How to Tour Montana Without Looking like a Tourist

Montana is a beautiful tourist destination, with the fishing streams, beautiful mountains, country roads, and open spaces it is a relaxing place to visit. Here's how to fit in so that you don't get shunned by the locals. As a native of California who moved to a small town in Montana a few years ago, I've learned a few things.

Choosing a hotel

The hotels here are friendly, not often overbooked (except in fall for hunting season), clean, and cost about 1/3 of what hotels in California cost. You can find an excellent room for around $40. When checking in and talking to the hotel staff, it pays to be kind. Out here we aren't in a rat race and people are kind and helpful by default. Don't expect a fancy pants hotel, but for the most part the rooms are going to be clean and comfortable. If you have a request, state it in a nice way and it will be responded to promptly, if you are demanding and hoity-toity you will be met with hostility. Often the girl working the front desk is also the owner/housekeeper/secretary.

Eating and shopping in Montana

If you are used to fresh organic health food, head on back to California or up to Bozeman. The food in Montana is okay, but it is not quite the variety and freshness that is in other states. It is reasonably priced, though, and the service is always excellent. Shopping is getting better. The RimRock Mall in Billings is about as good as it gets, consisting of about 40 retail stores. Downtown Billings, Downtown Helena, and Bozeman also offer cute shops.

Choosing a rental car