Overview
Helena is the state capital of Montana, in the Western Central part of the state. Visitors come to see Helena’s historic Last Chance Gulch, and its mansion district once home to Helena’s gold mining millionaires. The city has 75 mi of running or biking trails. The mighty Missouri River is not far, with opportunities for rafting and fly-fishing.
5 sights · 10 things to do · 6 places to eat · 11 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Helena
Cathedral of St. Helena
Montana State Capitol
This neoclassical building was constructed between 1896 and 1902 out of Montana sandstone and granite. The dome is covered with copper and topped with a feminine statue affectionately dubbed Montana. Much of the building…
Great Divide Snow Sports
A ski and snowboard area north of Helena. 1,500 acres (610 hectares) with summit elevation of 7,330 feet (2,230 m).
Helena Bighorns
Enjoy an ice-hockey game at the Helena Ice Arena. The Bighorns play in the NA3 hockey league.
Mount Helena
Large city park featuring several hiking trails, also suitable for mountain biking. The 1906 trail takes about 2 hours to reach the summit.
Canyon Ferry
Montana's third largest lake. You can enjoy all the water activities from the marina, or one of several campsites.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HLN Helena Regional Airport, Helena — 2 mi away. Directions
- BTM Bert Mooney Airport, Butte — 49 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 269 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 15 (I-15) runs north and south through Helena's eastern edge.
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 Cathedral of St. Helena, Holter Museum of Arts, Old Fire Tower
- Lunch Ristorante Bella Roma
- Afternoon Reeder's Alley, ExplorationWorks!
- Dinner Windbag Saloon & Grill
- Evening Rialto
Day 2
- Morning Gates of the Mountains
- Lunch R-B Drive-In
- Afternoon Helena Skatepark
- Dinner Silver Star Steak Company
- Evening Speakeasy 41
Day 3
- Morning Great Divide Snow Sports
- Lunch Planet Gyros
- Dinner Staggering Ox
- Evening General Mercantile
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Helena was founded as a mining camp during the Montana gold rush of 1864, following the discovery of gold at Last Chance Gulch. Helena quickly became a wealthy city, with approximately 50 millionaires inhabiting the area by 1888, more per capita than in any other city in the world. This large concentration of wealth lead to fine residences and ambitious architecture.
Helena has been the capital of Montana Territory since 1875 and the state of Montana since 1889. Many working Helenans work for agencies of the state government.
At about 32,000 people, it is one of the smallest state capitals, but still the 6th most populous city in Montana. A number of communities surround Helena, including East Helena, but have few amenities. The majority of small communities are to the south in Jefferson County.
Tourist information
Get in
By car
Interstate 15 (I-15) runs north and south through Helena's eastern edge.
U.S. Route 12 (US-12) runs east-west, and is the quickest connection from the Missoula area.
US-12/287 leaves Helena to the southeast, towards Townsend and eastbound I-90 and Billings.
By plane
Go Helena Regional Airport (HLN)
The following airlines serve Helena with some connecting through Great Falls: Horizon Air as Alaska Airlines (Seattle); Skywest as Delta Connection (Salt Lake City); Skywest as United Express (Denver)
There is no public transportation available from the airport into town. You can go by taxi, ride hailing (Uber is available) or rental car.
By bus
Go Salt Lake Express
Travels primarily on I-15 from Salt Lake City through Idaho Falls to Great Falls via Dillon, Butte, Basin, Boulder, Helena, and Craig in Montana. Passengers transfer in Butte, Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City to get to additional destinations. Transfer to Jefferson Lines in Butte.
Get around
A small bus network is provided by Capital Area Transit Service, fares cost $1.50. Also, there's a free shuttle between Capitol Hill Mall and the Capitol Building.
See
See Montana State Capitol
This neoclassical building was constructed between 1896 and 1902 out of Montana sandstone and granite. The dome is covered with copper and topped with a feminine statue affectionately dubbed Montana. Much of the building is accessible to visitors, and an information desk offers brochures and occasional walking tours. Inside, four circular paintings surround the massive rotunda, surrounded by paintings depicting Montana's early history. More artwork decorates the House and Senate chambers.
