BOZEMAN AND THE GATEWAY TO YELLOWSTONE - Montana and Wyoming - page 382

of food vendors. Music on Main (6:30pm-8:30pm Thurs. July-Aug., free) is an opportun-
ity for folks to gather downtown on closed-off streets and enjoy live music, food vendors,
and early evening activities for kids. On the second Friday of every month June-September,
art lovers gather for the Downtown Bozeman Art Walk (406/586-4008, 6pm-8pm), an op-
portunity to stroll through the galleries downtown, sipping wine and tasting hors d'oeuvres
along the way. Another summer event, Crazy Days (downtown, 406/586-4008), is a price-
slashing shopping extravaganza that happens each year the third weekend in July.
Other annual events worth checking out are the Gallatin County Fair (406/582-3270,
[e-mail] , $8 adults, $5 children 6-12, free for children under 6), held at
the County Fairgrounds (901 N. Black Ave.) the third week in July, which offers carnival
rides, entertainment, animals, contests (where else can your kid ride a sheep or wrestle a
piglet?), and food; October's MSU Homecoming and Downtown Trick or Treat (both on
Main Street); and February's Wild Winter Fest (County Fairgrounds, 901 N. Black Ave.).
Bozeman's Christmas Stroll brings the town out the first Saturday of December to eat,
shop, and enjoy the festive season.
SHOPPING
Like most regional hubs in Montana, Bozeman offers an abundance of shopping opportun-
ities for every taste and budget level. Major stores include Target and Costco on North 19th
Avenue as well as Walmart and Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply on North 7th Avenue.
Downtown Bozeman ( www.downtownbozeman.org ), however, is by far the best place to
go for unique items and pure charm.
The Country Bookshelf (28 W. Main St., 406/599-5130, www.countrybookshelf.com ,
9am-7pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm Sat., 10am-5pm Sun.) is Bozeman's most beloved bookstore
and the state's largest independent bookstore. It is especially geared to local and regional
authors, many of whom are willing to show their affection for the place with readings and
book signings. On the same block is Vargo's Jazz City & Books (6 W. Main St., 406/
587-5383, 9:30am-7pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm Sat., 11am-5pm Sun.), an excellent place to
get lost. The shop specializes in slightly more obscure books, CDs, and vinyl, both new and
used.
For marvelous gifts and cards, there are three excellent boutiques downtown. Per-
spectives (37 S. Willson Ave. at W. Babcock St., 406/522-7125,
www.perspectivesbozeman.com , 10am-6pm Sat., extended holiday hours) offers an ador-
able selection of baby clothes, shoes, and gifts in addition to distinctive bags, cards, sta-
tionery, and jewelry. Touted as a shop “for the everyday celebration,” HeyDay (7 W. Main