One of Montana’s not-to-miss destinations. Explore the natural beauty of the Gates of the Mountains aboard a scenic boat tour with knowledgeable guides. Bat tours also available.

Open-air tour train offering one-hour narrated tours of historic Helena attractions. Tours depart from the Montana Historical Society, east of the Capitol Building.

The Missouri River. The longest river in North America. Home to countless caddisflies, midges, and mayflies. Fish come here to feast. In Helena, we’re fortunate to live close to this fly fishing destination and many other smaller rivers and streams. (Photo by Jason O’Neil)

44 S Park Ave, Helena, MT

Park Avenue is Helena’s hometown bakery. Open 7 days a week, it is a great place to have coffee with friends, connect with members of the community, savor the magic of a perfectly flaky croissant or fresh slice of cake. Park Avenue bakery has won the hearts of locals with their exquisite pastries, delectable desserts, expertly baked breads and focaccia style pizza. Inside the bakery older couples sit at bistro tables, quietly enjoying each other’s company. Our Orofino favorite is an original cinnamon roll!

42 S Park Ave, Helena, MT

The menu offers a huge variety of traditional mediterranean fair: think olives, hummus, baba ganoush, falafel as well as a whole host of mediterranean inspired entrees topped with freshly chopped herbs and a dash of extra virgin olive oil.

Orofino Favorite: A gorgeous bottle of Italian red, Mini Lamb Brochettes, Bisara, traditional turkish coffee with Baklava.

106 E Broadway St, Helena, MT

On Broadway is all the rage in Helena. Locals flock here for dinner and drinks which makes for a busy, lively atmosphere in a really unique historic setting. Upon the beautiful brick walls are giant, gorgeous paintings of serene, dreamlike Montana scenes. There is often low-key live music in the front cocktail lounge area which makes waiting for a table no problem at all. The soft, low lighting creates an intimate dining experience and the service is friendly and accommodating. On Broadway is known for their craft cocktails, fresh, made from scratch pasta dishes and their generous seafood and steak offerings. Great place for a night out with friends or a sweet little date.

108 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT

Benny’s Bistro is the epitome of the farm-to-table business model. They source all their proteins from Montana ranches and partner with several neighboring farms to use as much local produce as possible. Their dining room is lovely for a casual lunch or date night out.

56 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

Oh, Lucca’s. You are, by far, the special occasion destination in all of Helena. Why? The service is top-notch . The entire room is bathed in a warm, amber light. There is a candle on each table. Linen napkins and proper silverware settings. Riedel glassware. An awesome wine list. Full bar. Amazing food. Lucca’s most often seats by reservation only, although there are times when the lucky few manage to slip in. This means, you may have to plan in advance a little, but, once you do get a table, it is yours.

Orofino Favorite: Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Pork Chop with Apple and Rosemary, Tiramisu.

58 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

Big Dipper Ice Cream is a BIG deal in Helena. The small town ice-cream shop specializes in unique flavors like cardamom, chai, huckleberry, and prickly pear sorbet, to name a few. They also offer homemade waffle cones (highly recommended) which emit a powerful heavenly scent in and around the shop. If you opt for a Starship Sundae, the brownies are baked by a local shop down the street. During the warmer months, the line is long but so worth the wait. And, you will often see folks and families chatting and catching up while they wait in line. It’s less of a drag and more of a social event. Welcome to the Helena lifestyle.

Orofino Favorite: Huckleberry + Mexican Chocolate Cone

413 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

“The Merc” as locals call it, makes the meanest cup of coffee in town. Each cup is made pour-over style, and the espresso is the real old fashioned kind. This is a special place you have to experience for yourself. And, if you’re looking for a great gift or thoughtful card, you’ll likely find just the right thing here, really. It’s tough to leave this place without a smile on your face.

Orofino Favorite: Coach on Ice

46 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

In addition to the impressive selection of Reds, Whites, Bubbly’s, Beers and some gorgeous in-between bottles, The Hawthorn also offers a generous list of by the glass pours, a perfectly paired list of light fare ranging from Thai peanuts and jimmy crack corn to chicken liver pate, and cheese or charcuterie boards. Often, there are many “flights” to choose from which is always a fun and interactive way to taste beer and wine and they’ve even come up with a list of “cocktails” that put a new spin on old favorites.

