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Yellowstone Art Museum, Montana

Rebecca Hanlon
Last Updated: March 4th, 2023

The Yellowstone Art Museum is housed in the former County jail, a heritage building. The museum dedicates itself to exhibiting contemporary and historical works from Montana and Midwest artists.

The collections help current generations preserve art-making techniques developed over generations across the Rockies.

Aside from the impressive collection at the museum, there are a wealth of activities, eateries, and accommodation to enjoy in Billings, Montana.

Yellowstone Art Museum General Information

general information
Image: Yellowstone Art Museum

Where Is The Yellowstone Art Museum?

The museum is located in the unofficial gallery district in Billings, Montana. The property sits at 401 N 27th Street.

What Are The Museum Operating Hours?

The Yellowstone Art Museum is open 6 days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday. The doors open at 10 am every day and close at 5 pm, except on Thursday. The museum extends operations for three extra hours on a Thursday and ultimately closes at 8 pm.

Furthermore, the staff keeps the doors open until 8 pm on the first Friday of every month.

When Did Yellowstone Art Museum Open?

The Yellowstone Art Museum opened its doors in 1964 in the old County jail building.

Which Artists Are In The Yellowstone Art Museum Collection?

The Yellowstone Art Museum houses several permanent exhibitions. Plus, an array of works are stored in the Visual Vault. If you wish to study any works housed in the vault, you can contact the museum to make an appointment.

Permanently exhibited artists include Bill Stockton, Edith Freeman, and Isabelle Johnson. Johnson is the most prominent artist in the collection. 826 of her works of art are proudly displayed in the museum.

Furthermore, there are four private collections exhibited at Yellowstone, such as the Peter Norton Family, Montana, and Poindexter Collection.

The latter is a trove of New York abstract impressionist gold, with works from Robert DeNiro Senior, Nell Blane, and Herman Cherry.

Is There A Restaurant At Yellowstone Museum?

Raven’s Café d’Art is the onsite restaurant at the museum. Chef Lyle crafts an offering of sandwiches and warm meals.

These hearty creations fill the appetites of art aficionados who have completed a tour of the property’s extensive collections.

Other restaurants in the vicinity include Juliano’s and Walkers. Both establishments are highly recommended. Juliano’s dishes up Asian-American fusion, while Walkers is a jazzy Bistro with a robust wine list.

Where Can I Stay When Visiting The Museum?

Billings is home to a healthy selection of lodging options ranging from hotels and motels to vacation homes.

The most sought-after room in Billings is at the Northern Hotel. It sits only 0.3-miles from the museum. If you are feeling up for it, you can take a light stroll over to the artwork.

The Best Western Plus Clock Tower is another hotel within walking distance of the Yellowstone Art collection.

Your final option within close range are the Home2 Suites by Hilton, which is approximately half a mile up the road from the museum.

Tourists traveling with a larger party may find better value in hiring out a charming Montana home.

visiting the museum

What Other Activities Are To Do Near The Yellowstone Art Museum?

A trip to the art museum will take no longer than 1 to 2 hours of your time. It depends on how much attention you pay to each work.

However, there are enough activities in and around Billings to keep you in the area for a few days. Here are a few ideas to maximize your stay on the banks of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone Cellars

A cultured way to top off a day at the Yellowstone Art Museum is to visit the local wine cellar.

Yellowstone Cellars handpicks their grapes from the Yakima Valley in Washington. After which, they are transported for more than 13-hours back to the base in Billings.

Bordeaux cultivars dominate their portfolio. However, they also carry a selection of Rhone, Tuscan, and Rioja varietals.

While you figure out which wines to sip on, there is a scrumptious selection of pizzas. Flatbreads, cheese boards, and charcuterie.

Fishing

The city of Billings sits on the banks of the Yellowstone River. As a result, residents have access to ample fishing spots with an abundance of species.

Lake, brook, and rainbow trout. In addition, you can source smallmouth bass and northern pike, which are known to traverse the waters around Billings.

If the mighty river fails to deliver, take a chance at West Rosebud or Greenough lake. Alternatively, you could venture to Bighorn river, where anglers have reported great success with sizable trout.

Kayaking

Travelers who enjoy the freedom of kayaking, paddleboarding, or rafting are in for a treat in Billings. If you do not have the equipment, Sunshine Sports rents all the gear you need for a fun day out on the water.

Hiking

Billings is not short of hiking trails for the adventurous traveler to enjoy. Two Moon Park is a relaxed trail for hikers of all skill levels to undertake. Conversely, Zimmerman Park offers diverse routes for experienced and novice hikers.

Where Can I Drink In Flathead Reservation?

Wine connoisseurs are urged to pay Yellowstone Cellars. In addition, there are two mouthwatering drinking holes for beer drinkers to enjoy.

Canyon Creek opened its doors 22-years ago and continues to quench the thirst of visitors and locals. The bar boasts 17 brews on taps.

Of course, if beer is your thing, you cannot leave Billings without stopping in at The Montana Brewing Company. Tourists searching for a potent cup of buzz should read our guide to the best coffee in Billings.

When Is The Best Time To Yellowstone Art Museum?

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday all year. However, it is closed on public holidays. Spring and summer are favorable seasons to visit the Yellowstone Art Museum.

That is because it opens up an array of activities for you to enjoy. These activities include hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Conclusion

Yellowstone Art Museum takes locals and visitors on a journey through the evolution of art-making techniques in the Northern Rockies region. The state-of-the-art facility houses an array of historical and contemporary works from acclaimed local artists.

Besides the local flavor, the Museum stocks a few works from famed American artists such as Robert DeNiro Senior, Nell Blane, and Herman Cherry.

Outside of the art gallery, Billings, Montana, is a quaint town located on the banks of the Yellowstone River. It offers a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer and winter.

Plus, the eateries, breweries, and wineries will keep you well hydrated during your stay.

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About The Author

Rebecca Hanlon

Rebecca has been a travel blogger and editor for over 5 years, working with some of the biggest brands in industry. She’s taught English as a foreign language in 5 different countries, and her most fulfilling role was as a tour guide around some of Europe’s finest vineyards. She the one behind the social channels here at Discovering Montana, whilst also finding the time to perform an assistant editor role.

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