About Billings
How is it that the largest city in Montana still feels like a small town? It could be the quaint shops that line the downtown streets, the breathtaking mountain scenery, or it could be that Billings is just a friendly place filled with friendly people. Whatever it is, you'll find that "Montana's Trailhead" is a city that welcomes you with open arms.
A City for All Seasons
Even though summers in Billings are generally warm and comfortable, bring a light jacket just to be on the safe side. Days in the 70s and 80s are the norm, with rain and thunderstorms popping up every now and then. It's an ideal season for exploring the city, not to mention the sportsmen's paradise that lies just outside its limits. When it comes to winter, let's just say that if you like it cold, you'll love it in Billings. Expect average temperatures in the 20s, with the occasional cold snap that sends the mercury plummeting into the single digits. Dress warmly, drink lots of hot beverages—Off the Leaf Coffee Bar (819 Grand Ave., Billings) is a great spot—and of course, expect some snow.
Past and Present
The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1882 marked the beginning of Billings' long history, and in many ways, the city's Wild West past is very much alive. You can still feel it to this day when you explore the exhibits at the Western Heritage Center or the rugged landscape at nearby Pictograph Cave State Park. Then again, the bustling nightlife of the downtown district should put to rest any worries about Billings being stuck in the past. Choose among dozens of vibrant music venues, craft brew pubs and one-of-a-kind eateries. Just be sure to set aside a little time to visit Zoo Montana—the only wildlife park in the state—catch a Mustangs baseball game and see what's happening at the Yellowstone Art Museum.
Location, Location, Location
Billings owes much of its thriving economy to its location, serving as a commercial hub for a vast area in the northern Rockies. Thanks to irrigation, the lush Yellowstone Valley that cradles the city has made Billings an important agricultural center since the day it was founded, while the resource-rich mountains have made energy an essential part of the economy. You might also notice that Internet speeds in Billings are as fast as, or faster than, anywhere in the nation. That's because the city lies atop a major fiber optic route that stretches from Seattle to Minneapolis, making Billings an important city for data centers and IT services as well.
Getting Around
Thanks to the railroad, in the late 1800s, it seemed wherever you were going in the northwestern states, Billings was on the way. That much hasn't changed, though today you're more likely arriving by plane than steam locomotive. Billings Logan International Airport is just 10 minutes from downtown, with flights from major carriers like Delta and United, while easy access to I-90 and I-94 makes it simple to drive into town. Greyhound has a station in Billings as well, and MET Transit operates local bus service all over the city. Perhaps best of all, downtown Billings is incredibly bike-friendly.