Missoula Travel Information
Missoula (population 53,000) is the cultural and economic center of
Western Montana and ranks as the state's third largest city. Home to
the University of Montana, Missoula is brimming with history,
progressive culture and is buzzing with young and active people.
The Missoula Valley is rimmed with rolling mountains on all
sides which create a bowl shaped landscape that helps Missoula
maintain fairly mild seasonal temperatures, though during the winter
months this bowl tends to propagate strong natural inversions.
Missoula is a fantastic place to be an outdoor enthusiast as a number
of excellent recreational opportunities exist year-round.
The
mighty Clark Fork River, named by the Lewis & Clark Expedition who
came through this area on both westward and eastward legs of their
journey, plots its course right through the Missoula Valley, making
this area an extremely popular destination for both fly-fishers and
river runners alike. Missoula offers miles of excellent mountain
biking, hiking and XC skiing trails that start right from the edge of
town and has two small alpine ski areas within a half hour drive of
the city center.
Missoula attracts a large number of different
national music acts throughout the year and local concerts and art
festivals are regular events. There are a number of quality art
galleries and unique artisan shops in the downtown area in which
visitors can find hours of browsing entertainment. Missoula is easily
accessed by from the east and west by I-90 and from the north and
south on interstate 93. Visitors traveling by air have their choice
of a number of domestic air carriers that offer daily service to
Missoula International Airport (Johnson Bell).
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