Budget Friendly Travel

Going on vacation does not mean you have to break the bank! Staying within your budget does not mean that you have to give up on the experiences. Helena is very fortunate to have some opportunities that are free or extremely low-cost, and let’s face it, who doesn’t like free things!

Many people come to Helena to enjoy the history and unique architecture that we have to offer. Located on the west side of town, the Mansion District is guaranteed to elicit some oohs and ahhs from visitors and locals alike. Many of these homes have a Victorian style and are reminiscent of the gold rush era. While this is still currently a residential area, individuals are allowed to drive through the neighborhood or take a walk and enjoy the views. Please make sure to be respectful and courteous to the people that live there.

Some of the other offerings in this category are from the Montana Historical Society. While in the capital city of Montana, you would be remiss not to take some time to visit the Capitol Building! The Montana Historical Society offers free guided tours of the Capitol Building, but you are also allowed to do a free self-guided tour if you wish. An insider tip though, there are a few rooms that you can only access while with a tour guide. Although many people think of it solely as a government building, the Capitol is truly a work of art. The Montana Historical Society also offers free tours of the Original Governor’s Mansion which are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Come and visit this ornate, Queen Anne-Style mansion that served as home to Montana’s First Families from 1913-1959. With three stories to explore, you are sure to learn something you didn’t know before.

Close to the Original Governor’s Mansion, take some time to step into The Cathedral of St. Helena, which many people refer to as a hidden gem of Helena. During the summer tours are offered from 1pm-3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Outside of those hours, you are still able to go inside and check out the beauty of the Cathedral, but please note the Mass schedule on their website. If you are interested in exploring more of the history outside of these buildings, we highly recommend the free audio tours app! You might think you know everything there is to know about Helena, but we guarantee there is always something new to learn.

Helena has more to offer than just history! If you didn’t know, the Holter Museum of Art offers free admission on Fridays! They have some amazing exhibits and it’s a space that allows you to experience some great contemporary art. Another hidden gem in Helena is the Montana Wild Education Center. They have over 100 wildlife mounts on-site and a native fish aquarium. With free admission, this provides an opportunity for children and adults alike to learn about some of the unique wildlife we have here in Helena!

Just a short drive from Montana Wild, there is the Montana Military Museum located in Fort Harrison. The museum is only open on Thursday, but it is free to visit, although they always welcome donations.  If you are planning on stopping by the museum, make sure to bring a photo ID with you. While out in the area, make sure to check out Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, which has drawn internationally renowned ceramic artists as residents since 1951. Visitors to the campus are able to do a self-guided tour through the grounds and experience firsthand artwork from individuals all around the world. No matter how many times you have gone, there will always be something new to discover. The campus also offers an amazing unobstructed view of Mount Helena.

Speaking of Mount Helena, one of the most obvious budget-friendly activities that we have here in Helena is our outdoor recreation. We have a multitude of options, whether it be hiking, biking, or floating. Depending on where you are recreating, it may be required for you to purchase a conservation license, which at most is $10.

These are just a few of the free activities that Helena has to offer. Many of the local breweries offer free events each week such as Trivia and Bingo Nights. As always, make sure to check out our events page!