Western Montana

If you live in the Helena area, chances are you’ve heard about the Last Chance Tour Train during commercial breaks on television. You’ve probably seen it driving through town, twisting and turning through the streets of downtown Helena. But I’m always surprised at how few locals have actually ridden on the train, and trust me, it’s an enjoyable ride for locals and tourists alike.

With the extended family from both in-state and out-of-state descending upon Helena, we decided to check out the tour train. Firstly, it’s important to know that tours only depart on the hour, so schedule yourself appropriately, or you’ll be waiting with nothing to do for a long while. You’ll be buying tickets in a stand outside the Montana Historical Society at the corner of 6th and Roberts - near the Capitol building. Prices are $7.50 for adults and slightly less for children and seniors.

The tour will take you first around the immediate Capitol area, past various state government agency buildings - and your tour guide will point these out. You’ll then enter a residential area and go past the current Governor’s Mansion. This new(ish) Governor’s Mansion struck me as looking like a small version of a Holiday Inn, and the tour guide concured with that opinion! Fortunately, you’ll then enter the old Mansion District and pass two of the old Governor’s Mansions. Old is definitely more beautiful than New, in this instance.

Your train will make its way past the Helena Cathedral before entering the downtown area. To me, downtown Helena is one of the most beautiful downtown areas in the state. All activity seems to die off after dusk, but the architecture and the hills make it gorgeous, in my view. Downtown Helena is, as your tour guide will tell you, located in the historic Last Chance Gulch - historic for its mining history.

And that is what was most interesting about the tour, to me - the history! Helena really is a gem, full of history, being one of the oldest towns in Montana. The tour guide told us all sorts of stories about how Helena became named as such, how it became the capital, and how it managed to survive while most of its fellow mining towns died off over time. All in all, it comes highly recommended by all of us!