HotelTonight – Bozeman Hotels
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the city of Bozeman is surrounded by beauty – striking mountains and endless blue skies. But Bozeman has much more to offer than just stunning natural landscapes, because this Montana town is actually a lively, exciting place to live. Thanks to its large student population, Bozeman boasts a vibrant energy, and there's always something to do in this beautiful college town. So when I recently found myself smack dab in the Rockies, I knew I wanted to get a feel for Bozeman's culture for myself. I booked a last-minute hotel in Bozeman through HotelTonight, which always makes it easy for me to find great deals on hotels no matter where I travel. Once I had my hotel room booked in the heart of downtown Bozeman, I got ready to see what this city and its beautiful surroundings were all about.
The University
Bozeman is home to Montana State University, and its student population is one of the main reasons for Bozeman's lively energy. Since I was staying in Bozeman for a couple of days, I decided to spend an hour exploring the campus. Full of brick buildings and manicured lawns, Montana State University is certainly a picturesque school, and it's worth checking out if you find yourself in Bozeman.
The Slopes
Since it's located in the Rockies, Bozeman is surrounded by gorgeous mountains, which is great news for skiers. If you visit Bozeman during the winter months, you can take a quick trip to the slopes and spend the day skiing or snowboarding. During the warmer months, these same slopes transform into great spots for hiking and mountain biking. A local favorite ski spot is Bridger Bowl, which offers ski terrain for all levels. Since I was in Bozeman during February, I decided to head up to the snow and get in a few good runs on the mountain, and it was one of my favorite parts of my Bozeman vacation.
Gallatin River
There's so much natural beauty to see around Bozeman that it's hard to decide which sights to share. I think that the Gallatin River definitely deserves to be on the list, though, as it's a favorite among both locals and visitors. The Gallatin River stretches for about 120 miles, and it's a popular destination for white water rafting and fly-fishing. There are also sections of the river that offer zip lining, camping and kayaking.
Yellowstone
If you want to be blown away by the great outdoors, you definitely won't want to miss a trip to Yellowstone when you're in Montana. While a majority of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming, part of the park is in Montana, so you can take a short trip to Yellowstone to see wildlife and gorgeous natural scenery up close. If you don't want to rent a car to get to Yellowstone, you can utilize one of the many tour groups based in Bozeman. Many tours offer day trips from Bozeman to Yellowstone, where you'll be able to experience one beautiful natural sight after another. And if you want to venture further into Yellowstone, be sure to check out the famous geyser, Old Faithful.
Downtown Bozeman
After a long day of exploring the great outdoors, I couldn't wait to return to my hotel and unwind. I didn't rest too long, though, because I wanted to get out and experience the energy and excitement in downtown Bozeman. This downtown area is full of charm and character, and you'll find locals and students enjoying popular eateries, bars and entertainment venues every night. I was lucky enough to stay in downtown Bozeman, so I could walk to the city's best bars, shops and restaurants. It was the perfect home base for my Montana adventures, because once I was done exploring the great outdoors, I had the chance to explore the hippest areas of the town.
HotelTonight – Great Hotels in Bozeman Montana
Bozeman, Montana surprised me almost immediately. I'll admit, I didn't have high expectations for this town. After all, it has a relatively small population, with fewer than 50,000 people. However, its small town feel was a big part of its charm. There was a lively energy and a tight-knit community atmosphere in this city that I fell in love with instantly. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that Bozeman is surrounded by the Rockies and is just a short drive away from Yellowstone National Park. The natural beauty around Bozeman seems limitless, and it's the perfect destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Next time I find myself in Bozeman, I'll be sure to stay at least a night so that I can revisit my favorite new haunts, and I'll be sure to book my Bozeman hotel through HotelTonight. Traveling has never been easier now that I have the convenience of HotelTonight in my pocket.