Experience the Heart of Helena. Shop, Dine, and Play in Montana’s Capital City.

Immerse yourself in Helena’s downtown Walking Mall on The Last Chance Gulch and discover old-world architecture, restaurants, breweries, galleries, museums, retail shops, daily live music, and so much more! Start your adventure right here, in the heart of Downtown Helena.

Helena was founded as a gold mining camp during the Montana Gold Rush in 1864. With the rush, Helena became a wealthy city with approximately 50 millionaires inhabiting the area by 1888. Main Street was named “The Last Chance Gulch” by some of the first miners to strike it rich along Last Chance Stream. The historic downtown features a walking mall filled with art, water features, retail shops, restaurants, historic landmarks and more.

Today, locals and visitors can discover indigenous, pioneer, and women’s history throughout our historic downtown. Explore historic sites and stories like Reeder’s Alley, Guardian of the Gulch (Fire Tower), and St. Helena’s Cathedral.

Enjoy your visit to Helena’s historic and thriving downtown! Don’t forget to smile and share your adventures on social media and tag us!  Looking for more information about downtown, head to Helena’s Visitor Center in Reeder’s Alley for the latest information.

There’s Something For Everyone In Downtown Helena!

Come visit Helena’s historic downtown! To find the heart of downtown, put “Constitution Park” in your map app, or follow these easy directions.

Traveling off I-15:

• Exit 193 – Cedar Street
• Go west on Cedar Street toward Montana Avenue (.5 mile)
• Go straight at the light at Montana Ave
• Cedar St banks left and becomes Last Chance Gulch
• At Lyndale, keep going straight for the heart of downtown Helena

Need parking? Street parking and parking lots around town. Monday – Friday 8 – 5 paid parking. Download the parking map!

Traveling East on  Highway 12 (Missoula)

• Come down MacDonald Pass on Highway 12 which then becomes Euclid Ave.
• Right on N. Benton Ave. (.3 miles)
• Straight on N. Park Ave. (.3 miles)
• Left on W. 6^th
  • Need parking? Street parking and parking lots around town. Monday – Friday 8 – 5 paid parking. Download the parking map!

Traveling West from Highway 12 (Townsend)

• Go east on Prospect Ave 1 mile from I-15 overpass
• Turn left on N. Montana Ave.
• Turn right on 11^th avenue by Walgreens
• Proceed straight to the heart of downtown Helena
  • Need parking? Street parking and parking lots around town. Monday – Friday 8 – 5 paid parking. Download the parking map!