About Missoula
Nestled in the Rocky Mountain grandeur of western Montana, Missoula is the hub of
five valleys and three major rivers – the Blackfoot, the Bitterroot and the
Clark Fork. Roughly halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, Missoula
is a blend of small-town charm and big-city sophistication.
One of the first things visitors notice is how friendly people are here. With about
60,000 residents and visitors from around the globe, the city has an increasingly
diverse population. On summer Saturdays, Missoulians congregate at the Farmer’s
Market for fresh produce, coffee and conversation. Year-round, they meet on the
recreational trails that run alongside the river through the heart of downtown and
past campus. Hiking, bicycling, fly fishing, river rafting and skiing are all big
here.
Local restaurants serve up everything from steak and potatoes to Thai noodles, while
an array of coffeehouses, pubs, nightclubs and movie theaters provide diversion.
Residents come from around the region to shop the city’s department and discount
stores, shopping mall and specialty boutiques. Missoula boasts a thriving downtown.
It’s no wonder that the book “How to Get an Ivy League Education at
a State University” called Missoula “a Rocky Mountain Berkeley ... the
kind of place many people hate to leave.”