Call 406-771-1100 or outside Montana toll free 1-888-707-1100.
What a great overview or "snapshot" of our city in a limited amount of time! You're bound to be amazed at all you get to see and learn about on the trolley; then you'll surely want to go back to many of those attractions and spend more time either with a tour guide or on your own. You'll also have a better idea about how to get around to locate them when you look at your city map. (SAVE on two-hour tour by clipping the tour discount coupon located in the website folder on your left labeled, "Tours Calendar".)
Have fun as you discover the magic, the history, and the beauty of Great Falls on a motorized climate-controlled trolley. Be sure to bring your camera...and don't forget the film!
Enjoy our colorful history in the heart of beautiful downtown as well as waterfalls along the scenic Missouri River on either the one-hour "City" tour or two-hour "Historic" tour. Throughout the expanded two-hour tour, you'll hear more about the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition, and see many of the places described in their journals. Some of those places include the location where Captain Meriwether Lewis was chased into the Missouri River by the grizzly bear, where they heard the loud, mysterious sounds that still remain unexplained, and where they traveled on their strenuous overland portage around the various waterfalls. You'll learn about their difficult portage, the hazards of the area, their discovery of the city's namesake...The Great Falls of the Missouri; and see three waterfalls. The Expedition spent more time here than in any other place between Mandan, North Dakota and Fort Clatsup, Oregon. Great Falls is the Headquarters for the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail.
Your driver/guide will add to the tour enjoyment with anecdotes about local history, culture and flavor.
All tours
available year round by reservation.
Summer months are first-come, first-served daily regularly
scheduled tours.
Daily
Departures June - September
Tours originate at Visitor Information Center
15 Upper River Road, Great Falls, MT (Near
big US Flag)
"Historic" Tour (2
Hours)
Mon-Sat: 10 am
$22/Adult; $5/Child
(2-12)
"City"
Tour (1 Hour)
Mon-Thurs: *, 4 pm
$13/Adult; $5/Child
(2-12) Fri-Sun: 1
pm, 4 pm
*Check
for Special 1 pm tours; Mon-Thurs
Check our brochures at the Visitor Information Center,
Chamber of Commerce, restaurants, and hotels/motels for $1/Adult and
$2/Golden Age (65+) discount coupon for trolley two-hour "Historic" tour. Also check for exclusive coupon on board the
trolley at end of tour for $1 off the regular $4 admission to The History Museum
(formerly the High Plains Heritage Center Museum). FREE
admission to gift shop.
(See "Tours Calendar" web folder to print your
"Historic" tour discount coupon now.)
Prices and Times Subject to Change Without Notice
"CITY" Tour (One-Hour) Attractions and Scenic Areas:
Broadwater Overlook Park is the site of the Visitor Information Center (Near big US Flag), and the origination point for the trolley tours. You're bound to enjoy a scenic vista of the city, the Missouri and Sun Rivers, and the Highwood Mountains. This park is the site of a heroic-size Lewis & Clark Memorial Sculpture created by the late world renown sculptor and artist, Bob Scriver, a native Montanan. Here you'll easily find information on all there is to see and do in this area.
The History Museum, formerly known as the High Plains Heritage Center, is home to the Cascade County Historical Society and is located in the Historic Commercial District. Here you'll find the exceptional "Corner Store" gift shop filled with a good variety of regional books and many unique "Made in Montana" treasures. The Great Falls Genealogy Society Library is also found in this historic building on the street known as "Machinery Row" in years past.
Black Eagle Falls is the last of the series of waterfalls encountered by the Lewis & Clark Expedition and was named by Capt. Meriwether Lewis. Nearby stands the first hydro-electric dam built in this area to provide electricity to the city.
See the C. M. Russell Museum, original log cabin studio and home of America's famous "Cowboy Artist", Charles M. Russell. Relish seeing their Browning Firearms Collection or the variety of miniature wagons on display. Their Discovery Gallery is outfitted with many creative hands-on items for children to enjoy. The gift shop provides a wide selection of unique items.
At Paris Gibson Square, you'll see a huge sandstone building that was the first high school building. It now houses changing contemporary art galleries, a restaurant, offices and a gift shop.
The Historic Home District, Historic Railroad Area, and Historic Downtown bring nostalgia to the forefront as you see historic buildings (homes, depots, churches, businesses, saloons, jail and courthouse) dating from the 1800's.
Gibson Park is the largest of the city's 54 parks. Enjoy the restaurant, beautiful flower gardens, playground, picnic tables, feed the swans on Gibson Pond, take a stroll on the walking path, or stop by for a rousing band concert on Wednesday evenings.
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"HISTORIC" Tour (Two-Hours) Additional Highlights:
The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center helps you relive the journey of the Corps of Discovery. Interactive displays are enticing; see and hear about the Indian Tribes they met, their experiences, and hardships along the way.
Giant Springs Heritage State Park includes one of the largest fresh-water springs on earth, a fish hatchery, shaded picnic areas, and an interpretive center for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Crooked, and Rainbow Falls are awesome. The overlook has a spectacular view of the Missouri River, important historic event signage, and hydro-electric dams. We'll disembark for more history and photos.
As you see Malmstrom Air Force Base, Educational and Medical Complexes, you'll learn of their strategic and important missions.
All these treasures and more await you aboard the terrific trolley "Historic" and "City" tours! All aboard! Clang! Clang! Clang! It's trolley time!!!