TRAVEL INFORMATION
Know Before You Go

Missoula, MT

Missoula, MT in Western Montana

Halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks is Montana's cultural hub and second-largest city, Missoula. With nine historic districts, funky boutiques, live theater, a symphony, diverse dining options, a thriving music scene, ample lodging options, plus access to nearby wilderness areas, unrivaled outdoor playgrounds and five golf clubs, Missoula perfectly combines big-city amenities with outdoor recreation and Montana's natural wonders. This eclectic mountain town is also home to the state's oldest college—the University of Montana.

Additional Information

Chambers + Visitor Information

Annual Events

History

Lewis and Clark came through the Missoula Valley in 1805, but it wasn't until 1860 that Europeans settled here (although a Jesuit priest, DeSmet, opened a mission south in the Bitterroot Valley in 1841).

Before settlers arrived, Western Montana was home to the Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai tribes. In 1860, C.P. Higgins and F.L. Worden opened a trading market that they called the Hellgate Village. (Today you can buy wine, espresso and huge deli sandwiches at Wordens Market on Higgins Street downtown). The name hellgate came from French trappers, who found carnage from warfare, including bones and bodies, in the canyon on the east edge of town. The Blackfeet and Flathead used the close confines of the canyon to battle one another. The canyon is still called Hellgate today, but only winter winds are a threat now.

Hellgate Village was a success, followed by a flour mill and a sawmill, which the new settlers dubbed Missoula Mills. Mills was eventually dropped, leaving the town with the name Missoula. Which, by the way, comes from a butchered version of the Salish name for the area, "Nemissoolatakoo."

Jeanette Rankin, the nation's first Congresswoman, was reared in Missoula in the late 1800s. She was elected to Congress before women could vote, on the eve of the first World War. She served one term, then was re-elected to Congress on the eve of the second World War. She is the only legislator to have voted against entering both wars.

The town is still steeped in active politics. And its economy is still based on retail trade -- people from hundreds of miles around use Missoula as their base for shopping and for finding medical and other professional services. The University of Montana and the Forest Service are also heavy economic hitters here.

Upcoming Events

Mar 19th

Spring 2024 Master Naturalist Course

March 19th at 4:00 PM

Montana Natural History Center 120 Hickory St #A Missoula, MT

Categories: Education, General, Sustainability

Mar 19th

Trivia Tuesday @ The Outpost

March 19th at 7:00 PM

The Old Post 103 W Spruce St Missoula, MT

Categories: Food/Drink, General, Theatre/Film

Mar 20th

Lunch & Learn: Zero Waste Your Home

March 20th at 12:00 pm

Home ReSource Community Room 1515 Wyoming Street Missoula, Montana

Categories: Food/Drink, General

Featured Listings

10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak Adventures in Western Montana.

10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak Adventures

802 W. Spruce St.
Missoula, MT 59802

A Carousel For Missoula in Western Montana.

A Carousel For Missoula

101 Carousel Drive
Missoula, MT 59802

Adventure Missoula in Western Montana.

Adventure Missoula

39 Juniper Lane
Alberton, MT 59820

Arts Missoula in Western Montana.

Arts Missoula


Missoula, MT 59801

Beargrass Adventures in Western Montana.

Beargrass Adventures


Missoula, MT 59802

Bitterroot Backpacking in Western Montana.

Bitterroot Backpacking


Missoula, MT 59801

C'mon Inn in Western Montana.

C'mon Inn

2775 Expo Parkway
Missoula, MT 59808

Canyon River Golf Club in Western Montana.

Canyon River Golf Club

1268 Bandmann Trail
Missoula, MT 59802

Clyde Coffee in Western Montana.

Clyde Coffee

741 S. Higgins Ave., Suite A
Missoula, MT 59801

Comfort Inn University in Western Montana.

Comfort Inn University

1021 E. Broadway St.
Missoula, MT 59802

Courtyard by Marriott in Western Montana.

Courtyard by Marriott

4559 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

Destination Missoula - The Official Convention & Visitors Bureau in Western Montana.

