#3 Bozeman, Montana

Population: 38,000

Getting there: Flights to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) are available on most major US airlines via connections in Denver or Salt Lake City. 

No matter how you feel about musician/singer/songwriter John Mayer, there’s a reason why he and so many find solace and serenity in Bozeman – the clean mountain air and open landscapes that provide space to think and ponder life.  It’s an outdoor enthusiasts’ dream, with endless trails to hike and rivers to fish. Among the expansive vistas for which Big Sky Country is known is also a surprisingly interesting culinary scene.

Bozeman has a small town feel – on Main Street you can still find an old-fashioned diner serving uncomplicated coffee in white mugs and homemade pie at the Western Café.  But it also houses big city amenities, like Plonk Wine Bar, which serves impressive handcrafted cocktails and an innovative dining menu. There may be cow brand symbols on the wall, but when you order the fresh fish caught downstream that day and pair it with a GFC (an acronym for “good f’in cocktail” and it is), you’ll know this isn’t your average cowboy town.

Where to stay: In town, you’ll find the expected chains like Best Western that have been well-appointed and are practical, convenient options. But just 15 minutes outside of town is The Gallatin River Lodge, a small boutique property that offers more luxury and serenity than you’ll find near Main Street. In fact, it’s located on a 300-acre ranch next to the Gallatin River where the film “A River Runs Through It” was shot.

Side trip: Yellowstone National Park

Just under a 3-hour drive from Bozeman will put you at the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park, arguably one of the country’s most stunning and certainly one of the most unique due to its geothermal activity. In the summer, fly fishing on the outskirts of Yellowstone is a pristine and special experience. In the winter, reservations can be made to go snowmobiling though the Park. All times of year, the splendor can be seen from the mud pots and geysers to the hiking trails. Don’t miss Grand Prismatic, one of the world’s largest and most stunning hot springs. If staying in the park overnight, Old Faithful Inn is the best option. Several campsites and cabins are also available within the park.

More info: www.bozemancvb.com, www.nps.gov/yell

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