Explore the rich cultural tapestry of Glacier Country, where history, art and heritage converge. Museums in Western Montana’s three largest cities bring the region’s stories to life through nationally renowned art, American Indian culture, aviation and railroad history, pioneer life and the enduring legacy of the Old West. Dig into the past, discover remarkable works of art and uncover a few unexpected stories along the way with this guide to museums in Glacier Country’s hub towns.
MISSOULA
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
Learn about the area’s past at the Historical Museum of Fort Missoula. Located at the core of historic Fort Missoula, the museum features more than 20 historical structures on 32 walkable acres. Inside, view over 40,000 historical objects, including photographs, correspondence and other artifacts that tell the story of Missoula’s captivating history. While you’re at Fort Missoula, visit the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History, which explores the history of the U.S. armed services from the Frontier Period through the War on Terrorism.
Missoula Art Museum
At the Missoula Art Museum, find diverse and thought-provoking contemporary art in the heart of Missoula’s downtown. Walk through eight exhibition spaces, as well as the outdoor Art Park, and view contemporary works by American Indian artists in the museum’s permanent gallery of Contemporary American Indian Art. Admission is always free.
Montana Museum of Art + Culture
Housed at the University of Montana, the Montana Museum of Art and Culture explores local, regional and global themes and is designated as both a state and a university museum. With rotating exhibits as well as exhibits of the permanent collection of 11,000 pieces the museum is a 17,000 sq. ft. modern architectural masterpiece that’s art in and of itself. Docent-led tours are available
Museum of Mountain Flying
The Museum of Mountain Flying houses an 18,500-square-foot hangar filled with aircraft and artifacts to excite any aviation enthusiast. Learn about the region’s mountain-flying history; see the original DC-3 flown in the tragic Mann Gulch Fire; and learn the legends, lore and legacy of pilots from the Rocky Mountain West.
National Museum of Forest Service History
At the National Museum of Forest Service History, explore America’s conservation legacy through interactive, immersive exhibits focused on the history of the U.S. Forest Service and the public lands it has helped manage. The 31-acre campus also features a Forest Discovery Trail and historic structures that bring the story of conservation to life.
KALISPELL
Conrad Mansion Museum
Visit the Conrad Mansion Museum to see what pioneer luxury living was like. Open year-round, you can learn about the Conrad family’s contributions to the region from a docent or on a self-guided tour. View all 26 rooms, unchanged since architect Kirtland Cutter designed the mansion in 1895.
Glacier Art Museum
Find artworks by Blackfeet and Montana artists, including Charles M. Russell, at the Glacier Art Museum . Housed in a Carnegie library building built in 1901, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Browse the featured permanent exhibit of Glacier National Park art and culture, or view works by nationally renowned artists in one of the museum’s rotating exhibits.
Northwest Montana History Museum
Formerly home to the historic Central School, the Northwest Montana History Museum carries on its educational tradition by preserving and presenting stories of Flathead Valley history. Learn about the building’s nearly 100 years as a center for learning, the founding residents who shaped the future of Kalispell and the trials of the life of a logger in the late 1800s.
WHITEFISH
Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing
Near Whitefish Mountain Resort, see what skiing’s early days looked like at the Ski Heritage Center and Museum of Skiing. Watch video footage of skiers from as early as the 1930s, and learn about the soldiers from the Flathead Valley who served as “Ski Troops” in World War II.
Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Museum
Restored to its original Tudor-style chalet appearance, the Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Museum is both a classic train depot and a present-day working station. Tour the museum for Burlington Northern Railroad and Great Northern Railway artifacts and history. Be sure to ask about the museum’s locally famed “fur-bearing fish” before heading on your way.
GLACIERS TO GEYSERS MUSEUM TOUR
Consider a park-to-park cultural adventure with a Glaciers to Geysers museum tour. Start at Glacier National Park and travel through the regions of Western Montana, Southwest Montana and Montana’s Yellowstone Country before reaching Yellowstone National Park, stopping throughout the journey for engrossing exhibits and fascinating glimpses into the history, art and culture of each region. Find itineraries, cultural hot spots and travel resources at glacierstogeysers.com.
For additional museum options throughout Glacier Country, visit our museums page.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
August 24, 2026
Related: Arts and Culture, Flathead Corridor, Indoor Fun, Kalispell, Missoula, Montana, Museums, Vacation, Whitefish
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