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Billings is the largest city in Montana, set in the wide Yellowstone River valley beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs known as the Rimrocks. The Crow (Apsáalooke) people have long called this region home, and the Lewis and Clark expedition passed nearby in 1806, when William Clark carved his name into Pompeys Pillar just east of the city. Billings itself was founded by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1882 and named for railroad president Frederick Billings, growing so quickly it was nicknamed the Magic City.
Today Billings has about 120,000 residents and serves as the trade, medical and energy hub for a vast region of eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. It keeps a strong Western character, with cattle ranching, rodeos and cowboy culture alongside a growing downtown of breweries, distilleries, galleries and restaurants. The Rimrocks rise 500 feet above the city, offering hiking trails and sweeping views across the valley to the distant Beartooth and Crazy mountains.
Visitors can explore the Western Heritage Center, the Yellowstone Art Museum and the Moss Mansion, a beautifully preserved 1903 home. ZooMontana showcases northern Rockies wildlife, and the Billings Trailhead Brewery District is a lively place for local craft beer. Within an easy drive are Pompeys Pillar National Monument, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Pictograph Cave State Park and the Beartooth Highway, one of America's most spectacular scenic drives leading to Yellowstone National Park.
The Rimrocks are tall sandstone cliffs that run along the north side of Billings, rising several hundred feet above the city. Swords Rimrock Park on top has trails and overlooks with views over the Yellowstone Valley to distant mountain ranges. Go at sunset, and stay back from the cliff edges.
Pictograph Cave State Park, just southeast of Billings, protects sandstone caves used by people for thousands of years. A short paved trail leads to the caves, where faded rock paintings are still visible. Bring binoculars to see the pictographs better and check the seasonal visitor center hours.
Lake Elmo State Park is a small reservoir in the Billings Heights area used for swimming, paddling, fishing and walking. Only non-motorized boats are allowed, so it is calm and family friendly. A walking path circles the lake, and summer afternoons are the busiest time on the beach.
The Moss Mansion is a red sandstone house built in 1903 for businessman Preston Moss and designed by architect Henry Hardenbergh. It keeps much of its original furniture, woodwork and decor. Guided tours show what wealthy family life in early Billings looked like, and they run hourly.
The Western Heritage Center is a history museum in a 1901 Romanesque library building downtown. Exhibits cover the people of the Yellowstone River Valley, from Native American communities to homesteaders and ranchers. It is small enough to see in about an hour, so combine it with a downtown walk.
The Yellowstone Art Museum is a contemporary and regional art museum in the former Yellowstone County jail downtown. It holds works by Montana artists and art of the American West. Changing exhibitions are shown throughout the year, and there is a shop selling work by local artists.
The Yellowstone County Museum sits next to Billings Logan International Airport on top of the Rims. It is housed in a log cabin building and displays pioneer, Native American and frontier artifacts. Admission is free, and the outdoor area has great views down over the city and valley.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a sandstone butte east of Billings where William Clark carved his name and the date in 1806 during the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is the only remaining physical evidence of the trip on the route. Climb the boardwalk stairs to see the signature.
ZooMontana is a small zoo and botanical park on the west side of Billings that focuses on animals from northern climates, including grizzly bears and other Montana wildlife. A children's petting area and gardens are also on site. Plan about two hours, and visit in the morning in summer.
The Billings Brewery District is a cluster of craft breweries, a distillery and taprooms in and around downtown Billings that you can walk between. Many have patios and rotating food trucks. Montana law limits how much each taproom can serve per person, so plan to visit a few different spots.
The Alberta Bair Theater is the largest performing arts center in the region, opened in 1931 as the Fox Theatre and later renamed. It hosts touring Broadway shows, the Billings Symphony, concerts and dance. The theater is downtown, close to restaurants for dinner before a show.
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