Things To Do in Billings
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Billings Attractions
To view some modern artists' contributions to decorating the West, drive the Avenue of the Sculptures along 27th Street (from I-90 exit 450 to the airport) for an outdoor art show. The first work, The Cattle Drive Monument, is right outside the chamber of commerce's visitor center. The Sheriff Webb Memorial Marker is on the courthouse lawn, and finally, in front of the airport is the Range Rider of the Yellowstone, posed for by silent-screen cowboy actor William Hart. Also around downtown, visitors will spot more public art in the form of a number of colorful equines from 2002's "The Horse, Of Course!" fundraiser for the Billings Depot restoration.
Kids will enjoy Geyser Park, 4910 Southgate Dr. (tel. 406/254-2510; www.geyserpark.net), featuring video games, a climbing wall, a laser tag arena, and a pizzeria.
Animals, Animals -- The only wildlife and botanical park within 500 miles of Billings, ambitious ZooMontana covers 70 acres and is continually changing and growing. The zoo concentrates on northern plains wildlife, some of which you may see on your trip through the state. There are nature trails meandering among the natural habitats of red pandas, eastern gray wolves, Manchurian sika deer, bald eagles, great horned owls, and the North American river otter; there's a petting zoo in a farm and ranch setting.
The zoo is also home to 2 of the 300 Siberian tigers remaining in the world, as well as to the retirees from a captive breeding program for black-footed ferrets, North America's rarest mammal. A new state-of-the-art grizzly bear habitat opened in 2008.
Take exit 443 north off I-90, head northwest on King Avenue to Shiloh Road, and then south (tel. 406/652-8100; www.zoomontana.org). Admission is $6 adults, $3 children 3 to 15, and $4 seniors 65 and over. May through late September, the zoo is open daily 10am to 5pm; late September through April daily 10am to 4pm.
Billings Shopping
In the downtown area, the shopping district covers about 4 blocks on North 29th Street, Broadway, and 1st and 2nd avenues North. The area is heavy in the antiques line, but it also has a few boutiques and independent bookshops. Granny's Attic, 2804 Minnesota Ave. (tel. 406/256-5455), is the first stop for antiquers. You can find just about anything in this cavernous downtown space. For contemporary art, try the Toucan Gallery, 2505 Montana Ave. (tel. 406/252-0122), in the city's historic district, offering prints, oils, handmade furniture, and ceramics. The fashion conscious can find clothing from around the world at the Cactus Rose, 202 N. 29th St. (tel. 406/252-9126). Open since 1919, the classic Western department store, where lots of real cowboys get their gear, is Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters (tel. 406/245-2248), at 123 Broadway. Another Western standby, carrying everything from feed to fine art, is Shipton's Big R, with locations at 216 N. 14th St. (tel. 406/252-0503) and 2600 Gabel Rd. (tel. 406/652-9118). If you're in the market for a top-of-the-line custom cowboy hat, call Rand's Custom Hats, 2205 1st Ave. N. (tel. 800/346-9815; www.randshats.com). For outdoor clothing and equipment, check out the Base Camp (tel. 406/248-4555) at 1730 Grand Ave.
Billings Nightlife
Playing host to productions and live music of all kinds, the Alberta Bair Theater, Broadway and 3rd. Ave. (tel. 877/321-2074 or 406/256-6052; www.albertabairtheater.org), is the prime performing arts venue in Billings, recently hosting Crystal Gayle and a touring production of Cats. The Rainbow Bar, 2403 Montana Ave. (tel. 406/259-0047), has a reputation for stiff drinks; other diversions include shuffleboard and live music. Hooligan's, 109 N. Broadway (tel. 406/294-3495), is a good sports bar with an Irish theme. Beyond the Montana Brewing Company, there are three breweries with tasting rooms -- Carter's Brewery, 2526 Montana Ave., unit B (tel. 406/252-0663), Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company, 2123 1st Ave. N., unit B (tel. 406/245-0918), and Angry Hank's, 2405 1st Ave. N. (tel. 406/252-3370) -- within easy walking distance of one another.
