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Want to take a break, but don't have time to take a full-fledged trip? Check out one of these nearby spots for a mini-vacation that will help you feel refreshed before you head back to work on Monday. more Glacier National Park Only two hours from Great Falls, Glacier National Park is a great spot to get outdoors and enjoy some natural beauty for a quick getaway. The park itself is enormous at over one million acres. It has two mountain ranges, over 130 lakes, and thousands of plants and animals to discover. Pack your tent, your mountain bikes, and your binoculars to enjoy the true experience of the park. There are camping areas available within the park or you can book ahead and stay in one of the on-site cabins. Head off on one of the hiking trails that can take you up above the tree line so that you can get incredible views back over the park. Glacier National Park is also home to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. It's a 50-mile road through the park that winds along the mountainside. It's one of Montana's top attractions. The park is busiest during the summer, so be sure to plan your trip well in advance so you don't miss out on any of the camping spots. Waterton Lakes National Park Another nearby national park, Waterton Lakes is a wonderful weekend getaway from Great Falls, just be sure to pack your passport. Waterton Lakes National Park is just across the border in Canada. If you don't love camping, this park is a great option. You can stay in a nice hotel in the town of Waterton and then head into the park during the day. Head out onto the lake with a kayak or canoe or go hiking and keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears and bighorn sheep. For a nice dinner or fancy afternoon tea, head back into town and soak in the views of the surrounding area at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Flathead Lake Flathead Lake, which is about three and a half hours from Great Falls, is the largest natural freshwater lake in the Western United States. It has 185 miles of shoreline; you can go fishing from the shore or you can launch a boat and head out on the water. There are several recreation areas where you can bring a tent or a caravan to camp each night. These recreation areas also have bathrooms, showers, boat launches, swimming areas, and picnic facilities. If you want to access the southern area of the lake, you will need to purchase a tribal recreation permit. The area is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation, a beautiful part of the lake area. Great Falls residents are so lucky to have easy access to the stunning natural beauty of central Montana. You are close to the Canadian border, there are mountains, prairies, and wildlife around every corner, and it's all available at an affordable price. Check out one of these fantastic trips the next time you want to take a mini-vacation from Great Falls. Image by diosthenese, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

Located in central Montana, Great Falls is one of the largest cities in the state. While there's plenty to do within the city limits, the city's location makes it an ideal place for exploration. Whether you want to see the vast outdoor beauty of Montana, go for a hike, or snap a few pictures, Great Falls is the perfect base camp for your next road trip. more Glacier National Park Two hours south of Great Falls lies the majestic Glacier National Park. Featuring landscapes that look like something out of a movie, the park has the highest concentration of glaciers in the contiguous 48 states, providing epic backdrops for photos or a picnic. Grinnell Glacier, Hidden Lake, Iceberg Lake, Virginia Falls, and St. Mary's Falls are the most-visited attractions in the park, although over 700 miles of hiking trails give you ample opportunity to find a gem of your own. Keep a look out for elks, foxes, mountain goats, mountain lions, and grizzly bears along your journey to round out this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Helena Take the 90-mile trip on Interstate 15 South, and you'll end up in Montana's capital city of Helena. Founded as a base camp during the Montana gold rush of the 1860s, Helena was one of the world's wealthiest cities and home to over 50 millionaires at its height. While the gold was all but gone by the 1880s, many residents remained in Helena because of its picturesque settings and short but warm summers. Today, Helena is the center of government in Montana and an awesome place to visit. Take a tour of the capitol building, explore the Victorian-era architecture, enjoy a craft brew, or attend a minor league baseball game on your visit. Whatever your tastes or interests, you'll find it in this surprisingly awesome city. Mount Wright Head 90 miles west of Great Falls on U.S. Route 89 to arrive at Mount Wright, one of the tallest hikeable mountains in the state. Standing at 8,875 feet, Mount Wright offers sweeping views of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness — a view that few visitors ever see. You'll want to get in shape before tackling this hike as it ascends over 3,500 feet to the summit and covers 7 miles round-trip. However, it is one of the only mountains with a clearly marked trail, giving you an easier path to the top than other unmarked paths. