Millions of Americans and visitors from all over the world come every year to Montana, and perhaps most know the Big Sky Country state for its access to renowned national parks, like Glacier and Yellowstone. But it offers so much more. A confluence of cultural forces has shaped this region — from the Native American traditions to the gold rushes — and it is that Old West spirit that Montana’s residents have proudly kept alive. In Montana, we’ve discovered seven of the most unconventional towns. They dot the Montana map, inviting visitors to experience and be fully immersed in the state’s heritage and traditions.

Philipsburg brings a bygone mining era back to life. Red Lodge is the ultimate rugged alpine experience. Bigfork is valued for its art scene and summer theater. Livingstone is the “Gateway to Yellowstone.” Virginia City is a well-preserved gold rush historical experience. Whitefish is a haven for outdoorsy types, but it also has a touch of sophistication. Fort Benton, is remembered as the “Birthplace of Montana.” Join the tour and discover how each of these towns is as unique as the landscapes they inhabit.

Philipsburg

Nested in a verdant valley between the Sapphire Mountains and Flint Creek is the town of Philipsburg, with its dense pine forests and alpine lakes. The downtown is marked by restored 19th-century buildings with colorful frontages. The friendly town has a nostalgic vibe with its antique shops and boutique shopping, such as the Sweet Palace, a candy store. Historical landmarks include the Opera House Theatre, built in 1891, and The Granite Country Museum, showcasing the town’s mining heritage. Sapphire mining at Gem Mountain is a unique experience. The Granite Ghost Town State Park and the annual Flint Creek Valley Days festival with its parade and live music make Philipsburg extra special.

Red Lodge

With access to Beartooth Highway, what has been dubbed “the most beautiful drive in America,” Red Lodge is an exceptional town. The downtown boasts of Wild West-style architecture, with saloons, eateries and art galleries. Historical landmarks are The Carbon County Historical Society and Museum, displaying the town’s ranching and mining history. Commercial attractions include the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. The town is settled at the base of the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by rolling meadows.

Bigfork

Enveloped by forests, rolling hills and settled along the northeastern shore of Flathead Lake is the town of Bigfork. Bigfork’s downtown blends rustic log cabins with modern designs. The charming town is lined with bistros, galleries and shops. The town has a thriving art scene, annual events like the Bigfork Festival of the Arts, brings the whole community together. Wayfarers State Park provides breathtaking views of Flathead Lake and is rich in Native American history. One thing that is special about this town is The Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a seasonal theater that has given the town the nickname “Montana’s Broadway.”

Livingston

Downtown Livingston with its turn-of-the-century brick buildings hosting quirky cafes, bars and bookshops, presents residents and visitors with a relaxed, artsy vibe. The town is prized as a “foodie paradise” with local favorites like Fainting Goat Pub and Engine Room Deep Dish Pizza. Lying along the Yellowstone River, the small town is surrounded by the Crazy and Absaroka mountains. One thing that stands out is Livingston hosts an annual famous rodeo and has become known as the “Gateway to Yellowstone.” The Livingston Depot Center is a restored train station, which showcases the town’s railroad history. Livingston is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with activities like fly-fishing, hiking and, of course, access to Yellowstone National Park.

Virginia City

Once known as “Fourteen Mile City,” the gold rush era town of Virginia City is based in a valley and surrounded by sagebrush hills and the Tobacco Root Mountains. During its heyday period the town was regarded as a social center and transportation hub in the region. Today the entire town is a historic site. Something that makes Virginia City unusual is the town actors that bring the mid-1800s to life again. The small settlement feels like a well-preserved ghost town with its wooden sidewalks, saloons, and mercantile shops. Be sure not to miss the Virginia City Opera House and Alder Gulch. Visitors can pan for gold and take a historic stagecoach ride.

Whitefish

The town of Whitefish has a unique tradition, known as their annual Huckleberry Days, which celebrates the local berry. A gateway to Glacier National Park, surrounded by forests and lakes with views of Big Mountain, Whitefish is plentiful in natural beauties, with much to explore and see. The downtown combines rustic architecture with a sophisticated modern touch. Be sure to check out the Whitefish Farmers’ Market, along with the many fine dining options and boutiques. Big Mountain has the best skiing in the winter and the tail rides through Bar W Guest Ranch are second to none. No visit to Whitefish is complete without some time by or on the water. Whitefish City Beach is a great place for the whole family to play. The Great Northern Railway Depot and Whitefish Lake State Parks are historical landmarks.

Fort Benton

When visitors drive past herds of antelope and deer while enjoying majestic views in all directions, they quickly come to understand why Fort Benton has been praised for its beauty by both Forbes and National Geographic Traveler. Located along the Missouri River and surrounded by rolling planes and the region’s rich agricultural land, Fort Benton is a gem of a town. Fort Benton’s downtown blends well-maintained frontier-era buildings and modern designs. Landmarks include The Lewis and Clark Memorial and the Museum of the Upper Missouri, which display the town’s role in westward expansion. Be sure to book boat tours with groups like Upper Missouri River Guides for excursions along the Missouri River that showcase views of bluffs and local wildlife.

