Billings

Nicknamed 'Magic City,' the transformation of Billings from a humble railroad town to Montana's largest city is nothing short of miraculous. Billings still retains its small town charm and is a city that wears its past with pride. Downtown is not only the epicenter of the city's cultural sphere, it is also where Billings first laid roots. Here, contemporary architecture intermingles with historic facades, including the original railway depot. You'll find a host of restaurants right here in downtown, but the real star of Billings' culinary scene is the Brewery District featuring six home-grown breweries and two distilleries within walking distance of each other. For a peek into Billings' heyday as a railroad town, visit the Bottom West End Historic District where grand old Victorian edifices like the elegant Moss Mansion still stand. The Western Heritage center tells the tale of colorful characters like Calamity Jane, Colonel Custer and Sitting Bull, while Pompey's Pillar and Little Bighorn Battle National Monument are other popular historic sites. Family-friendly attractions like ZooMontana also boast quite a following of their own. For outdoor adventures the Rimrocks and the Pictograph Cave State Park are just a short drive away. Dubbed the 'Trailhead of Montana,' Billings is also a great departure point for Yellowstone National Park, Custer National Forest and the Big Sky Resort.