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Top Things to See and Do in Big Sky, MontanaHere are a few sample day trip itineraries to get started. Of course, don't hesitate to call or stop by the Chamber for more information. DAY 1 Hot Air & Cool Views Tour Download Printable Itinerary Ideal Season: Summer Yellowstone National Park: 51 miles one-way to West Park Entrance Scenic Drive Time: Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for a leisurely drive to Old Faithful 8:00 am Eat breakfast and pick up lunch to go at the Hungry Moose Market. Order a smoothie and grab lunch to go everything from sandwiches and wraps to soups and salads. The Turkey and Brie comes highly recommended. 10:30 am - 3:30 pm Yellowstone National Park You can manage either the upper or lower loop in a day- to attempt both is rather ambitious. Arrange some wildlife viewing and take one short hike, perhaps the Yellowstone River Picnic Area or Mystic Falls trails. Old Faithful The first geyser in the park to receive a name, Old Faithful erupts every 80 minutes or so, spouting off some 8,000 gallons of water up to 180 feet in the air. Grand Prismatic Spring Marvel at the algae-tinged indigo waters of the park's largest and deepest (121 feet) hot spring. Canyon Junction The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a must-see. The Yellowstone River plummets over huge waterfalls and rages through this steep, spectacular canyon. The Canyon's lower falls are twice the height of Niagara. 3:30 pm West Yellowstone; Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center The twice-daily wolf feedings are worth catching. There are also daily kids' programs, naturalist presentations and exhibits illustrating the plight of the Greater Yellowstone grizzlies. 4:30 pm The Museum of the Yellowstone Housed in the 1909 Union Pacific depot, this collection explores the history of visitors to Yellowstone with an emphasis on early stagecoach and rail travel. For history buffs in the group, a free trip to the preserved 1903 Oregon Short Line Rail car at the Holiday Inn is worth the extra 30 minutes. 8:00 pm Dinner reservations at 320 Ranch 320 Ranch is worth a stop for those with a hankering for Montana cuisine. The menu is typified by steaks, trout and wild game with a gourmet twist. And for real foodies or adventure seekers, the honey Dijon rocky mountain oysters are quite good. DAY 2 Shake, Paddle & Roll Tour Download Printable Itinerary In 1959, Madison River Canyon shuddered as an earthquake dammed the Madison River and formed Quake Lake. Today, trees stand eerily in the water and a ghost village remains at the lake's east end. Ample history lessons and outstanding recreational opportunities are just two reasons to spend a day exploring. 8 am Breakfast at The Bugaboo The Bugaboo is not your standard eggs, bacon and toast kind of place. Rather, it's a reasonably priced, funky charmer of a breakfast spot. With the menu to prove it. 11 am - 4 pm Explore Quake Lake The Madison Canyon Earthquake Area Visitors Center, built atop the Madison landslide has a working seismograph, clippings from the fateful day and an informative video shown every thirty minutes. From here, walk up the interpretive trail for vistas of the slide area and a memorial boulder with names of those who perished. A nearby dock allows boaters and fishermen to paddle past eerily submerged treetops left behind by the quake. 12 pm Picnic Quake Lake Enjoy lunch lakeside thanks to the Blue Moon Bakery. Try the Health Nut. A generous sandwich piled high with turkey, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and sprouts served on multi-grain. The Cabin Creek Scarp Area showcases a 21-foot-tall cliff that opened along the fault line. In fact, one campsite straddled the fault. You can see still the picnic table above and the fire ring 21 feet below. At Ghost Village you can see the remains of half a dozen cabins stranded by the flood. To get there turn off Hwy 287 toward Campfire Lodge and branch down a dirt road. The cabins are located on the other side of the river. 6:30 pm Dinner & Drinks Eino's Tavern This is how steak was meant to be. 1) You order it. 2) Take it to the grill. 3) Cook it yourself. Or because "you" are mentioned so frequently in the option above, your travel partner could take care of the grilling while you sit back on a deck overlooking Hebgen Lake. Yum. DAY 3 Grip & Grin Tour Download Printable Itineary Let the rivers guide you through this small town full of big art. A place just down the road from Yellowstone. Where the fishing report is served with breakfast. And a good story never goes out of fashion. 