Best Things to Do in Great Falls Montana (Lewis & Clark & Mermaids?)

The land around Great Falls, MT marks the location of one of the significant events in the Lewis & Clark expedition – the great portage.  Boating up the Missouri River was an effective way to move west until they came upon not one, but five waterfalls in an 18-mile section of river that’s now known as Great Falls.  It took the crew a full month to portage the large boats the 18-miles and was one of the most physically and mentally challenging events of the Lewis & Clark trail.  There are a few fun and unique things to do in this friendly town.  The following are the best things to do in Great Falls:

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Great Falls Portage

There are many Lewis & Clark Interpretive Centers in the west USA, but this might be one of the best.  From life-size depictions of the portage, to identifying the animal pelts that were commonly traded.  You can also dress up in clothing common to the time and get as many photos as you want.  The absolute cutest addition to this interpretive center is the very cute Newfoundland dog to signify Seaman, Merriweather Lewis’ Newfie that made the journey.

Volunteers man this center and are a wealth of information about the area.  They show several videos in their huge auditorium – don’t miss the Ken Burn’s film and the locally taped film about the portage.

Entry is $8 per person, but if you have the annual or senior National Park Pass, you can get free entry.

The Adorable Seaman

Waterfalls

Only 4 of the 5 waterfalls portaged by the Lewis & Clark expedition still exist today, and the remainder are very altered due to dams.  The 5^th waterfall is completely submerged by the damming.  There is still beauty in the falls, but over half of each has been claimed for power generation.  You can close your eyes and imagine what these might have looked like in the days that Lewis & Clark visited over 200 years ago.  3 of the 4 falls are in or adjacent to the town.  Only “Great Falls” is located about 7 miles out of town.  If you visit between Mother’s Day & Labor Day, there is better viewing from Ryan Island Picnic Park.  Pick up maps at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center to learn more.

 River Walk

There is a fine area to walk or bike along the Missouri river near the historic downtown.  Watch out for water birds such as geese, ducks, and even loons!

 Morony Natorium

After van camping for a couple nights, I was in the mood for a shower.  I prefer going to hot springs or pools and this is a great indoor pool if you don’t have one at your hotel.  For a tiny entrance fee of $4, I got use of locker room, open swim time, and a water aerobics class with some of the friendliest ladies you’d ever meet.  It was extra fun to swim knowing I’d be seeing a mermaid later this night…

Sip n Dip

If you regularly read my blog, you might already know that I like to visit offbeat destinations… Like the Spam Museum, or Montana Vortex, or the Danakil Depression, so when one of my coworkers told me about the Sip n Dip bar, I HAD to go!  The Sip n Dip is a tiki bar located in a retro motor hotel (the O’ Haire Motor Inn) in downtown Great Falls.  The back of the bar opens to a picture window to the bottom part of the hotel pool.  Many days per week, there’s a mermaid swimming for tips from 6pm – 10pm.  Tuesday is ladies night, and then you can see the merman!  Who would think the middle of Montana would be home to so many mermaids?  Make sure you check the Sip n Dip Calendar, the mermaids and Piano Pat don’t entertain every night.

Sip n Dip Mermaid

On top of the mermaid show, four nights a week you can also hear the 80-something “Piano Pat” sing a mixture of country and rock hits.  She’s been playing here since 1963!  Her musical stylings don’t always make a song recognizable, but if you listen carefully you might hear a song from Jimmy Buffett or Billy Joel or Toby Keith.

Piano Pat

If you’re not travelling solo like I was, order a “fish bowl” drink to share with your friends – a tropical drinks with 10 shots in a fishbowl glass with as many straws as you need to share.

The barkeep might tell you some stories – about skinny dippers or the time a couple got really frisky in the pool and then came down to the bar for a drink and a surprising round of applause.  Day swimmers in the pool aren’t aware the pool window exists unless they dive and take a look!

 Things to do in Great Falls – Stay

There are a couple dozen hotels in the Great Falls Area.  Check the Rates and Availability at booking.

Getting There

Great Falls is only a few hours away from your visit to Glacier National Park.

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