Celebrated for its cultural richness, popular events and outdoor activities, Missoula is a beloved Montana destination for both tourism and business travel. Known as the "Garden City," thanks to its beautiful surroundings and river valley location at the convergence of five mountain ranges, Missoula is home to the University of Montana and more. Missoula event venues provide a number of group-friendly attractions and adventures in an eclectic, exciting locale.
Missoula is served by the Missoula International Airport, which is located just four miles northwest of the downtown area. Missoula International offers nonstop service to Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle. Passengers can easily hop onto the regional Mountain Line bus system, which provides service throughout Missoula.
Chief among Missoula event venues is the University of Montana's Adams Center. Perfect for large-scale events, the Adams Center features 44,300 square feet of floor space, as well as the largest indoor floor capacity in Missoula, with 14,700 contiguous square feet of space on its arena floor. Additional meeting spaces include an 8,000-square-foot room with a sport floor surface, 9,000-square-foot gymnasium with 1,500 bleacher seats and the elegant Sky Club, with space for up to 100 guests. Hotels with sizeable meeting space include the 146-room Hilton Garden Inn Missoula, with 20,000 square feet of space; and the 200-room Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown at the Park, with 16,000 square feet.
Additional Missoula event venues include the Missoula Art Museum, located in the heart of historic downtown. The museum specializes in contemporary art that preserves the region's unique cultural heritage. Groups may hold private events in the museum's state-of-the-art library, classrooms and lobby, with a soaring three-story atrium. The elegant Gibson Mansion is a peaceful bed and breakfast with private space and event rentals, as well as dinner party and murder mystery dinner events. The city's MCT Center for the Performing Arts welcomes groups in its 22,000-square-foot rentable space, which includes a 324-person theater and classrooms. For an outdoor event, groups of up to 3,500 people can gather at the city's Caras Park, located in the heart of downtown along the Clark Fork River. The nearby Dunrovin Ranch offers such group activities as fly-fishing and horseback riding, as well as beautiful outdoor event space for up to 300 guests.
Speaking of spectacular food and drink, Missoula features a number of fine dining restaurants perfect for group gatherings. Pomp at the Resort at Paws Up features a daily-changing regional menu and private dining capabilities, while Iza Asian Restaurant is an award-winning eatery that uses traditional Asian ingredients and local Montana products. Caffe Dolce offers traditional Italian coffee service and formal evening dining, while Finn & Porter is a sleek option for contemporary American cuisine and innovative cocktails. Finally, the Ranch Club Restaurant specializes in fusion fare in a Missoula golf course community.
Missoula attractions and adventures include the Montana Natural History Center, which teaches the community and its visitors about nature through a number of educational programs, as well as the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, which showcases the city's rich history. Cultural attractions include the historic Wilma Theatre, an ornate Louis XIV-style theater built in 1921, as well as the University of Montana's Museum of Art and Culture, which is home to the one of the oldest and most prominent fine art collections in the Rocky Mountain Northwest. Groups can unwind at the Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery, which is known for its regional wines produced free of synthetic chemicals, serene setting and ambient tasting room.
