Summer's calling, and we know exactly where to take it outside. Our 2026 Local Patio Guide rounds up the best spots to dine al fresco across Billings and South Central Montana—think shaded downtown re...
Most people pick their rug last. Turns out, that's exactly wrong. Our latest issue breaks down the design rule that changes everything — and the new Billings spot helping homeowners get it right. Phot...
There's a fine line between a home that feels Montana and one that feels like a gift shop. We sat down with Billings designer Jeremiah Young of Kibler & Kirch to find out how to get it right. Find it...
Early childhood literacy sets a child up for more than just good reading skills. Studies show that achieving grade-level literacy early on charts the course for success in all areas of life for a life...
Food insecurity affects thousands of students in the Billings Public Schools, and for many children, school is their primary source of meals during the school year. When school cafeterias close for th...
Red Lodge is known for its access to natural resources, but one community classroom is teaching high-tech ideas to everyone from elementary students to retirees. The Hero’s STEAM Center opened in 2019...
You're already grabbing a growler this summer. Save three-quarters of a cup and thank me later. Check out our Beer Cheese Dip Recipe in the pages and at the link in our bio. Camera icon- @lovely_bacon...
It started with one black-and-white photo. Now it’s stopping traffic across Montana. The beer car is back, and it’s reminding Billings what beer is really about. @maloree_everett, @westernheritagecent...
Horses respond to emotion long before words are spoken, making them powerful partners in healing. Through equine-assisted therapy, Chinook Horses, a Billings nonprofit, is helping children and familie...
They’re surgeons, anesthesiologists, mothers, partners, runners, caregivers, and community members. Meet six women from Yellowstone Surgery Center as they share the realities, sacrifices, and perspect...
What do you do when the care your child needs simply doesn't exist? For Billings family Stephanie and Justin Brown, the answer was to build it themselves. Bernie's Happy Home is on a mission to give a...
Part runway show, part art installation, and part cultural celebration, Coup de Rouge is an immersive experience unlike anything Montana has seen before. Created by three women who share a passion for...
Ditch the planning stress and grab your helmets. Our latest guide features three family-friendly bike routes designed to keep everyone moving and motivated. With detailed maps and destinations for tre...
It’s National Ice Cream Day, and nothing says summer in Billings quite like a cool treat on a sweltering evening. From the nostalgic walk-up window at Softies to the fresh acai bowls at The Local Ber...
Wind, sagebrush, badlands, and bands of wild horses moving across the Wyoming desert. Spend a day in McCullough Peaks with longtime wild horse advocates Tricia, Phyllis, and Vicki, women who have dedi...
This month, we're celebrating Woods Rose, a thorny native shrub with gorgeous pink blooms that wildlife absolutely can't resist. You can spot this chaotic beauty along the trails at Riverfront Park—bu...
What happens when an artist spends decades painting the American West while also questioning the myths that shaped it? Simply Local sits down with renowned Montana artist Gordon McConnell to talk abou...
More than a hotel. A shift in how we see downtown. Find out more at the link in our bio! @jennunderthebigsky, @ae.sma.design
For Patrick Parker, getting outside with his kids isn’t a special occasion; it’s just part of everyday life. From hiking and camping to pickup games and spontaneous exploring, he’s built a routine aro...
What looks industrial on the outside reveals something much more refined inside. Read the story in this month’s issue or at the link in our bio. @jennunderthebigsky, @nathansatranphoto, @hannessonhome...
It’s a beloved Billings summer tradition. Every week, at parks across the city, the Billings Education Foundation hosts Reading Rocks. The program is designed to help prevent the dreaded “summer slide...
Summer holds plenty of opportunities for fun and education, and Montana has plenty to keep brains engaged while school is closed. With some planning, your family can see for themselves Montana’s histo...
The Dad who grills deserves a clean one. Read the tried-and-true tips and tricks for grill cleaning in the latest issue. @maloree_everett
Smoky, sticky, and packed with flavor, find the recipe for these Backyard Bourbon Burnt Ends at the link in our bio. The kind of recipe that disappears fast and keeps everyone coming back for seconds....
