Billings is the gateway to our nation's legendary western heritage. Over a century of cowboys, Indians, rustlers and Custer still dominate the galleries, museums, cabins, mansions and historic sites within the "Magic City."

Your passport to the legendary Montana Territory begins at the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. The Cattle Drive Monument standing in tribute to the great Montana Centenial Cattle Drive of 1989 welcomes visitors. Brochures, information, and friendly assistance await. Please call the Visitor Center for hours and days of operation for attractions listed. 815 South 27th Street, 252-4016 or 1-800-735-2635.

Walk through a period when the untamed Yellowstone River Valley was in her infancy. Places, people and images of the Valley from 1880-1940 showcase this interactive museum in the turn-of-the-century Western Heritage Center building. 2822 Montana Avenue,
256-6809.

Vital to the valley's early growth were the familiar chugging, black-smoke-belching steam engines. The last to operate in Billings overlooks the city it created at the Peter Yegen, Jr. Yellowstone County Museum. Authentic cowboy and Indian artifacts and more are part of this collection. Located at Logan International Airport, 256-6811.

The railroad brought prosperity to Billings, and prosperity brought Preston B. Moss. In 1901, architect H.J. Hardenbergh (designer of the Waldorf-Astoria and Plaza Hotels in New York City) created the elegant Moss estate. The three-story Moss Mansion remains authentically furnished and open year-round. 914 Division Street, 256-5100.

Following the completion of the Moss Mansion, The Castle was constructed to mirror Chicago's elite Potter Palmer mansion. The medieval-looking structure remains a private home, although the historic carriage house is now a gift shop and the old livery stable is a restaurant. 622 North 29th Street.

Finding solace in his small rustic cabin, famed Billings artist J.K. Ralston put the West on canvas. His restored home and studio, the J.K. Ralston Cabin is on display on the north end of the Rocky Mountain College campus. Summer.

The rugged embrace of the Rimrocks, surrounding Billings, branded this area since time began. Billings' history unfolds along the Black Otter Trail winding along this sandstone skyline. The trail is named for a Crow Indian chief who was buried here after his death at the hands of a Sioux war party. The scenic trail begins at US 10 in east Billings.

Rugged as the Rimrocks enclosing their tombstone were the outlaws, marshals and townsfolk of Coulson, who haunt Boothill Cemetery along Black Otter Trail. Violence and death were common to the residents of this 1800s Old West town, and to the Army scout, Muggins Taylor, who carried the news of Custer's defeat to the world. He was buried here after a shoot-out.

Campaigns to force Native Americans onto reservations increased following Custer's defeat. Frontiersman and scout "Yellowstone" Kelly was called upon to guide the Army on its quest. Yellowstone Kelly's grave, west of Boothill, is shadowed by five majestic mountain ranges - the Bighorn, Pryor, Beartooth, Crazy and Snowy mountain ranges.

Indian warriors were slowly defeated not only by the Army, but by a white man's disease - smallpox. Sacrifice Cliff, located on the east end of Black Otter Trail, was the site of a Crow village. Upon a war party's return, young braves found the village decimated by smallpox. Warriors blindfolded their ponies and rode them over the cliff to appease the gods and halt the epidemic.

Before the white man, before the Crow Indian, and long before the buffalo, the western Indian hunted the woolly mammoth, and documented the hunt with cave paintings. Over 4,500 years ago, Pictograph Cave State Park was home to these Indians. Paintings are still visible. Southeast of Billings on I-90, Lockwood Exit, 7 miles, 252-4654. April 15-Oct. 15.

Feel the Montana spirit reverberate through the floorboards and theater stage. Art, music, dancing, plays, cultural events, and more. Grab your boots and hit the Billings streets for some down-home fun.

Western and contemporary art from nationally and internationally acclaimed artists dominate rotating exhibits at the premier art museum in a four-state region – the Yellowstone Art Museum. A first-class Montana collection showcases Russell Chatham, Deborah Butterfield and more. 401 North 27th Street, 256-6804.

Broadway musicals, ballet, the Billings Symphony and celebrity musicians on tour are part of the Alberta Bair Theater for Performing Arts, the largest performing arts theater between Minneapolis and Spokane. N. Broadway and 3rd Avenue North, 256-6052.

The Babcock Theater opened in 1907 as a delightful Vaudeville theater. This timeless nickel theater remains an architectural reminder of Billings' early years. Currently unoccupied, the Babcock is the center of the Downtown Historic District. 2812 2nd Avenue North.

Live local productions of works ranging from Shakespeare to Neil Simon and summer repertory theater echo throughout the Billings Studio Theatre. 1500 Rimrock Road, 248-1141.

MetraPark has it all! This modern facility and fairgrounds offers live concerts, rodeos, horse racing, MontanaFair (the state's largest event) and more. 256-2400 or 1-800-366-8538.

Montana's only wildlife park is nestled in 70 acres of plush Montana green. Follow Canyon Creek through ZooMontana's winding nature trail as you view native and exotic animals in their natural habitat. Children will enjoy the turn-of-the-century Montana Homestead petting zoo in a farm and ranch setting. 2100 South Shiloh Road, 652-8100. Open every day 10am-5pm.

Whether you're looking for bronc-busting rodeo action or the relaxation of fishing or hunting, you'll be in good company. Teddy Roosevelt, Calamity Jane and Charles Lindbergh sought refuge and recreation through the splendor of the Billings area.

How you watch Montana's wildlife is up to you. Grab your binoculars and head to the plains or hike the mountains that surround Billings. Or, grab a hardwood bench to watch the toughest cowboys ride atop the meanest and biggest bulls and broncs.

