Helena, the state capital, and 225 mi/360 km northwest of Billings, began in the 1860s as a gold-rush boomtown. Today it's home to the Montana Historical Society Museum, which was founded in 1865 and contains exhibits of Western art and photography, and the state archives, along with works by renowned cowboy artist Charlie Russell. Also worth a look are the old governor's mansion in Queen Anne style, the Greek Renaissance-style state Capitol (with a dome of copper mined in Montana) and The Cathedral of St. Helena, which is an imposing part of the city's architectural history.
Last Chance Gulch, the historic downtown's walking mall, offers a wide range of art galleries, shops, restaurants, music and craft fairs (in the summer months). Great Northern Town Center in north downtown features a beautiful carousel and ice-cream parlor, a children's science center (Exploration Works) and great dining opportunities. Also downtown, you'll find the Holter Museum of Art, with new shows every six weeks. The Grandstreet Theater presents classic and modern plays, and The Montana Shakespeare Company holds outdoor shows in Performance Square.
Sightseeing
Southeast of Helena is the Elkhorn Wildlife Management Area in Elkhorn State Park, with 129,000 acres/52,200 hectares of wildlife (including big game). Elkhorn also has a ghost town featuring frontier architecture from the silver boom of the 1880s. Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, near the Elkhorn Mountains in Jefferson City, was originally planted to control the spread of weeds, but it now features thousands of flowering plants, seven themed gardens, trails and a restored gold mining homestead.
Recreation
Helena offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area is 20 mi/32 km north of town, adjacent to Helena National Forest. This limestone canyon (1,200 ft/365 m deep) was formed by the Missouri River and can be seen by taking a boat tour along the river. The Helena area has many lakes that are popular recreation areas for hiking, fishing, camping and boating. Hiking trails are in abundance, too. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, just north of Helena, has 1,800 mi/2,900 km of hiking trails and stretches to Glacier National Park. South of town is Canyon Ferry Lake (a reservoir on the Missouri River and one of the most popular lakes in the state) where boating, fishing and camping are popular during summer. Sapphire mining is available to the public at the Spokane Bar Mine, and rock climbers frequently dot the gulches on the south side of the lake.
Skiing
Great Divide Snowsports, 23 mi/40 km northwest of Helena, has 140 trails and 1600 acres/647 hectares of skiable terrain. Cross-country skiing is available at MacDonald Pass and Stemple Pass, with four groomed loop trails. Snowmobile enthusiasts won't be disappointed, either—a variety of trails are available within a 30-minute drive of Helena.
