Despite how much time I spend traveling, very little of it is spent exploring new places in the United States. I have a tendency and frequent desire to explore foreign countries when I have the chance, rather than destinations in my own backyard. That made a quick weekend trip to Bozeman, Montana this past October an absolutely wonderful surprise and delight, despite the frigid temps. If you’ve got a hankering to visit Montana, I have the perfect itinerary for you for two days in Bozeman and make sure you pack that puffy!

Two Days in Bozeman

With an easy to access airport, incredibly reliable transportation options that are far more charming than UBER or LYFT, and an incredibly walkable town, Bozeman is the perfect weekend getaway whether it be summer, fall, winter or spring.  There’s skiing nearby in Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone a short drive away if you want to expand upon your time there, the Chico Hot Springs Day Spa and Resort is there to keep you warm on those crisp fall days.

Downtown Bozeman
Two Days in Bozeman

Fun fact: there are a strange amount of things named Lindley in Bozeman and it’s because one of the town’s founders was a Lindley!  Joseph Lindley was well known for his colorful language (shocker), a feud with another local over his land when it was flooded, and as a real estate broker, for starting and owning a few blocks of the property in downtown Bozeman.  He established Lindley Place, an exclusive residential area and was a member of the first Bozeman City Council and president of the Chronicle Publishing Company.

STAY

  • The LARK is an absolutely charming boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown that is the perfect launchpad for two days in Bozeman.  The detail they’ve put into renovating this old-fashioned motel is adorable.  Every room has its own unique art and features. The staff is adventurous and accommodating.  There is coffee in the lobby every morning and Malin and Goetz toiletries to accompany the large, spacious glass walled showers.  You are given and adventure journal upon arrival to keep track of all your fun and the lamps, desk and other accessories in the rooms are oh-so-stylish.
The Lark Bozeman

EAT

  • Take a walk while you’re feeling sparky on Saturday morning up for breakfast pastries at Wild Crumb, a family bakery started by two twin sisters, and coffee next door at Treeline Coffee Roasters, a sustainably sourced coffee roaster that Food and Wine magazine called the “Best Coffee in Montana.”
  • If it’s freezing out and you need a bit of a warm up, head to Tanoshii, a Japanese inspired restaurant featuring inventive and delightful takes on traditional Japanese soul food with dishes like ramen, seasonal vegetables, and Japanese style curries.
  • When you’re hungover on Sunday after raging up and down main street, head down and saddle up to the diner counter at the tiny and traditional The Western for “simple food, simple environment, and simple comforts.”
Bozeman Montana

DRINK

  • Grab an afternoon Irish cocktail or beer at the very traditional and old school Pub 317. If you’re hungry, the pizza joint that adjoins it has one of the best slices I’ve had in recent memory. It’s a classic Irish pub located in a historic hotel and it offers the ambiance and coziness you would expect.
  • Class it up a bit later that night with a glass of wine at Plonk, an urban wine bar with plenty of seating and an expansive menu by the glass.

EXPLORE

There is no shortage of shopping up and down the Main Street to fill two days in Bozeman, but here’s a small sample of some of our favorites from the weekend.

  • Vargo’s Jazz City and Books is filled to the brim with unusual finds, vinyl records and character. Wacky vibes free.
  • The historic Ellen Theater offers regional plays, musicals, and feature films in it’s gilded halls. It opened in 1919 as a theater for vaudville and today it retains it’s history, charm and tiny red seats.
  • The Main Street Market offers a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, drinks and curated shopping at unique boutique stands.  It’s the perfect spot to stop for a snack, pick up some gifts and while away the afternoon.
  • REVOLVR Menswear had some of the most well curated selections of men’s fashion that I’ve ever come across in a boutique store AND you get a beer sample while you shop.
  • Make sure you walk on down past (or through) Bozeman’s beautiful public library and cruise through Lindley !!!! Park.
Downtown Bozeman

The Nitty Gritty

  • If you’re flying into the area and renting a car, the best airport is the Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport.
  • You don’t need a car in downtown Bozeman unless you want to go explore nearby national parks and hot springs.
  • If you do forgo a car, utilize locally owned Bridger Taxi Service to get around. We met the owner and his wife and they were wonderful welcoming folks with a fantastic little business, great service and on demand rides.
Two Days in Bozeman

Have camera, will travel!  Travel fuels my soul and it’s my number one goal in life to explore as many places as I can.  If you’re looking for other travel inspiration, I have other travel guides on my blog.