Fall colors with the Bridger Range above Bozeman, Montana

The owners’ guide to Bozeman

Bozeman Favorites & Must-Sees

Our favorite coffee, burgers, trails, ski days and day trips, plus the local classics every visitor should know.

This is our own guide to Bozeman, the places we send family and friends when they come to visit.

  • Owners’ Pick marks the places we personally love. The rest are local classics and must-sees worth knowing about.
  • Drive times from the house are approximate. Please check hours, seasonal closures and road conditions before you go.

Breakfast & coffee

Morning coffee, pastries and big breakfasts.

8 places · 5 Owners’ Picks
  • The Western Cafe

    Owners’ Pick

    A family-run downtown diner for chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and homemade cinnamon rolls.

    Official site

  • Jam! On Main

    Owners’ Pick

    A downtown brunch spot worth the wait on a lazy morning.

    Official site

  • Zocalo Coffee House

    Owners’ Pick

    A cozy coffee house on Main Street downtown.

    Official site

  • Aurore French Bakery

    Owners’ Pick

    The best pastries around. Go to the bakery and sit-down café off Jackrabbit Lane, not the downtown location.

    Official site

  • Duke's Cafe & Bakery

    Owners’ Pick

    A Belgrade café and bakery with a full espresso bar, breakfast and lunch.

    Official site

  • Treeline Coffee Roasters

    Bozeman's own specialty roaster since 2013; grab a cup at The Roasting Room or Treeline at the Lark.

    Official site

  • Feed Cafe

    Farm-fresh breakfast and lunch on West Main, an easy hop from the house.

    Official site

  • Wild Crumb

    A local bakery for fresh bread and pastries to bring back to the house.

    Official site

Lunch & casual

Subs, burgers and easy meals for a crowd.

6 places · 2 Owners’ Picks
  • Pour House

    Owners’ Pick

    Our favorite smashburger, downtown on North Rouse.

    Official site

  • Revelry

    Owners’ Pick

    A downtown neighborhood eatery serving Montana-inspired food made with locally sourced ingredients.

    Official site

  • Pickle Barrel

    The classic MSU-area sub shop on West College, a must for visiting Bobcat parents.

    Map

  • Roost Fried Chicken

    Fried chicken that's easy to bring home for a crowd.

    Official site

  • Backcountry Burger Bar

    Burgers and a casual vibe after a day on the trail.

    Official site

  • Bacchus Pub

    A historic downtown pub for a relaxed lunch on Main Street.

    Official site

Dinner & date night

Steaks, sushi, seafood, line dancing and a few iconic spots out of town.

9 places · 4 Owners’ Picks
  • Copper Restaurant & Whiskey Bar

    Owners’ Pick

    Steaks and a deep whiskey list on Main Street.

    Official site

  • Dave's Sushi

    Owners’ Pick

    A longtime local sushi spot.

    Official site

  • Montana Ale Works

    Owners’ Pick

    Our pick for casual and budget-friendly: scratch-made food and 40 Montana taps in the historic freight house. Reserve ahead for parties of 6 or more.

    Official site

  • The Local American Saloon

    Owners’ Pick

    A locally owned American grill and saloon in downtown Belgrade.

    Official site

  • Blackbird Kitchen

    A downtown favorite for Italian-inspired dinners; reserve ahead.

    Official site

  • Plonk

    A Main Street wine bar for a glass and small plates on date night.

    Official site

  • Feast Raw Bar & Bistro

    Sustainable seafood and raw oysters; reservations recommended.

    Official site

  • Stacey's Old Faithful Bar & Steakhouse

    It's iconic: a classic bar and steakhouse in Gallatin Gateway, on the way to Big Sky.

    Official site

  • The Jump

    About 20 min

    A restaurant and bar in Gallatin Gateway with country dance nights every Wednesday: beginner, intermediate and line dance lessons early in the evening, then open dancing (21+ after 9 PM). Check the site for the current schedule.

    Official site

Breweries, distilleries & bars

Local beer, spirits and cocktails.

6 places
  • MAP Brewing

    A brewery and kitchen on Bozeman's north side, close to the house.

    Official site

  • Bridger Brewing

    Craft beer and award-winning pizza.

    Official site

  • Bozeman Brewing Company

    A North Broadway brewery with a beer garden where dogs are welcome.

    Official site

  • Mountains Walking Brewery

    A popular local brewery and pub (service animals only).

    Official site

  • Bozeman Spirits Distillery

    A downtown tasting room for craft cocktails; try the huckleberry vodka or take a distillery tour.

    Official site

  • WildRye Distilling

    A local craft distillery for creative cocktails.

    Official site

Groceries & supplies

Stocking the kitchen for your stay.

6 places
  • Rosauers

    A full-service supermarket at 3255 Technology Blvd W, one of the closest big stores to the house.

    Official site

  • Town & Country Foods

    A local grocery chain with several locations around Bozeman.

    Official site

  • Whole Foods Market

    Groceries and prepared foods on West Main Street.

    Official site

  • Costco

    Stock up for a big group at 2505 Catron St (membership required).

    Official site

  • Bozeman Co-op

    Local and organic groceries, plus a great deli for picnic supplies.

    Official site

  • Montana Spirits & Wine

    A state agency liquor store at 2063 W Oak St for spirits and wine (beer and wine are also sold at grocery stores).

    Official site

Hiking

There are so many trails around Bozeman. These are the ones we love, plus two in-town classics.

7 places · 5 Owners’ Picks See all Bozeman-area trails
  • Sypes Canyon Trail

    Owners’ Pick

    About 10 min

    The closest Bridger Range trail to the house, with limited trailhead parking.