8 am Breakfast at Blue Moon Bakery Consider a homemade breakfast pastry and coffee for an early morning fix. An assortment of freshly baked breads and bagels are worth considering too. 10:30 am Fish or Float the Madison The 50-mile stretch from Quake Lake north to Ennis is considered the state's most trout-dense stretch of river. Dedicate the morning to perfecting your cast. Or not casting at all. 12 pm - 4 pm Wander around Ennis Ennis is a fun place to while away the rest of the day browsing art galleries, antique stores, gift shops and smalltown eateries. Small-town eateries worh checking out: Art Galleries to peruse: Antique Galleries worth a visit: Fishing Stores with good stories: 1:30 pm Ennis National Fish Hatchery A fishing trip to Ennis isn't complete without a visit to the Ennis National Fish Hatchery (12 miles south of town). Here rainbows are bred. And fishermen are born. In that order. If time permits Gravelly Range Road Scenic Drive Stop at the Ennis Ranger Station and pick up a brochure. Proceed to drive Forest Service roads through the scenic Gravelly Range where you'll likely spot elk, moose, pronghorn and very few touristy types. 8 pm Dinner at The Corral The Corral is worth a stop for those hankering for authentic Montana cuisine. The menu has the usual suspects- burgers, chops, chicken and pasta. But the real winner is the 16oz. Buffalo T-bone with an order of onion rings. The rings are considered by many to be the best in Big Sky. Montana. Or the world by some accounts. DAY 4 Underground Wilderness Tour Download Printable Itineary Leave the flashlight behind and make your way through an underground maze of cave popcorn, icicles and frozen waterfalls. On second thought, bring the flashlight. Though your tour guide will probably have one too. Lewis & Clark Caverns: 85 miles one-way Scenic drive time: 1.5 hours 7 am Breakfast at Allgood's Living by the mantra, "If you haven't been to Allgood's then you don't know Dick!" this spot for locals and tourists alike offers up world-class green chili omelettes. And who are we to argue with that? 9:30 am Buffalo Jump State Park This limestone cliff allowed Native Americans to stampede herds of bison in hopes of securing food, clothing, shelter and tools. Visitors today can still see bone shards and teepee rings. Interpretive displays and trails afford visitors a first-hand glance into the history of Montana's first people. 12:30 pm Eat lunch in Three Forks The Historic Headwaters Restaurant Try an age-old classic- the Italian sausage sandwich. Sure, it's Italian and sausage and a sandwich. But this one's made with a local secret ingredient- bison. 1:30 pm Three Forks Headwaters Heritage Museum Spend some time gawking at historical photos and local archaeological displays. But save some time for an old Montana standby- the mounted fish. Though this one isn't just any old fish. It's a 29.5 pound brown trout- the largest ever caught in the state. 4 pm Lewis & Clark Caverns Lewis and Clark Caverns is Montana's first state park featuring one of the largest known limestone caverns in the Northwest. The cave is lined with stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Plenty of stairs too. Above ground, there's a self-guided nature trail that showcases the area's exposed limestone vein. 6:30 pm - 8 pm Norris Hot Springs Affectionately dubbed "water of the gods" by locals, these natural springs fill a small pool lined with wooden boards to protect soakers from the elements. Though other elements, like microbrews and live bluegrass, are perpetually enjoyed on Thursdays and weekends. Call to check on a schedule, (406) 685-3303. DAY 5Winter Wonderland Tour Download Printable ItineraryAwake early from your Big Sky hideaway to make the trip to West Yellowstone. A brief portion of which will cut through Yellowstone National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife. And an eye on your driver. (Who'll probably be gawking too). Yellowstone Park: 51 miles one-way Scenic drive time: 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on road conditions) Meadow Village Country Market & Deli The night before, pick up breakfast to go. Big Sky's local grocery has a wide range of fresh meat, produce, full deli, beer, and wine. Pick up an assortment of items to get you through your day opf adventures day ahead. 6 am Snowcoach ride to Old Faithful Interior roads are groomed for snow vehicles so to reach the park's inner circle you will hop a snowcoach for the trips remainder. Photo opportunities abound none more so than the portraits taken outside this interesting vehicle. 9 am - 3 pm Old Faitful and Upper Geyser Basin Spend the afternoon on skinny skis exploring Upper Geyser Basin. The region holds 180 of the park's 250 geysers, one of the greatest concentrations of geothermal features in the world. You'll wander over snow-laden boardwalks and paths that make a three-mile loop to Morning Glory Pool, passing some of the park's most predictable geysers along the way: Grand, Daisy and Riverside. 