The Livingston List
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When summer rolls around, Livingston's legendary wind dies down to wisps and breezes. The hills turn green and the snow melts off the Absarokas. Time to plan a day trip over the pass to the original "Gateway to Yellowstone."
FLOAT AND SHOP
Launch your inner tube from Carter's Bridge fishing access site on East River Road (just across the river from its junction with Highway 89). Float past cottonwoods, browsing moose and black bears, and Sacajawea Park to the Miles Park band shell, where you left another vehicle and a change of clothes. (This takes about 1.5-2 hours). No need to worry about the wrapping on the 9th Street bridge anymore-it was removed this spring.
Clamber up the rip rap and join in the Wednesday-evening Farmers' Market (4-7 pm). Shop for local produce, sip fresh lemonade or a local brew, gnaw on grilled lamb, and peruse the merchandise. Music starts at 7 pm, so settle in for an evening in the park.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
You can't cast a fly in Livingston without hitting an artist or writer. This small town boasts over 14 galleries and two fine museums.
Start the afternoon off with a visit to the Yellowstone Gateway Museum to check out an impressive collection of local and state historical artifacts and memorabilia. Learn all about Livingston's past (and present) as a railroad town at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot.
Follow the museums with The Heart of Art in Montana—Livingston Downtown Gallery Walks on the 4th Friday of June, July, August, and September. Meet the artists and enjoy free food and drink as you wander from gallery to gallery. More info at livingstonmontana.org/visiting.
4TH OF JULY
The most celebrated holiday in Livingston has to be the 4th of July. Ten thousand spectators flock here every year to watch cowboys and cowgirls compete for the 10th highest rodeo purse in the country. The Roundup takes place July 2, 3, and 4. "Burgers with Baucus," a hoedown, and a parade on July 2 round out the events. Visit livingston-chamber.com/rodeo.html for more info.
ADD TO YOUR LIST...
Pine Creek Lodge and Cafe (10 miles south of Livingston) has live local and regional bands on the outdoor deck and BBQ every Saturday night throughout the summer. Music is free, but all food and drink must be purchased to support the series. Check it out at pinecreeklodgemontana.com.
Livingston's 10th annual outdoor music festival, Summerfest, is July 17-19 in Sacajawea Park. Music plays from morning to night, so come and dance under the stars. This year, The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard headline the event. Learn more at livingstonsummerfest.com.
The Park County Fair features a carnival, rodeo, various exhibits, pig wrestling, demolition derby, and more. You can even buy a pig or cow to take home with you. The fair runs August 5-8; go to visitmt.com and use the search tool.
And then there's fly fishing on the Yellowstone River. Duh.
FLOAT AND SHOP
Launch your inner tube from Carter's Bridge fishing access site on East River Road (just across the river from its junction with Highway 89). Float past cottonwoods, browsing moose and black bears, and Sacajawea Park to the Miles Park band shell, where you left another vehicle and a change of clothes. (This takes about 1.5-2 hours). No need to worry about the wrapping on the 9th Street bridge anymore-it was removed this spring.
Clamber up the rip rap and join in the Wednesday-evening Farmers' Market (4-7 pm). Shop for local produce, sip fresh lemonade or a local brew, gnaw on grilled lamb, and peruse the merchandise. Music starts at 7 pm, so settle in for an evening in the park.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
You can't cast a fly in Livingston without hitting an artist or writer. This small town boasts over 14 galleries and two fine museums.
Start the afternoon off with a visit to the Yellowstone Gateway Museum to check out an impressive collection of local and state historical artifacts and memorabilia. Learn all about Livingston's past (and present) as a railroad town at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot.
Follow the museums with The Heart of Art in Montana—Livingston Downtown Gallery Walks on the 4th Friday of June, July, August, and September. Meet the artists and enjoy free food and drink as you wander from gallery to gallery. More info at livingstonmontana.org/visiting.
4TH OF JULY
The most celebrated holiday in Livingston has to be the 4th of July. Ten thousand spectators flock here every year to watch cowboys and cowgirls compete for the 10th highest rodeo purse in the country. The Roundup takes place July 2, 3, and 4. "Burgers with Baucus," a hoedown, and a parade on July 2 round out the events. Visit livingston-chamber.com/rodeo.html for more info.
ADD TO YOUR LIST...
Pine Creek Lodge and Cafe (10 miles south of Livingston) has live local and regional bands on the outdoor deck and BBQ every Saturday night throughout the summer. Music is free, but all food and drink must be purchased to support the series. Check it out at pinecreeklodgemontana.com.
Livingston's 10th annual outdoor music festival, Summerfest, is July 17-19 in Sacajawea Park. Music plays from morning to night, so come and dance under the stars. This year, The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard headline the event. Learn more at livingstonsummerfest.com.
The Park County Fair features a carnival, rodeo, various exhibits, pig wrestling, demolition derby, and more. You can even buy a pig or cow to take home with you. The fair runs August 5-8; go to visitmt.com and use the search tool.
And then there's fly fishing on the Yellowstone River. Duh.
