Missoula
Nestled in the Rocky Mountain grandeur of western Montana,
the city of Missoula is the hub
of five valleys and three major rivers - the Blackfoot, the Bitterroot and the Clark
Fork. Roughly halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, Missoula is a
blend of small-town charm and big-city sophistication.
One of the first things visitors notice is how friendly people are here. With
about 85,000 residents and visitors from around the globe, the city has an
increasingly diverse population. People come from around the region to shop
the city's department and discount stores, shopping mall, unique stores,
specialty boutiques, and Missoula's thriving
Downtown.
On summer Saturdays, Missoulian's congregate at the Farmer's Market for
fresh produce, coffee and conversation.
Local restaurants serve up everything from steak and sushi to Thai noodles, while an array of coffeehouses, pubs, nightclubs, fast foods and movie theaters provide diversion.
Outdoors activities are year round in Missoula from hiking, to golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, fishing, hunting, rafting, and mountain climbing.
If you're not able to see the elk in the out of doors, make sure you visit the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's visitor center and learn more about their role in conserving wildlife habitat and upholding North Americas hunting heritage.
Missoula has fun for all ages. You can ride the ponies at the Missoula Carousel then walk next door to Dragon Hollow play area. During the summer have fun at Splash Montana and during the winter play at Currents. Don't forget to visit the Children's Museum while you're out and about where you can Learn! Play! Imagine!
Ongoing events include: Out to Lunch, First Night Missoula, International Choral Festival, Saturday Arts and Crafts Market, Irish Cultural Celebration, International Wildlife Film Festival, Downtown ToNight, The Missoula Symphony, and The Missoula Children's Theatre.
A wide range of medical services are offered with over 5,500 people working in the medical community. There are two medical centers in Missoula: St. Patrick Hospital & Health Sciences Center and Community Medical Center.
Missoula is a great place to raise a family and get an education. Missoula Public Schools, a unified K-12 district, is committed to providing a high quality, comprehensive educational experience for every student in public schools. For more information: (406) 728-2400.
There are three private schools in Missoula. Loyola Sacred Heart, a diocesan Catholic, co-educational high school committed to providing high quality college preparatory education in an environment of traditional Catholic teaching. Since beginning inn 1873, Loyola Sacred Heart has exhibited academic excellence. Enrollment typically includes around 60 students in each class grades 9-12, of which 65% is Catholic.
Valley Christian is an interdenominational K-12 school. They have over 40 teachers and administrators and have a student body of around 500 students.
Missoula International School is a nonprofit, independent school, offering a unique educational opportunity for families. Their mission is to nurture strong minds and open hearts in children. They achieve their goals by providing an engaging international curriculum taught primarily in Spanish for children between the ages of three and fourteen.
The University of Montana was chartered in 1893. More than 13,000 students attend the University where the main campus covers 200 tree-shaded acres near downtown at the base of Mount Sentinel. Along with being known for their academic excellence, the U of M sports teams enjoy the some of the most dedicated fans around. The school has won two Division I-AA National Championships in football and Monte the Mascot won the Capital One Mascot of the Year in 2003.
Missoula College of Technology, part of the University provides higher education in over 34 different areas. They offer course work during the days, evenings, and weekends and through the internet. As University students, College of Technology students also use mountain campus facilities, Mansfield Library, residence halls, recreation facilities, career services and the student health services.
Missoula is home to a wide variety of religious faiths. Today, there are over 75 Christian churches in the area.
Looking to purchase a home? Check with the Montana Association of Realtors to find a realtor to help you find your dream home.