Each year I look forward to my kids’ fall break. It usually means we get to squeeze in a little vacation. Last spring, my friend Amanda and I decided to book flights for a fall adventure and explore Montana with our kids. We assumed that things with Covid would calm down and we would be good to go with travel by October.

Fast forward to October 2020 and Covid sure took many of us on a roller coaster ride, but we decided to go ahead with our trip. Numbers had dramatically decreased and we felt comfortable with our decision.

We had chosen to go to Montana because it was a destination that Amanda and her kids had not yet had a chance to experience and if you ask me, I think that everyone should travel to Montana at one time or another. It is such a beautiful part of our country, the residents are some of the nicest people that I have ever met and many of my favorite memories are from time spent in Montana.

Our getaway was so much fun that I am sharing the highlights from the trip. When you are planning your visit to Montana you can use this post as a guide to help you decide what to add to your “must-do” Montana vacation list.

Stay

During our Bozeman vacation, we stayed at The RSVP Motel. I must say, I loved the family owned motel and can’t wait to return. The decor was stunning, the beds were cozy and the customer service was wonderful. The hotel is centrally located, so you can get to all of your destinations quite quickly. An added bonus to staying at The RSVP Motel, is that you can visit the Farmer’s Daughters Cafe whenever you’d like. To find out even more about the family owned businesses, click here to listen to my conversation with one of the owners, Haylee Folkvord.

Food

Bozeman, Montana is known for its fabulous dining experiences. Since we stayed in a hotel, we did eat out for the majority of our meals and my sister was wonderful to have us over for a few dinners. I highly recommend any of the restaurants on the list below.

Checking out the paint pots in Yellowstone National Park!

Bagelworks - Some mornings all you need is a quick breakfast before you head out to explore. Bagelworks is open at 6:30 am and offers tasty bagels to go.
Jam! - This was a great spot for brunch. I had the breakfast burrito and highly recommend it!
Mackenzie River Pizza Co. - This is a great option for family dining. The pizza and salad are wonderful and so is the kids menu.
Map Brewing - The brewery scene has exploded in Montana and a great spot to check out local brews is Map Brewing. The food, beer and views are all worth the visit!
Roost Fried Chicken - I am not kidding, they have the best fried chicken that I have ever had! Make sure you stop in for a great meal. You won’t be disappointed!
Sidewinders- This is another family friendly restaurant that has a large menu full of options. Everyone in your group will be happy with this location, especially if you order dessert!
Ted’s Montana Grill - An old favorite restaurant of mine. The bison burgers are delicious!

Click here for even more dining recommendations, but these options are from a local! Depending on what you are looking for, Bozeman has something just for you.

Sights

There is a lot to see when you visit the great state of Montana. I suggest planning multiple trips to visit different regions of the state. Northern Montana offers the incredible Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake and more scenic areas for you to discover. I have spent the most time in southern Montana and I believe it is fabulous and definitely worth visiting. During our recent trip we spent the majority of our visit near Bozeman, with day trips to several great sights.

During our 5 day adventure we were able to see so much! Highlights from our trip included;

Yellowstone National Park - This is A MUST SEE! Yellowstone is an incredible national park with wildlife and geological features. You can expect to spend one full day in the park exploring, hiking and snapping photos. Our “day trip” was 15 hours round trip. We entered the park through the north entrance in Gardiner, Montana and left through West Yellowstone. Well worth every minute of the adventure!
We took a 30 minute drive from Bozeman to explore the Missouri Headwaters State Park and the Madison Buffalo Jump State Park. Each of these state parks are located in Three Forks, Montana. These are great stops for history lovers! The Lewis & Clark Expedition camped at the Missouri Headwaters State Park. The Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is perfect for learning about Native Americans and their use of leading herds of bison off cliffs in order to have food and supplies for their tribe. Count on talking a hike while visiting.
Relax at the hot springs! This is a terrific way to unwind during your travels. There are several hot springs for you to enjoy. I recommend the Norris or Bozeman Hot Springs.
Explore downtown Bozeman by shopping, visiting Montana State University and check out local restaurants.
Visit the Museum of the Rockies - If you are traveling with kid, this is another stop that you’ll need to make time to visit. Learn about the dinosaurs that lived in the area, the western expansion and more are sure to keep everyone entertained.

I am so thankful for a great adventure with a great friend and our kids! I hope its a trip that they remember for a long time. If you haven’t visited Montana yet, I hope you add it to your list of places to visit. I think you’ll love it just as much as I do!

Leave a note in the comments and let me know if you have visited Montana.