Overview
Great Falls is a city in Central Montana. It is the third most populous city in Montana with approximately 60,000 people. It is the hub for commercial and financial dealings in the center of the state.
5 sights · 8 things to do · 7 places to eat · 12 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Great Falls
C. M. Russell Museum
Works by Charles Marion Russell. Western culture, landscape, and wildlife.
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
Housed in the city's first high school from 1896. Mostly has contemporary art from regional artists.
Ryan Dam
Visit Ryan Dam and witness the spectacle of a hydro-electric dam. Hike the trails for alternating beautiful views. Lounge in the shady park and enjoy a picnic with the family. Fully upkept facilities available for partie…
Giant Springs State Park
One of the largest naturally occurring springs in the world. Located on the banks of the Missouri River adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs State Park is a popular local destination, especi…
Great Falls Voyagers
Enjoy a minor league baseball game at Centene Stadium.
Children's Museum of Montana
Hands-on exhibits designed for children 12 and under.
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GTF Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls — 4 mi away. Directions
- HLN Helena Regional Airport, Helena — 70 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 291 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 15 goes through the outskirts of Great Falls. Either the Central Ave. exit or the 10th Ave. S exit will go to the center of the city. The road from Helena to Great Falls, hugging the long curves of the Missouri River, is one of the finest stretches of interstate in the country.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Children's Museum of Montana, Gibson Park, Hi-Line Climbing Center
- Lunch Bar S
- Afternoon Electric City Water Park, C. M. Russell Museum
- Dinner Taco Treat/Amigo Lounge
- Evening Annie's Tap House
Day 2
- Morning Ryan Dam, Giant Springs State Park
- Lunch The MacKenzie River Pizza Company
- Afternoon Riverside Railyard Skatepark
- Dinner Borries
- Evening Black Eagle Brewery
Day 3
- Morning Great Falls Americans
- Lunch Montana Sub Shop
- Afternoon River's Edge Trail
- Dinner Cattleman's Cut Supper Club
- Evening Mighty Mo Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
You can find pretty much any fast food places/chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Applebees, etc.) you're looking for either on 10th Ave South, the Northwest Bypass, or Smelter Ave. The exit signs on I-15 will indicate which exit you should take if that's what you're looking for.
For those looking for something different than the same old fare here are a few local restaurant suggestions:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
There is no waterfall to see in Great Falls. This refers to other definition of "falls" meaning "rapids." That said, there is a waterfall in Big Falls, about a 20 minute drive to the northeast.
There are two military installations in the city - Malmstrom Air Force Base and Montana Air National Guard. Malmstrom is the city's largest employer.
The Missouri River bisects the town. Crossing the bridge at 15th St takes you to the suburb of Black Eagle.
Get in
By plane
Go Great Falls International Airport (GTF)
Has non-stop service on Alaska Airlines from Helena and Seattle, Allegiant Air from Las Vegas and Phoenix, Delta from Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, and United to Denver. Frontier Airlines has seasonal service from Denver.
By car
Interstate 15 goes through the outskirts of Great Falls. Either the Central Ave. exit or the 10th Ave. S exit will go to the center of the city. The road from Helena to Great Falls, hugging the long curves of the Missouri River, is one of the finest stretches of interstate in the country.
By train
There is an Amtrak station about 90 miles north of Great Falls in the small town of Shelby. The Empire Builder, which runs from Seattle to Chicago makes stops daily. There are rental cars available near the station.
By bus
Salt Lake Express and Greyhound provide intercity bus service.
Airport Shuttle Express of Calgary Canada offers year-round charter van service between Great Falls and Calgary, Banff & Lake Louise.
Get around
Montana is huge: most residents think nothing of driving in what most of the world consider long distances, so with that in mind like most of Montana, you're going to need a car. Although Great Falls does have a bus system, it's limited to the city proper. Another option for seeing the area is by bicycle. In an area with so many sparsely traveled roads, there is plenty to be seen on a road bike.
By bus
Great Falls Transit (+1 406-727-0382) operates bus service in Great Falls. Fare is $1.00. Buy a day pass for $4 for unlimited rides. A pass good for 11 rides is $10. Buy passes from the bus driver or the transit office at North Star Blvd.
See
See Lewis and Clark National Interpretive Center
Exhibits focused on the Lewis and Clark Trail. The explorers had unexpected difficulty portaging the falls here.
See Ryan Dam
Visit Ryan Dam and witness the spectacle of a hydro-electric dam. Hike the trails for alternating beautiful views. Lounge in the shady park and enjoy a picnic with the family. Fully upkept facilities available for parties or gatherings. Keep an eye out for wildlife, there has even been a bear spotted roaming the grounds in 2013.
Do
- Disc Golf - Great Falls has 3 disc golf courses. CMR is on 17th Ave NW. Warden Park, at 101 13th Ave S, has 18 holes and is on the highest hill in town. West Bank, at 1600 4th St NE, has 9 holes and runs along the river.
