Your Weekend Guide to Billings, MT For The Girls
When you think about planning a trip with your girls, whether it be for a moms weekend away, bachelorette trip, a birthday celebration or simply a trip to reconnect with the friends that mean the most to you, you might think about all of the popular destinations you see on Instagram.
Nashville. 30A. Napa. Austin.
All great spots by the way! But there’s one spot on the map that you might not have thought of. 👀
It’s a spot that perfectly combines outdoor adventure with relaxing amenities along with major hot spots that make for the “best of both worlds” vacation.
One minute you can be in the heart of downtown with endless activities and the next you can be tucked away in your beautiful Airbnb with a mountain view, a glass of wine and your favorite rom com on the TV.
If that sounds like your perfect idea of a girls getaway, it’s time you meet Billings, MT!
Located in southern Montana along the Yellowstone River, Billings is the largest city in the state and each area offers a little something different.
I dive into each community of Billings more specifically in our Community Guide series on the blog, but if you’re simply in need of a weekend getaway with your best girlfriends, keep reading!
I’ve rounded up the best places to stay, things to do and where to eat so you don’t have to. ⬇️
Your Instagram-worthy Accommodation Options
Depending on the size of your group, a rental house will probably be your best bet so that you can have plenty of space to relax and unwind after your adventures each day.
And if you’re anything like me, I love a good Airbnb that’s “instagram-worthy” (we both know the men just don’t understand this part of it, and that’s okay! We got you covered!) so a girls trip is your chance to choose the home that has the perfect photo op. 💁🏼♀️📸
Here’s a few options to save you from hours of searching:
The Garden Hideaway located in walking distance to a coffee shop
Convenient 8 guest home located near the airport
Modern Mountain Escape in Downtown
Cozy 4 bedroom home with a hot tub
If a hotel is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with The Northern - it’s your classic downtown hotel with luxurious amenities, on site restaurants and it’s super walkable to many of the places in the following itinerary.
A Girls Weekend Guide to Billings, MT
Day 1 (Friday Evening):
Nothing commences a girls trip quite like happy hour, so once you’ve settled into your home for the weekend, make your way over to City Vineyard for a round of drinks before dinner. 🥂
This wine and craft beer shop feels like you’re stepping into a cute market in Italy and features a full tasting lounge and tapas menu.
From there, I can’t recommend Walkers enough for dinner! They serve up a mix of international cuisine and western comfort foods in a casual setting, making it the perfect place for your first night in town.
Afterwards, if you’re feeling up for a night out, I recommend grabbing tickets to a show or concert in advance.
The Alberta Bair is the best performing arts center in Billings and has classic musicals and theater shows on the calendar all year round - I recently went to see Legally Blonde and it was SO. GOOD.
If concerts are more your thing, we have our fair share of artists make their way to Billings and they always play at MetraPark Arena!
Or if you prefer to keep things a bit more casual, you can top your night off with local live music at Thirsty Street Brewing - they have a constant lineup of local acts and it’s the perfect form of entertainment for your first night in Billings!
Day 2 (Saturday):
GET IN GIRLS - we’re going shopping. And to brunch. And to find photo ops. And to drink wine. And maybe to a fun workout class.
A full Saturday in Billings with the girls is what my personal dreams are made of and there are truly SO many ways you can fill your day. To help you narrow it down, here’s what I would suggest ⬇️
First up, if your group is the active type, schedule a morning workout class or request a private party (do this in advance!) at one of Billings work out spots to kickstart your girls day - your options include:
After your sweat sesh, walk over to Sophie’s Kitchen to treat yourself with brunch and mimosas - this place is one of my absolute favorite spots and is a must try when in Billings.
While you’re in the area (this is West End by the way), go ahead and stop into RocHouse to grab a little something for yourself and Bumps n’ Bundles to shop for your little one or to grab a gift for a mom-to-be in your life.
These two shops are located within walking distance to each other and are two of my favorite boutiques in Billings!
After brunch and your first shopping excursion, head back to your AirBnb or hotel to get dressed for the day - there will be some photo ops along the way, so dress accordingly. 📸
Once you’re ready, make your way to Downtown Billings. If you’re visiting between July and October, you can stop into the Yellowstone Valley Farmer’s Market to pick up some local goods to take home with you.
Otherwise, you’ll likely find some sort of festival happening downtown (check this calendar) OR can make your own adventure with all of the shopping this area has to offer.
After walking a few blocks, you’ll probably work up an appetite for lunch, so while you’re in Downtown, I would recommend stopping into Montana Brewing Company - this brew pub is a Billings staple that’s been around since 1994 and has a great atmosphere for lunch!
Grab an after lunch treat at Big Dipper 🍦
If you’re craving a little treat after lunch, walk across the street to Big Dipper for the best ice cream in Billings.
Their tiled floors and cute neon sign are just begging for you to post on your Instagram story!
By now, you’ve lived a whole day, but we’re not done yet - if you need a midday nap, I get it!
But if you’re ready to keep the fun rolling, it’s time for some true Montana sightseeing. Located just 10 minutes from downtown is a short hiking trail called Four Dances that leads to a gorgeous view. This destination is the perfect way to get outside when the weather allows and is totally worth a visit to snap a photo!
After a day filled with walking and sightseeing, you’ll probably be ready to unwind a bit and there’s no better place to do that than at Yellowstone Cellars and Winery. 🍷
Grab a wine flight, take in the views and purchase a bottle to enjoy at the house later after your delicious dinner at The Granary.
This is a 50 year landmark in Billings and it’s a total vibe, especially after their recent remodel! They have an upscale seafood menu and the oysters are INCREDIBLE. When the weather permits, ask to sit on the patio!
Day 3 (Sunday Morning):
Sunday is usually a travel day, but I encourage you to soak in the last few hours of your time in Billings with a drive to the Rimrocks for a sunrise hike.
You can easily access a trail at Zimmerman Park and admire the views one last time before wrapping up your girls trip with brunch at Local Kitchen and donuts from Proof for the road!
This girl's trip to Billings is sure to fill the soul anytime of year and is a great way to put a unique spin on the typical type of trip you might take.
So, copy this blog link, send it in your grab chat, pick a date and pack your bags - Billings can’t wait to meet you. 👯♀️