Billings Tourist Attractions
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Montana's largest town, Billings, lies in the south, and is a good base for visits to the Little Bighorn battle field and the Crow Indian Reservation, where the five-day Crow Fair is held every year in August.Here, in the Crow Reservation, the United States Army suffered its greatest defeat at the hands of the Sioux and Cheyennes. On June 25th 1876 a detachment of the 7th United States Cavalry commanded by George Armstrong Custer attacked a larger Indian force led by Crazy Horse and was annihilated. On the battlefield are a museum, a military cemetery and a monument commemorating Custer's last stand, erected on the spot where he fell.
Peter Yegen Jr Yellowstone County Museum
The Peter Yegen Jr Yellowstone County Museum in Billings presents the history of the area through to the 1950's. Exhibits include items of the Northern Plains Indian Tribes, western expansion, mining, cattle and sheep herding, transportation, military (1870-1950's), a variety of medical fields, music, textiles, household goods and personal goods.
Moss Mansion
Moss Mansion is a red sandstone manor house in Billings. It was designed by New York architect, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh who designed the Waldorf Astoria, Plaza Hotel, Williard Hotel, and Copely Hotels. The mansion was built in 1903 and features original draperies, fixtures, furniture, Persian carpets and artifacts.
Western Heritage Center
The Western Heritage Center in Billings is housed in the 1901 Parmly Billings Library. The center features a collection of more than 16,000 artifacts, including more than 1,000 photographs that represent the history and culture of the Yellowstone River region.
Yellowstone Art Museum
The Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings was formerly the Yellowstone Art Center. It began in the renovated former Yellowstone County Jail. The collection represents contemporary art of the region. Highlights include contemporary Western art as well as historic works by cowboy illustrator, Will James.
Chief Black Otter Trail
The Chief Black Otter Trail winds along the edge of Rimrocks to the north of Billings. Chief Black Otter was a Crow Indian chief who was buried here after his death at the hands of a Sioux war party.
Happy Pappy Holdup Western Adventure
The Happy Pappy's Holdup in Huntley near Billings features horseback, wagons and mule teams, cowboy meals, western music, and entertainment as well as cowboy concerts on the range.
Ralston Studio & Gallery
J K Ralston painted scenes that captured the Old West. His log-cabin studio has been restored and moved to the campus of Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
ZooMontana
ZooMontana in Billings specializes in northern latitude species such as the river otter, Sika deer, Siberian tigers, gray wolves, bighorn sheep and bald eagles.
