 |
| |
| | BILLINGS |  | | Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, located in the south-central portion of the state. Billings is rapidly growing; as of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,847, while the Census Bureau's 2007 estimate listed the city's population at 101,876. It is the 60th fastest growing city out of the 259 cities in the U.S. with populations over 100,000, of which Billings is #259, the smallest. Billings is the county seat of Yellowstone County and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area. In terms of population, it is the largest metropolitan area in Montana. It is nicknamed the Magic City because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in 1882. Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Because Billings is the largest city in a 500-mile (805 km) radius that includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, it serves as a shopping and accommodation center for area residents and highway travelers. | | TOURIST ATTRACTIONS | |
The Western Heritage Center in downtown Billings, affiliated to the Smithsonian Institution, has a collection of more than 16,000 artifacts documenting the life, culture and history of the Yellowstone River Valley. The center's constantly changing gallery exhibitions draw around 22,000 visitors a year. Yellowstone Art Museum - The popular Yellowstone Art Museum exhibits contemporary and historic art of the Rocky Mountain West region. Established in 1984, the museum now contains more than 3,000 works, including the Virginia Snook Collection, the largest public display of the drawings, paintings, books and memorabilia of cowboy illustrator Will James.Zoo Montana - Montana's zoological park and botanical garden plays host to around 70,000 visitors a year and is one of the State's most popular tourist attractions, the only zoo within 600 miles (965km) of Billings. The complex covers 70 acres to the west of the city, exhibiting animals and plants native to the northern Rockies and high plains, and similar latitudes in Europe and Asia, in state-of-the-art natural habitats.Custer National Forest - The Custer is the most ecologically diverse forest in the north of the USA, renowned for its lake and stream fishing and home to mountain goats, big horn sheep, elk, muley and white-tailed deer, black bear, cougar and moose. A popular outing from Billings is to follow the spectacular Beartooth Scenic Byway. The Beartooth area is also one of the gateways to the Yellowstone National Park.Yellowstone National Park - The world's first national park, Yellowstone was established in 1872 and despite its popularity today, most of the park still remains an undeveloped wilderness of magnificent mountain scenery, waterfalls, alpine lakes and rivers. It is renowned for its geothermal wonders and abundance of wildlife | | SHOPPING IN BILLINGS | | In the downtown area, the shopping district covers about 4 blocks on North 29th Street, Broadway, and 1st and 2nd avenues north. The area is heavy in the antiques line, but it also has a few boutiques and independent bookshops. The Depot Antique Mall, 2223 Montana Ave. is the first stop for antiquers. You can find just about anything in this cavernous downtown space hosting nearly 100 dealers. For contemporary art, try the Toucan Gallery, 2505 Montana Ave. In the city's historic district, offering prints, oils, handmade furniture, and ceramics. The fashion conscious can find clothing from around the world at the Cactus Rose, 202 N. 29th Street .The classic Western department store, where lots of real cowboys get their gear, is Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters at 123 Broadway. For outdoor clothing and equipment, check out The Base Camp at 1730 Grand Ave. | | WEATHER | Billings has a semi-arid climate, with low humidity all year round. Summers are sunny, warm and pleasant, and autumn is a particularly lovely season with spells of 'Indian summer'. The first frost usually comes at the end of September. Winter brings fairly heavy snowfalls, but snow does not accumulate. Warm 'Chinook' winds during February and March bring unseasonably warm conditions. | | CURRENCY | | The currency of Billings is US dollar (USD) |
|
| Other Travel Packages & Ideas |
|
