Bozeman is Montana’s trendiest city, and for good reason.
It has all the charm of small-town Montana, but with the entertainment and variety, we associate with bustling cities. You can enjoy boutiques, breweries, and live music, while also getting the chance to wander trails, go fly fishing, and enjoy the natural beauty Montana is so famous for.
The Best Hotels For Where To Stay In Bozeman
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To experience this great city to its full potential, you need to know which area is most suited to you.
The Best Areas To Stay in Bozeman:
- Best neighborhood for things to do: Downtown is the busiest part of Bozeman, and one of its prettiest. It’s also where you’ll find most of the city’s boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. There’s a huge amount of variety in downtown – you’ll be satisfied whether you’re looking for a brewery or a book.
- Best base for an overnight pit stop: Northeast & Northwest Bozeman follow Interstate 90 as it curls past the city, and are the closest areas to some of the region’s most popular ski resorts. With plenty of accommodation options and great amenities, these districts are ideal areas to stop when passing through on the way to Yellowstone (or elsewhere).
- Staying in Bozeman on a budget: Bozeman is one of the most expensive cities in Montana. Luckily, Montana is one of the more reasonably priced states in the US! The Treasure State Hostel in downtown is the cheapest accommodation you will find in the center, but there are a few budget-friendly motels and Airbnb’s on the outskirts as well.
- The best area for families: In typical Montanan style, Bozeman has a number of friendly neighborhoods suitable for families. West Bozeman in particular is well-suited, with plenty of parks, shops and quiet residential streets.
Bozeman Neighbourhood Guide
1. Downtown – the heart of Bozeman
Downtown Bozeman represents everything the city is about: hip bars, trendy boutiques, creative ingenuity, and a warming sense of community.
Main Street is the center of it all; art galleries and studios, music venues, bookshops, and cozy cafes are all scattered along the boulevard. For culture, there are few places better in Montana. And where a flourishing art scene usually means gritty warehouses and revitalized industrial sites, in Bozeman galleries are housed in beautiful historic buildings right in the center of town.
You can find contemporary art in the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture and the Altitude Gallery – all housed in the pretty buildings of Main Street.
You can’t visit downtown and not see the Rialto; it’s one of the most iconic buildings in Bozeman. The building, built-in 1908, has been known as the Rialto Theater since 1928. It was at the heart of the community then, and is at its heart now, even if things have changed a little. The Rialto is now a multi-purpose venue, with a vibrant bar, theater, and event space.
Most of the boutiques and shops in downtown are unique, independent, and run by locals. It doesn’t get much more unique – or pure Montana – than Head West, where you can pick up some vintage western clothing and live out all your cowboy dreams.
Head West is one of the dozens of incredible boutiques and stores downtown, there are just so many options; you could spend hours flicking through the vinyl selection at Cactus Records, or finding the perfect book in Country Bookshelf. Intrigue Ink provides a platform for local artists, selling handmade jewelry, art pieces, and custom apparel using their work and designs.
Downtown has so much variety. Whether you want to visit a museum – like the Gallatin History Museum – or go to a farmers market (which is held in Lindley Park on Tuesday evenings), there’s so much to do and see. With all the exciting restaurants, bars, and shops in the area, it’s hard to argue against downtown as Bozeman’s most fun and lively district.
Best Hotels in Downtown:
($$$) • AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown • 1.1 miles from Montana State University
($$) • Kimpton – Armory Hotel Bozeman, an IHG Hotel • 8.7 miles from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
($) • The LARK • A 6-minute drive from the Gallatin Valley Mall
Best Airbnbs in Downtown:
($$$) • Steam Shower-Luxury Linens 1 Block Off Main Street – A Beautiful Way to Stay! • Breweries, bakeries and boutiques within easy walking distance
($$) • Downtown Bozeman Bungalow – 2 blocks from Main St. • In the heart of downtown
($) • Downtown Bungalow – side door • 20 minutes to Bridger Bowl ski area
Best Hostel in Downtown:
($) • Treasure State Hostel • Central location, close to bars and restaurants
2. West Bozeman – perfect for families
West Bozeman is quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of the city – it’s been the fastest-growing area for the past few years.
It’s a fantastic area for families, with quiet suburbs, huge parks and easy access to shops. Regional Park is the centerpiece of West Bozeman; the park is a sprawling space of greenery, with a Dinosaur Park children’s playground, a dog park, and mixed-use trails that circle a series of ponds.
It’s a lovely park for young families and is easy to reach from all over West Bozeman. Other smaller parks in the district include Rose Park, Kirk Park, the Lewis and Bark Dog Park – a great space for dog owners – and the Valley West Park. The whole Valley West neighborhood is particularly pretty, and a popular area for those with young children.
As for shopping, Gallatin Valley Mall is the largest in Bozeman, with 60 stores. You will find a number of familiar brands here, as well as a movie theater and a few places to eat. Outside the mall, there are a number of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The choice is obviously less than you would find in downtown, but with the likes of thrift stores, a stained glass studio and a fly fishing shop, there is some variety.
West Bozeman is also a great base to explore the great outdoors. The area is famous for fly fishing, and there are dozens of creeks close by. You can start a number of trails in West Bozeman, and it is one of the closest sides of the city to Hyalite Creek – you can reach the popular trails of the canyon with only a short car trip.
Best Airbnbs in West Bozeman:
($$$) • Woodland Loft – Centrally Located Luxury • A few minutes from downtown by car
($$) • Mountain Waters Bungalow – West Bozeman • In Valley West neighborhood, close to trails
($) • Bridger View Bunkhouse • Steps from the Gallatin County Regional Park
3. South Side – for people wanting to explore Montana State University
