How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Billings, Montana

Take a trip back in time at the marvelous Moss Mansion Historic Museum on Division Street. The turn-of-the-century sandstone building offers terrific tours and still showcases its original furniture and fixtures.

Enjoy a quality performance in an intimate setting at the Billings Studio Theatre on Rimrock Road. From serious productions such as "The Caine Mutiny" to family fun like "Frog and Toad," you will find an eclectic mix at this cozy venue.

Make a short stop at the unique and compelling Yellowstone Art Museum. Located on North 27th Avenue, the museum showcases regional arts and artifacts and is actually on the site of a since-expanded former county prison.

Offbeat elegance and enticing cuisine are the standbys at Walkers Grill on First Avenue. Based in a lovely loft building on the ground floor and embellished with such oddities as a barbed-wire chandelier, Walkers has received notoriety in several national publications and attracted such diners as Garrison Keillor, Joan Baez, Poet Alan Ginsberg and Bill Clinton.

Animal lovers won't want to miss Zoo Montana on South Shiloh Road, a cool collection of creatures both native to the area and from all over the globe, especially Europe and Asia. A botanical garden adds to the attraction's allure.

Saddle up for some cowboy-style fun at one of the many western bars in the city. Casey's Golden Pheasant, on North Broadway, is one of the oldest taverns in Billings and mixes up its entertainment offerings to also include jazz and rock in addition to country.

Take a treasure hunt downtown, perusing the city's numerous appealing antique shops. The Depot Antique Mall, on Montana Avenue, is a spacious setting showcasing dozens upon dozens of dealers.