Great Falls Tribune

1greatfallsarea.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:04147YLOCAL NEWSPAPERShttp://www.greatfallstribune.comGreat Falls TribuneYLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.ugf.eduUniversity of Great FallsYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.greatfallschamber.orgGreat Falls ChamberYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://greatfallscvb.visitmt.com/Great Falls CVBYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.centralmontana.comCentral MontanaYLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.montana.edu/wwwfireMSU-Fire Services Training SchoolYLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.msugf.eduMSU-College of Technology - Great FallsYTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://www.gftransit.comGreat Falls TransitYTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://www.gtfairport.comGreat Falls International AirportYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.greatfallsmt.net/visitorcenter/about-visitor-centerGreat Falls Visitor Center10001500<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Greatfalls_welcome.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Great Falls Welcomes You!Photo courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/GreatFalls_cityviewandMissouri.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>City View and Missouri RiverPhoto courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/GreatFalls_RyanDam.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Ryan DamPhoto courtesy: John Ansotegui</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/GreatFalls_CMRussellMuseum.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>C.M. Russell MuseumPhoto courtesy: C.M. Russell Museum</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/GreatFalls_GiantSprings.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Giant Springs State ParkPhoto courtesy: Giant Springs State Park</li></ul> Great Falls is known as the "Electric City" because of its numerous dams and power plants. Montana's third largest city is located on the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=713">Missouri River</a> among the five falls that were both a magnificent spectacle and formidable barrier to early river travel. This area held great significance for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The explorers were forced to spend nearly a month portaging around the falls in June 1805. Grand vistas can be found in every direction; Great Falls is surrounded by mountains and buttes on three sides, as well as vast plains to the north. Within minutes you can be on a large wheat farm, in a beautiful winding river gorge, or a picturesque valley.On the bluffs above the Missouri River, the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=11170&siteid=1">Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center</a> provides an ideal view of terrain similar to what the Corps of Discovery encountered along their portage of the Great Falls of the Missouri River. Exhibits, live programs and a video provide a comprehensive understanding of central Montana's importance to the Corps' mission and the area's place in history along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The center, on Giant Springs Road, sits less than a half-mile from Giant Springs, where Clark recorded his discovery of June 18, 1805.<a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=3099&siteid=1">Giant Springs State Park</a> is a lovely park that preserves one of the largest natural, cold water springs in the world. Flow from the springs supports a state trout hatchery and also qualifies amongst the shortest rivers in the world, the Roe River. All of the area reservoirs and waterfalls may be viewed via the 49-mile <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=5963">River's Edge Trail</a>, which follows both sides of the Missouri River. There are also paved road connections to Black Eagle, Rainbow and Crooked Falls and to the Great Falls of the Missouri near Ryan Dam. It offers a unique experience to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike along three of the falls. There is also a paved road with scenic turnouts where the falls can be viewed by car.You can find contemporary art at <a href="http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=382&siteid=1">Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art</a>, named for the founder of Great Falls. This beautiful building with its ornate interior was originally built in 1895 and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Great Falls was also the home of the famed cowboy artist Charlie Russell, whose original home and log studio are now part of the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=3114&siteid=1">C. M. Russell Museum</a>.Great Falls is the site of Malmstrom Air Force Base, the center of our nation's first Minuteman Missile Complex. The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=3165">Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum and Air Park</a> explains the history of the base, from its role in World War II to the present. Displays at the air park include a "Huey" helicopter, a Stratotanker used for in-flight refueling, a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile and many aircraft used as fighters and bombers.Discover the magic, history and beauty of Great Falls while on the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11250">Great Falls Historic Trolley</a> or Tour de Great Falls. You'll see and hear about the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Indians of the region, Giant Springs State Park, C. M. Russell Museum Complex, historic downtown Great Falls, Three waterfalls, Paris Gibson Square, historic railroad area, Historic Home District, churches, saloons and other historic buildings.Take a short drive and visit the <a href="http://www.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=3100">First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park</a>. This historic Buffalo Jump is thought to be the largest bison cliff jump in the nation. At the Visitor Center learn why and how the Native Americans drove buffalo over the cliffs. Enjoy an awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic view atop the cliffs or take an interpretive trail around the park.Elevation: 3,674 feet.