Your one stop shop for figuring out how to get to Bozeman, where to stay, and what to do!
Contents
Getting to Bozeman
Plane
The easiest (although likely most expensive) way to get to Bozeman is via airplane. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) at Gallatin Field services several major airlines, including:
- Alaska Airlines (via Seattle)
- Delta (via Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Salt Lake City)
- Frontier (via Denver)
- United (via Denver, New York/Newark, San Francisco)
Prices vary, but after months and months of experience traveling to visit each other, we’ve notice that fares go no lower than about $350 for a round trip. We recommend using one of the following web sites to search for the best price:
If you are flying from Seattle…
Alaska Airlines flies directly from Seattle to Bozeman every day (including weekends) on a Dash 8 Q400 turbo prop:
- Alaska 2460: departs Seatac at 12:30pm, arrives Bozeman at 3:15pm
- Alaska 2462: departs Seatac at 8:20pm, arrives Bozeman at 11:05pm
If you flying from Denver…
Frontier (flying an A319) and United (flying a Canadair CRJ-200) both fly direct to Bozeman every day (including weekends)
- United 6375: departs DIA at 8:04am, arrives Bozeman at 9:53am
- Frontier 271: departs DIA at 8:20am, arrives Bozeman at 9:27am
- United 6195: departs DIA at 11:15am, arrives Bozeman at 12:56pm
- United 6467: departs DIA at 3:05pm, arrives Bozeman at 4:49pm
- United 5493: departs DIA at 5:22pm, arrives Bozeman at 7:11pm
- United 6280: departs DIA at 9:30pm, arrives Bozeman at 11:18pm
Train
Sadly, Amtrak does not have a line that is close to Bozeman. And even then, it would likely take multiple days to arrive. We don’t recommend attempting this.
Automobile
Bozeman is just off of I-90 and is approximately:
- 2 hours (150 miles) from Billings, MT
- 3.75 hours (265 miles) from Colstrip, MT
- 9.75 hours (675 miles) from Seattle, WA
- 9.5 hours (700 miles) from Denver, CO
Staying in Bozeman
It’s summer time in Bozeman, which mean higher summer rates so reserve early! We’ve been able to secure some hotel rooms for you, but you will need to reserve your room before the end of April!
All rooms are reserved for checking in Friday night, June 7th, checking out Sunday, June 9th. You may adjust the reservation as needed. Use TripAdvisor to get specific comments as needed.
As a note, it may be possible to get a slightly better rate with Expedia or other online sites but refunds are restricted.
| Hotel | Stars | Rate per Night | Notes |
| Rodeway Inn / Motel 6 817 Wheat Dr. Bozeman, MT 59715 866-599-6674 406-585-7888 |
★★☆☆☆ TripAdvisor |
$75 | Decent reviews for a two star, it’s near the freeway. Reference “Hofacker-Ferguson Wedding” |
| Super 8 800 Wheat Drive Bozeman, MT 59715 406-586-1521 |
★★☆☆☆ TripAdvisor |
$89 | Well run location although near the freeway. Reference “Hofacker-Ferguson Wedding” |
| Comfort Inn 1370 7th Ave Bozeman, MT 406-587-2322 |
★★☆☆☆ TripAdvisor |
$85-$105 | Blocks reserved until May 23rd. Pet Friendly. Reference “Hofacker-Ferguson Wedding” |
| Hilton Garden Inn 2023 Commerce Way Bozeman, MT 59715 406-582-9900 |
★★★☆☆ TripAdvisor |
$139 | Friendly staff to work with, the Hilton Garden is the newer of the 3 star hotels in Bozeman. Reference “Hofacker-Ferguson Wedding” |
| Homewood Suites 1023 Baxter Lane Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-8180 |
★★★☆☆ TripAdvisor |
$159-$169 | No blocks reserved so if you want Homewood, please reserve ASAP (apparently there is a soccer event going on the same weekend). |
Things to do in Bozeman
The Short List
- Shops on Main Street in Downtown Bozeman- Check out Hey Day, one of my favorites
- Cat Eye Café – very quirky, breakfast here is worth the wait
- Pickle Barrel – Stop in for a sub (delish!) and for dessert try the Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream (not sure where else you’re going to find ice cream this rich!)
- Drive up Bridger Canyon or take the drive up Hyalite Canyon- beautiful!
For the Ambitious
- Hike to the “M”1 – Great view of Bozeman
- Go on a hike in Bridger or Hyalite Canyon
- Float the Madison River
- Norris Hot Springs (about 40 minutes west of Bozeman)
- If you have a few more days and are looking to vacation, I recommend taking a trip through Yellowstone Park! Home of Yogi Bear! There is an entrance to the park southeast of Bozeman (drive east to Livingston, then drive south to Gardiner)
Take the Hofacker MSU Tour
- Start your morning with a donut from Granny’s Donuts (Rachel and her brother, Mark, used to meet here for a Sunday morning donut!)
- Walk through the campus where Rachel spent many hours- Check out the Leigh Lounge in the student Union Building (A portion of the film A River Runs Through It was filmed in Leigh Lounge in the 1990’s)
- Walk by the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority house where both Rachel and her mother, Amy, spend part of their college careers
- Complete your tour with a stop at the Pickle Barrel sandwich shop to curb your hunger pangs
- Top it off with some Wilcoxson’s ice cream (best ice cream, ever!) right next door to the Pickle Barrel sandwich shop
- Grab a snack for later, check out Joe’s parkway Market– they carry lots of nice wine and cheese and used to be home of the famous 50 cent soda (recently increased to 75)
Grub Suggestions
- Cat Eye Cafe – Breakfast/Brunch
- Easy Over Mainstreet- Breakfast/Brunch
- Mac Kenzie River Pizza
- Columbo’s Pizza
- Ale Works
- Starky’s
- Ted’s Montana Grill
- Pickle Barrel
- Leaf and Bean Coffee Shop (try their Chai Shake if you need something cold and delicious)
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Andrew’s Note: Not to be confused with the better “M” in Golden, Colorado ↩