Missoula, MT – A Thriving Bastion Of Culture And Creativity

Missoula, MT is a thriving bastion of culture and creativity, nicely nestled at the convergence of five mountain valleys. The name, “Missoula” comes from the Salish word “nmesuletkw” which roughly translates to “place of frozen water”.

Beginning as Hellgate Trading Post in 1860, the construction of Fort Missoula in 1877 and the arrival of the of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 provided stability and economic growth to the burgeoning settlement. When the time came to establish Montana’s first university, Missoula was chosen and the University of Montana was constructed in 1893. Since then, Missoula, Montana’s population and culture have only continued to grow and flourish in the beautiful mountain city.

At an elevation of 3,209 ft, Missoula and its surrounding mountain peaks provide a breathtaking and picturesque alpine atmosphere for which Western Montana is known and loved. Hulking cedars rise skyward and extend their branches to embrace the sun. The wooded areas surrounding the town are rife with wildlife, ranging from Whitetail deer and marmots to cougars and even black bears.

The Clarkfork and Bitterroot Rivers provide cool, clear homes for Cutthroat and Bull Trout, as well as nesting grounds for a variety of birds and waterfowl. Due to its location to the west of the Rocky Mountains, Missoula’s climate is influenced by the warmer, moist air of the Pacific Ocean, and thus experiences milder winters than the rest of Montana. Summers are usually beautiful (at least early on), but can turn dry and smoky by late July due to the prevalence of wildfires in the surrounding areas. As a result, Wildland Firefighting is an important industry in the area.

Missoula is often considered Montana’s cultural hub, and includes individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. College students and business people coexist happily with artists and musicians, and are often one and the same. The streets are abuzz with joggers, bikers, and other active individuals–many citizens are passionate about alternative transportation and concerned with minimizing the city’s collective carbon footprint, while at the same time staying healthy.

Downtown Missoula is especially rich in culture, with a whole host of artists, musicians, innovators, and venues that provide color and eclecticism to the city. Designers and creators are aplenty; boutiques like Betty’s Divine and custom jewelry makers like Honey Jewelers are at the forefront of unique and diverse clothing and accessories, very often featuring the designs of local creatives. Missoula is also home to a vibrant and growing music scene, with venues like the Wilma and the Top Hat featuring well known live acts, and underground bands playing house shows and bars spanning the breadth of the town.

Whether you’re a hiker or fisherman, logger or firefighter, author or painter, skier or snowboarder, or any and all in between, you’ll find something to love about Missoula. From enjoying the host of fine dining establishments, to seeing an arthouse film at the Roxy Theater (est. 1937), and enjoying the vibrant natural beauty of its surroundings, the city has something to offer anyone and everyone. Visit Missoula, Montana today, and join the growing number of individuals that come for a visit and stay for life!