These crisp, fall months practically beg us to curl up in front of a warm fire, safely protected from the harsh elements outside. What’s better than curling up someone special and focusing on romance? In Montana, there’s one romantic getaway destination that outshines the rest. The charming town of Missoula, Montana, imbues a sense of adventure and romance around every street corner and in every restaurant and shop. Spend your days browsing the boutique shops in downtown Missoula, enjoying a glass of Missoula’s finest craft beer, or enjoying an adventure whilst taking in the magnificent fall foliage. No matter how you choose to spend your time, theres no better place to reconnect than our Missoula Bed and Breakfast. Book your room today.
Learn About Missoula Montana’s Nature
Learn about Missoula, Montana’s nature from three local places. First, step into Elk Country at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is more than just a museum; it’s an experience that reveals the beauty, diversity and importance of elk country across North America. They are open year-round and admission is FREE!
Opening and securing public access is a key component of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s mission. Since 1984, the foundation has opened, secured or improved public access to more than 911,000 acres of elk habitat across the country for hunters, hikers, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation continually seeks ways to enhance hunter opportunity by working with landowners, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state agencies, and conservation partner groups. Their public access tools include land projects, easements, land exchanges and contributions.
Next, find out about smokejumpers. They are highly trained specialists who parachute into remote areas of national forest to fight the spread of wildfires. The nation’s largest training base for smokejumpers is located right here in Missoula. The remodeled (1992) visitor center at the depot offers updated displays, dioramas, and videos related to suppressing fires.
Guided tours are given of the parachute loft and training facilities. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The tour lasts about forty-five minutes to an hour. The minimum time to visit the depot without a tour is twenty minutes. Admission is free, but they accept donations.
The Smokejumper Center is located at 5765 West Broadway Street in Missoula, Montana. Take the Airway Boulevard Exit and follow the signs to eh Smokejumper Base located a half-mile west of the airport.
Next, you can visit the Montana Natural History Center. Their mission is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of nature through education. Founded in 1991, MNHC was the brainchild of a group of educators who were involved in various efforts to educate both kids and adults about the natural history of western Montana, and who decided to unite those efforts into one environmental education organization.
The Montana Natural History Center was originally housed on the University of Montana campus, then moved to Fort Missoula, and at last has a permanent home at 120 Hickory Street, near McCormick Park in the heart of Missoula.
The Montana Natural History Center provides nature education programming for people of all ages through summer camps, kids’ activities, Visiting Naturalist in the Schools, Master Naturalist certification courses and Field Days, evening lectures, Field Notes on Montana Public Radio, Center Visits, and more. They welcome visitors to stop by and learn a lot about Montana’s natural history!
Guests of Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast in Missoula are conveniently located to all three fun, educational places. Hosts Brady and Elaine prepare a fresh, delicious gourmet breakfast each morning.
Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
Golf on the Greens of Missoula
Larchmont Golf Course in Missoula, Montana
Golf on the greens of Missoula, Montana. With several golf courses in the immediate Missoula area (and more located nearby), players can find a course that will meet their golfing abilities. Choose from 9 or full 18-hole courses.
LARCHMONT GOLF COURSE
3200 Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT
406-721-4416
Larchmont is an 18-hole championship golf course located in the heart of the Missoula valley. Well known for its immaculate playing conditions, large undulating greens, deep bunkers, and splendid mountain views. Larchmont traditionally is open for play from mid-March through mid-November, operating from dawn until dusk during their peak season.
Larchmont offers a scenic and challenging experience for players of all skill levels. Our five sets of tees play from 5500 yards to 7100 yards with a par of 72. They are a walker friendly course with relatively flat terrain and short distances between greens and tees.
Larchmont boasts an excellent practice facility with a full length driving range, two large putting greens, and a short game area with a chipping green and practice bunker.
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA GOLF COURSE
515 South Avenue East
Missoula, MT
406-728-8629
A community treasure, nestled against Mount Sentinel, the course offers championship golfing in a spectacular setting. Originally known as the Missoula Country Club, the University of Montana Golf Course is the oldest course in the city, established in 1924. Open seasonally 7 days a week from dawn till dusk.
