Unique Things to Do in Montana: A Local’s Guide
The most unique things to do in Montana are in places where tourists rarely venture. Beyond the established parks and ski resorts, the state harbors a cultural getaway unlike anywhere else: hand-cast Buddha statues rising from a Jocko Valley meadow, Renaissance murals hidden inside a century-old mission, preserved mining towns locked in time, and geothermal pools fed by the same springs Lewis and Clark visited in 1805. These are the unique things to do in Montana that transform a weekend into a story worth retelling.
The best part: they’re all accessible from Missoula, making a Montana Bed and Breakfast here your ideal base for exploring this corner of western Montana.
The Most Unique Things to Do in Montana
Garden of 1000 Buddhas, Arlee
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas sits north of Arlee on the Flathead Indian Reservation, a contemplative Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary in the heart of working ranch country. The garden holds 1,000 hand-cast Buddha statues surrounding a 24-foot figure of Yum Chenmo, the Great Mother of Transcendent Wisdom, arranged in a sacred eight-spoked Dharma wheel design. Another 1,000 stupas line the outer ring, each housing an image of Tara. This peaceful setting draws visitors seeking cultural immersion and spiritual reflection—one of the most unique things to do in Montana for those seeking depth over scale. Admission is free; parking is at 34756 White Coyote Road. Guided tours run April through October.
St. Ignatius Mission: 58 Murals, One Remarkable Story
The present St. Ignatius Mission church dates to 1891, but the real discovery awaits inside. In 1904 and 1905, Brother Joseph Carignano, a Jesuit priest with no formal art training, painted 58 elaborate murals covering every wall and ceiling while working as the mission cook and handyman. The work is unprecedented: a complete Renaissance-style interior completed by an untrained hand in just fourteen months. Today, the mission operates as a National Historic Site and includes the original 1854 log church, a museum, and the Providence Sisters’ residence. This is one of the most unique things to do in Montana for anyone drawn to unexpected artistry and overlooked history.
Garnet Ghost Town: 30 Buildings Frozen in Time
Gold brought settlers to Garnet in the 1890s. When the boom faded, the buildings stayed. Today, roughly 30 historic structures sit preserved in the Garnet Range, accessible by car May through September or by snowshoe and cross-country ski in winter. The visitor center charges a small admission fee for ages 16 and up. Winter transforms the experience completely—access becomes an expedition—making Garnet one of Montana’s most memorable hidden gems and one of the best things to do in Montana for those willing to chase seasonality.
Lolo and Quinn’s Hot Springs
Hot springs near Missoula offer two distinct experiences. Lolo Hot Springs, visited by Lewis and Clark on September 13, 1805, features a 103–106 degree indoor pool and a cooler outdoor option. Access is first-come, first-served; no reservations. Quinn’s Hot Springs, farther northwest, operates five natural flow-through pools ranging from 100 to 106 degrees, plus a 55-degree plunge pool. Quinn’s requires advance online booking for four-hour day-use sessions. Both sit within the Lolo National Forest, making them ideal warm-water breaks during day trips from Missoula.
Your Montana Bed and Breakfast Home Base
A unique getaway demands a retreat that matches its sophistication. Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast, perched on twenty acres of mountainside wildlife habitat immediately adjacent to the National Forest, positions you five minutes from Missoula’s restaurants and cultural centers while immersing you in pristine Montana landscape.
The five private rooms each feature a private bath with a jetted tub and views of gardens, forests, mountains, or the Bitterroot River Valley. Mornings anchor each day: guests enjoy breakfast on the garden deck—Swedish pancakes, huckleberry Dutch babies, or other house specialties—before heading out to explore. After twenty years welcoming return guests, we’ve mastered the art of helping visitors discover the unique things to do in Montana that matter most.
Book your getaway at Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast and make this corner of western Montana your home base for genuine discovery.