Headed for Helena

Just because you’ve oohed and ahhed over Helena’s impressive Capitol grounds doesn’t mean you’ve “done” Helena. To get your local’s cred, you’ll need to pop by the Archie Bray ceramics studios; hike or bike Mount Helena; ride the trout at the Great Northern Carousel; and catch a play, a concert or an arthouse flick at the historic-prison-turned-theatre Myrna Loy. Then there are the lakes—Holter, Hauser, and Canyon Ferry—required recreating if you can borrow a boat.

A tour (probably a culinary one) of Helena’s history-rich downtown, Last Chance Gulch, is also a must. Stock up on healthy breads at Sweetgrass Bakery, then blow your diet at Benny’s or On Broadway. Sweet tooth? Swing by the Parrot Confectionary, where they’ve been slinging sodas and hand-dipping chocolate since 1922. Bitter tooth? Sip a microbrew at the Blackfoot Brewery. Then, stroll to the Sanders B&B, a historic restored mansion, to snooze in Victorian bliss.

Additional resources and information at http://ilearntolive.com/.

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Benny's Bistro

Love, love, love Benny's. Good food, good music, great company. Margaret and staff are earnest about keeping the menu fresh. And they cater - which they did for a wedding I planned. Go there - you won't be sorry!

6th Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

Blackfoot River Brewing Company

Blackfoot's great beer mix with great atmosphere and people for a perfect mix of fun and craft beer! Definitely check out their ales, especially the Single Malt IPA and North Fork Organic Porter.

66 S Park Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

Canyon Ferry Lake

I've been here many times with my grandparents. There are really big rainbow trout and walleye. Bow fishing is really good in the spring.

3702 E Shore Dr
Helena, MT
Things to Do

Gates Of The Mountains

a great getaway with awesome scenes, boating/fishing, picnicing, and looking for animals! Kids loved it!

Mann Gulch
Wolf Creek, MT
Things to Do

Great Northern Carousel

I 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 ...

924 Bicentennial Plaza
Helena, MT
Things to Do

Holter Reservoir

The campground at the dam of Holter reservoir is a beautiful area. It is a beautiful area to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day to day life. Everything is at your fingertips from hiking in the ...

Holter Lake Campground
Wolf Creek, MT
Places to Stay

Mt. Helena

A fun place to ride early and late in the season when there's snow on many of the other southwest Montana trails. It is easily accessible from downtown Helena as well and makes a great from-town ride. The trails ...

Grizzly Gulch
Helena, MT
Things to Do

Myrna Loy Theater

The 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

414 Breckenridge St
Helena, MT
Things to Do

Park Avenue Bakery

So Yummy! Earl Grey Chocolate Cake for my birthday, that's the best gift.

100-210 S Park Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

Riley's Irish Pub

Pub 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 ...

15 W 6th Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

Sanders Helena Bed And Breakfast

Grand 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 ...

328 North Ewing Street
Helena, MT
Places to Stay

Sweetgrass Bakery

Great quality ingredients. Wonderfully baked goods. Friendly staff. Reasonable Prices. Local Business.

314-326 Fuller Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

The Dive Bakery

They 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!

1609 11th Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

The Parrot Confectionery

There 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.


Helena, MT
Places to Eat

The Suds Hut

BEST CHICKEN EVVVVER!

2701 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT
Places to Eat

Windbag Saloon

Go ahead, have the fries.

2-60 N Last Chance Gulch Pedestrian Mall
Helena, MT
Places to Eat