A gulch strike built the capital city, whose skyline still mixes cathedral spires and mining-era mansions. For travelers chasing the northern Rockies, this is a destination worth slowing down for.

Helena began as a gold camp on Last Chance Gulch in 1864.

What sets it apart

The neo-Gothic Cathedral of Saint Helena towers over the historic district. For those who know the region well, it is a point of quiet pride.

Reeder's Alley preserves some of the city's oldest brick-and-stone buildings.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about Montana itself — a state where the wild and the worked-over sit close together. However you come to it, this is a place that stays with you long after the drive home.