The University of Montana Golf Course is located one mile south of UM’s main campus, on one of the last open spaces in the Missoula valley. The 9-hole triple tee course crosses flat ground and is teeming with mature tree-lined fairways. Deer and other wildlife are common, as well as outlying areas reclaimed as Native prairie. The U of M course is fun and affordable and caters to golfers of all ages and abilities.
HIGHLANDS GOLF CLUB
102 Ben Hogan Drive
Missoula, Montana 59803
406-721-GOLF
The Highlands Golf Club offers the golfer an experience unlike any other in Missoula. With astounding views of the Missoula Valley, and a layout that places a premium on shot making, the challenge of The Highlands evokes the true spirit of the game.
The Highlands features nine regulation length holes with eighteen tee positions, a full service pro-shop and lounge, and friendly staff eager to meet your needs.
THE RANCH CLUB
8501 Ranch Club Road
Missoula, MT
406-532-1000
Unparalleled links golf is the centerpiece of The Ranch Club experience. This Les Furbur designed course takes you along curving hillsides and around remarkable water features. The course itself was designed to not disrupt the natural setting providing unobstructed views of the Missoula valley in all directions. The course is enhanced by the stunning surroundings.
If you look any farther than the next hole ahead, you’ll be greeted by distant mountains on all sides, below billowing white clouds in the bluest of Montana’s skies. The golf course at The Ranch Club is primarily accessible to members and their hosted guests; however, non-members may utilize the course up to 6 times per year without a host.
Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast offers a relaxing retreat. Golfers (and non-golfers alike) love to vacation here in Missoula, Montana. Hosts Brady and Elaine enjoy welcoming guests from all over the world.
Luke Bryan Concert
Luke Bryan Concert is coming to Missoula. For his Kill the Lights tour, Luke Bryan will be performing at the Adams Center (32 Campus Drive in Missoula) on the University of Montana campus. His concerts happen on Wednesday April 20 and Thursday April 21 from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Luke explains how his tour-titled track, Kill the Lights came to be in this YouTube video. You can even tell that he has a great singing voice just by hearing him speak. He has a sexy voice!
Hear Luke Bryan sing his hit song, Kill The Lights. The song lyrics show up on the screen as well as some images of him performing in front of fans.
During preparations for his performances at the MusiCares Gala and the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards® where he paid tribute to music icon Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan learned his Kill The Lights album has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200, his third consecutive album to do so, and Top Country Albums charts.
Kill The Lights contains Luke’s two-week No. 1 single “Home Alone Tonight” featuring Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town and closed 2015 as the best-selling country album of the year and the 10th biggest selling album on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Year-End list.
Luke Bryan was also nominated for four different i-Heart Radio Music Awards:
Male Artist of the Year:
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Luke Bryan
Sam Smith
The Weeknd
Best Tour:
Foo Fighters
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift
U2
Country Song of the Year:
“Buy Me A Boat” – Chris Janson
“Homegrown” – Zac Brown Band
“I See You” – Luke Bryan
“Lose My Mind” – Brett Eldredge
“Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt
Country Artist of the Year:
Blake Shelton
Brad Paisley
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
The 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards are set to take place on April 3rd, at the historic Forum in Los Angeles, and will be televised live on TBS, TNT, and truTV at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT., as well as simulcast on iHeartMedia stations nationwide, and on the iHeartRadio digital music platform.
When you see the Luke Bryan Concert, be sure to stay with hosts Brady and Elaine at their Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast. Their relaxing and romantic retreat always pleases their happy guests.
Written by Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
International Wildlife Film Festival 2016
The 39th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival happens at Roxy Theater at 718 S. Higgins Avenue in Missoula, Montana starting on Saturday April 16 through Saturday 23, 2016.
The WildWalk Parade (which is free to the public) happens Sunday April 17 starting at noon. Dance, crawl, swing, and slither through downtown Missoula as the wildlife parade roars down Higgins ending at Caras Park for WildFest!
