Bozeman, home to Montana State University, is an ideal winter getaway location. With an average snowfall of over 80 inches, there is plenty to enjoy in the way of winter recreation. Abundant hiking trails and convenient access to many national parks also makes it a great summertime destination for outdoor and nature lovers.
In addition, the town is home to one of Runner's World's Best Half Marathons. I enjoyed the Run to the Pub Half Marathon, the lively downtown (plenty of bars and restaurants) and the scenic mountain views surrounding the area.
Run to the Pub is a fun, festive half marathon with pretty mountain scenery along the way. This quiet, not overly crowded, affordable festive St. Patrick's Day themed race with everyone decked out in their best Irish gear really is a fun time for anyone who loves anything Irish. It was rated as one of the top 27 half marathons by Runner’s World in their February 2013 issue!
Wild Joe's is an excellent local coffee shop in the downtown area. Plenty of comfortable couches, a laidback atmosphere, organic coffee and tea, reasonable prices, and live events make this one of my favorite coffee shops that I have ever been to.
Bozeman is an outdoor enthusiast's playground. There are 100's of miles of trails in town, as well as in nearby forests. One of the premier day hikes is the beautiful Hyalite Trail featuring 11 waterfalls. The Gallatin National Forest is an immense recreational area (about 2 million acres) which provides endless options for fitness activities.
After a long day of hiking or any other intense outdoor activity, treat yourself to a wonderful massage. There are plenty of fantastic spas in the region. Bozeman Hot Springs is a wonderful oasis where you can soak in natural spring pools, plus have access to saunas and a top notch gym.
Life Giving Health Center is one local gem that particularly stands out. Massage therapists were very professional, friendly, and the massage itself was fantastic. The location inside an old house provides for a more comfortable setting. Life Giving Health Center was a real treat the day after running a half marathon.
There are a number of great cabin rental companies and rustic lodges in the area. Take advantage of the beautiful natural setting with a night or 2 in a rustic cabin or enjoy a variety of amenities at the Gallatin River Lodge.
A great budget friendly choice for those more interested in spending time at the national parks than in a hotel is Western Heritage Inn. This is an affordable, yet nice hotel which features a rustic mountain theme. Amenities include a hot tub and steam room. Affordable prices, nice atmosphere, and being located walking distance from downtown make this hotel a winner!
Although small in size, Bozeman offers one of the most exciting food scenes in Montana. The small mountain town is jam packed with interesting restaurants, from breweries, to sushi, to southern fare.
Ferraro's is a classy Italian restaurant in Bozeman featuring professional wait staff, classy décor, and plenty of Italian favorites. This was a great choice before running my half marathon!
Downtown Bozeman is home to a number of local restaurants, coffee houses, bars, shops, and cultural attractions. Additionally, a number of popular events like farmers markets, art walks, and holiday festivals can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The Community Food Coop is an awesome place to enjoy some healthy fare. In addition to a salad bar, you will find a hot bar loaded with healthy goodies.
The mountains in the area are beautiful and traffic is light, thus making it the perfect conditions for a relaxing scenic drive!
As you are only an hour and half away from one of America's most gorgeous national parks, you may as well take this opportunity to check it out. There are so many scenic drives, trails to explore, & attractions to check out, that you can easily plan a whole day exploring this natural wonder. And bring with your camera as wildlife will typically walk right up to your car!
Bozeman gets a lot of snow (more than 90 inches per year on average compared to the US average of 25) – take advantage of this precipitation during the winter months and engage in some fun winter activities such as sledding and cross country skiing! Check out Bridger Bowl or Big Sky, both highly regarded destinations for skiing and other winter sports.