Billings Travel Guide

The leisurely city of Billings, with its central location and international airport, is the gateway to Montana and the perfect base from which to explore the many attractions of this northwest state. Founded in 1882, the small city is situated on the Yellowstone River at the base of the Rimrocks, a set of distinctive rock formations. It was named for a former president of the Northern Pacific Railway, Frederick Billings, who piloted the railway line across Montana. Today, Billings remains an economic and transport hub for the state, and also serves as its welcome mat for tourism.

The city is filled with hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts. Its modern complexes such as MetraPark and the Expo Center offers facilities for rodeos, concerts, and variety of other events such as the Montana Fair. Its broad, tree-lined avenues also boast a variety of attractions. Museums and galleries such as the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Alberta Bair Theater, the interactive Western Heritage Center, and preserved historic buildings such as the Moss Mansion. Within a day's drive of the city are three stunning national parks, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton.

Things to do in Billings

Billings, an old railroad town in Montana with humble beginnings, is a unique destination offering a big city appeal as well as access to open spaces and beautiful landscapes.

History is a key drawcard to this city. Visitors to the Pictograph Cave State Park can venture to the prehistoric era with its cave paintings over 2,000 years old, still in their original state. The Western Heritage Center in downtown Billings, home to over 16,000 historical artefacts from the Yellowstone River Valley, is a popular choice with history buffs, as is the Moss Mansion Historic House. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1903-built Moss Mansion has been preserved to capture family life as it was way back when in the state of Montana, and draws in many visitors each year.

For those with a penchant for the arts, the Yellowstone Art Museum is a most memorable stop with exhibits of both contemporary and historic art from the Rocky Mountain West. Billings is also home to a Performing Arts Center as well as several theatres and a symphony orchestra.

Visitors in search of some open space and natural beauty need only take a short drive to the Chico Hot Springs set in the aptly named Paradise Valley. Chico Hot Springs is home to two open-air mineral pools as well as many outdoors activities such as horseback riding, hiking, white-water rafting, fly fishing, and more. A drive to Missoula will prove a unique excursion filled as it is with hippies and students.

With a history of providing visitors with much to explore, as well as some incredible outdoor activities, Billings makes for a memorable visit.

Moss Mansion Historic House photo

Moss Mansion Historic House

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Moss Mansion was the home of the Preston Boyd Moss family built in 1903 and has been preserved to capture the family life of the well-to-do. Designed by New York architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who's best-known for creating New York's Waldorf Astoria, most of its original fixtures are still present and visitors can view them during informative guided tours of the property. The SpringFest is an annual favourite, with many artists, chefs, and artisans showing off their wares on the mansion's lawn. Moss Mansion is also available for private rental.

Western Heritage Center photo

Western Heritage Center

Affiliated to the Smithsonian Institution, the Western Heritage Center in downtown Billings has a collection of more than 16,000 artefacts documenting the life, culture and history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern High Plains. The building itself is considered its most valuable treasure, having been built in 1901 and existing on the National Register of Historic Places. Alongside constantly changing exhibitions drawing around 22,000 annual visitors, the centre also hosts activities such as lectures, storytelling hours and scavenger hunts.

Yellowstone Art Museum photo

Yellowstone Art Museum

Montana's premier art museum, the popular Yellowstone Art Museum exhibits contemporary and historic art of the Rocky Mountains West region. Established in 1964, it now contains more than 3,000 works, including the Virginia Snook Collection, the largest public display of the drawings, paintings, books and memorabilia of cowboy illustrator Will James. The museum hosts events throughout the year, including art auctions and semi-annual festivals.

ZooMontana photo

ZooMontana

Montana's zoological park and botanical garden hosts around 70,000 visitors a year and is one of the state's most popular tourist attractions, the only zoo within 600 miles (965km) of Billings. With pristine natural habitats, the complex covers 70 acres (28 ha) to the west of the city. It exhibits animals and plants native to the northern Rockies and high plains, and similar latitudes in Europe and Asia. The grounds have also recently opened up as a concert venue, with musicians and fans alike revelling in the gorgeous surrounds.