The International Wildlife Film Festival’s mission is to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people and nature through excellence in film, television and other media. Their mission is fulfilled through outreach and education, and includes the following programs:
IWFF, our annual wildlife and conservation themed film festival
The Roxy’s community cinema program, a year round calendar of community-centric films and events
The Montana Film Academy, specializing in youth filmmaking and media education.
Throughout the year they serve a diverse, all-ages population – their constituency ranges from grade school children to elders. Their programming offers a rich variety of possibilities, from wildlife and environmental film and new and classic fiction and documentaries, to live music, poetry, performance and other cultural offerings.
The IWFF began in 1977 at the University of Montana. They have produced an annual wildlife themed film festival each year since 1977, making them the first and longest running event of its kind. In 2002, they purchased the historic Roxy Theater to act as the anchor/home for the festival.
While IWFF presented their annual event each year, and some occasional programming, the true potential for the venue was not realized until the summer of 2013 when we launched their year-round screening series and began extensive collaboration with universities, businesses and the local Missoula community.
IWFF is a non-profit that serves other non-profits by providing a venue and a gateway for the community. The Roxy is a unique venue with incredible resources including three cinema screens with HD projection, state-of-the-art sound systems, two stages and amenities ideal for conferences, film festivals and educational events.
When you visit Missoula to attend the International Wildlife Film Festival, be sure to stay at the peaceful Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast. Hosts Brady and Elaine offer wonderful hospitality and luxurious accommodations. Wake up to savor their gourmet breakfasts made fresh each morning.
Written by Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
Mamma Mia in Missoula!
Mamma Mia in Missoula! A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! The ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise.
So what is the show about, you ask? On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is the World’s No.1 Show!
You may recall a movie version of Mamma Mia! starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfriend, Christine Bananski, Stellan Skarsgard, and Julie Walters. That was released in July 2008.
On Friday, March 25, 2016 at 8:00 pm at the Adams Center, Mamma Mia the musical is showing as part of the Missoula Live Series on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, Montana. You will not want to miss this!
Poised at the base of Mount Sentinel on the beautiful University of Montana campus, the Adams Center is a proud Missoula icon, providing diverse entertainment in the mountains of Western Montana since the 1950s.
Named for and dedicated to Harry F. Adams who devoted 44 years of service to UM, the Adams Center underwent a $15 million renovation in 1998 to make improvements to the arena and add the auxiliary facility that now holds the East and West Auxiliary Gyms and the Grizzly Hall of Champions.
The Adams Center is now a hub for entertainment in Western Montana, from Grizzly Athletics and University of Montana events to meetings, conferences, trade shows, live theater and concerts.
Hosts Brady and Elaine Anderson-West invite you to stay at their restful retreat called Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast right here in Missoula. Their gorgeous inn overlooks the Bitterroot River and features majestic mountain views. Each morning guests savor a fresh gourmet breakfast cooked to perfection.
Written by Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2016
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Fri Feb 19 2016 – Sun Feb 28 2016, All Day
The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has become the largest cinema event in Montana and the premiere venue for non-fiction film in the American West. The festival draws an audience of 20,000 and receives over 1400 film entries from every corner of the globe.
BSDFF offers a unique setting for filmmakers to premiere new work and for audiences to see innovative new films, as well as classics in the genre. BSDFF hosts over 100 visiting artists, and screens an average of 140 nonfiction films annually at the historic Wilma Theater, The Top Hat, The Roxy Theater, and Crystal Theatre in downtown Missoula.
In addition to documentary screenings, public events include panel discussions, workshops, pitch sessions, parties and receptions. Special retrospective programs have included the films of Academy Award® winning director Barbara Kopple, The Maysles Brothers, Frederick Wiseman, Joe Berlinger, Doug Pray, Kartemquin Films, and Les Blank.
Special guests have included Indy Rock legends Yo La Tengo, Comedian Tig Notaro, Academy Award® winning director Steve James (Hoop Dreams), Les Blank (Burden of Dreams), Greg Barker (Sergio), Joe Berlinger (Crude), Ron Mann (Grass), Brendan Canty & Christoph Green (the Burn To Shine series) Chuck Workman (The Life & Times of Andy Warhol) Hart & Dana Heinz Perry (Sex: The Revolution).