We talked to the owners of Plush Coffee and Soda, so you no longer have to wonder what piloncillo is. You're welcome. Full story in our May issue! @maloree_everett, @plushcoffeeandsoda @jamieblotske
Montana summers mean more time in the sun, but are you staying sun smart? Learn what most people get wrong about sunscreen, sunburns and summer skin care from local expert dermatologist Dr. Tanya Ridd...
On the outside, Adaptive Performance Center looks like a gym. But for the veterans who walk through their doors, it's so much more. Co-founders Karen Pearson and Mitch Crouse built APC, the nation’s f...
Western Security Bank's latest Hands of Hope grant recipient is doing life-changing work for veterans in our community. Meet Adaptive Performance Center, the first veterans-exclusive gym in the nation...
What does it take to be a good dad? According to Eric Basye, it includes giving and receiving a whole lot of grace along the way. A Billings local, adoptive father, and Executive Director of Child Bri...
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers a unique transition from the expansive Montana sky to a subterranean world millions of years in the making. While the caverns are the centerpiece, the park serv...
We asked local dads what they really want for Father’s Day. The answer was clear: shared adventures and memory-making over gifts and gadgets. Read our latest article to discover how to plan a low-fric...
In our latest feature, we talk with Marcie Smith and DeAnn Visser about the "Dignity in the Details," like the specific sensory equipment and the upcoming Phase 3 splash pad that will make Montana sum...
Nature Nuts @ Montana Audubon Center, BillingsOutdoor play for ages 18 months–5 years, every Tuesday 10–11am, year-round. Catch bugs, splash in puddles, and grow little naturalists. $5/child | Free f...
For Gusty Sauer, growing up between Idaho and Montana meant being raised by the land as much as by her dad. From goose hunting and horseback riding to river guiding and land stewardship, those early e...
A new creative space is taking shape in Billings, and it brings people together one piece of clay at a time. Founded by Max Acoba, Ohana Ceramics Studio is more than a pottery studio, it’s a place whe...
On a summer night in downtown Billings, it feels effortless: the music, the crowds, the energy. Like it just… happens. But it doesn’t. Behind every Alive After Five, Strawberry Festival, and every nig...
Montana turns up the volume in the summer, and the music doesn’t stay in one place. From big-name festivals and mountain amphitheaters to small-town songwriter stages and under-the-stars performances,...
Red Lodge has a way of slowing things down. How one local homeowner designed a space that feels like part of the experience, not just a place to stay. @jennunderthebigsky, @mirandamurdockphoto, @jenn...
Not sure what to plant in Montana? Start here. @jennunderthebigsky, @stories_yet_untold,
Some artists create beauty. Others create stories. Rilie Tané Zumbrennen does both. Across Billings and beyond, her murals, wood-burned artwork, and seasonal window illustrations are quickly becoming...
Finding your first summer job as a teenager is a rite of passage, but it can be daunting to know where to start applying, particularly if you want something other than food services.
After overcoming incredible challenges, ZooMontana has become one of Billings’ most recognizable assets. In 2024 and 2025, ZooMontana was ranked in the top 10, and again as a runner-up, of zoos nation...
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The Billings Public Library has been a cornerstone of the Magic City since its inception in 1901. The Children’s Library, in particular, is known for its lively activities to support families during t...
AN ARTIST WHO RESISTS THE BOXThere are artists whose work exists neatly inside a genre, a venue, a single lane. And then there are artists like Parker Brown, musicians whose careers resist simple la...
February has a way of asking us to slow down. Winter still lingers, and home becomes the place where most of life happens. It is a quieter season, which makes it the perfect time to reconnect with our...
Discovery – affectionately known as “Disco” - is one of Montana’s most underrated ski resorts. Lift tickets typically cost under $80, and children under 7 ski free with an adult ticket, making it an a...
In a market where new construction often feels repetitive, True North Homes has quietly carved out a different path. Founded by Billings builder Steve and Wendi Baillie, the company focuses on thought...
In many ways, Adeliah Curry is like any other entrepreneur - she found a way to turn her passion into profit. Last year, she began raising and selling Nigerian Dwarf Goats and learned to make goat mil...
Walk the halls, and you’ll see walls adorned with children’s artwork and lined with racks of storybooks, and you’ll hear the joyful sounds of young children actively learning. It is like most other pr...
