One of Great Falls’ greatest assets is its sense of history. Here, along the banks of the Missouri where the plains meet the Rockies, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark encountered one of the more daunting obstacles of their expedition: the thundering waterfalls that gave the city its name. The waterfalls have since been tamed by hydropower dams, but an interpretive center, guided boat trips, and paved trails that recall the passage of the two explorers in 1805 are impressive, and a slew of other museums and attractions celebrate other chapters in the city’s history. From prehistoric buffalo jumps and famous Western artists to pioneering cowboys and the Missouri River fur trade, Great Falls has a storied past rich enough to make its people proud. And they are.
This is a beautiful city for a sightseeing drive. Maple and linden trees line the residential streets, the Missouri River slices through the center of town, and the Rockies sink their teeth into the western horizon. The Highwoods and Little Belts mountains frame the views to the north and east of town. Despite the curves of the river, most streets are straight and relatively easy to navigate, thanks largely to the flat terrain. However, with an Air Force base on the east side of town, a commercial airport on the west side, and only four bridges spanning the river in between, traffic can get heavy, especially in late afternoons and on weekends. Pedestrian paths are far less congested. A gorgeous 60-mile-long riverside trail system, ideal for walking and cycling, passes the city’s largest green space, Gibson Park, and one of the largest cold-water springs in the world at Giant Springs State Park.
With 59,000 residents, Great Falls is no longer Montana’s second-largest city, demoted in the 2000 census to third place, below the burgeoning mountain town of Missoula. But Great Falls is still the commercial and social hub for northern Montana and southern Alberta, with a bi-level mall, thriving downtown district, bustling civic center, and near-boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