Recent Award winners at the festival have included Siblings are Forever (Frode Fimland), A World Not Ours (Mahdi Fleifel), This Way Of Life (Thomas Burstyn), Steam of Life (Joonas Berghäll & Mika Hotakainen), Blood Brother (Steve Hoover), Chasing Ice (Jeff Orlowski), Last Train Home (Lixin Fan), Sweetgrass (Ilisa Barbash & Lucien Castaing-Taylor), Gasland (Josh Fox), Rough Aunties (Kim Longinotto), Ashes of American Flags (Brendan Canty & Christoph Green), In A Dream (Jeremiah Zagar), and Bronx Princess (Yoni Brook & Musa Syeed).
Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast of Missoula, Montana welcomes you to stay at their mountain retreat. Film lovers across the globe will be visiting Missoula, Montana to see the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Choose a beautiful and restful setting with mountain vistas and Bitterroot River views.
Written by Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
Stomp in Missoula Montana
Stomp in Missoula Montana to witness STOMP perform live at the Adam Center on University of Montana campus. On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 7:30 pm the inventive and invigorating stage show that’s dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.
Percussion instruments are some of the oldest music-makers in the world, perhaps only second to the human voice itself. This diverse family of instruments is integral to music in every known culture, and includes a vast array of musical sounds. A “percussion instrument” is any instrument whose sound is generated via striking, rubbing, shaking or otherwise impacting a surface to create audible vibrations. Stomp has a gift for taking ordinary objects and turn them into incredible beats.
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, utterly unique, and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.
The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.
Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast hosts guests from many different areas of the world. Guests visit Missoula to experience outstanding performances, witness competitive sports, walk historic trails, ski beautiful snow, taste delicious cuisine, shop incredible retail, and so much more! Blue Mountain B&B guests enjoy being near to all the fun while still being at a gorgeous and peaceful mountain setting with views of the Bitterroot River.
Written by Kristi Dement of Bed and Breakfast Blogging
U of Montana Griz Basketball 2016
The University of Montana Griz Basketball teams, both mens and womens, attracts a lot of fans. Did you know that both the mens and womens head basketball coaches were also Grizzlies basketball players? In Big Sky Country, they play to win the Big Sky Conference.
Travis DeCuire was formally introduced as the University of Montana’s 27th men’s head basketball coach in June of 2014, at a press conference in University of Montana’s Adams Center. DeCuire and the 2014-15 Griz went on to surpass all expectations, leading UM to a 20-win season and a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title.
As a point guard for Montana from 1992-94 DeCuire was named All-Big Sky Conference as a junior and senior. He set a school record in just three seasons with 435 career assists. He also established UM’s single-season mark with 199 assists as a senior in 1993-94, when he was ranked 12th in the nation, averaging 7.1 assists a game.
He was the recipient of the Grizzlies’ Carl Dragstedt Award (MVP) as a junior (he shared it with forward Matt Kempfert that season) and senior, and received the John Eaheart Award (Outstanding Defensive Player) following his senior year.
Mens Griz local games left in the regular season:
Jan. 21 Idaho Missoula, Montana 7 pm
Jan. 23 Eastern Washington Missoula, Montana 7 pm
Feb. 4 Montana State Bozeman, Montana 7 pm
Feb. 11 Southern Utah Missoula, Montana 7 pm
Feb. 13 Northern Arizona Missoula, Montana 7 pm
Feb. 20 Montana State Missoula, Montana 7 pm
Mar. 3 North Dakota Missoula, Montana 8 pm
Mar. 5 Northern Colorado Missoula, Montana 2 pm
Big Sky Conference Tournament in Reno, Nevada:
Mar. 8 First Round Games
Mar. 10 Quarterfinal Games
Mar. 11 Semifinal Games
Mar. 12 Championship Game
Last year, Head Ladies Basketball Coach Robin Selvig, won Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. A graduate of University of Montana in 1974, Coach Selvig has been coaching the Lady Griz basketball team for the last 37 years and has coached over 845 winning games!
