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City and county seat in Montana, US
Photo: Tim1965, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Great Falls is a city in Central Montana. It is the third most populous city in Montana with approximately 60,000 people. It is the hub for commercial and financial dealings in the center of the state.
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Hands-on exhibits designed for children 12 and under.
Works by Charles Marion Russell. Western culture, landscape, and wildlife.
Exhibits focused on the Lewis and Clark Trail. The explorers had unexpected difficulty portaging the falls here.
Housed in the city's first high school from 1896. Mostly has contemporary art from regional artists.
Visit Ryan Dam and witness the spectacle of a hydro-electric dam. Hike the trails for alternating beautiful views. Lounge in the shady park and enjoy a picnic with the family. Fully upkept facilities available for parties or gatherings. Keep an eye out for wildlife, there has even been a bear spotted roaming the grounds in 2013.
Waterslide, lazy river, large heated pool, squirt zone.
One of the largest naturally occurring springs in the world. Located on the banks of the Missouri River adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs State Park is a popular local destination, especially in the hot summer months. Walk the river paths along the shore of the Missouri to a superb view of Rainbow Dam. Visit the fish hatchery and feed the trout and watch the feeding frenzy that ensues as soon as the food hits the water. While you're there, don't forget to slake that thirst with a bottle of the spring water.
Large city park with walking trails, playground, duck park, summer concerts. Ice skating in winter.
Enjoy an ice-hockey game at the Great Falls Ice Plex. The Americans play in the North American Tier III hockey league.
Enjoy a minor league baseball game at Centene Stadium.
Climbing gym. Un-roped climbing on walls shorter than 15 foot.
Nearly 60 mile stretch along the Missouri River, mostly paved. This will take you past the 5 hydroelectric dams, historic downtown, river canyons, and reservoirs. Website has trail map if you are looking to go to a particular section of town. Otherwise just find the river and start walking, biking, rollerblading, or dog walking.
Built by Grindline
Simple decor, mind-blowing prime rib. If you're lucky, the waitress will show you a picture of the 6'6" gentleman who orders the "Double Bar-S cut," Which if the picture tells the story, stands about four full inches tall.
A good Mexican place if you're looking for that option. Keep in mind you're in Montana, so if you're looking for fully authentic Mexican food, you might want to wait until you get home. What you will get is outstanding American style Mexican food with a local twist. The food is satisfying, the portions large, and the prices good. What more could you ask for?
A franchise restaurant with locations all around Montana. The Great Falls location is next to the Missouri River, and it's very child-friendly. Specializes in gourmet pizzas, but does have more conventional options for those with unadventurous pallets or small children. Be warned, this restaurant is extremely popular and gets crowded quickly most every night. So if it looks packed, it is, but there's a reason for that. Don't worry about a wait, service is quick and friendly and you shouldn't have to wait that long to be seated.
Borries has been a Great Falls Establishment since 1938. Probably the best Italian food in town, although there aren't all that many options on the menu Italian wise. Fantastic steaks, Tuesday is Prime Rib Night (Get an early reservation or it will be gone), and quite arguably some of the best Minestrone in existence. A local favorite, definitely one of the higher end restaurants in Great Falls, so be prepared, it gets crowded and service can be a bit slow on especially busy nights. Don't let that scare you away, absolutely fantastic food.
This little locally-owned sandwich shop is known for its large portions, high-quality ingredients, and just plain old awesome subs. Quick, friendly service even when it's busy; there isn't a large dining area so it can get a little crowded. Even if you're just passing through Great Falls around lunch time, definitely one of your best healthy grab and go options.
Cattleman's Cut is pretty unapologetic for what it is. As you pull into the gravel parking lot full of pick up trucks and approach a building that looks more like a prefabricated barn as opposed to what it is, a local favorite and one of the best restaurants in the city, you may be wondering what you're getting yourself into. Take a second and remind yourself that you're in Great Falls, Montana. Cattleman's Cut is a restaurant where you go for a good steak. An extensive selection of cuts of beef, all cooked to order, a fairly extensive selection of seafood (remember the being in Great Falls Montana thing, though), and probably the best salad bar in the city await you. Call ahead, it really doesn't matter what day of the week it is, this place gets packed.
Specializes in thin-crust pizza. A local favorite.
Out of the way, but worth the trouble of finding. Has theme nights most nights of the week with a live DJ, pool, friendly staff, and cheap booze.
Whether you feel like playing pool or trying your hand at some Texas-Hold-Em, the Classic 50s has a little bit of something for everyone. It also has the good fortune of housing one of the locally popular Howard's Pizza locations so you can get your grub on while you ponder your hand.
Although not as famous as the Sip N Dip lounge, Club Cigar is one of the best bars in Great Falls. Friendly people, Karaoke on Wednesday nights, Open Mic night on Tuesday, and Pabst on tap. You can count on Club Cigar to be crowded almost every night of the week.
Fun little bar with pool, shuffle board, and great prices on drinks. Fun, friendly, and attentive staff.
The Halftime is the largest sports bar on the Northwest Bypass near the edge of the city. The Halftime is the place to be if you're looking to grab a drink and watch the game in good company. Also serves traditional pub fare.
Popular with the college crowd, mostly due to its close proximity to two of the universities. A hole in the wall, the Hi-Ho has pool, internet juke box, and an eclectic mix of micro brews and college affordable domestics on tap. Fun place to go, listen to some good music and challenge new friends to pool.
World Famous. Must-do stop at the Tiki-themed bar. Get a fish bowl, check out the underwater Mermaid, and designate a driver!
Very sports-oriented.
Fireplace, pool tables, and 21 different microbrews on tap.
Featuring craft beers made in Montana. Also wine, ciders and seltzers.
5 flagship beers. Food available from attached Pit Stop.
Craft beers with 7 flagship plus rotators. Pizza and nightly specials.
The hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub, both open 24 hours. There's a small "business center" with high-speed Internet, available for free. There are riverside rooms available for about $10 more. The city's well-managed riverside paths run right behind the hotel. Very friendly management!
Backcountry guest ranch near the Bob Marshall Wilderness; accepts resupply packages when arranged in advance.
Standard mall stores.
By car
Interstate 15 goes through the outskirts of Great Falls. Either the Central Ave. exit or the 10th Ave. S exit will go to the center of the city.
By train
There is an Amtrak station about 90 miles north of Great Falls in the small town of Shelby. The Empire Builder, which runs from Seattle to Chicago makes stops daily.
By bus
Salt Lake Express and Greyhound provide intercity bus service.
By bus
Great Falls Transit (+1 406-727-0382) operates bus service in Great Falls.00. Buy a day pass for $4 for unlimited rides. A pass good for 11 rides is $10.
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Great Falls · Regional · GTF
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