The largest city in Montana serves as a key economic hub with the state's busiest airport and the country's biggest stockyard, reaching over 500,000 people in its trade area.
Billings, Montana's largest city, stretches along the Yellowstone River beneath 500-foot sandstone cliffs called the Rims. From here, you can drive two hours to reach Yellowstone National Park's geysers and hot springs. Closer to the city, you'll find ancient rock paintings at Pictograph Cave and hiking trails through the Beartooth Mountains. Walk downtown to explore nine microbreweries, browse the contemporary exhibits at Yellowstone Art Museum, or bike the Marathon Loop trail system connecting the city's parks and neighborhoods.
Geography and Layout
The Yellowstone River carved out the valley where downtown Billings now sits. The 500-foot sandstone Rims create a natural boundary between downtown and the Heights neighborhood. Most businesses and restaurants occupy the valley floor, while residential areas climb up toward the Rims.
Getting Around Billings
MET Transit runs regular bus routes throughout the metropolitan area. The Marathon Loop includes over 20 miles of paved paths where you can walk or bike between parks, neighborhoods, and shopping districts. Many visitors choose to rent cars, especially when planning day trips to Yellowstone National Park, located 100 miles south of the city.
Things to Do
At the Yellowstone Art Museum, you'll find paintings and sculptures by Montana artists from the 1900s to today, with new contemporary exhibitions rotating throughout the year. Walk through ZooMontana's 70 acres to see grizzly bears and river otters native to Montana, plus animals from similar northern climates. The Art House Cinema & Pub shows independent films in a restored downtown building. Drive 7 miles southeast to Pictograph Cave State Park, where three caves contain rock paintings created over 2,000 years ago.
Craft Beer Scene
Downtown Billings has five breweries within walking distance: Montana Brewing Co., Thirsty Street Tap Room, Angry Hank's, Carters Brewery, and Ãœberbrew. Each brewery runs its own taproom serving their latest beers. Try local favorites like Angry Hank's Street Fight Imperial Red or Ãœberbrew's White Noise Hefeweizen.
Shopping Districts
Montana Avenue and Broadway form the heart of downtown shopping, with independent bookstores, art galleries, and clothing boutiques. Find major retailers and department stores at West Park Promenade and Rimrock Mall. The Heights and West End neighborhoods have additional shopping centers mixing national chains with local businesses.