The 2014-2015 Lady Griz Basketball won the Big Sky Conference with 14 wins and only 4 losses. They made it to the 2015 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, but lost to Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The 2015-16 season is Robin Selvig’s 38th year as coach of the Lady Griz and his 43rd year at Montana as either a player or coach at his alma mater. He enters the season with a record of 845-275, an average of more than 22 wins per year.
The Assistant Coaches are also graduates of the University of Montana:
Shannon Schweyen (Montana, ’93), 24th year
Trish Duce (Montana, ’93, ’95), 22nd year
Sonya Stokken (Montana, ’09), 3rd year
Lady Griz local games left in the regular season:
Jan. 14 Thurs. Northern Colorado Missoula, Montana 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 Sat. North Dakota Missoula, Montana 2 p.m.
Jan. 30 Sat. Montana State Bozeman, Montana 2 p.m.
Feb. 4 Thurs. Sacramento State Missoula, Montana 7 p.m.
Feb. 6 Sat. Portland State Missoula, Montana 2 p.m.
Feb. 20 Sat. Montana State Missoula, Montana 2 p.m.
Feb. 25 Thurs. Idaho State Missoula, Montana 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 Sat. Weber State Missoula, Montana 2 p.m.
Big Sky Conference Tournament in Reno, Nevada:
March 7 Mon. First-round games
March 9 Wed. Quarter final games
March 11 Fri. Semi final games
March 12 Sat. Championship game
Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast in Missoula welcomes guests to stay at our luxurious and scenic mountain retreat. Overlooking the Bitterroot River and enjoying gorgeous mountain vistas, our guests love coming to stay with us.
While we are located in a quiet setting, we are also just a fifteen-minute car ride from the University of Montana campus in Missoula. Guests can enjoy watching our Montana Griz basketball games during their stay with us.
Missoula Montana Wineries
Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery (pictured above) has been growing wine grapes in the Rattlesnake Valley since 1998 and making wine since 2003. By using solar power as well as locally grown fruit and grapes, they have shown a commitment to making unique wine styles in a sustainable manner. All of their wines are certified organic with no added sulfites and “Made in Montana.” Their tasting room, located at 4175 Rattlesnake Drive, is open November-March on Saturdays from 4-9pm and April-October: on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 4-9 pm. Call 406-549-8703.
The Missoula Winery, located at 5646 W Harrier in Missoula, features two signature wines: their Soul Red (a lovely blend of Grenache and Tempranillo, a well rounded wine for all occasions) and their Missoula White (a wonderfully fruity white wine on the drier side, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc). They host unforgettable events and even have a wine club. Call 406-830-3296.
Wanting to eat in a soothing wine bar atmosphere? Some local Missoula restaurants can recommend the perfect meal to match the perfect bottle of wine:
- At Red Bird, located at 11 N. Higgins Avenue Suite #100, you can either partake in the full dining experience with their fine dining section, or you can stick to something light at their wine bar. If you choose the bar, don’t miss out on the delicious fondue – cheese or chocolate. Their restaurant hours are Tues-Sat from 5:00-9 ish and wine bar hours are Mon-Sat from 5:00-10 ish. Contact: 406-549-2906.
- New to Missoula, Plonk Wine, located at 322 N. Higgins Avenue, offers a great selection of fine wines as well as a full bar menu. For a lighter portion of food, try the chef’s cheese board with your drinks. It comes with a variety of cheeses and fresh bread. Their restaurant hours are Sun-Mon. from 4 pm to close and Tues.-Sat. 11:30 am to close. Every night they serve food until midnight. Contact: 406-926-1791.
If you just want to buy some local wines and you want to know where the best selections are, try some of these local Missoula spots:
Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography
Looking for a relaxing stay in Missoula? Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast offers scenic views of majestic mountains and the gorgeous Bitterroot River. Guests enjoy a gourmet breakfast each morning. Hosts Elaine and Brady welcome you to stay at their lovely bed and breakfast inn.