66 S Park Ave, Helena, MT

Blackfoot River Brewing has a patio that stands above downtown Helena where you can enjoy a lineup of craft beer made with only the finest ingredients. Blackfoot’s taproom is the place to go to enjoy good friends a good atmosphere and even better beer.

790 Front Street, Helena, MT

Owned by two heartful Helena Natives, every batch of grain-based spirits are made using only Montana-grown grains in a facility that was once the Montana Distillery and Bottling Warehouse. The names of the spirits are locally-inspired. Every cocktail is crafted using local herbs and incorporates locally-grown produce whenever possible as well as house-made syrups and shrubs.

48 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

Here’s the deal with Ten Mile: they are right smack downtown. On the walking mall. In a prominent historic building. There is a lot of open space, a play area for kiddos, a board where folks can buy someone a beer and write their name up there for the next time they come in. They have pretzels and locally made potato chips, really good beer, thoughtfully displayed local artwork, and tons of community events. They have kombucha on tap as a non-alcoholic alternative.

317 N Cruse Ave, Suite 102, Helena, MT

Montago Coffee Co. first invited the Helena community into their coffee camper in August of 2019. But, for owners Rachael Weidlich and Steven Ladefoged, the dream had been years in the making and the business, as a whole, is a true expression of who they are as people. Every decision made has been done to honor the collective of knowledge, experience, and passion that the couple cultivated through years of work, travel, and their longing to create a work life that aligned with what they cared most about: coffee and community.

320 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

fourOsix is a lifestyle shop that promotes art, music, style, forward thinking and Montana living. It is a retail store that operates with a strong focus on community and social responsibility. FourOsix not only focuses on their incredibly popular in-house branded gear (which is now available online and sells internationally), they also host many community events, concerts, art shows, and try to give back as often as they possibly can. Available in the shop are t-shirts, hoodies, posters (and even onesies!) that are a collaborative effort between fourOsix and local artists, clothing, stickers, duffels, hats, and more! and other outdoor items that help celebrate the Montana lifestyle in various ways.

25 S Last Chance Gulch St, Helena, MT

Helena’s independently owned specialty toy store, Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys, ignites the imagination of all who walk through their doors. Located downtown on the Walking Mall, Lasso the Moon is filled with carefully curated playthings for all ages including many European imports and quality American made items. From unique board games, to infant toys, to STEM based science kits, to the largest selection of Playmobil in Montana, and so much more - there is something to delight everyone. The focus here is on fostering imagination and creativity - positive play at it’s best.

42 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT

The Parrot Confectionery has been around since 1922. It is definitely a Helena gem that sits right on the walking mall. The Parrot will transport you back in time in the very best way. They offer specialty hand-dipped chocolates and other candies that sparkle through a large glass case. Each customer has the chance to pick their favorites, put a quarter or two in the jukebox, grab a booth or a seat at the soda fountain counter and enjoy the classic, simple bliss of this extraordinary spot. They also serve chili, popcorn, and all sorts of old-fashioned ice cream and soda treats. The Parrot sells boxed chocolates which make great gifts and this is, of course, one of the dreamiest places for kids to visit while downtown.

2915 Country Club Ave, Helena, MT

Whether you choose to make Helena your destination in the summer or winter months, a visit to the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts cannot be missed. Set on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company, the Bray was founded in 1951 by Archie Bray himself—a Helena-based brick maker and avid supporter of the arts. A walk through the Bray grounds is often self-guided. Visitors are quickly surrounded by “hundreds of ceramic artifacts and site-specific sculpture created by former residents.”

12 E Lawrence St, Helena, MT

Three miles from the Archie Bray in the heart of downtown Helena, visitors will find another historic art organization, The Holter Museum of Art. The museum was founded in 1987, “offering a space to experience contemporary art in central Montana.” The Holter is comprised of four formal exhibition galleries and two museum store galleries. Tall front windows display both local and regional artists’ works; products for sale in the museum’s store range from utilitarian ceramics to photography, sculpture, painting, and paper goods.

15 N Ewing St, Helena, MT
https://themyrnaloy.com

The Myrna Loy is a community-focused culture center located in Helena, Montana, offering a variety of art-related activities and programs. Its mission is to engage the community and enrich, educate, entertain, and empower through the arts. The Myrna Loy provides a range of events and activities such as concerts, films, art exhibits, and arts education experiences. It also fosters collaborations and hosts community events, promoting the idea that art can inspire and build community.