Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
There’s no doubt about it, it has been a ridiculously cold December in Montana. Billings has seen its first sub-zero temperatures in two years, and in fact, most of our cities’ temps have already dropped below what they normally do this month (which is already quite low). When it’s this cold, all we want to do is hibernate… but staying cooped up at home just leads to cabin fever.
If you’re feeling restless, put on your heaviest coat and head to one of these cabin fever-beating places before the end of winter.
What better way to warm up than by soaking in a hot pool? The four Fairmont Hot Springs pools stay open all year, 24 hours a day. When you’re not soaking, you can enjoy hot food from the onsite restaurants or relax and unwind at the day spa.
If you’ve never toured the beautiful Moss Mansion, do yourself the favor of exploring the grounds that once served as the home of Preston Boyd Moss and his family. The family’s youngest daughter worked hard to help preserve the mansion, so many of its original fixtures are still in tact.
The historic Wilma Theater was designed as a Vaudeville house in 1921, and the latest owners have put a lot of effort into renovating and restoring it. The theater now has one of the best sound systems in the Western United States, and they have events all year.
Advertisement
4. Busted Knuckle Brewery, Glasgow
Busted Knuckle Brewery Facebook
A cold beer might not sound amazing on an evening so cold your eyelashes freeze the moment you step outside, but at the Busted Knuckle Brewery, it’s really more about the conversation (although the beer is delightful). Plus, you can have Eugene’s Pizza delivered there so you don’t have to brave the cold to grab dinner.
The park is probably the last place you feel like going when the temperature is roughly -50 degrees. But this is the time of year when Glacier National Park is remarkably uncrowded and especially breathtaking. If you own sufficient provisions and a good vehicle that can make the journey, you’ll fall in love with the Crown Jewel of Montana all over again.
The Ellen Theatre is amazing. When you walk in, you’ll truly feel like you’ve gone back in time. The shows and events are year-round and range from classic movie showings to stage performances.
Whether or not you’re a history buff or an art lover, you’ll probably be surprised by how much you enjoy an afternoon at the Hockaday Museum of Art. Check out the work of some of our best local artists in a beautiful (and toasty warm) museum.
If you live near Missoula, bundle up and check out their Winter Market on Saturdays from 9 AM-1 PM. You’ll get to walk around, buy some produce and pastries, and talk to real, live people.
The picturesque town of Seeley Lake is an amazing year-round destination. Every January thousands of Montanans brave the cold for Winterfest, a three day party that includes ice sculptures, a torch lit parade and a Christmas tree bonfire.
When other than winter do you actually have time (or a legitimate excuse) to stay in and read? This is the perfect time to become reacquainted with your local library (like the Carnegie Public Library in Big Timber, pictured here).
Boulder Hot Springs sits about halfway between Butte and Helena off of I-15. The mineral-laden geothermic pools are open all winter along with the mineral steam rooms and plunges. Between the healing waters and the onsite massages, you’ll leave feeling warm and rejuvenated no matter what the temperature is outside.
We couldn’t finish this list without giving a shout-out to the festival that’s named after the cabin fever condition. By February, most Montanans are completely over winter, and that’s exactly why this amazing barstool race-filled festival exists.
