1. Montanans Take Thrill-Seeking To New Heights
Climbing ice is something that most people would do cautiously–in Montana they see who can do it faster.
2. The Foodie Scene In Montana Goes PLONK
With a spot in Missoula and one in Bozeman, Plonk is revolutionizing the way Montanans think about food by blending metropolitan personalities with classic Montana passions. The Fiery Tuna Tartar will change your life
3. People Are Few And Far Between
If you want alone time, you can sure get it in Montana. It doesn’t really set in until you experience the expansive tracts of empty land and consider someone who lives more than a mile away a neighbor.
4. …But They All Eat At The Burger Dive
Inspired by classic diners with a twist, The Burger Dive has unique and unforgettable burgers that every Montanan swears by. Nothing can top their Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger, except for some crisp lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Plus, they have a super awesome Burger Mobile. Nothing beats that.
5. You’re Not A Local Until You’ve Been To A Rodeo
To get a real taste of Montana you’ll need a little dirt in your teeth. The Livingston Roundup is a Montana tradition is closing in on a century of arm jerking and can chasing.
6. In Montana, Firefighters Jump Out Of Planes
Smoke Jumpers are part firefighter, part parachuter and 100% badass. Is there any other way to fight forest fires? The base in Missoula began in 1954 and currently dispatches 70 jumpers, making it the largest of all smoke jumper bases in the US.
7. Ranch Isn’t Something To Dip Your Carrots In
Montana’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, including ranching and cereal grain farming. Other significant economic activities include oil, gas, coal and hard rock mining … basically if its back-breaking, they do it. That’s why Montanans laugh when people complain about their fancy-pants office jobs.
8. Montanans Can Spot A Tourist A Mile Away
Millions of visitors a year come to Montana and as much as Montanans will complain about all the city-slickers getting in their way, they laugh all the way to the bank.
9. They Don’t Call It Paradise For Nothing
There is no end of epic views like this one of the West side of the Absaroka Range in Paradise Valley, near Emigrant, Montana.
10. People Are Going To Ask ‘Why Montana?’
When you move to Montana, people will inevitably pose the question, “Why Montana?” Those people have never been to Montana.
11. ‘Gone Fishing’ Isn’t Just Some Campy Sign
Montana contains thousands of named rivers and creeks, 450 miles of which are known for “blue-ribbon” trout fishing. If Montanans aren’t currently fishing, you can bet they are thinking about fishing.
12. Montanans Don’t Need Professional Sports Franchises. They’ve Got Ax-Throwing.
Montanas have an ax to grind with sports media. The lack of large markets within the state makes Montana unappealing to big money sports, but that’s okay because you can catch some quality axe-throwing at Libby Logger Days. Way more hardcore than football.
13. Nature Doesn’t Bite Often
Of the ten indigenous snakes in Montana only one, the the prairie rattle-snake, is venomous. Tread heavily, my friend!
14. Montana Nightlife Is Quality Over Quantity
When there are days that only a fishbowl-sized blue cocktail will fix things,there is the legendary Sip ‘n Dip Tiki Lounge in Great Falls. It is the only place where you can hear “Piano Pat” sing, and watch mermaids swim.
15. Montana Has A Population Boom During The Sweet Pea Festival
Each year the Sweet Pea Festival draws thousands of onlookers eager to take a Bite out of the Bozeman arts and culinary scene. There is no better place to take in local flavors while listening to live music and supporting local artists.
16. Montana Is Full Of Skiers
Winter weather makes for happy Montanans. One favorite spot is Montana Snowbowl, an alpine ski area located 12 miles northwest of Missoula. It’s known for long expert runs such as West Bowl.
17. There Are Skeletons In Montana’s Backyard
The largest of Montana’s state parks at more than 11,000 acres, Makoshika, contains spectacular badlands concealing dinosaur fossils. See those fossils up close and personal at Makoshika Dinosaur Museum in Glendive.
18. Beer Is Big Here
Big Sky Country recently ranked third in the nation in number of craft breweries per capita. Bayern is the state’s oldest brewery still in operation, but keep an eye out for Big Sky Brewing and Angry Hanks, both of which are making a splash on the Montana beer scene.
19. This Is What Montana Looks Like
Why waste words when you have a view like this?
20. You Will Eat All The Stroopwafels
Caramel Cookie Waffle Corp specializes in stroopwafel, a treat from the Netherlands. Having just one is next to impossible.
21. They Don’t Make Dams Like This Any More
Completed in 1953, Hungry Horse Dam on the Flathead River stands 564 feet tall and represents the tallest morning glory structure in the world.
22. Food Is Fuel In Montana
After a hard day on the ranch, nothing quells the hungers spells like a giant pie from Biga Pizza in Missoula. If you don’t get the Sweet Potato, Bacon, Maple Chipotle, you’re wasting your money.
