Billings is the largest city in Montana, with an estimated 110,000 people (2019). As a destination, Billings does a significant amount of convention business and is also the host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities. Billings is also a frequent overnight or meal stop for westbound visitors to Yellowstone National Park, as it is the last major city for visitors going to the park via the Beartooth Highway.
Billings has the nickname "Magic City" because the city seemed to appear overnight with rapid growth from the newly built railroad route in the late 1800s. Billings hosts the largest hospitals in a 500-mile radius, as such the medical profession is a major source of employment in the area. Residents commonly refer to these different sections of town: Lockwood (east of I-90 and north of Yellowstone River) — most businesses around Johnson Lane exit on the old highway The Heights (northern part of town, past MetraPark) — most businesses on Main St Downtown (roughly 26th St. to 30th St.
MET Transit, ☏ +1 406-657-8218, METTransit@ci.billings.mt.us. MET has 9 lines that provide service on weekdays and Saturdays with additional lines running during peak hours on weekdays. Weekday service 5:50AM–6:40PM. Saturday service 8:10AM–5:45PM, except for a one-hour lunch period. There is no service on Sundays and major holidays. Fares: Regular: $1.25; seniors (62+), Medicare, disabled: $0.50; children 5 and under: free. Long Beach Transit also offers a 10-Ride Ticket for $10. Transfers: Free. Must have exact fare for driver.
1 Coulson Park, Charlene St. Daily 5AM – 10PM. Coulson was the first modern-era settlement in the area. Unfortunately little is left of the town. Offers 13 acres along the river bank to explore. Free. (updated Mar 2023) 2 Pictograph Cave State Park, 3401 Colburn Rd, ☏ +1 406-254-7342, jkostrba@mt.gov. Jun to Oct: daily 9AM-7PM; Oct to May: W-Su 9AM-5PM. A prehistoric archeological site with 2000-year-old cave paintings. 3/4 mile paved walking loop to view the three main caves. Visitor Center with interpretive displays. $8 per vehicle. (updated Mar 2023) 3 DanWalt Gardens, 720 Washington St (corner of Washington St and King Ave E), ☏ +1 406-248-4003, info@danwaltgardens.com. 9AM-6PM.
1 Lake Elmo State Park, 2300 Lake Elmo Dr, ☏ +1 406-247-2940, twalters@mt.gov. Daily 5AM-10PM. 64-acre reservoir is a popular swimming, boardsailing, non-motorized boating, and fishing area. $5 per vehicle Memorial Day to Labor Day. 2 Oasis Waterpark, ☏ +1 406-969-3131. June to late August: daily noon-7PM. Public water park with water slides and other water-based attractions. $6 for those under 42" tall, $8 for those over 42" tall, kids 3 and under free. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Billings Mustangs - Minor League Baseball, Dehler Park, 2611 9th Ave N, ☏ +1 406 252-1241. Mid-June and early-September, see website for game schedule. Catch a Pioneer League game.
1 Bernie's Diner, 19 N. Broadway (inside Northern Hotel). Daily 6AM to 3PM. Upscale diner serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch. (updated Sep 2019) 2 The Burger Dive (114 N. 27th St.), ☏ +1 406-281-8292. M-F 10:30AM to 4PM, Sa 11AM to 3PM, closed Su. Burger restaurant. Some of its burgers have won national awards. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill, 2203 Montana Ave, ☏ +1 406-534-8918. Daily 11AM-10PM. Housemade cider, inventive comfort eats & beer offered in an industrial-chic warehouse space. (updated Sep 2020) 4 NaRa's Restaurant, 3 Custer Ave, ☏ +1 406-245-8866. Tu-F 11AM-2PM and 4:30-9PM, Sa 4-9PM, closed Su M.
City Brew, Various locations. Check website for details. A coffee chain that has a strong presence in Montana, and can rival Starbucks in Billings. Mazevo Coffee, Two locations. Check website for details. Local coffee chain. 1 Angry Hanks Brewery, 2405 1st Ave N, ☏ +1 406-252-3370. M-F 4-8PM, Sa 3-8PM, closed Su. Microbrewery downtown in an old gas station. Due to state law, each person can only get 3 pints of beer per day. $3 per pint. (updated Sep 2019) Craft Local, 2413 Montana Ave, ☏ +1 406-702-1458, craftlocal@outlook.com. Tu-Th 4-9PM, F Sa 4-11PM. Large selection of Montana crafted beers, ciders, and seltzers. Featuring local art and music.
Billings is generally a safe city, but crimes do occur. Stay away from portions of the city south of Montana Ave., otherwise known as South Side, at night. Portions of the city east of N. 27th St., north of Montana Ave. and west of Main St., otherwise known as the North Park area, may not be safe at night. However, the area is mainly residential and offers little for tourists in any case. Rock slides, sometimes involving big boulders, have happened along the Rims, therefore, it is advisable to keep a reasonable distance between yourself and the edge of the Rims. Due to swift currents, do not get into the city's canals.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €11 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Sep, Billings typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 3 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-09-08. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy