Things to Do in Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana, offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, ranging from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences. Here are some of my favorite things you can do in Helena.
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
(406) 442-5825Tours
Tuesday – Thursday
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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The Cathedral of Saint Helena is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, Montana. Modeled by architect A.O. Von Herbulis after the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria, the construction began on the Cathedral in 1908, and held its first mass in November 1914. The Cathedral sustained significant damage during the 1935 Helena earthquake, which required extensive renovations. The Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Watch this video of the Cathedral
Montana State Capitol
1301 East 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601Hours
Mon-Fri 7 am-6 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am-3 pm
CLOSED
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Years Day
No Presentations on weekend tours
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The State of Montana welcomes visitors to the Capitol in Helena and recognizes the educational value of such visits. Visitors may tour the “People’s House” on their own or may take advantage of official tours and presentations.
Tours. The Governor’s Office welcomes visitors to tour the Hall of Governors and, when not in use, the elegant Governor’s Reception Room. These are located in the east wing of the second floor.
Presentations: The Montana Legislative Branch offers 15-30 minute tours of the Capitol to school groups, non-profits, and legislative delegations as scheduling permits. Tours are focused on the legislative process and civic education and must be scheduled in advance. Please contact (406) 444-3064 for more information.
The Montana Secretary of State’s Office offers age-appropriate, 15- to 45-minute presentations on voting, elections, and the role of the Secretary of State as keeper of the State Seal and official state records and as registrar of businesses operating in Montana.
All agencies would appreciate at least 2 weeks’ notice to plan for tours and presentations.
Great Northern Carousel
989 Carousel Way
Helena, Montana 59601Hours
Monday 11am-7pm
Tuesday Closed
Wed-Thu 11am-7pm
Fri-Sat 11am-8pm
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This certainly isn’t your ordinary carousel! This world-class, hand-carved, work of art consists of 37 unique Montana animals carved by a renowned Walt Disney World carver and 14 Helena scenic-carved rounding boards and stained glass artwork. The National Carousel Association said it is the finest carousel in the nation if not one of the finest in the world.
Riders can choose to whirl around on a Big Horn Sheep, Buffalo, Cutthroat Trout, Grizzly Bear, Otter, Bobcat, Mountain Goat, Frog, Rabbit and Horse, to name a few. After you’ve had the ride of your life, enjoy the best ice cream in Montana with over 24 flavors to choose from. The Carousel is also a great place to hold your next birthday party, summer barbecue, company social or private party. Every Thursday all summer, from 11:30 – 1:00, join us for Out To Lunch – live music and food vendors in the fresh air and sunshine of the Great Northern Town Center.
Original Governor’s Mansion
301 North Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
(406) 444-3695
Summer May 15-Sept 15
Tuesday – Saturday
Tours @ Noon, 1, 2 & 3pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Winter Sept 16-May 14
Tours @ Noon, 1,2, & 3pm
Montana’s Original Governor’s Mansion (OGM) is a historic house museum located at 304 North Ewing Street near downtown Helena. Entrepreneur William Chessman built the Mansion as a private residence in 1888. The three-story Queen Anne-style structure was acquired by the State of Montana in 1913 to serve as its first official governor’s residence. The home then housed a succession of nine First Families until a new governor’s residence was built in 1959. The Original Governor’s Mansion Restoration Society began to refurbish the building in 1969 with the support of the City of Helena, and has continued to provide essential community support. Since 1981 the Montana Historical Society has administered the Mansion, and today, the building is carefully restored to its authentic appearance during the mansion’s first years as home to Montana’s governors.
Gates of the Mountains
3131 Gates of the Mountains Road
Helena, Montana 59601
(406) 458-5241For Tour times:
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Nestled halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks sits the Gates of the Mountains. Located 20 miles north of Helena we are one of Montana’s not to miss destinations. When planning your Montana vacation of a lifetime do not miss the Gates of the Mountains.
For over 125 years guests have been following in the path of Lewis and Clark exploring the “Gates of the Mountains”. Today the marina and boat tour is operated by the Gates of the Mountains Inc, whose goal is to protect, educate, and allow visitors to explore one of the last best places. Today the operation includes a Marina with 150 private docks, a public boat ramp, and tour boats that allow around 30,000 visitors a year to explore what Meriwether Lewis saw over 200 years before.
We encourage you to come out and see the “Heart” of Montana. The river is surrounded by over 28,000 acres of roadless undeveloped wilderness filled with flora and fauna.
Montana Historical Society
225 N. Roberts
Helena, Montana 59620
(406) 444-2694
Hours
Mon-Sat 9am – 5pm
Closed Sundays and HolidaysAdults $5
Child $1
Family $12Combo with Original Governor’s Mansion
Adult $8
Child $1.50
Family $19
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The Montana Historical Society is the guardian of Montana’s memory. Established in 1865, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the West, the MHS’s vast historic collections of artifacts, photographs, and documents are exhibited in six extraordinary galleries. In 1969, we became the official state Archives and the repository for state agency records of permanent value.
Since the founding of the Montana Historical Society in Bannack in 1865, our historians, curators and educators have worked as a team to save and share the stories of Montana.
The mission of the Montana Historical Society is to promote an understanding and appreciation of Montana’s cultural heritage—past, present, and future.
We do this through our heritage resources—art, books, artifacts, photographs, and even buildings throughout the state that we have helped to preserve. The Montana Historical Society also brings the state’s history to you, through our educational and public programs, traveling exhibits, publications, museum store, and research center. Even if you can’t visit us in person, our online resources bring the MHS to you.