West Yellowstone in Montana is a town mostly used as a base for visiting Yellowstone National Park. Its location is in fact strategic for visiting the western side of the park, especially Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful area, and also Mammoth Hot Springs is easily accessible from here. If you are looking for an itinerary that allows you to explore the main attractions of the park from West Yellowstone, you can find one in my article on how many days to spend in Yellowstone. In this article, however, I would like to address another question: is there anything to do in and around West Yellowstone other than visiting the famous park? If there is some time left over from exploring the wonders of Yellowstone, is there any attraction worth spending some time in? The answer is yes. Let’s find out together what to do in West Yellowstone.
Contents
Where is and how to get to West Yellowstone
The town is a stone’s throw from the western entrance of Yellowstone, although reaching it through the park may take longer because of the traffic in these areas. If your goal is to reach the town and then visit the park, I suggest you take the route that I described in the article From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, where you can also find directions on where to stop along the way. For the few people who come from the Northern Montana regions (from Glacier National Park ) it may be worthwhile taking the Vigilante Trail (more on that in a bit).
Things to do in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone is not a particularly charming town, but it’s not a bad one either… the atmosphere is that of a typical mountain town surrounded by green highland forests, with a western-style Main Street and an interesting offer in terms of dining (especially considering its small size). Although the main places of interest are in the surroundings, the town itself also has some major attractions to offer that will let you spend a few pleasant hours. Here are a few ideas for the best things to do in West Yellowstone:
- Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, 201 S Canyon St: if you didn’t manage to spot a bear during your visit to Yellowstone you can make up for it in this park. When I visited, there were 3 grizzlies, as well as wolves, eagles, squirrels, and several info panels and videos illustrating the wildlife of the place.
- Yellowstone Historic Center Museum, 104 Yellowstone Ave: inside the Union Pacific Depot there is a small museum that will interest those who want to know more about the history of this region, as well as how transportation to the Yellowstone area has developed over the years.
- Old Time Photos, 28 Madison Ave: If you want to have your photo taken in period clothing and setting, this is where you can take home a pleasant memory. Old-time photos are a popular attraction in this region, I remember finding them in Virginia City and in Jackson.
- Main street: for 2 or 3 blocks you can walk among the western-style buildings on West Yellowstone’s main street (Madison Avenue). You’ll find a variety of stores, but if you’re looking for bargains you may be disappointed…
- Yellowstone Big Gun Fun, 15 Madison Ave: you can shoot with real guns at this shooting range, the same ones used in movies.
- Playmill Theatre, 29 Madison Ave: This theater has been producing family entertainment since 1964 and still remains true to its tradition.
Best things to do near West Yellowstone
If you have some time off from visiting the large neighboring park, the best thing to do is definitely explore the beautiful surroundings of the town; point west to discover:
- Mesa Falls: these majestic waterfalls, divided into Upper and Lower, are a real jewel of Idaho and can be reached thanks to the scenic road with the same name.
- Vigilante Trail: this is an itinerary that traces the history of the gold rush in the state of Montana, passing through the beautiful Madison Valley and perfectly preserved western towns. It can be done in one day and returns to the starting point.
- Virginia and Nevada City: the Vigilante Trail’s 2 flagship western towns are authentic and perfectly preserved. A detour from West Yellowstone will take you about 1 hour 30″, but it is really worth it.
Where to eat in West Yellowstone
In this small town you will find many clubs and restaurants, I honestly had a good time. Here is where I ate:
- Buffalo Bar, 335 Hwy 20: the most characteristic place in all of West Yellowstone, a pub full of patrons wearing cowboy hats and spurs, but what will perhaps catch your eye is the giant bison in the bar’s second room. The cuisine is typical American, a good option even if you just want to have a beer and breathe the atmosphere of the place.
- Madison Crossing Lounge, 121 Madison Ave: in what used to be the first school in West Yellowstone, opened back in 1918, you can now find (in what was the classroom for the youngest children) the restaurant where I ate the best food in town, with quality bison and Angus meat. Also visit the adjoining store, which once housed the school gym. It’s a good place to look for some souvenirs or toys for your child.
- Ernie’s Bakery and Deli, 406 Hwy 20: Nothing exceptional, but it has proven to be very useful for its lunchbox service, lunchboxes that you can pick up before you leave for your daily visit to the park.
- Running Bear Pancake House, 538 Madison Ave: this is the place you have to go to for breakfast. Pancakes, homemade (and available for purchase) maple, blueberry syrup, fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, basically everything you need to face the visit of the park on a full stomach and an unforgettable brunch. The staff is not the most courteous, but you can turn a blind eye to that. Takeaway lunch boxes are also available here.
- Cafe Madriz, 311 Canyon St: my wife finally managed to convince to go and eat Spanish cuisine, which I usually don’t mind at all but in this area I wasn’t so sure about it. In fact, I didn’t really leave here an enthusiast. They seemed a bit disorganized (some problems managing the queue at the entrance) and even the prices did not seem fair. However the place is nice and very successful in the area, maybe I didn’t have the right night…
Where to stay in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone is a tourist town that basically comes to life with the arrival of the summer season and the opening of the neighboring park, West Yellowstone offers many possibilities for accommodation, although, to tell the truth, not all is up to the level. Wandering around the city, you will notice some dilapidated motels (the minority however). Please take a look at the list of our recommended accommodations in the town, which you can find by clicking on the button below:
