Helena Travel and Things to Do Guide

Sitting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and surrounded by picturesque forests, Helena is the county seat of Lewis and Clark County, as well as the state capital of Montana. A Victorian-style city that is bursting with history and culture, many attractions and venues in Helena honor the city's history, while others have an eye for the contemporary. There is plenty to choose.Getting to Helena is easy, thanks to the city's proximity to Helena Regional Airport. Located just three miles northeast of downtown, Helena Regional Airport is the gateway to Montana's Gold West Country. The airport serves connections to the four hubs of Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Minneapolis, while Helena area hotels provide shuttle transportation to and from the airport. Once in Helena, the Helena Area Transit Service provides curb-to-curb and fixed route bus serve throughout downtown Helena and the East Valley.Helena meeting and convention venues are located throughout the city and surrounding region. Nestled in downtown Helena, the Helena Civic Center offers 36,000 total square feet. The stunning facility – originally built as a Shrine temple in 1910 – features a 2,000-seat auditorium and an elegant, 15,000-square-foot ballroom and exhibition hall that is lined with crystal chandeliers and complete with a second-floor glass-railed mezzanine. Located on the west side of Helena, the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds sits on 160 sprawling acres. The fairgrounds complex includes a new 36,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 5,000-square-foot entry hall and 24,000-square-foot multipurpose building with indoor arena.For smaller group functions and events, planners will love Helena's many historical attractions, tour outings and cultural centers. The city's unique venue options allow meeting participants to immerse themselves in Helena's history and natural beauty. A fantastic option for private events and receptions, the Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum features specialty gardens and stunning spaces intersected by the Prickly Pear Creek. Helena group tour and charter options include the Last Chance Tour Train, which takes guests on historic Helena tours aboard open-air trains and a climate-controlled trolley. The city's Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours takes guests along the Missouri River for serene cruises amid rugged rock formations and wooded slopes. Cultural unique venues include the downtown Myrna Loy Center for the Performing and Media Arts. Housed in a restored historic jailhouse, the Myrna Loy Center features private spaces for up to 250 guests. Not only Helena's celebrated science and culture museum, the interactive Exploration Works is a favorite among families, as well as groups, thanks to its private rental spaces.