Destination Missoula - The Official Convention & Visitors Bureau

101 E. Main St.
Missoula, MT 59802

Engel & Völkers Western Frontier - Missoula in Western Montana.

Engel & Völkers Western Frontier - Missoula

321 N. Higgins Ave.
Missoula, MT 59802

Fairfield Inn & Suites Missoula in Western Montana.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Missoula

5252 Airway Blvd.
Missoula, MT 59808

Good Food Store in Western Montana.

Good Food Store

1600 S. Third St. W.
Missoula, MT 59801

Granite Peak RV Resort in Western Montana.

Granite Peak RV Resort

9900 Thoroughbred Lane
Missoula, MT 59808

Hampton Inn in Western Montana.

Hampton Inn

4805 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

Hertz Rent-A-Car in Western Montana.

Hertz Rent-A-Car

5225 W. Broadway St., Suite 12
Missoula, MT 59808

Hilton Garden Inn Missoula in Western Montana.

Hilton Garden Inn Missoula

3720 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

Historic Downtown Missoula in Western Montana.

Historic Downtown Missoula

218 E. Main St., Suite C
Missoula, MT 59802

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in Western Montana.

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula

3400 Captain Rawn Way at Fort Missoula Building #322
Missoula, MT 59804

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research in Western Montana.

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research

32 Campus Drive, Suite 1234
Missoula, MT 59812-1234

Jim & Mary's RV Park in Western Montana.

Jim & Mary's RV Park

9800 U.S. Highway 93 N.
Missoula, MT 59808

KettleHouse Brewing Company in Western Montana.

KettleHouse Brewing Company

605 Cold Smoke Ave.
Bonner, MT 59823

Lake Missoula Tea Company in Western Montana.

Lake Missoula Tea Company

136 E. Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802

Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce in Western Montana.

Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

825 E. Front St.
Missoula, MT 59802

Missoula KOA Holiday in Western Montana.

Missoula KOA Holiday

3450 Tina Ave.
Missoula, MT 59808

Missoula Parks and Recreation in Western Montana.

Missoula Parks and Recreation

600 Cregg Lane in McCormick Park
Missoula, MT 59801

Missoula SCHEELS in Western Montana.

Missoula SCHEELS

2901 Brooks St., Suite M-1
Missoula, MT 59801

Missoula Symphony Orchestra & Chorale in Western Montana.

Missoula Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

Dennison Theatre, University of Montana (Performance location)
Missoula, MT 59812

MNW Destinations in Western Montana.

MNW Destinations

116 Glacier Dr.
Lolo, MT 59847

National Museum of Forest Service History in Western Montana.

National Museum of Forest Service History

6305 U.S. Highway 10 W.
Missoula, MT 59808

Quality Inn & Suites in Western Montana.

Quality Inn & Suites

4545 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

Rockin Rudy's in Western Montana.

Rockin Rudy's

237 Blaine St.
Missoula, MT 59801

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Western Montana.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

5705 Grant Creek Road
Missoula, MT 59808

Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History in Western Montana.

Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History

Building T-316, 2975 General Foster Ave., Fort Missoula
Missoula, MT 59804

Snowbowl Ski & Summer Resort in Western Montana.

Snowbowl Ski & Summer Resort

1700 Snowbowl Road
Missoula, MT 59808

The Wren Hotel  in Western Montana.

The Wren Hotel

201 E. Main St.
Missoula, MT 59802

Thrifty Rent-A-Car in Western Montana.

Thrifty Rent-A-Car

5225 W. Broadway St., Suite 12
Missoula, MT 59808

UM Conference and Event Services in Western Montana.

UM Conference and Event Services

32 Campus Drive, University Center, Room 340
Missoula, MT 59812

University of Montana in Western Montana.

University of Montana

32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812

Windfall Inc in Western Montana.

