Things to Do in Billings, Montana: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Billings is Montana's largest city, set beneath the sandstone cliffs of the Rimrocks along the Yellowstone River. It is a gateway to the Little Bighorn Battlefield, Pompeys Pillar with William Clark's signature, and the spectacular Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone, with a walkable downtown full of breweries and Western history.
This guide covers the best things to do in Billings, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Billings
The Rimrocks
Sandstone cliffs with trails and city views.
Pictograph Cave State Park
Prehistoric rock art.
ZooMontana
Northern Rockies wildlife.
Moss Mansion
1903 historic house.
Pompeys Pillar
Clark's 1806 signature.
Little Bighorn Battlefield
Site of Custer's Last Stand, one hour away.
Downtown brewery district
Walkable craft beer trail.
Beartooth Highway
Scenic road to Yellowstone.
Billings in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Rimrocks and downtown
Start with a hike or drive along the Rimrocks for sweeping views over Billings and the Yellowstone Valley, stopping at Black Otter Trail. Visit the Yellowstone Art Museum and the Moss Mansion. Lunch downtown. Afternoon walk on the brewery trail. Dinner with a bison burger.
2Day 2 · Pictograph Cave and ZooMontana
Morning at Pictograph Cave State Park with rock paintings over 2,000 years old. Lunch in town. Afternoon at ZooMontana with grizzly bears and wolves. Evening at a local steakhouse. ZooMontana focuses on animals native to the northern Rockies, from river otters to Siberian tigers.
3Day 3 · Little Bighorn
Drive one hour southeast to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, site of the 1876 battle between the US Army and Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors. Visit the visitor center, Last Stand Hill and the Indian Memorial, then drive the battlefield road. Lunch in Hardin or Crow Agency. Return to Billings for dinner.
Billings in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Pompeys Pillar
Visit Pompeys Pillar National Monument, 30 minutes east, where William Clark carved his name in the sandstone in 1806, the only physical evidence left along the Lewis and Clark trail. Walk the boardwalk to the top for river views. Lunch on the way back. Afternoon at the Western Heritage Center.
5Day 5 · Beartooth Highway
Drive to Red Lodge, a mountain town an hour away, and continue on the Beartooth Highway, one of America's most scenic roads, climbing to nearly 11,000 feet with alpine lakes and snowfields. Open late May to October. Lunch in Red Lodge.
Billings in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Yellowstone
Long day trip into Yellowstone through the Northeast Entrance after the Beartooth Highway, with the Lamar Valley, famous for wolves and bison. Bring a picnic and start very early. Return late or stay overnight in Cooke City.
7Day 7 · Last day
Shopping for Western wear and Montana-made goods downtown, a last walk on the Rimrocks and a farewell dinner with a Montana steak and huckleberry pie. Watch the sunset from the Rimrocks one last time before you leave.
What to do in Billings on a weekend
What to do in Billings on a weekend? Saturday: Rimrocks and downtown. Sunday: Little Bighorn.
Montana Fair in August.
What to do in Billings in the evening
Evenings: brewery trail and steakhouses.
Sunset from the Rimrocks.
Billings for couples
For couples, sunset on the Rimrocks and a drive on the Beartooth.
Billings with kids
With kids, ZooMontana and Pictograph Cave.
What to eat in Billings
Bison burger
Local favorite.
Steak
Montana beef.
Huckleberry
In pies and ice cream.
Craft beer
Downtown breweries.
Chicken-fried steak
Diner classic.
Where to stay in Billings: best areas
Downtown
Walkable.
West End
Hotels.
Red Lodge
Mountains.
Ranches
Guest ranches.
What to do in Billings when it rains
What to do in Billings when it rains? Yellowstone Art Museum, Moss Mansion and Western Heritage Center.
How much does a trip to Billings cost?
Expect 120 to 200 dollars per night.
Practical tips for Billings
Best time to visit
June to September; Beartooth Highway open late May to October.
Getting around
Car essential. Billings Logan Airport is on the Rimrocks.
Our practical tips
- Check Beartooth Highway status.
- Bring layers.
- Try huckleberry.
- Plan Little Bighorn as a day trip.
- Watch for wildlife on roads.
- Visit the brewery trail.
Mistakes to avoid
- Winter road trips unprepared.
- Driving at dusk near wildlife.
- Skipping the Rimrocks.
- Underestimating distances.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Billings with kids?
ZooMontana and Pictograph Cave.
How far is Little Bighorn?
About one hour.
What to do in Billings on a weekend?
Rimrocks and Little Bighorn.
How far is Yellowstone?
About two to three hours.