Shopping to dining, hiking to touring museums, the most important part of any family vacation is the quality time you spend together. Luckily, Missoula is a great place to explore, to laugh, and to savor the company of your loved ones.
Missoula is full of theatre and performance options. Whether you are a fan of live theatre, classic movies, or musical performances, there is a venue for you! Check out MCT Inc., the community and children's theatre in Missoula, for live performances as well as the Adams Center's rotation of traveling productions. Catch live music every Friday at Family Friendly Friday at the Top Hat. Or check out the Roxy Theater for new and classic movie showings.
Learn about Missoula's history and cultural heritage and take in modern Montanan artwork at the museums in town. The Missoula Art Museum is a contemporary museum specializing in modern Western artwork, and with free admission, MAM makes a great stop for the entire family. Buzz by the Missoula Insectarium and Butterfly House and interact with critters, or stop by Fort Missoula for an interactive history lesson.
When traveling with a big group of varying ages, there is not a whole lot that is approved by all parties, but one thing certainly is—ice cream and sweet treats of all kinds. Missoula has two local ice cream shops serving up handmade, seasonal flavors. Or take a stroll through Rockin' Rudy's, an eclectic store with a serious candy section.
Nothing says family time quite like exploring the great outdoors. Take a hike in the hills and mountains surrounding town, or take to two wheels and bike the trails in and out of the city limits. In the winter months, take a family trip to Snowbowl for some downhill skiing, or try your hand at snowshoeing. In the warmer months, rent a boat or some inner tube and float the Clark Fork, basking in the near 17 hours of sunlight that graces our big sky in the summer.