Windfall Inc

516 S. Orange St.
Missoula, MT 59801

Other Listings

A Moveable Feast

A. Banks Gallery

Airbnb

Apothecary Beauty Alchemy

Arthur Wayne Hot Sauce

Artists' Shop Art & Fine Craft Gallery

  • 127 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.543.6393
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Aspen Motel

  • 3720 State Highway 200 E. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.721.9758
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Basal

  • 114 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.540.4098
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Be Bear Aware

Bespoke Beauty

  • 2100 Stephens Ave., Suite 104 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.493.0291
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Bicycle Hangar

Big Sky Brewing Company

  • 5417 Trumpeter Way Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.549.2777
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Bitterroot Flower Shop

  • 811 S. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.542.0309
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Bitterroot Valley Shuttle

  • Missoula Airport 5225 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.550.0001
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Bolt & Bruizers Bakery & Barkery

  • 1300 S. Reserve St., Suite A Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.317.1228
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Book Exchange

Bradshaw Media

  • 715 Kensington Ave., Suite 11 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.531.8593
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Break Espresso

  • 432 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.728.7300
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Bretz RV & Marine

  • 4800 Grant Creek Road Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.541.4800
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Broadway Inn Conference Center

  • 1609 West Broadway Missoula, MT 59808
  • 800.286.2316
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Buff City Soap

  • 2230 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.926.2489
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Burns St. Bistro

  • 1500 Burns St., Suite B Missoula, MT 59802-1988
  • 406.543.0719
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Burton's Classic Hair Co.

  • 3410 S. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.721.8889
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Butler Creek Lodge

  • 3255 Bending Tree Lane Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.542.8307
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Cambie Taphouse + Coffee

  • 2413 S. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.317.1268
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Cambie Taphouse + Coffee – Sawmill District

  • 945 Wyoming St., Suite 145 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.830.3374
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Camino

  • 125 N. Pattee St., Suite i Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.317.1260
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Clark Fork Coalition

  • 140 S. Fourth St. W., Suite 1 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.542.0539
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Clark Fork River Market

  • 101 Carousel Drive Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.880.9648
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Conflux Brewing Company

  • 210 N. Pattee St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.926.3589
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Cranky Sam Public House

Crave Catering + Cakes

Daily Thread

  • 2901 Brooks St., Suite B2 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 651.269.4610
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Dana Gallery

  • 246 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.721.3154
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David Clumpner Photography

Ducrey Chocolate Maker

Earth Within Flowers

Econo Lodge

  • 4953 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.542.7550
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Elevate Church

  • 4907 Blue Mountain Road Missoula, MT 59804
  • 406.240.8866
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Epic Events

  • 4616 Monticello Place Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.261.6799
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Fact & Fiction

  • 220 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.721.2881
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Float Missoula

  • 521 S. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.493.0502
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Forty-Four Rental & Design

  • 1290 S. Third St. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.544.6380
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Garden City Harvest

Get Air

Goertzen Adventure Equipment

  • 1635 South Ave. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.546.0061
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Great Burn Brewing

  • 2230 McDonald Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.317.1557
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Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop

Hair by Jessica D. @ Tres Chic Hair & Nail Salon

  • 1627 South Ave. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.697.9955
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Missoula

Homewood Suites by Hilton Missoula

  • 4825 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.721.0990
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Imagine Nation Brewing

  • 1151 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.926.1251
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Indigenous Made Montana

Katy Shay Photo

Kornutopia

  • 617 S. Higgins Ave., Suite C Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.926.1480
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L & M Fine Jewelry

  • 3465 American Way Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.721.4025
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L.A. Design

  • 337 E. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.543.5077
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La Quinta Inn - Missoula

  • 5059 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.549.9000
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Larchmont Golf Course

  • 3200 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804
  • 406.721.4416
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Last Best Store

Liquid Planet at The Book Exchange

Local Transport, The

  • 3790 State Highway 200 E. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.200.8364
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Logjam Presents

  • 131 S. Higgins Ave., Suite 2-1 Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.830.4640
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MCT, Inc. (Missoula Children's Theatre & Missoula Community Theatre)

Missoula Art Museum

  • 335 N. Pattee St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.728.0447
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Missoula County Fairgrounds

  • 1101 South Ave. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.258.3249
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Missoula Farmers Market

  • North end of Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 703.772.2792
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Missoula MADE Fair

  • Summer: Caras Park; Holiday: Adams Center, UM Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.201.9229
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Missoula Public Library

Missoula Smokejumper Visitor Center

  • 5765 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.329.4934
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Montana Candle Company

Montana Museum of Art and Culture

  • 795 S. Fifth St. W. Missoula, MT 59812
  • 406.243.2019
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Montana Natural History Center

  • 120 Hickory St., Suite A Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.327.0405
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Montana Party Time

  • 1345 Clark Fork Lane Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.542.0701
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Montana Pretty Potty

Montana Repertory Theatre

  • PARTV Building, University of Montana Missoula, MT 59812
  • 406.243.6809
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Montana Whiskey Co.

