Local Area Guide: Things to do / Activities / Attractions
The Bitterroot Valley is a vibrant scene of modern-day cultural events, western heritage, and Native American history. Summer weekends are jammed with things to do, from rodeos, fairs, and small-town parades to Scottish Games and the Renaissance Fair. There are interpretive Moon Walks and birding trips, music festivals and wildlife lectures, children's field days and dancing. Hamilton's Farmers Market always makes for a lively Saturday morning. On the first Friday evening of the month, stroll through Stevensville's popular First Friday. The Ravalli County Museum and Historic St. Mary's Mission and Museum are treasure troves of history, excellent exhibits, and accompanying events. Hamilton's grand Performing Arts Center offers a spectacular range of evening engagements. Our two charming thespian theaters, Hamilton Players Inc. and Stevensville Playhouse play to full houses.
Wherever you choose to stay in the Bitterroot Valley, you`re close to the top activities and attractions that draw visitors to our scenic part of Montana year round. Explore the best of the Bitterroot Valley with Sweet Sage MT!
If you`ve come to Montana and the Bitterroot in search of fish then Conner should be on your itinerary. It`s also home to the first ranger station in the United States and the oldest Ponderosa Pine in the Bitterroot.
This quaint community is home to the Teller Wildlife Refuge and a small town charm that is hard to pass up. Its name is derived from the French words for heart and valley and that pretty much gives you a good idea of what it`s like.
With it`s distinct western architecture, you can feel the lingering presence of the gold rush at every turn in this thriving little community. You`ll also find a healthy variety of shops, restaurants and access to Lake Como.
Initially settled by Irish immigrants in 1889 and later followed by German settlers, Florence was originally known as One Horse. This must have been an attempt at irony as this bustling community included a general store, blacksmith, railroad station and as many as a hundred carloads of wheat coming through a day. Today more than a 1,000 people call it home.
You can walk in the footsteps of Calamity Jane here in the Bitterroot`s largest town. Originally the creation of copper magnate, Marcus Daly, today Hamilton is the business center of the valley, and a lively one at that. With the county fair, micro-brew festival and Daly Days along with an emerging local art scene that`s generating a high level of downtown energy, there is always something going on.
As the first permanent white settlement in Montana, it comes as no surprise the history runs deep in Stevensville. Built on the site of the St. Mary`s Mission and named after Isaac Ingle Stevens who laid out the original town, it`s not all about the past however. Today you`ll find a charming downtown with a host of amenities and access to recreational enticements.
Despite a small population, the town of Sula is home to some significant points of interest. As the western gateway to the largest continuous wilderness area in the Lower 48, not to mention the sacred "medicine tree", a source of many Indian legends, passing by Sula quickly would be a mistake.
If you were one of the early residents of Victor, MT you`d know this town as Garfield. Renamed Victor in honor of the Salish chief, this community today is home to over a 120 businesses and thanks to the many vacation rentals and dining spots, it serves as great home base for your exploration of the Bitterroot.
There`s no need to leave your pooch at home when you stay with us at SweetSageMT. There are plenty of pet-friendly attractions and activities in the Bitterroot Valley with doggie day care available nearby.
