People usually just drive through. They see the refineries from I-90, catch a glimpse of the Yellowstone River, and keep the pedal down toward Bozeman or Glacier. Honestly? That is a massive mistake. Billings is weird, rugged, and surprisingly sophisticated if you know where to look. It’s the "Magic City," a nickname earned because it literally popped up overnight during the railroad boom, but today the magic is in the dirt, the beer, and the prehistoric art.
If you are looking for things to do in billings, you have to start with the Rimrocks. These aren't just hills. They are massive, 70-million-year-old sandstone cliffs that hug the city like a giant, rocky crescent. You can stand on the edge and see the Beartooth Mountains shimmering 60 miles away. It's wild.
The Vertical Playground: Life on the Rims
Most cities have a park. Billings has a geologic masterpiece. The "Rims" define the skyline and the lifestyle here. Zimmerman Trail is the go-to for locals who want to feel their lungs burn, but if you want the views without the sweat, you can just drive up to Swords Rimrock Park.
You'll see people slacklining over gaps that would make a normal person faint. There are climbers everywhere. If you aren't into dangling by a rope, just walk the paved trails. The air smells like sagebrush and dry pine. It's distinct. It’s the smell of the high plains.
Black Otter Trail winds along the top, and it’s where you’ll find the grave of Yellowstone Kelly, a famous scout. He specifically asked to be buried there so he could look over the valley forever. Looking at the sprawl of the city against the winding river below, you kinda get why he made that request.
Hidden History at Pompeys Pillar
Drive 30 minutes east. Seriously. Do it.
You’ll find Pompeys Pillar National Monument. It’s a massive rock sticking out of the prairie, and it holds the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition that is still visible on the actual trail. William Clark carved his name into the stone in 1806. It’s right there. You can touch the boardwalk next to it and realize you are standing exactly where a guy who mapped the American West stood over two centuries ago.
He named it after Sacagawea’s son, Pomp. The site is quiet, often overlooked, and deeply moving for history nerds.
Exploring the Deep Past: Pictograph Cave State Park
This isn't your average "walk in the woods" situation. This is a journey into the spiritual and physical history of the Apsáalooke (Crow) people and those who came before them. Pictograph Cave State Park is a complex of three main caves: Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost.
Over 100 rock paintings have been identified here. Some are 2,000 years old. You’ll see red, black, and white pigments depicting hunters, shields, and animals. It’s fragile stuff. The paintings fade and change with the moisture in the air, so what you see today might look different than what someone saw in the 1940s when the first professional excavations happened.
Basically, over 30,000 artifacts have been pulled from this soil. Projectile points, stone tools, and even personal items. It’s a heavy place. You feel the weight of time when you stand under the cave's overhang.
The Brew Trail: Montana’s Only Walkable Brewery District
Billings has a secret. It’s the only city in Montana with a truly walkable downtown brewery district. You don't need an Uber. You just need a pair of comfortable shoes and a high tolerance for hops.
Start at Montana Brewing Company. They were the pioneers. Then, hit Uberbrew. They’ve won "Small Brewery of the Year" at the Great American Beer Festival, which is a huge deal in the craft beer world. Their White Noise hefeweizen is legendary.
- Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill: It’s in a renovated warehouse with a massive stone fireplace. The cider is crisp, but the food is the sleeper hit.
- Thirsty Street Brewing Co.: Great for sour beers and a funky vibe.
- Angry Hank’s: It’s located in an old gas station. It’s no-frills and exactly what Montana beer culture should be.
The "Magic City Brewing Company" is another staple you can't miss. The whole district covers about a 1.5-mile loop. It’s social. It’s loud. It’s where the city's heart beats on a Friday night.
The Zoo That Isn't a Zoo
Okay, it is a zoo, but ZooMontana is different. They only take in animals that can actually thrive in the Montana climate or those that are rescues and can't be released. You won’t find elephants shivering in a shed here. Instead, you get to see Bears, Wolves, and Siberian Tigers in massive, naturalistic enclosures.
The star of the show is often the Red Pandas. They are ridiculously cute and surprisingly active. The zoo also doubles as a botanical garden, so even if you aren't an "animal person," the grounds are stunning. It's a localized, ethical approach to wildlife education that feels a lot more honest than the big-city mega-zoos.
