• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Urban Bliss Life logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • contact
  • shop
  • cookbooks
  • cooking classes
  • resources
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Asian recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Dairy-free Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Entertaining Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Dog Treats
  • Wine
    • Oregon Wine Guide
    • Washington Wine
    • California Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
    • Wine Country
    • Wine Tips & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Liechtenstein
      • The Netherlands
      • Switzerland
      • The UK (United Kingdom)
    • Canada
    • USA travel
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Oregon Travel Ideas
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • New Orleans
    • Travel Gear
    • Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • Hotels
    • Family Travel
  • Restaurants
  • About
    • Work With Urban Bliss Life
    • Press
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Urban Bliss Life » Travel » Family Travel » Things to do in Missoula, Montana with Kids

    Published: August 25, 2015 / Updated: February 26, 2020 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Things to do in Missoula, Montana with Kids

    0 shares

    Looking for things to do in Missoula, Montana with kids? Outdoor adventurers and families will find no shortage of hiking, camping, boating, and other activities to keep them busy.

    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Hiking the "M" trail

    One of the activities my family was consistently told we "HAD" to do while visiting Missoula, Montana, was hiking the M Trail. The trail starts at the edge of the University of Montana campus, and ends at the top of the large "M" on the hill overlooking the city. The views at the top are spectacular and make the hike totally worth it.

    But first, you have to hike. It's less than a mile, but don't let that fool you: it's almost a mile up a steep, rocky, dusty trail that has 11 switchbacks.
    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.comFamily-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    My kids (ages 8 and 11) did well on this hike, and I'm glad we went earlier in the day to avoid the hot sun. There are several benches at the switchback corners where you can stop and enjoy the views -- and catch your breath if you need to.  Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.comFamily-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Once at the top, you're rewarded with a beautiful view and more seating space on the actual "M" that you see from the highway. Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Hike the M Trail, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    I recommend wearing hiking boots or tennis shoes with a good grip, and be sure to wear and bring sunscreen and water.

    Hiking up the M Trail was probably our favorite activity during our time in Missoula, Montana. Definitely carve out a morning where you have a couple of hours free. It was a fabulous way to start the day!

    For more information about the M Trail, visit Destination Missoula.

    The Carousel

    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: The Carousel, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    In Caras Park is A Carousel for Missoula, a structure that is a testament to the spirit of community that thrives in this city. What began as the dream and passion of a Missoula cabinet maker turned into a project that took over 100,000 hours of volunteer time. Locals were taught to carve the dragons, horses, and other animals that now twirl around the carousel, while mechanics restored more than 16,000 pieces of antique frame and motor. In 1995, A Carousel for Missoula came to life.

    A Carousel for Missoula
    101 Carousel Drive
    Missoula, MT 59802
    406.549.8382
    www.carouselformissoula.com

    HOURS
    Every day, 11am to 5:30pm; Sept. through May
    Every day, at least 11am to 7pm; June through August

    COST
    75¢ for children (<16) and seniors (>55)
    $2.25 for adults; $1.50 for an adult and child sharing a seat
    People with disabilities are always welcome to ride free

    SpectrUM

    In downtown Missoula toward the end of Front Street (and across from the Dram Shop), is a cute little science center for kids called SpectrUM. This children's museum is part of the University of Montana. There are interactive science labs and stations, and when we visited, we enjoyed checking out the ecosystem exhibit, a brain exhibit, bee exhibit, and a cool tornado simulation chamber. SpectrUM also has staff to guide kids through experiments, and they offer camps for local kids as well.

    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Spectrum, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montaha: Spectrum, on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Family-Friendly Activities in Missoula, Montana: Spectrum, on UrbanBlissLife.com

    I recommend stopping by SpectrUM while your family is out and about exploring the main streets of downtown Missoula. It's a great place to get their brains active and involved after a family lunch at Tamarack Brewing up the street. I love that it also doesn't take a huge amount of time out of the day; we spent about 20 minutes here, but I could see families spending anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour exploring all of the stations.

    SpectrUM
    218 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802
    (406) 728-7836
    spectrum.umt.edu

    HOURS
    Wed-Fri 11-6
    Sat 10-5

    COST
    Ages 4 and over: $3.50
    Ages 3 and under: FREE
    Non-family groups of 10+ must book a field trip.
    Adults must accompany anyone under 16.

