CitiesGood to know

Helena

Montana

Montana's gold-rush capital, with a Last Chance Gulch main street and a huge Gothic cathedral.

Photo: Tracey Elizabeth · CC BY 2.0

Four prospectors struck gold here in 1864, and at one point it had more millionaires per person than anywhere else.

Best Time
Spring and fall
Time Needed
Half a day
Cost Level
$$$$
Open
Year-round
Getting There
Helena Regional, about 3 hours from Glacier or Yellowstone.

What to See

3 of 3 are free
Free1–2 hours

Last Chance Gulch

A historic walking mall.

Free1–2 hours

Montana State Capitol

Charles Russell's mural in the House.

Free1–2 hours

Cathedral of St. Helena

Twin spires modeled on Vienna's Votive Church.

Know Before You Go

  • Check opening hours before you go, especially on weekends and at state buildings.

Where to Stay

Stay downtown.

Where to Eat

Our picks are on the way.

Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.

Something wrong or out of date?

Traveler Reviews

Sign in and mark Helena as visited to write a review.

Go Next

Must-See
Mountains · National parks

Glacier National Park

Montana

Jagged peaks and turquoise lakes along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Full Guide
Must-See
Nature · National parks

Yellowstone

Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Half the world's geysers, plus bison and wolves you can actually see.

Full Guide
If You're Nearby
Mountains · Scenic Drives

Beartooth Highway

Montana and Wyoming

A 68-mile road climbing to nearly 11,000 feet between Montana and Yellowstone, called the most beautiful drive in America by Charles Kuralt.

Full Guide

Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Rocky Mountains list.