Helena is the town you wish you grew up in—riding the carousel, picking out candy at the Parrot Confectionary, skiing Great Divide and taking family road trips to Boulder Hot Springs. But, it’s not too late…just try feeling mature while zooming over 200 miles of snowmobile trails or ice-skating on your own 35,000-acre rink at Canyon Ferry Lake.
Plus, you’re never too old for Helena’s most timeless draws—good steak at the Marysville House (in a near-ghost town!), coffee and board games at the General Mercantile and brunch in the community living room known as the No Sweat Café. And, when you must act like a real adult, Helena will indulge you. Cross-country ski MacDonald’s pass, then catch a live play at the Grandstreet Theatre and supper at Lucca’s Italian restaurant before tucking in (at a sensible hour!) at the decidedly grown-up Carolina B&B.
Blackfoot River Brewing CompanyIf you like beer, live music and having a hand-crafted beer on an outdoor deck, this is the Helena stop for you. I loved the free popcorn and my favorite beer was the O.P.A. (Organic Pale Ale). Make ...
Canyon Ferry LakeMy friend Hailey and I used to go to this beautiful little cove on the east side of the lake and drink wine and eat dinner. Love love loved it!
Canyon Ferry SkatingWe took my mom here, who trained as a figure skater in her younger days, to skate on the “biggest rink in the world!” Canyon Ferry’s conditions make it excellent for smooth black ice, and also for ice boaters ...
Carolina B&BThere are several good B&Bs in Helena but we think of this one as the “hidden gem.” It’s a very traditional, very accommodating B&B with the sumptuous antique decorations and antique bedframes and drapes and wallpaper like ...
Great DivideMy favorite run is a large bowl with a great view of the Helena Valley and a slumbering giant. Some of the best powder on the mountain is here and since you must work to get here you can enjoy ...
Great Divide Ski AreaWhen the snow is right I head to Great Divide. With fresh snow this is a great, generally uncrowded way to get some fresh tracks. The key to great skiing in Montana is to be flexible and follow the snow ...
Great Northern CarouselI am not ashamed to admit that, at the age of 25, I love this place! I am a nanny for two families, and I bring the kids here at least monthly, if not more. I grew up in Spokane ...
Lamplighter MotelGreat local motel, historic section of Helena, build in the 30's to help railroaders, small private cottages and even whole houses to stay in. Friendly family staff, interesting guests including hikers and bicyclists experiencing the continental trail running Canada ...
Lucca'sThis is an upscale restaurant with great service and fabulous food. Be sure to order the mussels, the friend I was with asked for a spoon to eat the broth after the mussels were gone!! It's on the walking ...
Macdonald PassIt's close enough to town to be accessible immediately after an amazing storm, but just far enough away that you feel completely removed from the rest of the world. You can hear the wind, see the sky and if ...
Marysville HouseThe food and atmosphere are amazing!
Myrna Loy TheaterThe Myrna Loy Theatre, while not an old theater, is in an old jail. It shows the best indy and foreign films. A great place in Helena
No Sweat CaféIt’s like hanging out in your friend’s living room on a lazy, maybe somewhat hazy, weekend morning while they cook everyone their favorite breakfast personally…everyone being 30 or 40 friends. So take that as the good and ...
Park Avenue BakeryI started my morning here when I was in Helena with some yummy tea and one of the most amazing scones I have ever had!! If I lived in Helena, I would have a hard time not stopping by every ...
Riley's Irish PubPub Quiz at Riley's Irish Pub is the best! The food is incredible (you can't beat their Guinness drizzled onion rings!) and the atmosphere and staff are wonderful. It's a great way to spend a Tuesday night ...
Sanders Helena Bed And BreakfastGrand Marnier French Toast. Need I say more? Ok probably. I was braced for cuteness overkill when my wife begged for a B&B stay…but my fears were quickly put to rest. When we showed up, Bobbi (the hostess ...
Saras Blue Ribbon Porkiesi recommend saras because the porkchop sandwiches are homemade. they also make homemade eggrolls..,the service keeps you coming back....they are located at 2104 N. main helena ,MT.
Silver StarHuge plate of ribs...you can literally eat on them for 3 days. Highly recommended!!!
Sweetgrass BakeryGreat quality ingredients. Wonderfully baked goods. Friendly staff. Reasonable Prices. Local Business.
The Dive BakeryThey have the best crepes and peasant bread in town! I love their ham and swiss croissant. They offer breakfast and lunch. They make their turkey sanwiches with real turneky. It's to 'dive' for!
The Parrot ConfectioneryThere is no better chocolate shop in Montana than the Parrot Confectionery in Helena. They are busy all year, but especially at Christmas and Valentines Day. Great Dark Chocolate caramels - my favorite.
The Staggering OxThe people here are very nice and the atmosphere is friendly. They also have great sandwiches and records hanging down from the ceiling.
The Suds HutThe first thing you hear when you get out of your car is Old Time Country music playing through the outside speakers. Then you walk inside and the first thing your eyes fall on is a huge, round fireplace right ...
Windbag Saloonsituated in a former bordello, the windbag saloon offers a great selection of food and beverages such as the bag bitter, exclusive to the windbag and brewed by the local blackfoot brewery.