Custer National Forest photo

Custer National Forest

The Custer National Forest is scattered across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, but the forest headquarters are in Billings, Montana and most hiking and camping is undertaken in the part of the forest located about an hour's drive to the south of the city. Custer is the most ecologically diverse forest in the north of the USA, renowned for its lake and stream fishing and home to mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, cougar and moose. A popular outing from Billings is to follow the spectacular Beartooth Scenic Byway, with the area being one of the gateways to Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park photo

Yellowstone National Park

The world's first national park, Yellowstone was established in 1872. Despite its popularity today, most of the park still remains an undeveloped wilderness of magnificent mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and rivers. It is renowned for its geothermal wonders and abundance of wildlife. Spilling over into Wyoming and Idaho, the enormous park is situated on top of the Yellowstone Caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater that was formed 600,000 years ago and holds within it the greatest geothermal area in the world. This unique environment includes features such as exploding geysers, thousands of steaming fumaroles, hot springs, and bubbling mud pools. The park also includes one of the state's most popular attractions, Old Faithful, a geyser which draws thousands of tourists to witness its regular eruption of steaming water. Yellowstone's wildlife includes grizzlies, black bears, wolves, moose and large herds of bison and elk. The two narrow waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River cut a striking picture in the yellow-coloured rock that gives the park its name, with superb views and hiking trails for all abilities. Yellowstone Lake fills the eastern part of the caldera and offers opportunities for boating and fishing expeditions in summer. All places of interest are accessible along the loop roads, but the intensity of visitors in summer, especially between July and August, means that one needs to hike away from the main paths to experience the true wilderness of Yellowstone National Park.

Missoula photo

Missoula

The 'Garden City' doesn't have much in the way of gardens, but Missoula is an outdoor sportsman's Eden. Downtown is a collection of unique shops and lively bars where it is easier to walk or bike than drive. The University of Montana starts right where the hill ends and is a beautiful campus to wander or catch a football game to see the university's Montana Grizzlies playing. Tourists often visit Missoula for outdoor activities of all kinds, from skiing, kayaking and hiking to rock climbing, hang-gliding and mountain biking. There are a number of festivals in Missoula too, so visitors should come ready for celebrations of craft beer, rodeos and a host of country markets.

Pictograph Cave State Park photo

Pictograph Cave State Park

Located just six miles (10km) south of Billings, Pictograph Cave State Park is a wonderfully scenic and historically fascinating day trip. The 93 acre (38 ha) park is a National Historic Landmark home to a complex of three caves (Ghost, Middle and Pictograph) linked by a walking trail. Two contain evidence of habitation dating back over 4,500 years ago, while more than 30,000 historical artefacts such as bone tools, arrow heads and beaded jewellery have been discovered within the park. The pictographs themselves date back more than two millennia, and their meanings are still being debated by archaeologists today.

Chico Hot Springs photo

Chico Hot Springs

Though they're hardly in a fashionable area, the unpretentious Chico Hot Springs are quickly becoming a popular attraction in Montana, drawing guests from New York and Hollywood. Set in the aptly-named Paradise Valley near the town of Emigrant, the springs contain two open-air mineral pools with temperatures around 93°F (34°C), perfect for relaxing. There's a restaurant and a lively bar onsite, and outdoor activities like horseback riding, dog sledding, hiking, fly fishing, white-water rafting and cross-country skiing are on offer.

Getting Around

Billings' downtown area can be a bit confusing for visitors, as it was designed on a grid system with numbered avenues increasing numerically both to the north and south of Montana Avenue, and numbered streets crossing it from east to west. The central area is compact and can be explored on foot. Most visitors, however, prefer to rent a car to explore the city and outskirts. The city bus service is the Billings MET Transit, which is easy to use. MET buses stop at most corners and at stops with a distinctive blue and green sign. Exact fares are required and are paid to the driver. Buses run from 5.50am to 6.40pm on weekdays and from 8.10am to 5.45pm on Saturdays. There are no buses on Sundays or major public holidays. Lyft and Uber are available; taxi companies include City Cab and Billings Yellow Cab.

