Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEARTOOTH ROUTE
Billings
406 / POP 105,000 / ELEV 3300FT
Montana's largest city has far more in common with the dusty plains of eastern Montana
than the much-celebrated Rocky Mountain scenery out to the west of the state. It shouldn't
be a priority stop off on your Yellowstone itinerary, but it is not such a bad place to stay for
a night before heading out to the park or catching your flight back home.
Ernest Hemingway brought some excitement to Billings in November 1930 when he
crashed his car on the way home from Yellowstone National Park. Hemingway broke his
right arm and had to spend seven weeks in the town's St Vincent's Hospital.
Sights
Western Heritage Center
( 406-256-6809;
www.ywhc.org
; 2822 Montana Ave; adult/senior & child $5/3;
10am-5pm Tue-Sat)
If you have time in Billings, explore the changing exhibits and excel-
lent artifact collection here, representing the various cultural traditions of Yellowstone Val-
ley.
MUSEUM
Yellowstone Art Museum
( 406-256-6804;
www.artmuseum.org
; 401 N 27th St; adult/child $5/3; 10am-5pm
Tue, Wed & Sat, 10am-8pm Thu & Fri, 11am-4pm Sun)
Combining a collection of Western
art with visiting exhibitions, this museum is on the site of the 1916 Yellowstone County
Jail.
GALLERY
The Rims
Drive up Otters Dr from near the Heights to near the airport, for a fine overview of the city
and as far as the distant Beartooth Mountains, and to visit the grave of Yellowstone Kelly,
an early scout and guide.
SCENIC DRIVE
