Helena Things To Do – Attractions & Must See

Helena, Montana is a place to visit in summer, but there is a lot to see here year-round. There is a lot of old west history, and there is amazing scenery all around. It can also be used as a launching point to Glacier National Park.  Here are some things to do, and attractions you must see in Helena.

Reeder’s Alley

In 1873 Louis Reeder built some stone and brick cabins for gold miners who were mining for in the area. Those cabins would later become the city of Helena. The row of houses still stands and is on the register of historic places.  Here you may also see the Pioneer Cabin, built in 1864, and the oldest building in the city.  Morellis Bridge is also nearby. It was built in 1890 to open the area above Reeder’s Alley for a settlement. The Yee Wau cabin was built by Chinese immigrants in the 1870’s, and is a testament to the Chinese influence in the area. Another building in Reeder’s Alley is the Caretaker’s Cabin, which is a cabin made from two in 1875.

Historical Buildings

There are many historical buildings in Helena that represent a distinctive style of architecture. While Reeder’s Alley is a neighborhood, these are free-standing buildings. There is the YMCA building that was built in 1918.  The first Unitarian Church was finished in 1901; it was a library at one time and now serves as a theater. The Ming Opera House and Consistory Shrine were built in 1880 and later developed by the Masons. The Cathedral of Saint Helena is a huge church and can be visited daily. St Peter’s Cathedral is a smaller, but historic in its construction. The Atlas Block is another group of buildings downtown that was built in 1889, with interesting architecture. The state capitol building is also an impressive place to visit.

Outside Art

There are many statues in Helena, and some are rather abstract, but all are colorful. There are also a large number of murals around town, which you can look for. Murals and statues alike, commemorate historic or significant aspects of the city. There is a mural dedicated to the contribution women have made to the development of the American West. Some of these are old, but they are maintained well and still in good shape.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things you should not miss in Helena.