Parting Thoughts

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the U.S., covering over 147,000 square miles. Its name comes from the Spanish word montaña, meaning “mountain,” reflecting its dramatic landscapes. The Missouri River, one of North America’s longest rivers, begins in Montana. The state experiences a range of weather, from snowy winters to warm summers. Rich in history, Montana was once home to Native American tribes like the Crow and Blackfeet. Today, it’s celebrated for its outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and skiing. These seven most unconventional towns in Montana are each marked out for something special in their natures, which have become woven together into the cultural tapestry of this Old West state. From world class national parks to outstanding natural wonders to rich Native American and gold rush histories, these towns are quintessentially Montana.

LOS ANGELES — Everything he says in front of a microphone, Eric Musselman smirked Sunday, is calculated. And he speaks, firstly, not to the general public. He speaks, firstly, to his own program.

Two weeks ago, USC reeling amid a three-game losing streak, head coach Musselman told reporters “I don’t know how many Big Ten games we’re gonna win” after a loss to Oregon. It was not the work of loose lips, fueled by emotion. It was planned. It was a coach who was fully aware his players had eyes and ears and social media, and would no doubt see a clip of their head coach questioning his program’s very ability nine games into their season.

And in the weeks to come, as guard Desmond Claude affirmed Sunday night, Musselman’s players have wanted to hit the hardwood and show him.

“I would say,” wing Saint Thomas said Sunday, with a smirk of his own, “I definitely seen what he said.”

There is life in this USC program yet, and life in the Galen Center, life created by the media-manipulation mind games of a 60-year-old HC who was forged amid the drama of the NBA.

A week after the Trojans followed up that Oregon loss by bludgeoning Washington on the road, they returned home to blitz Montana State on Sunday night in an end-to-end 89-63 win.

“I mean, we were playing bad basketball a couple games ago, and that’s the real,” Thomas said. “And him speaking up like that, I think, kind of got us out of our funk.”

Claude continued a three-game stretch of immaculate play, finishing with 19 points on 6-of-8 from the floor and 7-of-8 on free throws. Thomas added 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

USC never once trailed, and the ballgame was all but over by the 10-minute mark. Thomas drained a three to put the Trojans up 27-5 early on an overwhelmed Big Sky opponent.

Suddenly, in a conference known for plodding big men and gritty offense, free-flowing USC (7-4, 1-1 Big Ten) looks like the kind of program that could give a host of Big Ten schools fits.

“We’re starting to turn it around,” Claude said postgame. “And — yeah, we just wanted to prove everybody wrong.”

The team’s “only problem” at the moment, as Thomas said postgame, was guarding the ball and playing team defense. Maybe not only. But regardless, it had bit USC for weeks, and with his ideas already exhausted Musselman turned to his roots.

He and staff, after the Oregon game, reached out to a host of NBA teams and coaches for ideas on defensive drills, Musselman said after Sunday’s game. Since then, they’ve drilled two-on-two pick-and-roll actions for 14 days straight.

“We just needed to put them in some different situations,” Musselman said postgame. “And I thought it really helped us.”

For minutes, to open Sunday’s game, Montana State had difficulty even getting a shot off before red zeroes blared. MSU started just 2-of-13 from the floor, and USC’s defensive rotations and help in the paint look massively improved. And on the other end, a team that had played a sort of discombobulated your-turn, my-turn offense swung the rock as if they’d been buddies since childhood.

One possession with about nine minutes remaining in the first half was pure symphony. First came a slew of DHOs to get Thomas driving off a pick-and-roll. Then came a baseline cut by Matt Knowling and a find by Thomas. Then came a touch-pass to the corner from Knowling to Clark Slajchert. Then came an immediate drive-and-dump by Slajchert to big Rashaun Agee, a slew of split-second instinctive reads culminating in a thunderous jam from Agee.

After USC took a 47-21 halftime lead, Claude kept his program afloat in the second half, repeatedly breaking down bigs off pick-and-roll actions and attacking downhill relentlessly to the tune of 15 points after the break.

“He’s become a really, really hard player to defend,” Musselman said postgame.

Two weeks ago, in front of that microphone at Oregon, Musselman could’ve taken a wildly different route. They’d lost in the final minutes to the then-12th-ranked team in the nation, after all. It was a sign of progress.

But the man was thinking steps ahead and dropped the words that have sparked a turnaround.

“The truth hurts sometimes,” Thomas said, on Sunday. “But hey, the truth got us to where we are now.”

Originally Published: December 15, 2024 at 8:16 PM PST