Top 10 Best Things to See in Great Falls MT

Great Falls, the city in Montana, is known for its serene atmosphere, arts, and tourist destinations. There are amazing things to see in Great Falls MT.  The city is rich in waterfalls, museums, parks, restaurants, breweries, culture, and much more.

The city is nicknamed as ‘Electric City’ because of the hydroelectric dams situated in the place. Great Falls got its name from the five waterfalls in the city. Do you wish to explore the best of everything in Montana? Pack your bags and leave for Great Falls then.

                    Top 10 Best Things to See in Great Halls MT

1. C. M. Russell Museum

Are you an art lover? If yes, C. M. Russell Museum is the best place for you. The museum exclusively showcases the artworks of Charles Marion Russell, the American artist. He is called the ‘cowboy artist’ because many of his paintings portray the life of the cowboys.

The museum has a great collection of Russell’s paintings, letters, work instruments, sculptures, and his personal belongings. You will get a transparent understanding of his life once you visit this place. There are also the original works of other artists to help you know about the American primitive lifestyle and culture.

Interestingly, Russell’s home and art studio are located inside the museum compound. The visitors can go around and see them. So, make sure to mark C. M. Russell Museum as one of the best things to see in Great Falls MT.

2. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

Second on the list of things to see in Great Falls MT is the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. It ranks as the largest buffalo jump park in America. The Native Americans used the site to hunt the buffalos.

The prominent attraction in this park is the Ulm Pishkun. It is a huge sandstone cliff used by the primitive tribes for hunting bison. There is a visitor center inside the park that provides you information on the Native American tribes, their lifestyle, and tradition.

The park was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It is also on the list of National Historic Landmarks. Located in Cascade County, Montana, the park is a perfect site for history enthusiasts. Do visit the park on your trip to Great Falls.

3. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Next on the list of things to see in Great Falls MT, is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The center got its name from the world-famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Dedicated to the Lewis and Clark expedition, the center has a historic movie theatre, an educational interactive space, and galleries.

The Interpretive Center gives you a detailed account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, its importance, personal experiences, and contributions to America. This 25,000 square feet Center, opened in 1998, is now under the US Forest Service.

One of the attractions here is the interpretive trail, which is connected to the nearby Giant Spring State Park. The place is located at 4201 Giant Spring Road, Great Falls, and is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The Lewis and Clark National Forest is also nearby this place.

4. Giant Spring State Park

Next on the list of things to see in Great Falls MT, is Giant Spring, State Park. It is one of the top-rated parks in the city. This spring ranks as the largest freshwater spring in Great Falls.

Located at 4803 Giant Springs Road, the park offers entertainment for tourists, including fishing, boating, hiking, photography, and hunting. Giant Spring was first noticed in the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. Take a walk along the trails to witness the outstanding natural beauty of the spring.

The entrance fee for non-residents of Montana is 4 dollars per person without vehicles. If you wish to enter the park with your vehicle, you have to pay $8. Add this park to the list of things to see in Great Falls MT.

5. Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Your trip to Great Falls becomes incomplete if you fail to visit Benton Lake Wildlife Refuge. This Wildlife Refuge is definitely one of the best things to see in Great Falls MT. Located in Cascade County, the site is situated in an area of 12,459 acres.

The place is home to a great number of birds during their migratory period. The Benton Lake invites over 2,500 Canada goose, a large number of swans, and about 150,000 ducks during the spring and autumn seasons. You can also see different mammals and various other bird species here.

The Refuge is taken care of by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. You will feel so refreshed after your trip to this place. The main visitor activities in Benton Lake include wildlife photography, habitat viewing, hunting, hiking, and fishing. Remember to follow the rules provided for engaging in the activities.

Marshy areas and shortgrass prairie surround this National Wildlife Refuge. Do include this place in your list of best things to see in Great Falls MT.

6. Glacier National Park

Take a drive from the northwest side of Great Falls, Montana, to reach Glacier National Park. It will take around 2 hours to reach the destination. The Rocky Mountains’ scenic beauty, the emerald colored Lake McDonald, the golden sunset, the fresh breeze, and much more awaits you there.

Around 2 million people visit this splendid park every year. The wilderness and calmness of the place will leave you in ecstasy. You will get to see many glaciers, mountain lakes, deep valleys, and natural vegetation inside the park.

Never forget to go for a road trip through the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road is one of the top attractions of the place and offers marvelous views to the visitors. The activities here include camping, sightseeing, fishing, hiking, and photography.

The park was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. Include Glacier National Park in your list of things to see in Great Falls MT.

7. Ryan Dam

Ryan Dam is one of the best things to see in Great Falls MT. This architectural marvel’s construction started in 1913 and was ready by 1915. It was built on the Big Falls of the Missouri River. The Big Falls is the largest among the five waterfalls of Great Falls.

This hydroelectric dam is situated on Ryan Island. You can also enjoy the view from the suspension bridge and can picnic in Ryan Island Park. The stone steps and the landscape add to its beauty.

The place is suitable for visiting with friends, family, partners, and kids. Near to the Ryan Dam is a clubhouse where you can arrange parties and receptions for free of cost. Spend some time here the next time you visit Great Falls.

8. Gibson Park

Gibson Park is a vibrant site in downtown Great Falls. The park is often called the ‘Crown Jewel’ as it is considered the most beautiful among the parks of Great Falls. It offers tourists a great number of activities and facilities.

They maintain awesome gardens and ponds inside the park. They also provide a playground and sports pieces of equipment to the visitors. A number of basketball lovers come here regularly to play on the basketball court inside the park.

They have stained glass artworks around the park and rock archways besides the gardens. This is the perfect place for holding ceremonies, and so you can celebrate your special events here. The park conducts many concerts for its tourists during the summers.

To visit the park, drive to Park Drive, 1st Avenue North in Great Falls, Montana. Make sure you add this park to the list of things to see in Great Falls MT.

9. The History Museum

The list of things to see in Great Falls is only complete when mentioning The History Museum. Located at Second Street South in Great Falls, the museum offers you a vivid experience. The History Museum has a rich collection of photographs, more than 10,000 artifacts, and a record of memorable events from Montana’s history.

The museum is designed in a way that interests the common people and not only the history buffs. Visiting the museum will enrich your knowledge of the glorious culture, history, and heritage of the Great Falls.

Maintained by the Cascade County Historical Society, the museum conducts regular exhibitions for its visitors. These exhibitions aim to take you to the past of the city. There is also a gift shop near the museum where you can buy good quality nature-friendly products.

10. River’s Edge Trail

River’s Edge Trail is one of the top things to see in Great Falls MT. The trail connects to some of the popular attractions of Great Falls, including the Gibson Park, Lewis and Clark Expedition Center, and the Giant Spring State Park.

This trail runs up to 60 miles and is along the Missouri River banks. You are free to choose cycling, walking, skating, or horse riding to explore the River’s Edge Trail. There are many refreshing spaces on the sides of the trails. You can find benches and fountains alongside the trail.

You may enter the River’s Edge Trail from any of the 11 opening places. The trail is wheelchair friendly. It was the River’s Edge Trail Foundation that worked to make the Trail a reality. They continue to work for the development and maintenance of the trail.