Thanksgiving break is a great time to plan an early winter vacation and avoid some of the crowds over Christmas. Plus, with all the great things to see and do in the Big Sky Bozeman area this time of year, you can’t go wrong! Here are some of our favorites:

Christmas Shopping in Downtown Bozeman

Explore downtown Bozeman and get a start on your Christmas shopping in shops like Heyday, Schnee’s, Evrgreen, and Revolvr while sipping on a delicious coffee or hot chocolate from one of the many quaint coffee shops lining Main Street. We’ll be sharing the details on the best places to go on Small Business Saturday in next week’s blog post, so keep an eye out for that.

Huffing for Stuffing

If you’re looking for a way to work off the calories of dinner before it even happens, look no further! This is the 13th year of the Huffing for Stuffing race benefitting the Gallatin Valley Food Bank in Bozeman. Run the 5k or the 10k with the whole family and support a great cause! The race starts and ends at the iconic Museum of the Rockies on Thanksgiving Day. 

Spend a Day at the Museum of the Rockies

Though the Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, we highly recommend visiting while you’re in town. Permanent exhibits featuring Montana history and an extensive dinosaur bone and fossil collection are accompanied by Amazing Butterflies (an interactive maze that follows the journey of a caterpillar as it transforms into a butterfly) and Light on the Land: The Photographs of Albert Schlechten until December 31. Don’t miss the shows in the Taylor Planetarium either! 

All of these things sound great, of course, but there’s just one catch for out-of-towners: where do you get a nice dinner on vacation with your family on a holiday without cooking all day?

Ted’s Montana Grill

It can be hard to find a spot that’s open on Thanksgiving, but Ted’s Montana Grill is Bozeman’s go-to! Located in the historic Baxter Hotel in downtown Bozeman, Ted’s Thanksgiving Day menu features usual favorites as well as a Thanksgiving Roast Turkey Feast for only $29, which includes a side salad or cup of soup, roast turkey and gravy with garlic mashed potatoes, herb dressing, carrots, “Aunt Fannie’s” squash casserole and cranberry sauce, and their famous apple crisp. 

For more info and to make a reservation: https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/

Gallatin River Lodge

The Gallatin River Lodge is known for its great location, fine dining, and fantastic views. The Lodge will be hosting a Thanksgiving buffet from 12:00-5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, featuring turkey, prime rib, with upscale versions of classic Thanksgiving sides. You’ll want to save room for dessert - they’ll be serving both pumpkin and pecan pie, dark chocolate mousse, gingerbread trifle, and apple cinnamon cake. The buffet will cost $59 per adult and $29 per child under 12, with kids under 6 eating free. 

For more info and to make a reservation: https://www.grlodge.com/fine-bozeman-restaurant/upcoming-events#

C.N.M