'''Butte''' is one of the major towns in Montana.

Understand

It used to be Montana's largest city, but has dwindled in size and importance along with the state's mining industry. The essence of the town is summed up by the sign on the northern approach from the I-15:

''The "greatest mining camp on earth" built on "the richest hill in the world". That hill, which has produced over two billion dollars worth of gold, silver, copper and zinc is literally honeycombed with drifts, winzes and stopes that extend beneath the city. There are over 3000 miles of workings and shafts reach a depth of 4000 feet.'' ''This immediate country was opened as a placer district in 1864. Later Butte became a quartz mining camp and successively opened silver, copper and zinc deposits.'' ''Butte has a most cosmopolitan population derived from the four corners of the world. She was a bold, unashamed, rootin', tootin' hell-roarin' camp in days gone by and still drinks her liquor straight.''

Get in

Butte is located right along I-90 between Deer Lodge and Whitehall, and also at the intersection with the I-15 highway.

Get around

See

  • The most interesting (horrifying?) feature of Butte is the 1,700-foot-deep '''Berkeley Pit''' (sometimes referred to by out-of-staters as the "Butte Hole"), the site of a former copper mining operation that is now partially filled with toxic runoff and is listed as a Superfund site. Despite the frightening description, The Pit is an interesting and instructive side trip and should not be passed up.
  • '''The Mineral Museum''' [http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/museum/museum.asp] is located on the Montana Tech Campus. 1,300 specimens of minerals from around the world. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Earthquake Studies Office is also located in the Museum, offering the visitor an opportunity to see active seismographs recording real time data from Montana_fs seismic network. The Mineral Museum conducts tours, lectures and workshops. Summer Hours: daily, 9 AM ? 5 PM (June 15 through September 15). Winter Hours: Weekdays, 9 AM ? 4 PM. Free admission.
  • '''Old Butte Historical Adventures''' [http://www.buttetours.info/index.htm] Walking tours explore the colorful history of Butte, Montana ? "The Richest Hill on Earth". +1-406-498-3424. 1 and a half hour tours. Adults: $10.00, children under 12: $5.00, seniors over 65: $8.00
  • Do

    Events

  • The '''Saint Patrick's Day''' celebration is a regional legend as Butte is one of those rare places that does not have an open container law. Beer is colored green, and many people flock to the town for drinking and partying.
  • '''Evel Knievel Days''' [http://www.knieveldays.com/] Free. Evel Knievel's hometown of Butte plays host to a three-day event drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world during the last weekend in July each year. In 2009, July 23,24,25.
  • '''71st National Folk Festival''' [http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009/] July 10-12, 2009. Traditional music, food, crafts, culture. Uptown. Free admission.
  • '''An Ri Ra Irish Festival''' [http://www.mtgaelic.org/Festival1.html]uptown, every year in August. 2009: August 7-9.
  • '''Butte Vigilante Rodeo''' [http://goldwest.visitmt.com/listings/8858.htm] weekend after the 4th of July.
  • Skiing/snowboarding

  • '''Discovery Ski Area''' [http://www.skidiscovery.com/] in nearby Philipsburg.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Butte is known for the food of its mining heritage. Pastys are a meat potato and onion mix, surrounded by dough. Miners used their helmet candles to heat the self contained meal down in the shaft below Butte. Pastys are served locally at restaurants with two ('''Joe's''' and '''Nancy's''') giving them top billing.

    '''Pork Chop John's''' Greasy spoon. 8 W. Mercury, uptown. +1(406) 782-0812 Monday through Saturday 10:30 am until 10:30 pm

    '''Spaghettini's''' for surprisingly good upscale Italian.

    Aside from that, there are a lot of the regular American chains in the greater area.

    Drink

    Coffee

  • '''Blue Luna''' 124 S. Main Street, uptown Butte. Hip spot where students, professionals, and soccer moms meet. Gourmet, socially-conscious coffees, loose leaf teas, and a variety of delectable treats. Classical Music Mornings. Free wireless access. Mon-Fri 6:30-4:00. Sat-Closed. Sun 10:00-4:00. '''Live Music Friday Nights''': doors open at 7:00pm.
  • Bars

  • The '''Party Palace''' lives up to its billing, with pool and karaoke and cheap beer, but the local clientele leaves a lot to be desired.
  • The '''Silver Dollar Saloon''' offers a friendly place for a drink, with a youthful atmosphere.
  • '''Maloney's''' in uptown Butte is where you will find exotic beers, including Guiness.
  • Microbrewery

  • '''Quarry Brewing''' Bar/Tasting 45 West Galena Street. +1 406-723-0245 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1:00pm-8:00pm. Brewer: Chuck Schnabel. Live music most Fridays.
  • Sleep

  • '''The Finlen Hotel''' (100 E. Broadway, 1-800-729-5461) is an inexpensive and historic hotel, well-located to accommodate walking through the rest of Butte's downtown. Rooms are clean and well-maintained, but be aware that cheaper rooms may actually be located in the motel section, a not-as-historic add-on with much more spartan accommodations.
  • '''Hampton Inn Butte''' (3499 Harrison Avenue, 1-406-494-2250).
  • '''Toad Hall Manor''' an elegant, charming bed & breakfast which takes its name from the British children's classic, "The Wind in the Willows". This is truly a wonderful place for a relaxing change of pace, celebration of a special occasion, or a romantic getaway. Find more info online at [http://www.toadhallmanor.com toadhallmanor.com]
  • '''Butte War Bonnet Hotel''' (2100 Cornell Avenue, 1-406-494-7800)[http://www.buttewarbonnet.com]
  • '''Super 8 (2929 Harrison Avenue I-90 Exit 127 1 Blk. So Butte, MT, 59701-3638 US) - charge extra for more than 2 adults even if it has 2 queen beds. Include breakfast.
  • Get out