Airbrush Virtual Entertainment Everywhere in Montana !

It is said that when Abraham Lincoln created the Montana Territory on May 26, 1864 [1] he said “My favorite state has not yet been invented. It will be called Montana, and it will be perfect.”

Today the unofficial motto of Montana State is “the last, best place”. Certainly, with its raw unspoiled beauty, where buffalo still roam and wolves still hunt elk and deer, Montana cannot fail to take your breath away.

If you’re looking to escape the city and visit a true wilderness, with wide open spaces and wildlife galore, then you need to head to Montana.

With the last official count in 2019, the population of Montana was 1,068,778. [2] With a land area of 147,040 square miles [3], Montana has a population density of only 7 people per square mile. This makes Montana the fourth largest state by land area but only the eight-least populated state.

The state of Montana is 62% farmland, with agriculture being the states leading industry. [4] The Eastern half of the state is Western prairie plains and badlands. The Western half is mountainous. There are over 100 named mountain ranges, most of which are part of the Northern Rocky Mountains.

Montana contains parts of Yellowstone National Park. In fact, of the five entrances to Yellowstone, three are located in Montana. [5]

If you wish to experience pristine wilderness, then head for Glacier National Park. Known as “The Crown of the Continent”, the park encompasses one million acres, including two mountain ranges and over 130 named lakes. Situated on the US Canada border, the park is home to one thousand plant species and hundreds of animal species, including some endangered species. Glacier National Park has been designated; a World Heritage Site, an International Dark Sky Park, an International Peace Park and is a Biosphere Reserve. [6]

So, without doubt Montana is a wilderness like no other and a dream come true for hikers, kayakers, campers, etc. In winter you can dog sled, ski or just stay toasty warm in a cabin. But what to do in Montana when the little ones are bored with seeing trees, fields and mountains?

First of all, head on over to the Museum of the Rockies. Don’t say “museum, ugh” and miss this paragraph, you’re going to want to hear about this one. It’s a dinosaur museum YAY. Here you can see the world’s biggest Tyrannosaurus skull. The exhibits change regularly but as I type, the exhibits include The Savage Seas and the Siebel Dinosaur Complex. We all know that pre schoolers get bored so easily but the museum runs Tours for Tots. These are special tours for 3-5 year old tots, designed to keep their attention. As the museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian, there are regular science lectures too. [7]

Dinosaurs not your thing? Have a stay at one of Montana’s 15 Hot Spring Resorts & Pools. Fed by natural geothermal sources, these resorts offer a warm family plunge whether it’s bright sunshine or deep snow.

Near the junction of I15 and I90, you will find a treasure called Butte. Butte was established as a mining camp in 1864 and was the first city in Montana. This charming small town, with its brightly colored homes and many historic sights, may surprise you though. In the 1990s the community of Butte decided to diversify its economy, by utilizing its historic districts for public festivals and events. By 2007 the small town of Butte, Montana was selected to host the National Folk Festival, giving rise to a new nickname “The Festival City”.

Montana is also home to the Little Big Horn National Monument. They have a visitor center, museum and the Custer National Cemetery.  The site also acknowledges the native Indians, who fought and died defending their land and way of life.

If winter sport is your passion, head over to the Big Sky Resort. Have a day out at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Centre or Lewis & Clark Cavers State Park. Take a stroll around the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas or have a city day in Helena, Montana’s Capital.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Montana is just pretty scenery, there is something for everyone in the glorious state of Montana.

References

[1] The Library of Congress (N.D.). Civil War (1860-65). Americaslibrary.gov. Retrieved 2/4/2021. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/civil/jb_civil_montana_2.html

[2] Montana Department of Commerce (N.D.). Census & Economic Information Centre. Ceic.mt.gov. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://ceic.mt.gov/Data

[3] Montana State Library (ND). Geographic Information Clearing House. Geoinfo.msl.mt.gov. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://geoinfo.msl.mt.gov/geography/geography_facts/area_of_montana_counties.aspx

[4] Montana Department of Agriculture (N.D.). Ag facts. Montana.gov. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://agr.mt.gov/AgFacts

[5] WIKIPEDIA CONTRIBUTORS (2/3/2021). Montana. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana

[6] National Park Service (2/11/2019). Glacier National Park Montana. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/management/international-designations.htm

[7] Museum of the Rockies (2021). Museum of the Rockies. Museumoftherockies.org. Retrieved 2/6/2021. https://museumoftherockies.org/