Visit Helena: What to do in Montana’s Capital

Montana, renamed Big Sky Country, is best known for its natural attractions (such as the majestic Glacier National Park or the northern region of Yellowstone), but it also has much more to offer, starting with the many towns founded during the gold rush era (Montana Gold Rush). Some of these towns have become western ghost towns, real open-air museums where it is possible to breathe in the most authentic atmosphere of the Far West (like Bannack or Nevada City), while others have continued their growth towards modernity, without severing their ties with history.

Helena is certainly one of the latter: born in 1864 from the discovery of a goldfield (the Last Chance Gulch), it soon became so rich that it could boast about fifty millionaires just twenty years after its foundation, a prosperity that undoubtedly contributed to the proliferation of its fine Victorian buildings and to its election as the capital of Montana.

The city lies at the foot of Mount Helena, and is usually included in the Great American West itineraries that include Yellowstone and Glacier. There are essentially 3 reasons to visit:

• its architectural beauty
• its history rooted in the gold rush
• the excursions into the surrounding nature

So let’s find out the best things to do in Helena and how to organize a visit, with some advice on climate, where to eat and sleep.

PS: If you would like to learn more about the Big Sky Country, read our article about all the best things to do in Montana.

Best time to visit Helena in Montana

Helena’s climate is characterized by long, snowy winters, dry summers, and rather short half seasons. The summer period is definitely a good time to visit the city, not only for the lack of or only sporadic snowfall between May and September, but also for its temperatures: the average in the month of August for example is around 68° Fahrenheit, with maximums close to 86° and minimums around 52°. Rainfall is generally scarce and is mostly concentrated in the spring.

Best things to do in Historic Downtown Helena

The historic town, formed in the second half of the nineteenth century, can be traced through a few milestones. Here I’ll just mention the main ones, but if you want to do the full tour without making too much effort you can opt for the Last Chance Tour, a commentary-guided train that will take you around the main historical sites of Helena.

Reeder’s Alley

At the origin of the city of Helena was, as already mentioned, the discovery of a gold mine and an initial residential area, very unusual by American standards, flourished around it. If you expect the usual agglomeration of houses in the style of western cities, you’ll be surprised: the Pennsylvania architect Louis Reeder built a series of houses for miners in brick and stone, creating a small picturesque village in the second half of the 19th century, which today represents one of the most interesting historical testimonies in the region.

Along this characteristic alley, you will find the old miners’ houses as well as buildings that housed the stores and the mortician’s house. Today these old buildings are occupied by cultural associations, cafes, and stores of various kinds that carry on their business without affecting the original spirit of Reeder’s Alley. To reach it, enter the following address into your navigator: 212 S Park Ave, Helena.

Last Chance Gulch: Helena’s Main Street

Just a short distance from Reeder’s Alley, our search for Helena’s mining origins continues along what is effectively the city’s Main Street. Last Chance Gulch is, as we already mentioned, the name of the goldfield discovered in 1864 that gave rise to the foundation of Helena. The town’s main road was therefore created along the mining claims. In 1953, the street’s official name was changed from Main Street to Last Chance Gulch.

Montana State Capitol

The Capitol (1301 E 6th Ave) is the seat of political power for the state of Montana. Built between 1896 and 1902 (with further additions made between 1909 and 1912), this beautiful example of neoclassical architecture follows the style of many other American capitols (not just the famous Capitol in Washington but also those in many other cities, such as Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, Providence RI, etc.) and can be visited for free.

After collecting the brochure at the entrance, head underneath the great dome of the building, where you will notice the 4 archetypal figures of the origins of the state: the Native American, the gold miner, the trapper, and the cowboy. Each of these figures is inspired by people who actually existed.

The most important work of art is in the House of Representatives, just behind the President’s seat: it is Lewis and Clark Meeting the Flathead Indians at Ross’ Hole a large canvas (25 feet long) that Charles M. Russell made in 1912 celebrating the meeting between the explorers Lewis and Clark and an Indian tribe of the region. In front of the building’s entrance, you’ll find the equestrian monument dedicated to Irish revolutionary and Union general Thomas Francis Meagher, while at the rear, if you happen to be there at the right time, you might run into the Capitol Square Farmers Market, a market where local farmers periodically gather.