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds and enjoy the views with a few of the resident mountain goats. Missoula A three-hour trip west on Montana Route 200 puts you in Missoula, one of the state's largest and most intriguing cities. Home to the University of Montana, a preserved fort, art galleries, music venues, restaurants, and nightlife, Missoula is the most entertaining city in the state. Keep an eye for some of the city's annual events such as the Big Sky Film Festival or the oddly named Maggotfest, which is a famous 36-team rugby tournament. Wherever you decide to go on your next road trip, Great Falls is an awesome place to start your journey.   Image via diosthenese, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

Nestled on the banks of the Missouri River in the heart of Montana, Great Falls is a stellar place for nightlife, outdoor adventure, and an authentic Montana experience. Solo travelers and families will find plenty to do among an array of options for adults and kids of all ages. If you're searching for something the kids will love, check out these fun and entertaining activities. more Montana State Fair Each year in late July and early August, the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls plays host to the Montana State Fair. In 2018, the fair celebrates its 87th anniversary with plenty of activities, rides, food, and fun for the kids. The Big Sky Pro Rodeo takes place over the final four nights of the state fair, offering four themed nights including patriot night, family night, tough-enough-to-wear-pink night, and Pepsi night. Your children will enjoy dozens of rides including a small roller coaster, a 70-foot Ferris wheel, and other thrills which spin, twist, and rock you through the air. Ice cream, funnel cakes, pizza, tacos, gyros, and other delicious foods await, but you might want to indulge until after the rides. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths (6-17), $5 for seniors (60+), and free for children 5 and under. Electric City Water Park Open from early June through Labor Day, Electric City Water Park is a stellar way to cool off all summer long. Surf the Flow Rider, float the lazy river, or dart down the 20-foot-tall, 160-foot-long Power Tower slides for a fun way to beat the heat. Electric City is also home to Montana's largest child's water play structure, providing endless fun for the entire family. Take breaks at the shady, tree-lined park within the complex or grab something at the concessions stand, veg out, and catch some rays. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children 17 and under. Children's Museum of Montana Enjoy a day of educational, interactive fun at the Children's Museum of Montana. Specializing in hands-on activities in the fields of math, science, and culture, the museum is perfect for children from 1 to 10. Exhibits include a life-sized Maiasura dinosaur, a pirate ship you can climb aboard, a fossil-digging area, and a life-size fuselage from a plane. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tickets are $7. Oddfellows Park Situated along the banks of the Missouri River, Oddfellows Park is a local favorite, giving you kid-friendly options on both land and water. To get some exercise, head down to the water's edge to rent canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. There are also several places to cast a line for catch and release, provided you obtain a Montana fishing license. If it's too cold for the water, head for the playground, complete with a giant sea turtle and a serpent. With so many kid-friendly attractions and choices throughout Great Falls, you're sure to have a memorable experience with the children. The hardest part may just be getting them to agree on the same thing. "Montana State Fair" by Tracy, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

If you're searching for the perfect restaurant in Great Falls, MT and aren't sure where to go, there are plenty of great places to choose from. The town is packed with excellent eateries and tasty treats to please even the most discerning palate. Here are our five favorite restaurants in the area. more Celtic Cowboy Founded in 1890 by Robert Vaughn, a Welsh immigrant, there is genuine Celtic charm in this lovely little restaurant. Vaughn was the first settler in the county from Europe, and he had made his fortune as a rancher in Sun River Valley, just outside Great Falls. A man ahead of his times, he saw the need for an advanced livery stable in the downtown area, and so the building was originally a livery stable and freight transfer office, as well as a green-grocer and boarding house for teamsters. Vaughn was dubbed “The Celtic Cowboy” in the press and became one of the earliest philanthropists in Great Falls as well as a prominent citizen. The modern restaurant celebrates these roots by providing hearty, tasty food at what is now the Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant. As lively as the time that bore it, it's a little slice of