Top 7 Places to Find Food and Lore in Billings, Montana

    Between two national parks, find a brewery district, a restored historic hotel, wilderness touched by Lewis & Clark, a memorial to a famous battle and Old West charm in this city of 104,000.
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    visitbillings.com/yj

    1. Walkable Brewery District

    Montana's only walkable brewery district in Billings, Montana.

    Montana's only walkable brewery district in Billings, Montana.

    Reason to Go: Visit six breweries and two distilleries on this 1.5-mile stroll.

    Access: Follow this map and start at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co. with a Grizzly Wulf Wheat and end with Custer’s Last Stout at Montana Brewing Co.

    2. Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery

    Breakfast at Stella's in Billings, Mont. Photo by Mike Willis via Flickr

    Breakfast at Stella's in Billings, Mont. Photo by Mike Willis via Flickr

    Reason to Go: Legendary among locals, this downtown breakfast establishment serves up traditional morning food with stellar baked goods and even gluten-free pancakes. It's attached to a Best Western Hotel called Clock Tower Inn, so look for the Stella's sign on this property.

    Stella's serves breakfast all day, but you can get lunch, as well. Enjoy a variety of egg dishes, pastries and fresh-baked bread for breakfast. At lunch, you can order burgers, salads, wraps and beyond. Its fresh-baked cinnamon rolls that are huge are definitely worth purchasing on your way out, especially if you didn't order one for breakfast.

    Stella’s is just one of the culinary delights you will find in Billings. You'll see it at 2525 1st Ave. North. It's open Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for breakfast only. No reservations are accepted at this causal spot. It's walk-ups only.

    Quirky Fact: Pancakes here may be larger than your head.

    3. The Northern Hotel

    The lobby and fireplace at the Northern Hotel in Billings. Photo courtesy Northern Hotel

    The lobby and fireplace at the Northern Hotel in Billings. Photo courtesy Northern Hotel

    Reason to Go: Restored three years ago, this elegant historic hotel has been voted “best hotel in Billings” for four consecutive years. It features two fantastic restaurants: Bernie’s Diner for breakfast and lunch and TEN for upscale atmosphere and innovative Montana cuisine.

    Quirky Fact: Break all the rules and order the “Vacation Breakfast” at Bernie’s- it’s chocolate cake coupled with a chocolate milkshake.

    4. Swords Rimrock Park

    Swords Rimrock Park near Billings, Mont. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

    Swords Rimrock Park near Billings, Mont. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

    Reason to Go: Walk, bike or skateboard along the 4.5-mile, ADA-accessible pathway that runs through the length of the city-owned park located along the top of the Rimrocks, geologic formation of sandstone bluffs 300-500 feet above the city.

    Quirky Fact: Yellowstone Kelly was buried here in June 1929. An army scout who chased Chief Joseph across four states, played tennis with Teddy Roosevelt and delivered mail to army outposts in the Yellowstone region, Kelly’s life story has appeared in four books and a movie.

    5. Pictograph Cave State Park

    Pictograph Cave State Park. Photo courtesy Visit Billings

    Pictograph Cave State Park. Photo courtesy Visit Billings

    Reason to Go: See warriors and animals painted on rock walls by ancient people more than 2,000 years ago in Pictograph Cave just five miles south of Billings. The cave is 160 feet wide and 45 feet deep, so bring your binoculars to see the art.

    Quirky Fact: Archaeologists have discovered more than 30,000 artifacts, including tools and weapons here.

    6. Pompeys Pillar National Monument

    Pompeys Pillar near Billings, Mont. Photo courtesy of Southeast Montana

    Pompeys Pillar near Billings, Mont. Photo courtesy of Southeast Montana

    Reason to Go: On their return route after reaching the Pacific Ocean, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped here and Clark engraved his first initial and last name, along with the date, July 25, 1806, into the rock.

    Quirky Fact:The rock is named after Sacagawea’s child, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, also known as “Pomp.”

    7. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

    Last Stand Hill (named for Custer's Last Stand), over the mass grave of the Seventh Cavalry soldiers, U.S. Indian Scouts, and other personnel killed in battle. Earlier interpretations were largely mono-cultural, honoring only the U.S. Army's perspective, with headstones marking where each fell. Photo by Bailey P Baldwin via Wikimedia Commons.

    Last Stand Hill (named for Custer's Last Stand), over the mass grave of the Seventh Cavalry soldiers, U.S. Indian Scouts, and other personnel killed in battle. Photo by Bailey P Baldwin via Wikimedia Commons.

    Reason to Go: See the site recognizing the June 25-26, 1876, battle where the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry fought Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in one of their final armed efforts to preserve their way of life.

    Quirky Fact: Sixty miles from Billings, this is the third most-visited place in Montana.

    For more information:
    Billings Visitor Center
    (406) 252-4016, (800) 735-2635
    815 S. 27 St.
    visitbillings.com/yj

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