    More family-friendly fun in Missoula

    There are SO many more outdoor activities and indoor activities for families to experience while visiting Missoula, Montana. This is what we had time for in one day, in addition to all of the great food & drink we experienced. Here are some helpful links with even more options for your family travel trip to Missoula:

    Museums in Missoula, Montana

    Day Trips from Missoula, Montana

    Horseback riding in Missoula, Montana

    Camping in Missoula, Montana

    More travel ideas

    • Where to Eat & Drink in Missoula, Montana on UrbanBlissLife.com Places to Eat in Missoula, Montana
    • Travel Bliss: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho on UrbanBlissLife.com Lava Hot Springs Idaho
    • ID Fork Restaurant in Boise, Idaho on UrbanBlissLife.com Places to Eat in Boise, Idaho
    • Travel Idaho on UrbanBlissLife.com Road Trip Bliss: Portland, Oregon to Boise, Idaho

    Many thanks to Glacier Country Tourism and Destination Missoula for their incredible hospitality while we were in Missoula & planning an amazing itinerary for us. They are SO helpful; whatever you are looking for in Missoula, they can help! Some of the activities seen here were enjoyed thanks in part to Destination Missoula gift cards. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.

    « Travel by Train from Portland to Vancouver BC
    Stoller Winery Celebrates 20 Years »
    0 shares

    Get recipes, travel tips, deals and more delivered to your inbox!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Dawne says

        August 26, 2015 at 10:39 am

        Learned a new term today "switchback". But what I loved was the small science center, what a cool concept even for an adult.

        http://www.dawnehanks.com

        Reply
      2. Denay DeGuzman says

        August 25, 2015 at 3:32 pm

        What a beautiful place to visit! I love all the photos and descriptions of the fun activities you and your family enjoyed while in Montana. And the view from the top of the M Trail - spectacular!

        Reply
      3. Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman says

        August 25, 2015 at 2:53 pm

        I never thought I'd say this, but your Missoula posts are making me want to go back again! Mr. That M-Hike looks beautiful! (We seem to be on the same wave-length lately, Marlynn - I'm posting a hike to a spectacular view tomorrow!)

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          August 28, 2015 at 10:00 am

          You would love the M Trail hike, Renee! It's fun, a great view, and doesn't require prepping a full backpack or being gone for too long.

      4. Tiffany says

        August 25, 2015 at 12:40 pm

        Great ideas! I've never been but it looks like a great place to visit!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          August 28, 2015 at 9:58 am

          Thanks Tiffany! It is a fun place to visit!

      5. Bill Volckening says

        August 25, 2015 at 9:59 am

        Safe travels!

        Reply
      6. Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says

        August 25, 2015 at 9:57 am

        My dad went to college in Missoula and just went back for the first time a few years ago and now he has me wanting to go visit as well. Looks like it is fairly family friendly! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
      7. Julie says

        August 25, 2015 at 11:01 am

        We're heading to Montana next summer! I'm bookmarking all of these articles so I can come back when I start really planning our trip.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          August 28, 2015 at 9:59 am

          How fun! I have a couple more Montana posts coming, so stay tuned... Glacier and White Fish are a must if you're in Western Montana, for sure!

      8. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

        August 25, 2015 at 9:44 am

        What great ideas! The science center looks like a bunch of fun, and I'm impressed that it can be seen in 20 minutes!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

      Featured In

      Urban Bliss Life Press Featured In graphic

      Dads & Grads Recipes

      • BBQ bacon burger
        BBQ Bacon Burger
      • honey garlic chicken skewers
        Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
      • closeup photo of air fryer corn ribs stacked on top of one another with drizzled mayo and chopped cilantro.
        Air Fryer Corn Ribs
      • closeup of Filipino BBQ pork skewers with cilantro leaves
        Filipino Pork BBQ

      New Recipes

      • white basmati rice in a blue bowl on green plate.
        Instant Pot Basmati Rice
      • Thai basil beef with red peppers, green onions, and white rice.
        Thai Basil Beef
      • plate of Instant Pot country style ribs and mashed potatoes with herbs.
        Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
      • glass of white wine next to a bowl of cajun shrimp pasta with title text that reads "Best wine and pasta pairings."
        Best Wine with Pasta

      New Travel Tips

      • photos of Depoe Bay, Cannon Beach, Tillamook Oregon with title text that reads "Best Oregon Coast Towns."
        Best Oregon Coast Towns
      • photos of waterfalls, vineyard grapes, haystack rock at cannon beach, and mount hood with title text that reads 35+ day trips from Portland, Oregon.
        35+ Day Trips from Portland
      • glass of red wine next to a bottle of Bells Up Winery pinot noir.
        Bells Up Winery
      • The Prayer Hall of Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand.
        Wat Chalong Temple
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      logos of media outlets that have featured urban bliss life.

      Recipes

      • 30-Minute Meals
      • 5-Ingredients
      • Air Fryer
      • Asian
      • Dairy-Free
      • Pasta
      • Seafood

      About

      • About
      • FAQs
      • Privacy & Accessibility Policy
      • Terms & Conditions

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with me

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2022 Urban Bliss Life

      All rights reserved. You may not use any photos or recipes on this site for any personal or commercial use without my express written permission.