Spend a Summer Weekend in Missoula, Montana

Set along the winding Clark Fork River, Missoula’s charms include incredible mountain scenery and a laid-back culture built around outdoor activities. Summer months bring chances to paddle, raft, and float through town, or to stroll or pedal along riverfront paths. Year-round, you can enjoy mornings on nearby hiking trails and evenings lingering over pints of local ale. Life moves at an easy pace. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Missoula, Montana.

Things to Do

When your energy is high, start with a hike on the iconic “M” Trail on Mount Sentinel at the University of Montana. It’s short and steep, but the scenery is unforgettable. Clocking in at just three-quarters of a mile one way to a larger-than-life concrete “M” installed by the university in 1968, it’s definitely a workout—but benches on the way up and at the base of the letter let you catch your breath as you relish views across the Missoula Valley and the distant Rattlesnake Mountains. 

If you’re feeling ambitious, check out the lesser-known “L” Trail on Mount Jumbo; this letter was painted by Loyola Sacred Heart High School students. Want even more steps? A 10-minute drive leads to Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness, where wooded trails wind through forested gulches and high-elevation mountain vistas. 

Back in town, the Clark Fork River is the lifeblood of warm-weather fun, with options to suit every pace. Visit Clark Fork Yacht Club for a leisurely float in a flamingo-pink tube or hook up with River City Brews for rafting and scenic river tours. For more adrenaline, Adventure Missoula runs whitewater rafting trips on class I-III rapids through the famed Alberton Gorge. Prefer something slower? Montana Wood Boat Tours offers scenic rides in handcrafted wooden boats, a relaxed way to soak in the landscape and learn about the river’s history. 

You can also enjoy the river with your feet firmly on land. Walk or bike the riverfront along Ron’s River Trail or Milwaukee Trail. Pause at Brennan’s Wave, an artificial whitewater feature, to watch kayakers and river surfers show off their skills, then stroll Caras Park to see the historic carousel, which features 38 handcarved wooden ponies. For bike rentals, including e-bikes, stop by the Bicycle Hangar on Brooks Street.

For culture, visit the Missoula Art Museum, which highlights contemporary works by local artists alongside regional and national exhibits. On the University of Montana campus, the Montana Museum of Art and Culture houses one of the state’s largest and oldest art collections, spanning historic European works to contemporary Native American pieces. 

At the Missoula Smokejumper Visitor Center, tour the small museum to learn about wildland firefighting techniques and see specialized gear up close. Free behind-the-scenes tours, sometimes led by an actual smokejumper—yes, someone who jumps from a plane into remote wildfires—take you into the ready room, parachute loft, and manufacturing room. If you’re lucky, you may get a chance to go out on the tarmac to see the aircraft used in missions.

Finally, step into the region’s past at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. Set on 32 acres, the museum has preserved more than 20 historic structures, including a 1907 schoolhouse and an original homestead cabin. A permanent exhibit explores the stories of roughly 2,200 Italian and Japanese people held at the Fort Missoula Alien Detention Center during World War II.

Where to Shop

Missoula is packed with eclectic, locally owned shops, but the heart of the action is the Hip Strip, a lively stretch of Higgins Avenue just south of the Higgins Street Bridge. With no sales tax in Montana, it’s easy to justify a little splurge if something catches your eye. You’ll find record shops, vintage clothing stores, and outdoor outfitters, plus the historic Roxy Theater, which screens everything from new releases to indie films and cult classics. 

Music, in particular, reigns in Missoula. Stop in Ear Candy Music for records, CDs, and cassettes, with shelves covering just about every genre possible. A few blocks away, Rockin Rudy’s Record Heaven boasts an eclectic collection of vinyl, posters, quirky gifts, and more. 

Creative spirits will find themselves at home in Missoula. At Bathing Beauties Beads, browse hand-crafted earrings, necklaces and bracelets—or make your own. The shop regularly hosts jewelry-making classes, like beading basics and silversmithing workshops. AR Workshop also offers DIY classes, from beginning embroidery to fragrant candle-making.

For outdoor enthusiasts, stop into the longtime local outfitter The Trail Head or its sister store Trail Head River Sports. Between the two, you’ll find equipment and apparel for every season and size, plus rentals, repairs, and a gear exchange. Whether you’re looking for a canoe or paddleboard in summer or skis and snowshoes in winter, they’ve got you covered. 

Where to Eat

Missoula’s food scene blends chef-driven creativity with longtime local favorites and a strong craft beer culture. But first, breakfast: Ruby’s Cafe is a staple, serving up classics like chicken fried steak and buttermilk pancakes. Another go-to is Cafe Mimosa, where breakfast is served all day, and naturally, the mimosas are flowing. For nondrinkers, they’ve got “nomosas.” 

For lunch, head to downtown Missoula, where you can grab a smash burger at Wally & Buck or check out the rotating, seasonally-inspired menu at Top Hat Restaurant and Bar. For house-brewed beer paired with pub fare, like nachos and bison burgers, Tamarack Brewing Company is an easy choice. 

Montana ranks near the top nationally for breweries per capita, and Missoula proudly holds its own. For happy hour, Big Sky Brewing Co., home of the famous Moose Drool Brown Ale, features a spacious taproom and live music. Draught Works Brewery draws in beer fans with more than a dozen handcrafted brews on tap and a parade of food trucks during the summer months. If you’re craving classic Mexican fare, head to The Camino to pair your happy hour beer or margarita with chips, fresh guacamole, and ceviche.

When evening falls, head to Finn, a longtime locals’ favorite for its sophisticated take on surf and turf. Think fresh oysters, filet mignon with a goat cheese and squash gratin, or housemade fettuccine with shrimp sauteed in a lemon butter sauce. For more casual fare, The Old Post in downtown Missoula is a lively spot for fried chicken or gumbo. Whatever you choose, cap the night with a double scoop from the walk-up window of Big Dipper Ice Cream, a beloved Missoula institution with flavors like salted caramel, white mint Oreo, and cardamom in addition to the classics.