<map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Brady, Montana" coords="45,5,81,22" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=39"><area shape="rect" alt="Dutton, Montana" coords="35,44,72,62" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=98"><area shape="rect" alt="Power, Montana" coords="34,63,73,81" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=264"><area shape="rect" alt="Pendroy, Montana" coords="6,5,37,18" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=253"><area shape="rect" alt="Bynum, Montana" coords="5,27,38,40" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=50"><area shape="rect" alt="Fairfield, Montana" coords="28,84,64,100" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=110"><area shape="rect" alt="Vaughn, Montana" coords="53,100,86,110" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=341"><area shape="rect" alt="Fort Shaw, Montana" coords="43,112,85,123" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=123"><area shape="rect" alt="Neihart, Montana" coords="170,210,227,232" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=235"><area shape="rect" alt="Loma, Montana" coords="212,31,249,49" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=206"><area shape="rect" alt="Fort Benton, Montana" coords="184,52,248,70" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=120"><area shape="rect" alt="Carter, Montana" coords="158,70,193,76" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=55"><area shape="rect" alt="Floweree, Montana" coords="143,76,188,84" href="/categori575310GREAT FALLSRUSSELL28Beartooth Wildlife Management Area177Blackfoot Waterfowl Production Area1101Cascade County Courthouse1150Great Falls RV Park1226Great Falls KOA1227Great Falls Montana Tourism1382Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art1666Heritage Inn1667Holiday Inn1710Lewis and Clark National Forest1714Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge11192Airway Motel11193Alberta Motel & Annex11202Imperial Inn11204Central Motel11205O'Haire Inn11208Royal Motel11211Ski's Western Motel11414Sundown Motel12072Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce12687Avis Rent-A-Car12693Alamo/National Car Rental12767Days Inn - Great Falls12820Comfort Inn & Suites Market - Airport12821Wingate12822Plaza Inn13098Ackley Lake State Park13099Giant Springs State Park13114C.M. Russell Museum13115The History Museum13116Montana Cowboys Association Museum & Bar13165Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum13725The Great Falls Inn13737Smith River State Park13740Spring Creek13757Truly Take-Out13762Upper Carter Pond13785Lower Carter Pond13791Martinsdale Reservoir Fishing Access Site13796Mid-Canon Fishing Access Site13801Pelican Point Fishing Access Site13814Eden Bridge13819Eureka Reservoir13829Fort Shaw13861Bynum Reservoir13862Camp Baker13883Arod Lake13886Bean Lake13890White Bear13895Willow Creek Reservoir13919Sun River Wildlife Management Area13934Judith River Wildlife Management Area13935Lake Helena Wildlife Management Area13946Pishkun Reservoir13952Ear Mountain Wildlife Management Area15963River's Edge Trail16229Silver Crest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Area17015Sluice Boxes State Park17615Sun Canyon Lodge Dining18775Montana State Fair & Big Sky PRCA Pro Rodeo18901Annual Lewis & Clark Festival19041Big Sky PRCA Pro Rodeo19222Ice Breaker Road Race19544Central Montana Tourism Region19854Great Falls International Airport19960The Sting Sports Bar and 5th Quarter Casino110014The Viking Shop110173Odyssey Tour and Travel110452City Bar and Casino110527Stein Haus Inc111144Riddle's Jewelry111170Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center111276Special Olympics State Winter Games111278Jakers Steak Rib & Fish House111804Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area111963Bighorn Outdoor Specialists112197Children's Museum of Montana112482Great Escape Travel112483Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel & Suites112952Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Great Falls113226Big Bend113227Big Casino Creek Reservoir113228Brewery Flats113229Carroll Trail Fishing Access Site113230Craig Fishing Access Site113231Dearborn Fishing Access Site113232Dunes Fishing Access113233Eagle Island113234Hardy Bridge113235Hruska113236Lichen Cliff113237Loma Bridge113238Mountain Palace Fishing Access Site113239Nilan Reservoir Fishing Access Site113240Prewett Creek Fishing Access Site113241Prickly Pear113242Spite Hill Fishing Access Site113243Stickney Creek113244Table Rock113245Ulm Bridge Fishing Access113246Wolf Creek Bridge Fishing Access Site113359Little Shell Tribal Office113380Extended Stay America113605Best Resting Great Falls Inn113624Blackfoot River Cabin113722Hampton Inn113831Swan River National Wildlife Refuge113835Hauser Reservoir114097Montana ExpoPark114385Electric City Water Park115301Judith River115429Skiers Edge115644Riverside Railyard Skate Park115663Elks Riverside Park115664Gibson Park115665Lions Park115666Oddfellows Park115667West Kiwanis Park115668West Bank Park115975Portage Cache Store116202Fuddruckers116222Halftime Sports Bar & Casino116423Dante's Creative Cuisine116630Big Sky Harley-Davidson116958Clark & Lewie's117333Hilton Garden Inn117459Chili's Bar & Grill117548Don Rand Designs117561Great Falls Montana Tourism117586Great Falls Transit117659Marias River State Park Wildlife Management Area117708Staybridge Suites117741Great Falls Farmers Market117877The Quilt A Way117935The Russell: A Western Art Experience118033Wheat Montana Great Falls118036Sip 'n Dip Lounge118142Charlie Russell's Honeymoon Cottage118307Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites118346Ryan Island Park Picnic Area118451Brother Van House Museum118925Destination MT119019King's Cabin119279Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory119435Enterprise Rent-A-Car119461Mongolian BBQ119470Charlies Coffee House119522Blackfeet Outfitters119658Blackfeet Tours119795Mighty Mo Brewing Company119819Family Affair Restaurant119852Crooked Tree Coffee and Cake120285Hotel Arvon120585Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company120779The Cabin on Frontier Drive120876State Fair Race Meet120961Enbär Craft Cocktail Lounge120970Giant Springs Trout Hatchery121129SpringHill Suites121407Miller Rental121440JJK Barrel Races121607The Hi-Line Climbing Center121619Little Shell Elders & Veterans Powwow121713Self Made Association LLC121741Double Barrel Coffee House Café121742Roadhouse Diner121798Tiger Butte Manor121805Great Falls Turf Club Live Horse Race121806Aisling Suites122104Metis Celebration and Powwow122229Sleep Inn and Suites Great Falls122230MainStay Suites Great Falls122375Great Falls Symphony122415Montana Treasure Island122419Lewis & Clark Foundation1MT14659406, 59403, 59402, 59404, 59401, 59405