Cathedral of St. Helena

The cathedral (530 N Ewing St) is one of the finest examples of architecture in the city. Built starting in 1908, it was inaugurated in 1914, and underwent some renovations over time due to damage caused by the earthquake of 1935. The gothic-style building is clearly inspired by the Votivkirche in Vienna, as evidenced by the 2 spires 220 feet high that represent the most characteristic element of the church.

The interior of the cathedral consists of 3 large naves with numerous large windows, each dedicated to an episode of the Bible. On the outside instead, the church bears 29 statues of saints and other important figures. Usually, the diocese also organizes guided tours of the cathedral. For more information you can visit the official website.

Original Governor’s Mansion

At 304 North Ewing Street, you’ll find another important location in the history of Montana’s capital city. Originally, this Queen Anne-style mansion, built in 1888 by entrepreneur William Chessman, was a private residence and only in 1913 did it become the property of the State of Montana, hosting 9 governors between 1913 and 1959.

The mansion is in an excellent state of preservation with particularly fine original furnishings. Guided tours are available for a fee. For more information, please refer to the official website

Mount Helena Excursions

nature lovers, Helena also offers Mount Helena City Park, a park with many hiking trails on the mountain that gives the town its name. If you want to get to the top (over 5250 feet) and enjoy the impressive panorama of the valley you can walk the 1906 trail, 2.9 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1025 feet. To take the trail you will have to leave your car at the park’s parking lot, driving to the end of Reeders Village Drive, less than 5 minutes by car from Reeder’s Alley.

Helena’s Museums

• Holter Museum of Art (12 E Lawrence St): opened in 1987, this museum of contemporary art has experienced a happy upward curve, increasing its exhibition space (the current size is 4900 square feet) and quickly becoming an important reference point among Montana’s museums. It consists of 5 exhibition galleries, a research division, and an educational center; each year it offers more than twenty rotating exhibitions and organizes cultural events.
• Montana Historical Society Museum (225 N Roberts St): If you want to learn more about the history, culture, and traditions of these lands, this museum is for you. Its mission is to collect and preserve the art, historical, archaeological, and ethnological artifacts of the State of Montana, and it boasts a collection of 50,000 items, most of which are Native American, as well as a small archaeological collection.

Things to do near Helena MT

Here are 3 destinations to consider within an hour or so of the small town.

Gates of the Mountains

During their historic exploratory expedition, Lewis and Clark were incredibly impressed with the navigation of this stretch of the Missouri River. What caught their eye were the dramatic cliffs that rose out of the water, so much so that they renamed them the Gates of the Mountains (3131 Gates of the Mountains Rd). This natural beauty is just 25 minutes from Helena but cannot be visited on your own. Instead, you must book a boat tour of about 2 hours with the operator Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours. The official website has more details on schedules and pricing.

Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild

You’ll have to drive a few more miles to visit this attraction, since it’s located in Lincoln County, about an hour away from Helena (put this address in your navigator: 1970 Sculpture Way, Lincoln). The distance covered will amply repay those of you who love bold art projects and, why not, those who love nature. In a wooded area called Wild International Sculpture Park, some international artists have created a series of installations that harmonize with the surrounding environment, almost giving the illusion of being part of the forest itself. For more information, please look at the official website.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

This important natural area includes one of the most extensive and fascinating limestone caverns in the American North West, which can be visited by guided tour in the period from May to September, although the park also offers many outdoor trails for hiking or biking. The Lewis and Clark expedition, after which the cave is named, did not actually explore its meandering path, although it did cross portions of the natural area that is now included in the park. The distance from Montana’s capital is about 1 hour and fifteen minutes.

Best places to eat in Helena

An integral experience of a pleasant walk on Last Chance Gulch is to stop for a coffee or tea at the General Mercantile (413 N Last Chance Gulch). The stop-off is not only worth it for the quality of the drinks, but also for the particular nature of the place, which can be a bonus for those looking for some strange or out-of-the-ordinary gift.

For beer lovers, the benchmark in town is Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. (1517 Dodge Ave, Helena, MT 59601), where you can sample a wide variety of handcrafted local beers. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for authentic American BBQ-style cuisine with ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, don’t miss the succulent dishes at Bad Betty’s BBQ (812 Front St).

Places to stay in Helena