Billings Climate and Weather

Billings has a semi-arid climate, with low humidity all year round. Summers (June to August) are sunny, warm and pleasant, with average temperatures between 52F (11C) and 87F (31C); and autumn is a particularly lovely season with spells of 'Indian summer'. The first frost usually comes at the end of September. Winter (December to February) brings fairly heavy snowfalls, but snow does not accumulate; average winter temperatures stay between 18F (-8C) and 40F (4C). Warm 'Chinook' winds, during February and March, keep late winter and early spring mild and pleasant.

United States of America travel info

Electricity

The electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the type with two flat pins, though three-pin plugs (two flat parallel pins and a rounded pin) are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter.

Language

English is the most common language spoken but Spanish is often heard in the south-western states.

Money

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted; Apple Pay and Google Pay are very popular. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Tipping

A 15 percent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but travellers shouldn't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties, the tip should be 20 percent of the bill. It's normal to tip staff such as valets and porters in hotels; this is discretionary, although a minimum of $5 is expected. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good.

Health

There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.

Safety

Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, though travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened, particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Hurricanes are common between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US at risk. There's a risk of wildfires in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.

Local customs

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limit, fines and punishment. The age at which alcohol may be legally bought and consumed is 21 years.

Doing business

In such a large country, filled with so many diverse groups, business practices may differ according to each state, though rarely to any large degree. The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, though in states such as California, dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it's considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.

Status and age are not necessarily indicative of seniority, nor do they carry much weight in themselves. Those doing business in the States should be mindful of this fact; foreigners should never make assumptions about someone's position or rank. Best practice is to be respectful to all parties. That said, the US upholds a hierarchal business structure in which 'the boss' is the ultimate decision-maker. Senior leaders have the power of the last word, and can go against the grain just as easily as they can follow popular opinion. Foreigners should concentrate on winning over this individual, even if the greater group seems unsupportive. Americans value a direct style of communication. In this fast-paced, consumer culture 'time is money', and small-talk is viewed as unnecessary and wasteful. It's best for foreigners to get to the point quickly, speak about issues in a frank and open manner, and to avoid taking offence if someone questions or challenges them outright.

Duty free

Travellers to the United States who are returning residents of the country do not have to pay duty on articles purchased abroad to the value of $800 provided their stay was longer than 48 hours and their duty-free allowance was not used in the 30-day period prior. For passengers arriving from Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free allowance of $1,600 is allowed. The following items are included in this: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Restrictions may apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma (Myanmar), Angola, Liberia and Sudan. It is prohibited to import Cuban cigars from any country.

Travellers to the United States who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the following items: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes and gifts to the value of $100 provided their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours and that the allowance has not been used in the preceding six-month period.

Prohibited items for residents and non-residents include meat or meat products, poultry, narcotics, absinthe, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animal pests. Fish is prohibited unless it carries disease-free certification. Wildlife and animals or their by-products carry restrictions. Dairy products and eggs from specified countries are not allowed. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed without the necessary license and permit.

Communications

The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. Mobile networks cover most of the country, especially all urban areas; travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks. WiFi is widely available.

Passport & Visa

It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from them travel destination. A visa is required for short visits unless travellers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US citizens require passports.

UK nationals require a passport valid for duration of stay. Most passport holders can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travel to the US for up to 90 days. The VWP includes tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.

The most important requirement on entering the U.S. is providing proof of Canadian citizenship. A valid Canadian passport is the best document to prove Canadian citizenship and the right to return to Canada. However, several other documents can serve, depending on the mode of transport. Generally, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, though there are some exceptions.

Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. If visiting the US for fewer than 90 days, Australian nationals may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

South Africans must hold a passport valid for duration of stay. A visa is required.

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. Irish nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. New Zealand nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Useful contacts

United States Tourist Office: www.usatourist.com

911 (General)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7499 9000.

United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 688 5335.

United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6214 5600.

United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 431 4000.

United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 668 8777.

United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 462 6000.

Embassies / consulates in United States of America

British Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 588 6500.

Canadian Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 682 1740.

Australian Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 797 3000.

South African Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 232 4400.

Irish Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 462 3939.

New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC: +1 202 328 4800.