Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the Mississippi for nearly 50 years. Butte is a marvelous place to spend at least a day, and
more if you are interested in mining or history.
For good reason, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will be itching to get out of
Butte. The
Big Hole,
southwest of the city, is a natural wonderland of wide-open spaces,
supremely good fishing, a ski hill, an important Native American battle site, and a couple
of great hot springs. Indeed, this region could be a vacation on its own, and it requires at
least a day to cover the terrain.
Farther west,
Philipsburg,
less than a mile from the ghost town of
Granite
and just 10
miles from
Georgetown Lake
and
Discovery Ski Area,
is an ideal spot to enjoy a sumptu-
ous meal and get a good night's rest, and perhaps even catch a show.
Finally, there are a host of other places in the region that make great add-ons or stan-
dalone destinations.
Virginia City, Nevada City,
and
Bannack
are meticulously preserved
ghost towns. The state's capital,
Helena,
is a bustling city that has successfully transitioned
into modernity while still carefully preserving its past. As is true almost anywhere in
Montana, the recreational opportunities just outside the city are plentiful, from the
Gates of
the Mountains,
named by Lewis and Clark, to
Holter, Hauser,
and
Canyon Ferry Lakes,
which offer boating, fishing, and only-in-Montana activities like ice sailing during winter.
Everyone in Montana is (or should be) rooting for Butte. Once the cosmopolitan and urban
moneymaking center of the state, Butte (population 33,704, elevation 5,700 feet) today is
beat-up and a little bleak; “rough around the edges” is putting it mildly. The most far-reach-
ing and present reminder of its former glory, other than the open-pit mining scars that rend
the entire valley, are the car license plates that start with 1, Butte's rank in population when
motor vehicles showed up on the scene.
Despite its diminished status, Butte is a remarkable place with the most compelling and
diverse history in the state as well as an infrastructure of fabulous old buildings that are just
waiting for a renaissance. In fact, Butte is among the largest registered National Historic
Landmark Districts in the country, with more than 4,000 historic structures. There is more
culture here than just about anywhere in Montana, and there are some marvelous estab-
lishments for dining and imbibing—and one hotel in particular that is enjoying a glorious
second incarnation.