  • 901 S. Second St. W., Unit B Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.493.0828
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Montgomery Distillery

Moon-Randolph Homestead

  • 1515 Spurlock Road Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.728.0451
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Mountain Berry Bowls - Missoula

  • Various (mobile food truck) Missoula, MT 59802
  • 404.583.9822
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Mountain Wedding Talk

Museum of Mountain Flying

  • East end of the Missoula Airport Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.721.3644
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My Place Hotel - Missoula

  • 2951 Expo Parkway Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.926.1001
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Northern Rockies Heritage Center

  • 30 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804
  • 406.728.3662
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OddPitch Brewing

  • 1200 W. Kent Ave., Suite 103 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.541.1007
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Ogren Park

Olive + Iron

  • 108 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.541.4766
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OnX

Park Side Credit Union - Missoula

  • 2300 Great Northern Ave. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.728.4475
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Paul's Pancake Parlor

Perfect Events home of Oh So Chic

Pink Elephant

  • 301 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.214.0247
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Plonk

  • 322 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.926.1791
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PlumTree Events

PlumTree Travel

  • 1100 W. Kent Ave., Suite 2934 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.830.9556
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Radius Gallery

  • 120 North Higgins Avenue Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.541.7070
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Rococo Bridal & Tuxedo

Runner's Edge

  • 304 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.738.9297
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Scotty's Table

Slow Drift Shuttles

Sons of Norway at the Nordic Pines

  • 5795 U.S. Highway 93 S. Missoula, MT 59804
  • 406.251.2277
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Soup Farm

Spotted Dog Cycles

  • 738 S. First St. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.529.0668
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Sugar Tree Hair Salon

  • 101 S. Higgins Ave., Suite 12 Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.728.0925
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Super 8 Missoula/Reserve St.

  • 4703 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.549.1199
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Sweet Pea Inc

  • 9424 Futurity Drive Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.728.3533
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Sweet Peaks Ice Cream - Missoula

  • 420 N. Higgins Ave. Suite D Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.549.0028
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Tami Renae Photography

Taste of Missoula Food Tours

  • Downtown Missoula Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.763.6130
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Tea & Crepe

  • 140 N. Higgins Ave., Suite 103 Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.493.0271
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Ten Spoon Winery

  • 4175 Rattlesnake Drive Missoula, MT 59802
  • 306.529.7264
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The Dram Shop

The Montana Scene – Missoula

The Top Hat

The Wilma

  • 131 South Higgins Ave Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.830.4640
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Thomas Meagher Bar

TownePlace Suites Missoula

  • 3055 Stockyard Road Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.721.6000
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Travelodge Inn & Suites by Wyndham Missoula University Park

  • 800 E. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.543.3102
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Unhinged

  • 2612 Murphy St., Unit A Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.273.8548
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Unseen Missoula

  • 218 E. Main St., Suite C Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.543.4238
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VEERA Donuts

  • 617 S. Higgins Ave., Suite 2 Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.317.1109
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Velvet Bride

  • 420 N. Higgins Ave., Suite C Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.529.0061
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Western Cider

  • 501 N. California St. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.540.4477
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Western Montana Wedding Association

Woodspring Suites Hotel

  • 3035 Stockyard Road Missoula, MT 59808
  • 406.317.7444
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Zara Gallery

  • 248 N. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59802
  • 406.546.4576
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Zoo City Apparel

  • 736 S. First St. W. Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.529.6482
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Zoo Thai

Zoo Town Surfers

  • 1001 S. Fourth St. W., Suite 5 Missoula, MT 59801
  • 406.546.0370
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