BUTTE, HELENA, AND SOUTHWEST MONTANA - Montana and Wyoming - page 364

ACCOMMODATIONS
While Helena is long on hotels (perhaps for all the legislators who come to govern for four
months every other year), most fall into the category of nice upscale chain hotels or nice up-
scale bed-and-breakfasts. There is no grand dame here waiting to reclaim its former glory.
Still, there are plenty of nice rooms all around town. The Best Western Great Northern
(835 Great Northern Blvd., 800/829-4947, $129-147) is shiny and new, with decor intended
to conjure the Great Northern Railway days. It has all the amenities you could want in a
city hotel, and small pets (under 25 pounds) are welcome for $15 per night per animal for
up to two animals. The hotel is ideally located in the relatively new Great Northern Town
Center and is within walking distance of an eight-plex theater, shopping, a children's mu-
seum, and a carousel.
Closer to the highway is the Red Lion Colonial Hotel (2301 Colonial Dr., 406/
443-2100, www.redlion.com , $140), a large, full-service, very comfortable hotel.
Additional chain hotels and motels that line the major thoroughfares here include the
pet-friendly Comfort Inn (750 Fee St., 406/443-1000, www.comfortinn.com , $84-99);
the very new Comfort Suites (3180 N. Washington St., 406/495-0505,
www.comfortsuiteshelena.com , $125-145); Days Inn (2001 Prospect Ave., 406/442-3280,
www.daysinn.com , $72-106); Holiday Inn Express & Suites (3170 N. Sanders St., 406/
442-7500, www.hiexpress.com , $99-169); and Super 8 (2200 11th Ave., 406/443-2450,
www.super8.com , $58-78). Situated right downtown in the heart of Last Chance Gulch is
the pet-friendly Holiday Inn Conference Center Downtown (22 N. Last Chance Gulch,
406/443-2200, www.holidayinn.com , $113-182).
For a more historic option downtown near the state capitol, The Sanders, Helena's Bed
and Breakfast (328 N. Ewing St., 406/442-3309, www.sandersbb.com , $130-145) offers
seven guest rooms in their beautifully appointed 1875 Queen Anne mansion. Many of the
furnishings are original to the home, and the owners are gracious and welcoming.
FOOD
For a quick bite between sights, try the Green Iguana (11 W. 6th St., 406/443-7422,
6:30am-4pm Mon.-Fri., $5-12) for healthy smoothies, coffee and tea, and breakfast and
lunch items. There is also a full salad bar. Another perfect spot for a quick bite is The Dive
Bakery & Café (1609 11th Ave., 406/442-2802, www.thedivebakery.com , 5:30am-4pm
Mon.-Fri., 7am-3pm Sat., $3.50-10), which is known for their from-scratch pastries, bread,
and soup, plus delicious crepes and salads. The owners were looking to sell in 2013, but
this place is a Helena favorite so it is sure to go on.