The Moss Mansion: A Time Capsule of Wealth
If you want to see how the "other half" lived during the Gilded Age, go to the Moss Mansion. It was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh—the same guy who did the Waldorf Astoria and the Plaza Hotel in New York.
It’s built from red sandstone. It has the original 1903 fixtures. It even has a vintage intercom system that still looks like it could work. The Moss family were movers and shakers; they brought the telephone and better water systems to Billings. Walking through the rooms, you see the juxtaposition of extreme luxury against the rugged Montana frontier. It’s a weird, beautiful contrast.
The Art Scene is Actually... Good?
People expect cowboy art. And yeah, you’ll find some of that at the Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM). But you’ll also find cutting-edge contemporary works from regional artists. They have a visible vault where you can see how they store and preserve the collection.
The YAM focuses on the "Visible Vault," which is a separate building. It's an architectural gem. They host "Art Suitcase" programs for schools and keep the local creative flame alive. It isn't just oil paintings of bison; it’s abstract, it’s political, and it’s provocative.
Western Heritage Center
Located in the historic Parmly Billings Library building, this place focuses on the history of the Yellowstone River Valley. It's smaller than the YAM but packs a punch. They do walking tours of downtown that reveal where the old brothels were and where the tunnels under the city used to run.
Billings has a gritty history. It was a town of laborers, railroaders, and gamblers. The Western Heritage Center doesn't shy away from the rougher edges of the city's development.
Food That Isn't Just Steak
Don't get me wrong, you can get a world-class ribeye here. Jake’s Downtown or Buffalo Block are the spots for that. But the food scene is diversifying fast.
- The Sassy Biscuit: This place redefined breakfast in Billings. Think "pressed" biscuits that are basically waffles, topped with short ribs or lemon curd.
- Walker’s Grill: This is where you go for James Beard-level quality with a Montana twist.
- Bin 119: A wine bar with an incredible patio and food that feels like it belongs in Seattle or Denver.
You've also got to try a "Pork Chop John’s" sandwich. It’s a Montana staple. It’s a breaded pork chop on a bun, and it’s been a local obsession for decades. It’s simple. It’s cheap. It’s perfect.
Beyond the City Limits: The Beartooth Highway
If you use Billings as your base, you are only an hour or so away from what Charles Kuralt called "the most beautiful drive in America." The Beartooth Highway (US-212) takes you up to 10,947 feet.
It’s a series of switchbacks that will make your knuckles white. You’ll pass alpine lakes that stay frozen until July. You might see mountain goats. It eventually drops you into the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Cooke City.
Most people fly into Bozeman for Yellowstone. They’re missing out. Coming in through the Beartooths is the superior experience, hands down.
What People Get Wrong About Billings
The biggest misconception is that Billings is just an industrial hub. Sure, the refineries are there. They’re part of the economy. But once you step away from the highway, you find a city obsessed with the outdoors.
You’ll see trucks with mountain bikes in the back and fly rods in the windows. The Yellowstone River flows right through town, and it’s one of the longest undammed rivers in the lower 48. People float it, fish it, and live by it.
Essential Actionable Tips for Your Visit
To actually enjoy the things to do in billings, you need to follow these local "unspoken" rules:
- Timing is Everything: Visit in September. The summer heat (which can hit 100 degrees) has faded, the smoke from regional wildfires usually clears out, and the cottonwoods along the river turn a brilliant gold.
- Layers, Always: Montana weather is bipolar. It can be 70 degrees at noon and snowing by 5 PM. Bring a Patagonia or North Face jacket even if the forecast looks clear.
- Rent a Car: Public transit is basically non-existent for tourists. You need wheels to get to the Rims, the caves, and the Pillar.
- The Wind is Real: Billings is windy. If you are hiking the Rims, keep a grip on your hat and stay away from the crumbling edges. The sandstone is softer than it looks.
- Book Ahead for Dining: On weekend nights, downtown gets packed. This isn't a sleepy town anymore. Make a reservation at Walker's or Buffalo Block at least two days in advance.
Billings doesn't try to be "cool" like Missoula or "rich" like Bozeman. It's just authentic. It's a working-class city that happens to be built on top of a geologic wonder. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking through prehistoric caves and the afternoon sipping an award-winning IPA in a renovated garage.
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If you give it more than a drive-by, it’ll surprise you. Stop for the gas, stay for the sandstone. That's the real Billings experience.