Your Weekend Guide to Billings, MT with Your Kids
Have you ever sat down to plan a family vacation and your mind instantly goes to all of the popular beach destinations or hot spots that you’ve traveled to for most of your life?
As much as you want to go somewhere new, it can be hard to think outside of the box and it feels easier to just stick to what you know.
The only problem with traveling to the popular spots is that they can become overcrowded real quick and as you start your search you might find that the time of year you desire can be insanely expensive for a space that fits all of your needs… especially if the whole fam is tagging along!
And even worse, a lot of the best spots tend to get booked up months in advance.
So, you either end up settling for something that’s not exactly what you had in mind, you spend entirely too much money on just the accommodations or you call it quits on the planning because it’s more of a headache than it’s really worth.
But what if I told you that there is a way you can vacation with your kids this year to a place that’s less crowded AND less expensive?
And the best part? You don’t have to plan it alone 👀
Picture this 📸: you book a gorgeous mountain AirBnb that’s spacious enough for the whole family, you fill your days with adventure, sightseeing and kid friendly activities WITHOUT having to fight the crowds, which means you get a vacation filled with more joy from everyone!
That’s the picture you want to see, isn’t it?
Well friend, that’s possible for you with the Weekend Guide to Billings blog series!
Throughout this series, I’ll be highlighting different places to stay, things to do, where to eat and of course all of the sights for you to check off your list when you find yourself in Billings, Montana.
And no, I’m not a travel agent. I’m simply a Billings Realtor that’s super passionate about helping you intentionally explore all of the greatness that the area has to offer with ease.
In this Weekend Guide specifically, we’re covering all things for you to do in Billings with your kiddos.
Book Your Stay
Depending on your situation, an AirBnb might be the way to go when you’re traveling with kiddos because everyone can have their own designated space just like they do at home! No sharing beds or makeshifting a crib - all of the parents, say amen 🙌🏻
Instead, you can bring everything you need to make it feel like the environment that everyone is used to, which makes for a perfect night’s sleep!
For your trip to Billings, there are a few notable AirBnb options that have tons of room for the whole family:
The Garden Hideaway (located in walking distance to a coffee shop!)
Cozy Downtown Home (with a hot tub and kids outside play area)
Modern Mountain Escape in Downtown
Newly Built Home located alongside the Yellowstone River
But if you’re the type that loves a hotel and it works for your family, look no further than Big Horn Resort. This resort is home to Montana’s largest indoor waterpark, The Reef, and features multiple pools, water slides, wave pools and tons of play areas that are perfect for the littles!
Your Weekend Itinerary to Billings, MT with Your Kids
This 3 day itinerary has been crafted for you to enjoy a fun filled weekend in Billings with your kiddos!
It’s packed full of kid friendly adventure, sightseeing and classic Montana moments that you can’t find anywhere else.
Day 1 (Friday Evening):
Upon your arrival at your home away from home, unpack and settle in before heading out to explore all of the fun that Billings has to offer.
Since travel day can be a little tiring for everyone, especially your little ones, you can keep things casual on night one with a few downtown favorites.
Everyone will probably be hungry, so kick off your weekend in Billings with a trip to DiamondX Beer Co.
It’s one of the best brewpubs in town offering a full menu in a family friendly environment, so you can unwind with a local beer and the kids can enjoy games while you all snack on classic bites, like burgers, wings, pizza and mac n cheese that’s to die for!
Before closing out your first night in town, treat the kids to a trip to Candy Town USA. This is the largest candy store and old-fashioned soda shop in Montana where you’ll find delicious caramel apples, chocolate fudge, gourmet candies and out of this world milkshakes!
Day 2 (Saturday):
After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to gear up for a day full of adventure throughout Billings and the surrounding areas. And a full day will of course start with some of the best breakfast in town!
Billings has some of the best brunch spots in town, but the place that goes to the top of my list when you’re eating out with kids is Bernie’s Diner.
This downtown staple is a fun spot providing your traditional diner experience with classic food favorites that the whole family can enjoy!
After breakfast, it’s time for your fun filled day ahead. Since you’re already downtown, your first stop will be the Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum.
Here you’ll find a ton of education along with playful hands-on exhibits that can truly entertain your kids for hours! It’s the perfect spot, especially on cold or rainy days.
After a few hours at the museum, let’s be real, the kids will probably be hungry again! If so, make your way to Topz Sandwich Shop. It’s your classic soup and sandwich spot that has favorites for the whole family.
There’s a few locations throughout Billings, but I’d suggest visiting the one closest to your next destination: ZooMontana.
A true Billings classic, ZooMontana is a 70-acre wildlife park and is actually Montana’s ONLY zoo and botanical park. It’s another stop that is perfect for the kids and will entertain them for hours.
After the zoo, if the kids are still up for more adventure, it’s time for some Billings sightseeing. Located just 5 miles south of town, you’ll find Pictograph Cave State Park which consists of three caves with trails for easy exploring!
If you want to stick to something closer by, a trip to Riverfront Park for a stroll is a must. This park is located near a notable neighborhood, Josephine Crossing, and offers beautiful trail and walking areas centered around Lake Josephine.
If that’s not in the cards, no worries! Head back to your AirBnb so the kids can take a nap and you can rest your feet before you head back out for dinner and one last adventure.
All throughout Billings, there are towns of restaurants and brewpubs and you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them, but if you’re searching for one last dinner spot to remember your trip by, I’d recommend Samurai Hibachi - it’s the best hibachi in town and is such a fun dinner experience for kids!
After dinner, top off your trip with a special dessert at Big Dipper or grab a classic Montana treat at Soda Station - you can’t go wrong with either!
And if you’re looking for one last activity, here’s a few options:
Catch a kid friendly show at the Billings Studio Theatre
Rock Climbing at Steep World
Trampoline Jumping at Get Air - a kids ultimate playground!
Keep things casual with a trip to Scheels - from the outside it looks like another sporting goods store, but you’ll be shocked to find a family fun experience as soon as you walk in, including an indoor ferris wheel and various interactive games that’s perfect for a kids night out
Day 3 (Sunday morning):
Before you close out your trip and make your way home, enjoy one last breakfast in Billings at Proof Donuts and Coffee - they have all the donut flavors that your heart desires!
Hopefully you can see how a trip to Billings, MT for a weekend with your kids isn’t totally crazy. In fact there’s plenty of ways to fill your days and you won’t run short of things to do, places to eat or sights to see.
These are the highlights that I would recommend to anyone visiting with their kids and my hope is that this guide helps you navigate the area and make memories with ease!
See you soon. 🤩