Last Chance Gulch
On July 14, 1864, the discovery of gold in a gulch off the Prickly Pear Creek led to the founding of a mining camp along a small creek in the area they called "Last Chance Gulch". The original streets of Helena followed the paths of miners, making city blocks of various shapes and sizes in the historic city center.
Today, the oldest stretch of Last Chance Gulch is a pedestrianized street that meanders through several blocks of shops and historical markers towards Pioneer Park.
See Old Fire Tower (Guardian of the Gulch)
A wooden fire tower that was built in 1874 overlooking the downtown district, in response to a series of devastating fires that swept through the early mining camp. When a 2016 arson attack severely damaged the tower, it was rebuilt using the same methods as in its original construction.
See Reeder's Alley
In the 1870s, a brick and stonemason named Louis Reeder built over 30 brick and stone one-room tenements for miners. This hillside pocket avoided redevelopment over the years, leaving it the oldest intact piece of early Helena. It now houses offices, non-profits and a few artist studios. Tours available.
Do
Do South Hills Disc Golf Course (Hyzer Hills)
Disc golf course with 18 holes. Variety of holes make it a good course for most skill levels.
Do Gates of the Mountains
Enjoy the beauty of the Gates of the Mountains from aboard one of two tour boats - the "Sacajawea" (named after the only woman and indigenous person on the Expedition), and the "Hilger Rose" (named after Nicholas Hilger, who began the tours in 1886 on a vessel named "Rose of Helena"). The 105-minute cruise starts at the marina in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Do Canyon Ferry
Montana's third largest lake. You can enjoy all the water activities from the marina, or one of several campsites.
Buy
Eat
Eat Planet Gyros
Traditional Greek lunch menu
Eat R-B Drive-In
Classic drive-in doing business since 1948.
Eat Ristorante Bella Roma
Authentic Italian restaurant. Multi-course meals with menu changing to make use of in-season fresh produce. Outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended, can be booked on website.
Eat Silver Star Steak Company
6 categories of main courses. 5 types of steaks with different portion size options. Extensive wine list.
Eat Windbag Saloon & Grill
The last bordello in Helena. Pub-style food. Several microbrews. Outdoor seating available.
Eat Staggering Ox
Deli lunch spot.
Drink
Drink Fire Tower Coffee
Artisan roaster. Beans available for retail purchase.
Drink General Mercantile
Coffee shop.
Drink The Hawthorn Bottle Shop and Tasting Room
Bottle shop with a tasting room, fine wines with a down to earth touch.
Drink Rialto
Popular downtown bar, with live music and DJs.
Microbreweries
Drink Blackfoot River Brewery
Hand-crafted beer. Outside food is welcome. Pets allowed in downstairs outdoor area.
Drink Copper Furrow Brewing
Locally sourced ingredients. Casual, family-friendly. 5 flagships plus rotators.
Drink Lewis and Clark Brewing
Makes ales, lagers and seltzers. Best known for award winning Miner's Gold. Live music and game room.
Drink Mt Ascension Brewing
Balcony views.
Drink Speakeasy 41
Occasional market days featuring small local businesses, live music every so often.
Drink Ten Mile Creek Brewery
Live music and events. Featuring variety of ales, sour, and fruit flavors.
Drink Gulch Distillers
Distillery and cocktail bar using local ingredients.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Wolf Creek
City / town · 9 listings · 29 mi away
Townsend
City / town · 8 listings · 30 mi away
Deer Lodge
City / town · 20 listings · 37 mi away
Butte
City / town · 54 listings · 47 mi away
Three Forks
City / town · 12 listings · 53 mi away
White Sulphur Springs
City / town · 11 listings · 53 mi away
Anaconda
City / town · 20 listings · 54 mi away
Philipsburg
City / town · 7 listings · 63 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.