Do Giant Springs State Park
One of the largest naturally occurring springs in the world. Located on the banks of the Missouri River adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs State Park is a popular local destination, especially in the hot summer months. Walk the river paths along the shore of the Missouri to a superb view of Rainbow Dam. Visit the fish hatchery and feed the trout and watch the feeding frenzy that ensues as soon as the food hits the water. While you're there, don't forget to slake that thirst with a bottle of the spring water.
Do River's Edge Trail
Nearly 60 mile stretch along the Missouri River, mostly paved. This will take you past the 5 hydroelectric dams, historic downtown, river canyons, and reservoirs. Website has trail map if you are looking to go to a particular section of town. Otherwise just find the river and start walking, biking, rollerblading, or dog walking.
Buy
- Downtown Great Falls, around Central Ave and 1st Ave S, has a variety of local stores, entertainment, restaurants and coffee shops.
- For groceries, there are two Albertsons grocery store locations.
Eat
You can find pretty much any fast food places/chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Applebees, etc.) you're looking for either on 10th Ave South, the Northwest Bypass, or Smelter Ave. The exit signs on I-15 will indicate which exit you should take if that's what you're looking for.
For those looking for something different than the same old fare here are a few local restaurant suggestions:
Eat Bar S
Simple decor, mind-blowing prime rib. If you're lucky, the waitress will show you a picture of the 6'6" gentleman who orders the "Double Bar-S cut," Which if the picture tells the story, stands about four full inches tall.
Eat Taco Treat/Amigo Lounge
A good Mexican place if you're looking for that option. Keep in mind you're in Montana, so if you're looking for fully authentic Mexican food, you might want to wait until you get home. What you will get is outstanding American style Mexican food with a local twist. The food is satisfying, the portions large, and the prices good. What more could you ask for?
Eat The MacKenzie River Pizza Company
A franchise restaurant with locations all around Montana. The Great Falls location is next to the Missouri River, and it's very child-friendly. Specializes in gourmet pizzas, but does have more conventional options for those with unadventurous pallets or small children. Be warned, this restaurant is extremely popular and gets crowded quickly most every night. So if it looks packed, it is, but there's a reason for that. Don't worry about a wait, service is quick and friendly and you shouldn't have to wait that long to be seated.
Eat Borries
Borries has been a Great Falls Establishment since 1938. Probably the best Italian food in town, although there aren't all that many options on the menu Italian wise. Fantastic steaks, Tuesday is Prime Rib Night (Get an early reservation or it will be gone), and quite arguably some of the best Minestrone in existence. A local favorite, definitely one of the higher end restaurants in Great Falls, so be prepared, it gets crowded and service can be a bit slow on especially busy nights. Don't let that scare you away, absolutely fantastic food.
Eat Montana Sub Shop
This little locally-owned sandwich shop is known for its large portions, high-quality ingredients, and just plain old awesome subs. Quick, friendly service even when it's busy; there isn't a large dining area so it can get a little crowded. Even if you're just passing through Great Falls around lunch time, definitely one of your best healthy grab and go options.
Eat Cattleman's Cut Supper Club
Cattleman's Cut is pretty unapologetic for what it is. As you pull into the gravel parking lot full of pick up trucks and approach a building that looks more like a prefabricated barn as opposed to what it is, a local favorite and one of the best restaurants in the city, you may be wondering what you're getting yourself into. Take a second and remind yourself that you're in Great Falls, Montana. Cattleman's Cut is a restaurant where you go for a good steak. An extensive selection of cuts of beef, all cooked to order, a fairly extensive selection of seafood (remember the being in Great Falls Montana thing, though), and probably the best salad bar in the city await you. Call ahead, it really doesn't matter what day of the week it is, this place gets packed.
Eat Howard's Pizza
Specializes in thin-crust pizza. A local favorite.
Drink
Montanans love to whet their whistles after a long hard day of work; if you're not within walking distance of a bar you're probably not within the city limits. If you're looking to get your drink on you have pretty wide assortment of options. From dance clubs to hole-in-the-wall dive bars there is something to suit almost anyone's taste, heck most of the gas stations in Great Falls have casinos attached to them for your drinking/gambling pleasure while you fill 'er up.
Great Falls is not that populous, but it is fairly spread out, so depending on which part of the city you're in you're probably close to one of the main drags and its plethora of drinking venues. 10th Ave South has the most bars by a long shot; it is the main street in the city and stretches on for about 8 miles with dry stretches few and far between. You'll also find plenty of bars on Central Avenue and its surrounding streets in the downtown area of Great Falls. Smelter Avenue/The Northwest Bypass possesses many options for those visiting the Northern portion of Great Falls. For those located out towards Malmstrom Air Force Base 57th St, River Road, and the Eastern End of 10th Avenue South provide your best options to find some libations with friends. Suffice it to say, no matter where you are in Great Falls a frosty cold one is never far away.
