Missoula · Missoula County, MT

Cheap things to do in Missoula

Scout analyzed 52 Missoula places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.

Places analyzed

52

Matches

24

Typical spend

$35

Typical visit

1.4 hr

Scout-verified spots

Break Espresso

Heart of Missoula

Break Espresso

Break Espresso is suitable for a quick coffee and pastry stop, either solo or for a casual meet-up. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for about 30-60 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Plonk Missoula

Heart of Missoula

Plonk Missoula

Plonk Missoula is a good choice for a date night or girls' night out for cocktails and a meal. Expect to spend $30-$75 per person and a visit lasting around 90 minutes.

FoodCocktailsViews
$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Lighthouse Espresso

Westside

Lighthouse Espresso

Lighthouse Espresso is suitable for a quick morning coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for a drink and a snack, making it a good stop for a cheap day out.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Black Coffee Roasting Company

Heart of Missoula

Black Coffee Roasting Company

A stop at this coffee shop is good for a quick solo break or a casual meet-up, pairing well with errands or a walk. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Fort Missoula Regional Park

Outdoors

Fort Missoula Regional Park

Fort Missoula Regional Park is a good spot for a free outdoor activity like a walk or playing sports. It's best enjoyed on a nice day and can easily fill 1-3 hours.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Cucina Florabella

Rose Park

Cucina Florabella

Cucina Florabella is a good spot for a sit-down dinner of Italian food, suitable for a relaxed meal or date night. Plan for about 90 minutes and a spend of $25-$50 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$25–$50 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
FINN

Heart of Missoula

FINN

FINN is an elegant restaurant good for a special evening out, offering surf 'n' turf and cocktails. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours and around $75-$150 per person.

FoodCocktailsViews
$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
The M

Outdoors

The M

The M is a good free hike for a solo outing or family adventure, offering views over Missoula. Expect to spend about an hour getting up and down, making it a good activity to pair with a meal downtown.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Greenough Park

Lower Rattlesnake

Greenough Park

Greenough Park is ideal for a free family outing or solo walk, offering paved and nature trails for 1-2 hours of exploration. It pairs well with a picnic or can be a refreshing stop during a longer day.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Westside Park

Westside

Westside Park

Westside Park is suitable for a free, casual outdoor activity, great for families with young children or a solo stroll. Plan for an hour or so, and it pairs well with other local attractions or a picnic.

OutdoorsRelaxedPlayful
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Top Hat

Heart of Missoula

Top Hat

This gastropub is ideal for an evening out, combining a meal with live music and dancing. Plan for 2-3 hours and a spend of $30-70 per person, especially if attending a ticketed event.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$30–$70 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Bonner Park

University District

Bonner Park

Bonner Park is a local park with accessible playgrounds and sports facilities, suitable for a free outing with family or for some solo sports. Expect to spend an hour or two enjoying the outdoors.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
The Keep Restaurant

Farviews / Pattee Canyon

The Keep Restaurant

The Keep Restaurant is ideal for a special evening out, offering fine dining with panoramic views. Expect a 90-minute meal, costing around $75-150 per person, perfect for a romantic date or celebration.

FoodCocktailsViews
$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Splash Montana

Lewis And Clark

Splash Montana

Splash Montana is ideal for a multi-hour family outing, perfect for a summer weekend. Expect to spend $10-25 per person on admission and snacks.

OutdoorsSportsPlayful
$10–$25 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Iron Horse Brew Pub

Heart of Missoula

Iron Horse Brew Pub

Iron Horse Brew Pub is suitable for a casual meal or happy hour, offering pub grub in a spacious setting with outdoor seating. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $15-40 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$15–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
The Old Post

Heart of Missoula

The Old Post

The Old Post is suitable for a casual meal, drinks, or a relaxed outing, especially good for a pub dinner or catching occasional live music. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $20-$40 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$20–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Blue Mountain Trailhead

Outdoors

Blue Mountain Trailhead

This trailhead offers a free, outdoor hiking experience suitable for a solo adventure or family outing, typically lasting 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the trail chosen. It pairs well with a picnic or post-hike meal in town.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Paradise Falls

Southgate Triangle

Paradise Falls

This is a casual spot for American comfort food, suitable for a relaxed meal. It can be a quick stop for lunch or dinner, costing around $15-35 per person.

FoodOutdoorsRelaxed
$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Clyde Coffee

Riverfront

Clyde Coffee

Clyde Coffee is suitable for a quick stop to grab a drink and a light bite, perhaps before starting errands or a work session. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes and $5-15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
The Depot

Heart of Missoula

The Depot

The Depot is suitable for a dinner outing, particularly for celebrating special occasions or a nicer date night, expecting a bill of $50-100 per person. Plan for about 1.5 hours.

FoodCocktailsUpscale
$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Maclay Flat Nature Trail

Outdoors

Maclay Flat Nature Trail

Maclay Flat Nature Trail is suitable for a free hour-long outdoor walk, great for families or solo adventurers looking for nature, and pairs well with a picnic or other outdoor activities in Missoula.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
The Montana Club Restaurant

Grant Creek

The Montana Club Restaurant

The Montana Club is a casual American restaurant suitable for a family meal or a low-key date night. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours and around $20-50 per person for a full meal with drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$20–$50 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
1889 Steakhouse

Heart of Missoula

1889 Steakhouse

This fine dining steakhouse is suitable for a romantic dinner or special occasion. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours and upwards of $75 per person for an entree and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRomantic
$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Rattlesnake Trailhead

Outdoors

Rattlesnake Trailhead

The Rattlesnake Trailhead is ideal for a half-day outdoor excursion, offering varying lengths of hiking for all skill levels. It's a free activity that pairs well with a picnic or post-hike meal nearby.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

What Scout found

  • 50 of the 52 analyzed Missoula places fit cheap day out.
  • 36% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
  • 60% have easy parking.
  • Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Playful, Scenic, Adventurous, Quiet.

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