Rivers, trails and a creative streak give Montana's second city its unmistakable character. For travelers chasing the northern Rockies, this is a destination worth slowing down for.

The Clark Fork River runs through the heart of downtown Missoula.

What sets it apart

The University of Montana draws students and a steady arts and music scene. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

A restored carousel and riverfront trails make the city center walkable and green.

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.