preserved history, one of the few remaining early buildings from the dawn of Great Falls. Settle in with a pint and tuck into a delicious meal. Jakers Jakers is one of those places that gets everything right. Honed from years of paying close attention to their customers, Jakers has a tailored menu that's been carefully chiseled out according to the favorite dishes and special requests of the people who eat there. The atmosphere has similarly evolved to be a welcoming, friendly, and relaxed place, quiet enough to enjoy a good meal yet lively enough to keep you well entertained. It's a perfect balance, and with fresh, handcrafted food from a truly exceptional menu, it's well worth a visit. Bert & Ernie's Tavern & Grill If you're looking for something a little more down to earth, Bert & Ernie's is the place for you. With a simple yet delicious menu of stable items and plenty of meat on the grill, there's something for everyone to enjoy, and a bubbly, relaxed ambiance that will make you feel right at home. MacKenzie River Pizza Co. If you're feeling like something a little Italian and have a penchant for pizza, MacKenzie River Pizza Co. is perfect. Offering delicious pizzas, salads, and more, as well as a well-stocked bar and friendly atmosphere, it's the perfect place for an evening with friends or a relaxed dinner date. Roadhouse Diner Sometimes you can't beat a decent diner and the simple food they bring. Roadhouse Diner is nothing posh, but that's actually to its credit, as the cheerful little place offers a wide range of really good, really simple food. We're talking about the best burgers in Great Falls and plenty of beer to wash it down. What's not to love? Whatever you fancy you're sure to find it in Great Falls, and these are just a few of the wonderful restaurants to choose from. "PIZZA!" by Steve Snodgrass, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

There's nothing quite like soaking up a little history, and Great Falls, Montana certainly has plenty to choose from. Whether you're a military buff, art fanatic, or scholar, there's something for everyone in the area. Here are our three favorite museums in Great Falls. more Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center Between 1804 and 1806 a historic expedition was mounted by Lewis and Clark which spanned over 8,000 miles of western North America, and you can relive it all at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Taking full advantage of the scenic landscape, the center was built into a picturesque bluff offering astonishing views of the Missouri River. Within the center, you will find plenty for all ages, with ranger programs and exhibits that bring life at the turn of the 20th century to life in splendid style. Your journey will begin indoors in the cozy theater, where you can watch one of the introductory films on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Following this, the trail leads outside to a ranger who will take you out to explore the wilderness surrounding the center. In addition to this, you will also find an exhibit hall offering self-guided tours of an impressive two-story diorama depicting the five great falls of the Missouri River and their ports. With a realistic replica of the currents in the Missouri, you can test your strength against the mighty river while listening to an audio tour. Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art For the more artistically inclined, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is an active supporter of contemporary art and local culture in and around Great Falls and North Central Montana. Located in Paris Gibson Square, the museum is one of the oldest and most beloved landmarks in Great Falls and has acted as a center of growth and learning for over a century. A majestic building hewn from sandstone in 1896, it functioned as a high school for almost 80 years before closing in 1975. Two years later it opened its doors to the community once again, this time as a historic building manned by volunteers dedicated to offering a broad range of dynamic art exhibitions, as well as educational lectures, classes, performances, and tours, which have delighted and nurtured the creative spirits of Great Falls ever since. C.M. Russell Museum Another great source of interest and learning is the C.M. Russell Museum which offers a lively schedule of classes, workshops, tours, and plenty of kids' activities. As a hub for scholars in and around Great Falls, the museum offers a variety of opportunities for education and growth all year around. It's also a great place to get your own piece of history, with a well-stocked gift shop offering home decor, jewelry, apparel, and handcrafted Native American arts and crafts from local artisans. There is so much history surrounding the Great Falls area it's hardly surprising so many excellent museums are on offer. Whether your interests lie in the cultural history of the state, a peek at frontier life at the dawn of Great Falls, or a chance to soak up some of the local art, there are plenty of places to visit and lots to learn.   "Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center" by Road Travel America, Licensed via CC BY 2.0