So, you’re visiting the University of Montana? Lucky you. We know you’re going to love it here. Be sure to make the most of your time by exploring our home mountain town, Missoula, and all the Big Sky culture it has to offer.
Check out all the offerings from Destination Missoula, and scroll below for our guide on where to stay, eat, imbibe and what to do while on a school visit to the University of Montana:
How to Get Here
Fly, drive or take a long-distance hiking trail to Missoula. Most major airlines fly into Missoula Montana Airport. There you can rent a car from several agencies (or take a bus), and it’s a fifteen-minute drive to campus. Airport shuttles are also available.
Regional visitors can also arrive in Missoula via Greyhound.
Hot Tip: With a free bus system and plenty of ride-sharing and pedestrian trails, it’s very possible to have a car-free visit. Read our Easy Guide to Missoula without a Car post.
Hotels to Stay the Night
Missoula has a ton of commercial hotels you’ll recognize. Whether you stay closer to campus or closer to downtown, you’ll be within walking distance of the Gilkey Building, home to UM Admissions and the beginning of every tour.
Other hotels, closer to the airport, also provide comfortable accommodations at sometimes a lower rate.
Hotels within walking distance of UM and downtown
- • Comfort Inn University: (406) 317-7957 -- Mention your visit to UM for a special rate!
- • Doubletree Hotel Edgewater: (406) 728-3100
- • Goldsmith's Bed and Breakfast Inn: (406) 728-1585
- • Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula: (406) 721-8550
- • Residence Inn by Marriott - The Mercantile: (406) 542-6252
Hotels closer to the airport
Other Places to Stay in Missoula
Hotels aren’t the only option for spending the night. Missoula hosts nearly all vocational rental platforms, including AirBnB and VRBO. Other unique accommodations include forest service cabins and campgrounds.
Where to Get Some Coffee in Missoula
Start the day right with some steaming coffee, espresso or tea, always paired with mountain views. Two of the quintessential coffee shops in town, Clyde Coffee and Drum Coffee are bursting at the seams with aroma and college town culture. They are also prime examples of what you can do with a UM degree, as both are alumni-owned and operated
Where to Eat in Missoula
Not to toot our own horn, but many of the best places to eat in Missoula are UM alumni-owned and operated. This spans everything from breakfast and bakeries to lunch, pizza, dinner and a scoop of ice cream to top it all off.
Check them out yourself:
- • Paul’s Pancake Parlor
- • Bernice’s Bakery
- • Biga Pizza
- • Bridge Pizza
- • Gary’s Local $6 Burger
- • Five on Black
- • Pearl Boba
- • Big Dipper Ice Cream
What Tap Houses & Breweries to Visit in Missoula
Missoula is home to a diverse selection of family-friendly breweries and tap houses where alcohol isn’t the only thing on tap. We also some lively bars for ordering your favorite libation. Get a taste of our community alongside a sip of kombucha, cider or your new favorite microbrew at these UM alumni-owned and operated breweries:
Where to Shop in Missoula
Vintage clothing, sprawling plants and flowers, adventure gear and books upon books upon books -- shopping in Missoula caters to every interest under the sun. Check out only some of these awesome alumni owned or operated businesses in Missoula and go stroll around downtown until you find something you like:
- • Betty’s Divine & Divine Trash Vintage
- • The Trail Head
- • Rockin’ Rudy’s
- • Bitterroot Flower Shop
- • Board of Missoula
- • Fact & Fiction
- • Leaf & Quiet
- • Missoula Makers Collective
- • Paddleheads Post
- - Toiffer Pet Outfitter
What to Do in Missoula
ZooTown, Garden City of Place of Small Bull Trout – Call Missoula whatever you want, just don’t call it boring. We’ve got adventures big and small around every corner, from mountain climbing to river strolling, historic movie theaters and more than one place to put a boat in – find yourself in Missoula:
Missoula Events Calendar
For the most up-to-date happenings in Missoula, check out both the Destination Missoula Event Calendar and the Missoula Downtown Partnership Event Calendar.
Top Attractions in Missoula
Check out our blog post, What to Do in Missoula, for some of the most essential activities to experience in Missoula. This includes the iconic “M” hike above campus and time spent floating the Clark Fork River ambling directly through downtown.
Quintessential Bucket List While Attending UM
Want to take a peak at the bucket list experiences that every student encounters while enrolled at UM? Check out the Quintessential Bucket List while attending UM.
Have any questions? Want some help planning out an itinerary (like campground recommendations for Glacier National Park, for example) – don’t hesitate to reach out to the UM Admissions Office:
• (406) 243-6266
• BeAGriz@Umontana.edu
