but definitely gonna add it to my list!
Well, now I’m in love with Billings and I’ve never been. Seriously, I’ve heard good things but I’ve only driven through Billings. I’d really like to remedy that soon. I love, love, love all the street art – it’s beautiful!
I noticed you did not stop at any authentic Asian food locations in your article. I encourage you to stop and check us out at Imperial Thai cuisine if you ever come out our way again. Dan
@Dan – hello there, I did not and Asian food is my favorite cuisine, in particular Thai 😉 Thank you for the recommendation and invitation to try it out on my next trip!