Attractions
Helena has a rich past and much of it is on display at the Montana Historical Society. With more than 50,000 artifacts, the museum in downtown tells the story of the state from its earliest days. In addition to the displays, it’s possible to board a Last Chance Tour Train (a wheeled tram, actually) and taking a driving tour of the city. The hour-long tour exposes riders to all of the many historic sites in the city.
One of the richest of these sites is the city’s Old Mansion District. This was where the mining millionaires built their massive homes.
Reeders Alley is the other side of the boomtown that Helena was in the past. Reeders Alley began life in the 1860s as housing for miners. Today it is home to specialty shops, offices, restaurants and even a restored miner’s lodging.
One of the premier attractions of Helena is its unique shopping district, the Walking Mall. The three-block long strip of shops is along the original path of the Last Chance Gulch. A fountain runs the length of the shopping mall – which includes a variety of shops, clubs and restaurants – to recreate a modern gulch.
And, for kids of all ages, you can ride the Great Northern Carousel, a recreated old-time wooden carousel. If you want to try your luck, there are still places where you can pan for gold or seek sapphires.
Location: in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the west central part of the state; about 175 miles south of Glacier National Park, and 185 north of Yellowstone National Park
Area: 14 square miles
Population: 25,780
Housing Units: 12,133
Average Annual Rainfall: 11.6” rainfall and 47.1” of snow
Average Annual Temperature: 44 degrees F