Missoula is one of Montana's busiest towns and is also home to the University of Montana. Missoula is honored by Outdoor Explorer as one of the top 5 outdoor towns and was the city that inspired the book and movie "A River Runs Through It."

Missoula is a town with a unique blend of artistic, historic and cultural elements. The town has a large art community. The Missoula Art Museum offers between 12 and 16 exhibits each year in 3 galleries. The Fort Missoula Historical Museum has a huge collection of over 17,000 objects. The Smokejumper Visitor Center is the largest active base in America and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Visitors Center features educational exhibits about local wildlife. The University of Montana is a source of nationally ranked performing arts.

Outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, skiing, mountain biking and snowshoing are available just minutes from downtown at places like the Clark For River, Montana Snowbowl and Marshall Mountain.