11 Things to Do in Great Falls, Montana That Locals Actually Recommend

Locals get asked this constantly, so here's the honest short list of things to do in Great Falls Montana, in the order we'd actually send a friend.

1. Giant Springs State Park

This is the one every local sends visitors to first. Giant Springs is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country, and the short walk along the river here is hard to beat on a warm evening. It's probably the single most photographed spot on any things to do in Great Falls Montana list, and it earns it.

2. River's Edge Trail

Over 60 miles of paved and gravel trail follow the Missouri River through town. Locals use it for morning runs, evening bike rides, or just a walk with the dog after work. It connects most of the parks in town, so it's genuinely useful, not just scenic.

3. The C.M. Russell Museum

Charlie Russell lived and painted in Great Falls, and this museum holds one of the largest collections of his western art anywhere. Even people who don't think of themselves as museum people tend to spend longer here than planned.

4. Gibson Park

A classic city park right along the river, with a duck pond, mature trees, and enough open space for a picnic or a slow afternoon.

5. The Great Falls Farmers Market

Runs through the warmer months downtown, and it's become a real Saturday morning ritual for a lot of families here. Produce, local vendors, and a good excuse to walk downtown.

6. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center

This one leans educational, but it's a genuinely well done stop for understanding why Great Falls exists where it does, right at the site the Corps of Discovery had to portage around the falls.

7. The actual falls

Yes, there are waterfalls in Great Falls. Rainbow Falls and Black Eagle Falls are both worth the short drive, especially in spring when the river is running high.

8. Local breweries and the downtown food scene

Downtown has filled back in with breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants over the last several years. It's a smaller scene than Bozeman or Missoula, but it's real and it's growing.

9. Electric City Sculpture Walk

A collection of bronze sculptures scattered through downtown, worth a slow walk if you're already down there for dinner or coffee.

10. Hockey nights with the Great Falls Americans

Winters here mean hockey, and catching a game is a genuinely fun, cheap night out that a lot of newcomers don't expect to enjoy as much as they do.

11. Montana ExpoPark

Home to the state fair and a steady calendar of events throughout the year, from rodeos to concerts to smaller markets and shows.

Seasonal favorites worth planning around

Any real list of things to do in Great Falls Montana shifts with the seasons. Summer means concerts in the park, floating the Missouri, and long evenings at the farmers market. Fall brings hunting season and quieter walks on the River's Edge Trail. Winter is hockey, ice fishing, and short drives to Showdown Montana for skiing. Spring is when the falls run their hardest, and it's the best time to see why the city got its name.

Day trips worth the drive

If you've got a full weekend, the mountains are close. Glacier National Park is about a three hour drive, the Little Belts and Showdown are just over an hour, and the Missouri River breaks north of town are worth a full day for anyone into fishing or wide open country.

Ask five different locals for their favorite thing to do here and you'll get five different answers. That's usually a good sign for a town.