Travel guideHistorySightsNightlifeMap

Billings Sights and Landmarks Guide, Montana

Apart from the most populated city in Montana, Billings also represents a very important cultural, economical and historical centre. I-90 coming from Sheridan and I-94 coming from Miles City also intersect near Billings, which consolidates its role as a strategic point in the region.

Billings Sights - Historic Landmarks

Billings is less than a century and a half old, yet there are many historical landmarks to be seen here. The city is surrounded by several caves, where prehistoric tribes had left a series of valuable mural paintings (Pictograph Cave State Park). One of the last great battles between the US army and the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors also took place around Billings – it is known nowadays as The Battle of Little Bighorn, the battle that had put an end to the Bozeman Trail. What actually defeated the Indians, despite their heroic resistance against the wave of immigrants was the construction of the railroad. It was Union Pacific official Frederick Billings who founded the city and persuaded newcomers to buy land and start a farm. The Northern Pacific Depot stands today as a living proof from the agitated pioneering age. Another must see attraction on the map of Billings sights is Pompeys Pillar, a sandstone formation on which the signature of William Clark (one of the two leaders of the Lewis and Clark expedition) can be seen.

Billings Sights - Museums

As any respectable American metropolis, Billings doesn’t lack some representative pieces of modern architecture, such as the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, built by B.P. Moss and designed by the famous architect Henry Hardenberg, and the Sky-Point, a tent-shaped structure where the public manifestations as fairs, festivals or concerts take place.

The Parmly Billings Library is another historic building that now hosts the Western Heritage Center Museum, featuring an original compilation of artifacts and oral history recordings. Another museum worthy of paying a visit is the Yellowstone Art Museum; once a country prison, the museum building now reunites approximately 3000 paintings and sculptures from North-West America. Billings’s sights also include the only zoo in Montana – Zoo Montana, sheltering species of animals and plants that are specific for the northern climate.

Billings Sights – Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment

Heading towards the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, between Red Lodge and Cooke City, you can enjoy one of the most scenic drives on the American continent: the Beartooth Highway. There are plenty of beautiful recreational areas around Billings: The Rimrocks, Lake Elmo State Park, Pryor Mountains, where the scenery is fantastic and where visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities.

As for children, they will definitely enjoy the Reef Indoor Water Park, the Billings Studio Theatre for Kids or the Western Romance Company (where both kids and adults can take part in cowboy shows).