Bordering both the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin National Forest is West Yellowstone, a small western community in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here you can find shopping, dining, recreation and relaxation. Although West is a small town, its many shops are guaranteed to please. To begin a shopping spree, visit the Madison Hotel and Gift Shop. Located in the historic downtown district, the gift shop is hewn out of local lodgepole pines and offers a huge selection of traditional souvenirs, jewelry, pottery, hats, T-shirts, and wall decor.
If the fickle mountain weather has caught you without the proper attire, the Bargain Depot store has top-quality clothing at outlet prices. Their two convenient locations, at 22 Canyon Street and the corner of Madison and Dunraven, feature London Fog, Jerzees and White Sierra.
 The Eagle Store, a family run store since 1908, offers a complete line of fishing tackle, backpacking equipment, hiking boots, and an outstanding line of western wear. It is located at 3 Canyon Street.
Time for just one more shopping spot? Where the schoolhouse once stood on 121 Madison Street is West Yellowstone’s newest retail complex, Madison Crossing. Here you will find everything you need: women’s apparel, a toy store, gourmet kitchen items, wildlife furniture, photo processing, a florist, a pharmacy/gift store and an art gallery.
Before heading into Yellowstone National Park, make sure to stop by Elk Mountain Photo/Wolf Den Art Gallery at 29 Canyon Street. To help visitors get close-up wildlife shots, the store rents telephoto lenses, spotting scopes, camera outfits, and binoculars. It also offers unique leather art, authentic paw castings of Yellowstone wolves and wildlife prints. For good food, try the Timberline Café at 135 Yellowstone. This smoke-free restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it specializes in homemade soups and entrees. Be sure to enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with a delicious slice of homemade pie.
Three Bear Restaurant, located at 205 Yellowstone, offers prime rib, steaks, and chicken. For a uniquely different dining experience, Eino’s Tavern is a must. Located nine miles north of West Yellowstone on Highway 191, the restaurant offers casual atmosphere with a spectacular view of Hegben Lake. Here you’re the cook and are in charge of preparing burgers and steaks just they way you like.
For a quick bite, either in the shop or outside, Gusher Pizza and Sandwich Shoppe features pizza, steak, shrimp, burgers, soups, salads, beer, wine and soft drinks. All orders are available to go, with free delivery offered within the town of West Yellowstone.
After dinner, send the kids to the game room while you enjoy a game of pool or Montana Poker in the pub.
For a good brew and delicious food, go to West Yellowstone’s only brewing company. Located between the Imax Theater and the Grizzly Discovery Center, Wolf Pack Brewing offers daily specials along with typical bar food like hot dogs, polish sausages and bratwurst steamed in their own beer.
Just yards away from Wolf Pack Brewing is the famous six-story-high screen, with six-channel digital surround sound that houses the Imax Theater. The kids will enjoy this learning experience as they watch “Wolves,”a popular feature that takes visitors on a journey with Yellowstone’s own wolf pack. If the Imax has you geared up for a live wolf sighting and you don’t have time to head to the Lamar Valley in the park, head to the Grizzly Discovery Center. This bear and wolf preserve allows you to discover the habits of live grizzly bears and a gray wolf pack.
 Visitors can also check out educational exhibits as well as films at this unique facility. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. until dusk, this is a vacation must. If the day is drawing to a close, but you are still looking for something to do, check out the Playmill Theater, 29 Madison. For 37 years the Playmill has been entertaining visitors with musicals, comedies, and melodramas for the entire family. The Playmill is open May through September and reservations are strongly recommended. If you’re not in the mood for live entertainment, the Bears Den Cinema is town’s only year round cinema. Call (406) 646-7777 for current movie and show times. With all the fun things offered in town, one is likely to forget the great options for activities located within the immediate area. West Yellowstone and nearby Island Park (located just 20 miles south of West on Highway 20) are home to world famous trout streams and lakes. Whether you just need a new fly, the whole fishing package, or want a guided trip to where the fish are biting, the local fishing stores like RJ Cain and Company, Bud Lily’s Trout Shop, Arrick’s Fly Shop and Blue Ribbon Flies can give you the advice and equipment to catch that big one. Backcountry trails abound in Gallatin and Targhee National Forest. During the summer months, these trails are great for mountain biking or for taking a guided horse tour from Parade West Ranch, located one mile west of the junction of US Highways 191 and 287. Glimpses of moose, elk, and coyotes are often seen on trail rides, which vary from one hour to a half-day. Leaving dry ground behind, Geyser Whitewater Expeditions offers white water trips, scenic floats and kayak instruction. For more information or reservations call 1-800-941-9031.
West Yellowstone is also known as the “Snowmobile Capital of the World”. West Yellowstone and neighboring Island Park are headquarters to the nation’s most extensive snowmobile trail system. Yellowstone Adventures and Yellowstone Arctic/ Yamaha are just two of many local snowmobile renters that offer guided trips to the area’s famous trails and into Yellowstone National Park to see thermal features and wildlife. For the more experienced riders, a trip up Two Top Mountain on a clear day for a view of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming is a must. If you seek a quieter, slower mode of travel, hit the Rendezvous Ski Trails, which lead cross-country skiers through lodge pole pine forests. Klondike Dreams Sled Dog Tours offer a unique way to see the beautiful Gallatin National Forest. Visitors can learn to command and harness dogs, and actually drive a team of Alaskan Huskies. Full day and half-day trips available. For more information, call (406) 646-4988.
A day’s drive along Highway 287 will take you to the historic old mining towns of Virginia and Nevada Cities. Stroll through the restored town to see what life was like in the gold rush days. From West Yellowstone it’s just 41 miles along Highway 191 through Gallatin Canyon to Big Ski Winter and Summer Resort.
Whatever your pleasure, you and your family are sure to find a variety of exciting things to do while vacationing in and around West Yellowstone.
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