12 pm Lunch to go at The Snow Lodge Order when you arrive at Old Faithful to ensure your brown bag special is ready for your big day. Though be forewarned, this isn't any old brown bag special. It's a peanut butter, honey, raisin and almond on wheat. 7 pm Dinner in West Yellowstone After your return trip via snowcoach to West Yellowstone, enjoy good barbecue at the Firehole Grill on US 20 at Firehole Ave. A lively place to be on weekends. DAY 6Pedal & Picnic Tour Download Printable ItinearyPièce de résistance, coup de grâce and other dramatic French expressions cannot describe the euphoria of mountain biking Big Sky. But if you aren't into the French or grunt work for that matter, the Big Sky Resort gondola whisks bikers to a myriad of trail options. All downhill. Big Sky area: 1-5 miles one-way Scenic drive time: 10 minutes Mountain Biking Here are four rides that come highly recommended, Pierre. Please inquire at a local bikeshop for directions and trail conditions. Bike rentals are available near the gondola at Big Sky Sports or from Gallatin Alpine Sports in Mountain Village. Portal Creek to Porcupine Creek Distance: 11.6 miles Elevation gain: 2,050 feet This is the one ride everyone in Big Sky recommends. A few miles of climbing will take you to the divide between Portal and Porcupine drainages. Where a 3,000 foot vertical drop awaits. Patiently. Buck Ridge Distance: 15.4 miles Elevation gain: 1,500 feet This ride is typified by open meadows, rolling terrain and breathtaking views. Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks are in full view the entire ride. Which takes your mind off mundane things. Like pedaling or breathing. 1 pm Lunch- The Wrap Shack The Wrap Shack takes pride in making sauces and salsas from scratch. The Holy Mole and Buddha wraps are the real deal. Try The Ring of Fire salsa on a dare. And have plenty of water nearby. Slide Creek Distance: 16.0 miles Elevation gain: 2,100 feet This ride has a nice downhill singletrack that is mostly buff. Amazing views of the Sphinx, Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks abound. Chance encounters with grizzlies keep everyone on their toes. Big Sky Gondola Distance: 16.0 miles Elevation gain: 2,100 feet Transporting people and their bikes to 10,000 feet. From here mountain bikers can choose from a proliferation of great downhill trails. Where yet another choice awaits. Shall we do it again? For those new to the pursuit of epic singletrack, a spirited mix of beginner trails abounds. Ousel, Mitchner Meadows and Porcupine come to mind. Inquire at either Big Sky Sports or Grizzly Outfitters for other local rides of passage. Nightlife (if your calves allow): After a long day nowhere near the road, it seems only fitting to end the night in a roadhouse, where the food comes with one of the best views in town. The Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon is the newest live music venue in the area. Where dancing, drinking and carrying on are allowed- you just can't ride your bike. DAY 7Montana Powder Day Tour Download Printable ItineraryThere is nothing like the morning after a fresh snowfall. Unless that fresh snow falls on The Biggest Skiing in America®. Which just happens to be our backyard. Big Sky Area: 1-5 miles Scenic drive time: 10 minutes 8 am Breakfast at Blue Moon Bakery For those unworried about fresh tracks, go to the place with one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Big Sky. 9 am - 4 pm Ski Day Big Sky Resort 150+ trails spread across more than 3,600 acres on three mountains, ranking it among the nation's ten largest ski areas. A joint ticket (Lone Peak Pass) allows skiers to cross the ropes between Big Sky and Moonlight Basin totaling 5,512 acres- the largest skiable terrain in the nation. Moonlight Basin Moonlight Basin is the first new destination ski resort in the US in more than 20 years. Moonlight lures skiers and boarders searching for new trails in an unpretentious setting. The Headwaters, a massive wall of rock engraved with steep chutes and couloirs is accessible via the Headwaters Chair. And of course there are plenty of runs to entice those of the green/blue persuasion too. 12 pm Lunch at The Timbers Bar and Deli If you're looking for a place to unwind, check out The Timbers Bar. But if it's food you're after The Timbers Deli in the Moonlight Lodge has two sandwiches worth clicking out for- Monte's Reuben or Mighty Quinn. 5 pm Après Scene Options Once the sun sets, local experiences are just heating up. The Pinnacle, Carabiner and Whiskey Jack's at Big Sky Resort are favorite spots for locals and tourists alike. Here's the short list to get you started:
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