Butte is an adventure-ready city set in the Rocky Mountains. The former mining town is an excellent base to explore Southwest Montana and learn about the unique history of the Treasure State. Walk around the historic downtown district, visit a mining museum and explore local parks, forests and wilderness areas.
Things to do in Butte
Handsome Victorian buildings and stately mansions recall the city’s mining heyday. Hope on the Butte Trolley and enjoy a guided tour of the city, complete with engaging commentary. The tour ticks off local landmarks like the Copper King Mansion, a magnificent Romanesque Revival home built by a local mining magnate.
Visit the World Museum of Mining and learn about the city’s blue collar past. It’s set on a former silver mine and dotted with historic buildings. Exhibits chart the 19th-century gold and silver mining boom and the switch to copper in the late 1800s. You’ll leave with an in-depth understanding of why the city was once known as the “Richest Hill on Earth”.
Our Lady of the Rockies watches over Butte from an elevated position on the Continental Divide. At more than 27 metres high, she’s one of the tallest statues in the United States. Admire Our Lady of the Rockies from vantage points across the city or tackle the challenging hiking trail. The views from the lookout are spectacular and stretch across Butte and the Montana countryside.
See grizzly bears, lynx, wolves and other iconic Montana wildlife in Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest. The park protects more than 1 million hectares of wilderness and grazing lands. Cruise along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and hike to picturesque lakes, scenic lookouts and flower-filled meadows.
Getting around Butte
Downtown Butte is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Silver Bow County in Southwest Montana, a two-hour drive from Missoula and 3.5 hours from Billings. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.