Getting There -- Alaska/Horizon (tel. 800/547-9308), Allegiant (tel. 702/505-8888), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525), and United (tel. 800/864-8331) all have flights into the Missoula International Airport (tel. 406/728-4381; www.flymissoula.com), northwest of downtown off U.S. 93.
I-90 leads into Missoula from the west (Washington State and Idaho) and the east (Billings and Bozeman). From Salt Lake City, I-15 leads up through Idaho and intersects with I-90 at Butte. For information on road conditions in Missoula, call tel. 406/728-8553 or 511 for road conditions statewide. Avalanche information can be obtained by calling the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (tel. 800/281-1030 or 406/549-4488).
The bus terminal, 1660 W. Broadway (tel. 406/549-2339), is served by Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) for national travel and Rimrock Stages (tel. 800/255-7655; www.rimrocktrailways.com), which serves intrastate Montana travelers with daily transportation from Missoula to Whitefish.
Visitor Information -- The Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1121 E. Broadway, Ste. 103, Missoula, MT 59802 (tel. 800/526-3465 or 406/532-3250; www.missoulacvb.org), has brochures, city maps, and area maps for outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and tours for most of northwestern Montana.
Getting Around -- Several rental-car agencies, including Avis (tel. 800/230-4898), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131), and National (tel. 800/227-7368), maintain counters at the airport; or try Rent-a-Wreck, 1905 W. Broadway (tel. 877/877-0700). Airport Shuttler (tel. 406/543-9416) operates a transit service to and from the airport.
Missoula's city bus line is Mountain Line Transit (tel. 406/721-3333; www.mountainline.com). It doesn't run late at night or on Sundays.
Taxi service is available 24 hours a day through Yellow Cab (tel. 406/543-6644) and Green Taxi (tel. 406/728-8294).
Orientation -- Missoula's layout is a tad confusing, so make sure you have a good city map. Remember that downtown is bisected by the Clark Fork River, and become acquainted with the locations of the three bridges, which provide access to the university and points south. Trails alongside the river are suitable for strolling, though you'll share them with runners and bikers.
Special Events -- The International Wildlife Film Festival, founded by internationally known bear biologist Dr. Charles Jonkel in 1977, recognizes scientific accuracy, artistic appeal, and technical excellence through a juried competition. Highlights of the 1-week festival, held annually in early to mid-May, include four daily screenings, workshops and panel discussions, a wildlife photo contest, and various wildlife art displays. Contact the festival (tel. 406/728-9380; www.wildlifefilms.org) for details. Out to Lunch at Caras Park and Downtown ToNight (tel. 406/543-4238; www.missouladowntown.com) are popular summer series featuring live entertainment and numerous food vendors from 11am to 1:30pm every Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30pm June through August. The Farmers' Market (tel. 406/777-2636) at Market Plaza (located at the north end of Higgins Ave., where it meets with Railroad and Alder sts.) is the place to be during summer for organic vegetables, fresh flowers, and assorted culinary pleasures. It's open Saturday from 9am to noon May through late October, as well as Tuesday from 5:45 to 7:15pm in July and August.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