    Official site

  • Drinking Horse Mountain Trail

    Owners’ Pick

    About 15 min

    Right across Bridger Canyon Rd from the M, with an easier grade.

    Official site

  • Hyalite Recreation Area

    Owners’ Pick

    About 40 min

    A reservoir, waterfalls, and dozens of trails south of town. Don't miss Palisade Falls, a paved, accessible half-mile walk to a dramatic waterfall (road open roughly May 16 to Dec 31).

    Official site Palisade Falls

  • South Cottonwood Trail

    Owners’ Pick

    A Custer Gallatin National Forest trail south of town, open year-round to hikers and mountain bikers.

    Official site

  • Gallagator Trail

    Owners’ Pick

    In town

    A favorite in-town trail: an easy, mostly gravel rail-trail of about 1.5 miles from the Bozeman Public Library to Kagy Blvd.

    Official site

  • College M Trail

    About 15 min

    It’s iconic: a short, steep climb to the famous "M" with big valley views.

    Official site

  • Main Street to the Mountains trails

    Minutes away

    Bozeman's in-town trail network for walks, runs, and bike rides.

    Official site

Skiing

Downhill and Nordic, from the local hill to Big Sky.

4 places · 1 Owners’ Pick
  • Bridger Bowl

    Owners’ Pick

    About 30 min

    Up Bridger Canyon; the local's ski hill.

    Official site

  • Big Sky Resort

    About 1 hr

    Via Gallatin Canyon; huge terrain for a full ski day.

    Official site

  • Crosscut Mountain Sports Center

    About 30 min

    A nonprofit Nordic and biathlon center next to Bridger Bowl.

    Official site

  • Lone Mountain Ranch Nordic

    About 1 hr

    85+ km of groomed cross-country trails in Big Sky (no dogs on trails).

    Official site

Fly fishing

Bozeman has dozens of great fly shops and guides. Visit Bozeman keeps a list of them, and these are the classic rivers close by.

  • Gallatin River

    About 30–60 min

    Wade-friendly water through Gallatin Canyon toward Big Sky.

    Map

  • Madison River

    About 45 min

    One of Montana's most famous trout rivers, about 45 minutes to Bear Trap Canyon.

    Map

Families & rainy days

Museums, science, art, indoor climbing and trampolines.

8 places · 1 Owners’ Pick
  • Museum of the Rockies

    Owners’ Pick

    Dinosaurs, history, and science at MSU. A must do, especially for kids!

    Official site

  • Montana Science Center

    Hands-on science exhibits for younger kids.

    Official site

  • American Computer & Robotics Museum

    A surprisingly fascinating look at the history of computing and robotics.

    Official site

  • Gallatin History Museum

    Local Bozeman and Gallatin Valley history downtown.

    Official site

  • Spire Climbing + Fitness

    An indoor climbing gym in Bozeman, with day passes for visitors.

    Official site

  • Montana Grizzly Encounter

    About 20 min

    A grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary near Bozeman Pass.

    Official site

  • Jump Time Bozeman

    An indoor trampoline park and family fun center with a ninja course, dodgeball, slam-dunk basketball and a toddler zone, great for rainy days. Grip socks are required (sold at check-in); check the site for hours and tickets.

    Official site

  • Tinworks Art

    A free nonprofit art space with exhibitions in its restored historic grain mill building and long-term installations. Open Thursday through Sunday; check the site for current shows.

    Official site

Day trips

Yellowstone, hot springs and caverns within a couple of hours.

8 places · 5 Owners’ Picks
  • Yellowstone via West Yellowstone

    Owners’ Pick

    About 1 hr 45 min

    Through Gallatin Canyon (US-191) to the West Entrance, closest to Old Faithful and the geyser basins.

    Official site NPS directions

  • Yellowstone via Gardiner

    Owners’ Pick

    About 1 hr 30 min

    Via Livingston and Paradise Valley to the North Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs.

    Official site

  • Bozeman Hot Springs

    Owners’ Pick

    About 15 min

    In Four Corners; a quick soak close to home.

    Official site

  • Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

    Owners’ Pick

    About 1 hr

    Guided cave tours, great for families.

    Official site

  • Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

    Owners’ Pick

    About 1 hr 45 min

    A not-for-profit, AZA-accredited wildlife park where you can see grizzly bears and wolves up close. It's in West Yellowstone, a block from the park's West Entrance, so pair it with a Yellowstone day.

    Official site

  • Livingston

    About 30 min

    Over Bozeman Pass; a historic railroad town on the Yellowstone River.

    Official site

  • Chico Hot Springs

    About 1 hr

    Historic geothermal pools and dining in Paradise Valley.

    Official site

  • Norris Hot Springs

    About 45 min

    A rustic natural hot springs pool.

    Official site

Dog-friendly spots

Off-leash parks, a swimming beach and supplies for your pup.

5 places
  • Gallatin County Regional Park

    Minutes away

    Trails plus the off-leash Anderson Dog Park (leash dogs elsewhere in the park).

    Official site

  • Snowfill Recreation Area

    A 38-acre fenced off-leash dog park with 2+ miles of gravel trails.

    Official site

  • Bozeman Pond Park

    Home to the fenced Lewis and Bark Dog Park and a Canine Beach for swimming.

    Official site

  • Bozeman Brewing Company

    Dogs are welcome in the beer garden (not the indoor taproom).

    Official site

  • Dee-O-Gee – 19th & Oak

    A nearby pet store for food, gear, and self-serve dog wash.

    Official site

Book Your Stay

Come see Bozeman for yourself

Four bedrooms, room for 12, a hot tub with Bridger views, and an easy drive to downtown, MSU, Bridger Bowl and the road to Big Sky and Yellowstone.

Check availability & book

Also available on Airbnb and VRBO