Drink The Beacon Ice House
Out of the way, but worth the trouble of finding. Has theme nights most nights of the week with a live DJ, pool, friendly staff, and cheap booze.
Drink The Classic 50s Card Room and Casino
Whether you feel like playing pool or trying your hand at some Texas-Hold-Em, the Classic 50s has a little bit of something for everyone. It also has the good fortune of housing one of the locally popular Howard's Pizza locations so you can get your grub on while you ponder your hand.
Drink Club Cigar
Although not as famous as the Sip N Dip lounge, Club Cigar is one of the best bars in Great Falls. Friendly people, Karaoke on Wednesday nights, Open Mic night on Tuesday, and Pabst on tap. You can count on Club Cigar to be crowded almost every night of the week.
Drink The Do Bar
Fun little bar with pool, shuffle board, and great prices on drinks. Fun, friendly, and attentive staff.
Drink The Halftime Sports Bar
The Halftime is the largest sports bar on the Northwest Bypass near the edge of the city. The Halftime is the place to be if you're looking to grab a drink and watch the game in good company. Also serves traditional pub fare.
Drink The Hi-Ho Tavern
Popular with the college crowd, mostly due to its close proximity to two of the universities. A hole in the wall, the Hi-Ho has pool, internet juke box, and an eclectic mix of micro brews and college affordable domestics on tap. Fun place to go, listen to some good music and challenge new friends to pool.
Drink Sip n Dip
World Famous. Must-do stop at the Tiki-themed bar. Get a fish bowl, check out the underwater Mermaid, and designate a driver!
Drink The Stadium Sports Bar & Casino
Very sports-oriented.
Drink Steinhaus
Fireplace, pool tables, and 21 different microbrews on tap.
Microbreweries
Drink Annie's Tap House
Featuring craft beers made in Montana. Also wine, ciders and seltzers.
Drink Black Eagle Brewery
5 flagship beers. Food available from attached Pit Stop.
Drink Mighty Mo Brewing
Craft beers with 7 flagship plus rotators. Pizza and nightly specials.
Sleep
Stay Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel And Suites
The hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub, both open 24 hours. There's a small "business center" with high-speed Internet, available for free. There are riverside rooms available for about $10 more. The city's well-managed riverside paths run right behind the hotel. Very friendly management!
Stay Benchmark Wilderness Ranch
Backcountry guest ranch near the Bob Marshall Wilderness; accepts resupply packages when arranged in advance.
Stay safe
Great Falls has one of the highest crime rates in America for its size. That doesn't mean it's unsafe for visitors, but lockup your valuables, and keep them out of sight.
Winter snow can come in quickly. Keep a snow brush in the car.
Go next
- Glacier National Park - Widely considered one of the most beautiful areas in the world. It's approximately 3 hours northwest of Great Falls. Glacier is at the very least an absolute must do day trip. See incredible mountain peaks, dramatic valleys carved by glaciers, isolated alpine lakes, raging waterfalls, active glaciers, and more wild life than you ever imagined. Camp at one of the many campgrounds and spend some time just soaking in the natural beauty of one of North America's Crown Jewels.
- Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park - Approximately 4½ hours south on US 89, Yellowstone is the most famous national park in the US. See thermodynamics at work in nature! Visit Old Faithful, hike to breath taking Yellowstone Falls, see wolves, bear, and bison in their natural habitat, see the spectacular vistas of the Grand Tetons. Yellowstone pretty much explains itself. While it would be a difficult day trip, there's doubt that anyone would only want to spend a single day in one of the most incredible places in the world.
- Fort Benton - Approximately 45 miles north of Great Falls on Highway 87. A Nationally Registered Historic Landmark. Fort Benton's claim to fame is that it was as far west as steam ships could go on the Missouri River and thus became a vitally important to the expansion of the United States into the western territories. Once gold was discovered in Montana, Fort Benton became a primary destination for gold miners as they expanded into the western US and Canada in search of gold. Visit the still intact actual Fort. Walk along the levee and see an actual steam-ship. Visit the museums and learn about the history of one of the Wild West's Wildest towns.
- The Highwood Mountains - From Great Falls, go east on US-89 6 miles, east 13 miles on MT-228, 16 miles east on County Road 121, then 2 miles east on Forest Road 8840. The latter are dirt & gravel. Want to get out of the city and into the Montana wilderness? The Highwood Mountains are a mountain range located approximately 40 miles from Great Falls. Get out, hike some trails, camp out at Thain Creek Campground and get away from it all. Always remember safety, know where you're going, let people know where you're going, dress appropriately, take plenty of food and water as you can become isolated, never leave food out in the open as you may attract wild life, if you're staying over night make sure to take shelter with you, and take a sleeping bag as it can get chilly at night, especially in the spring and fall. Camping in the winter in Montana is not recommended for the inexperienced as conditions can become extremely harsh.
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