Wade, float or fish the world's most famous fishing streams: Rock Creek and the Stillwater, Boulder, Musselshell, Big Horn and Yellowstone Rivers. Big Horn, Cooney Dam and Deadman's Basin Reservoirs overflow with blue ribbon fish. Water sports are abundant at area lakes like Lake Elmo State Park in Billings Heights. Contact Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, for more information and to obtain a fishing license, 252-4654.

Trails for feet, hooves, and tires entwine Billings. Swim, fish, bike, picnic, ride horse, or walk the nature tails with beautiful views of the Yellowstone River at Riverfront Park on South Billings Boulevard. Enjoy camping, hiking, boating and other water recreation at Cooney Reservoir. I-90 to Hwy 212 to Boyd turnoff. 50 Miles from Billings.

You'll want to avoid the water at Billings' public golf courses. Tee off at: Circle Inn Golf Links, 248-4201; Lake Hills Golf Club, 252-9244; Par 3 Exchange City Golf Course, 652-2553; or Peter Yegen Jr. Golf Club 656-8099. Briarwood, 248-2702, and Pryor Creek, 256-0626, private courses allow limited play. Call ahead to reserve tee times. Come winter, ski the heart-pounding slopes at Red Lodge Mountain, boasting over 60 runs, complete instructions, rentals, and kids' SkiWEE, 1-800-444-8977. Cross-country ski maps and trail information for Billings are available from Custer National Forest, 657-6361.

Professional athletic teams ranging from baseball's Pioneer League Mustangs (Cincinnati Reds' farm team) to Billings Bulls hockey, guarantee great sports action. Magic City Speedway, 5 miles east of Billings on Hwy 10 E, brings the roar of auto racing to town.

Adventure, nostalgia and the flavor of unique western history await the imaginative pilgrim here. Follow roads less traveled as you accompany Lewis and Clark along the Yellowstone River, chase Gen. Custer through the rolling plains, and join great Indian chiefs in the plight along the Little Bighorn.

Traveling for days without food or water, galloping on tired horses, and following a controversial commander, the 7th Cavalry collided with an over-powering Sioux and Cheyenne village in the Valley of the Little Bighorn. The infamous Gen. George Custer, 225 soldiers, Crazy Horse and over 3,000 warriors clashed 60 miles southeast of present-day Billings. Feel this historic moment at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Crow Agency, on I-90, (406) 638-2621.

President Teddy Roosevelt made Yellowstone the world's first National Park. Its geysers, mud pots, painted canyons, wildlife and recreation make this park the world's best. Hwy 212 to Yellowstone National Park via Red Lodge and Cooke City. (130 miles from Billings)

On your way to Yellowstone, enjoy the nation's most beautiful drive, and Montana's highest peak, on Hwy 212 over the Beartooth Mountain Pass. This scenic pass, just west of Red Lodge, Montana, is open Memorial Day through fall, weather permitting. (70 miles from Billings)

Red Lodge possesses all the charm one would expect in a resort town. This small mining village is full of antique and western stores, boutiques, fine dining, nearby hiking and outdoor recreation. I-90 to Laurel, Montana, south on Hwy 212. (60 miles from Billings)

"I will fight no more forever!" The shattered words of a broken Chief Joseph after being captured 30 miles from the Canadian border. Prior to his capture, Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians had outmaneuvered Col. Sturgis and his men at the Canyon Creek Battle near Billings, on what is now the Nez Perce Trail. A Chief Joseph Statue stands in downtown Laurel and the battlefield is just 5 miles north. (15 miles from Billings.)

Rough and tumble frontierswoman, Calamity Jane, staked claim to one of her last home sites just east of the battlefield in Laurel. Although no structure exists today, the home was known to be a cabin or a dugout.

Retrace the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Pompeys Pillar, where William Clark carved his name into this sandstone lookout rock, the only remaining physical evidence of the expedition. East on I-94, (406) 657-6262. Seasonal. (28 miles from Billings)

Indian guides were a significant part of the Lewis and Clark party. A museum at Chief Plenty Coups Memorial State Park acknowledges the Indian contribution to the expedition and honors the history of the Crow Indians. Hwy 416 to Pryor, (406) 252-1289. May - Sept. (35 miles from Billings)

East of the Crow Reservation on I-90 is the Big Horn County Historical Museum and State Visitor Center in Hardin. The restored buildings, along with a railroad depot, create a western village that sits on 24 acres overlooking the Bighorn River, (406) 665-1671. (46 miles from Billings)

Outdoor enthusiasts will be in awe of spectacular Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Yellowtail Dam. The 71-mile-long lake, straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, is one of the largest canyons in the U.S. Follow U.S. I-90 to Hardin, then Hwy 313 to Fort Smith, (406) 666-2443. (90 miles from Billings)

Western boutiques to specialty shops to large department stores serve up quality merchandise, great bargains, and - best of all - no sales tax! Walk through Montana's two largest enclosed shopping centers, Rimrock Mall and West Park Plaza; stroll the historic downtown shopping district, or visit the wonderful shops in the Billings Heights area on Main Street.

A rock-jarring ride in a creaking stagecoach or saddle-sore bounces of the horse were the only means of transportation when the West was won a century ago. Today, Billings is a modern, major thoroughfare for air, interstate and highway travel.

Billings Logan International Airport is a regional hub for three major carriers: Delta, Northwest, and United, and is also serviced by Big Sky, Horizon and SkyWest regional airlines, offering 41 daily flights with world-wide connections. The interstate highway serves Billings from the south, east and west via I-90 and I-94. Major passenger, charter and package bus lines also offer transportation.