Things To Do in Miles City

The World-Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale

Since 1914, rodeo contractors -- the men who supply the animals for the West's rodeos -- have been meeting in Miles City and lining up their stock. This gathering, which began as an informal event, has now become the "World-Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale," held every third weekend in May. More than 200 horses are sold at auction, from untried stock to spoiled saddle horses. There are parimutuel horse races, a parade, a trade show, and rodeos, as well as wild-horse racing. The downtown area is virtually closed down at night, bands play on the streets, and beer is swilled and spilled while the city's open-container ordinances are suspended inside the "people corral." Tickets cost $12 to $17. For the current schedule, call the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce (tel. 406/234-2890), or visit www.buckinghorsesale.com.

The cowboys in their dress hats come out after dark in Miles City, mostly in the bars. The historic Montana Bar, 612 Main St. (tel. 406/234-5809), has a Montana map for a sign, with Miles City marked by a check. Built in 1893, this is where stockmen gathered. It was enlarged and received a new facade in 1914, but has changed little since, and is known as one of the most authentic Western bars in the state. It has a multicolored tile floor, antique back bar, pressed-tin ceiling, and a bullet hole in one leaded-glass panel. Patrons used to have to stand up to the bar and "drink like a man," but bar stools have been added for the modern tippler.